The same thing was happening in the Sand Village as well.
The Sand Village, Kazekage's Office
The Third Kazekage sat in the seat of honor, stroking his chin as if deep in thought.
Granny Chiyo and Ebizo sat on either side of the Kazekage, both staring intently at a report.
In fact, the most powerful people in the Sand Village had all gathered here today!
"Little brother, is this information true?"
Chiyo raised her head and asked first.
"Big sister, even the Kazekage hasn't questioned it, yet you're the first to doubt it."
Chiyo knew that Ebizo controlled the Sand Village's largest intelligence department.
If this report had made it to them, it must have gone through several layers of scrutiny.
The Third Kazekage raised his head and looked at the siblings.
"What do the two of you think about this?"
Chiyo was just about to speak, but Ebizo quickly gave her a subtle look. She swallowed the words she'd been about to say.
Ebizo looked at the Third Kazekage.
"How does Lord Kazekage wish to handle this? My sister and I will do everything in our power to serve you."
Seeing that he wouldn't be able to get them to speak first, the Third Kazekage stopped beating around the bush and declared,
"Orochimaru killed many of our ninja during the Second Shinobi World War. His crimes are heinous!"
"As for Uchiha Lihuo, he killed a Jonin and two Chunin during the Oniichiro incident. His crimes are unforgivable as well."
"Now we finally have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I believe we should assemble the Anbu and wait for a chance to assassinate them."
As he finished speaking, a powerful aura erupted from the Third Kazekage. It was a razor-sharp presence that only a Kage Level shinobi could possess.
It seemed to brook no refusal of his decision.
Ebizo stood and bowed slightly.
"We are willing to serve Lord Kazekage with all our strength!"
Then, ignoring Chiyo's furious glare, he forcibly dragged his sister away.
Once they were outside the Kazekage Building, Chiyo could no longer hold back her impatience and broke free of Ebizo.
"Little brother! Can't you see? This is a..."
"Shh!"
Ebizo raised his index finger to his lips, signaling her to be quiet, then glanced subtly upward.
Sure enough, the Kazekage was watching them from the enormous window of his office.
"We'll talk at home!"
Chiyo noticed her brother's strange reaction. Half convinced, she followed him home.
Ebizo closed the door, carefully checked that no one was nearby, then looked Chiyo in the eyes.
"You want to say this is an obvious trap, right?"
Chiyo spoke loudly.
"Of course! Konoha deliberately leaked information about Orochimaru and Uchiha Lihuo. This is very likely a vicious scheme to make us do their dirty work!"
Ebizo looked at his sister with a grave expression.
"You're not the only one who saw through the obvious trap. The Kazekage and I did too."
"Then why did you..."
"But you didn't realize that Lord Kazekage had set an invisible trap for the two of us."
Ebizo continued,
"Word of the Oniichiro incident has gradually spread through the village. Some villagers are already accusing us of being weak and incompetent in the matter!"
"That was Lord Kazekage's decision. Besides, the situation at the time was completely unsuitable for sending out troops."
"So what? What Lord Kazekage wants is the villagers' unanimous approval."
At that, Chiyo suddenly understood.
"So..."
Ebizo nodded.
"So the Kazekage kept asking us questions to lead us into saying that we wouldn't send out troops."
"That way, he can preserve the Sand Village's strength while shifting all the blame onto us."
After hearing this, Chiyo slumped into a chair.
"How did I not see that?"
She spoke in a daze.
"But, little brother, if we send out troops, it could do the Sand Village far more harm than good."
Ebizo narrowed his eyes at his sister's words. After pondering for a moment, he said slowly,
"Not necessarily. If we choose the right moment, we might still score a decisive victory!"
The Land of Lightning, Kumogakure, Unraikyo
BOOM!!!
BANG!!!
A series of deafening crashes echoed through the entire gorge like thunder.
A dark-skinned giant, his body flashing with dazzling lightning, was fighting the Eight-Tails, a beast tens of thousands of times larger than himself!
The Eight-Tails, feared throughout the Shinobi World, was being firmly held back by the man—and even seemed to be on the verge of defeat!
The dark-skinned giant was none other than the Third Raikage, Ai!
ROAR!
The Eight-Tails let out a furious roar. A pitch-black Tailed Beast Bomb instantly formed in its mouth!
The Cloud Ninja watching from outside Unraikyo saw the Tailed Beast Bomb radiating an aura of death, and couldn't help worrying for their Raikage.
But at that moment, Ai was unable to move under the strain of the intense battle!
Whoosh!
The Tailed Beast Bomb shot from the Eight-Tails' mouth like lightning, striking Ai as he recovered!
BOOM!
In an instant, it seemed as though the world had lost its color. The Tailed Beast Bomb swelled into a growing sphere.
Wherever it went, not a blade of grass remained, and the earth crumbled away!
Several seconds later, color returned to the world. When everyone looked toward the place the Tailed Beast Bomb had struck, they gasped.
Billowing smoke rose from the enormous crater, and a sturdy figure stood within it like an iron tower!
His body was charred black, but his aura kept climbing. It was the strongest shield—the Third Raikage!
Ai slowly spread his legs and crouched into a sprinter's stance. Lightning flashed across his body as he extended one finger, channeling an endless amount of Lightning Release Chakra into it.
The Raikage's gruff voice rang out.
"Hell Stab: One-Finger Nukite!"
Before the words had even faded, Ai shot toward the enormous Eight-Tails like a bolt of lightning.
BOOM!
After one final clash with the Raikage, the Eight-Tails was defeated once more!
Members of the Sealing Squad rushed over and used the Iron Armor Seal to seal the Eight-Tails back inside Blue B.
With the dust settled, the Cloud Ninja hurried to Unraikyo to help.
Meanwhile, the Raikage, having just finished fighting the Tailed Beast, received treatment from the medical squad as he dealt with official business.
"Lord Raikage, we need to send someone to attend the Mizukage's inauguration ceremony. What do you think...?"
The Raikage's secretary spoke quickly.
At that, the Raikage pondered for a moment.
"Have that brat Ai lead the team to Kirigakure to attend the ceremony."
"Understood. There's one more thing: Orochimaru and Konoha's newly risen genius, Uchiha Lihuo, will also be attending. Should we..."
As he spoke, the secretary made a throat-slitting gesture.
The Raikage rolled his shoulders and considered it briefly.
"Let's hold off for now and see what those other fellows plan to do!"
The secretary nodded and quickly left, leaving the medical squad to tend to the Raikage's injuries.
The Land of Water, Kirigakure
Kirigakure had completely abandoned its previous isolationist policy. New faces could be seen everywhere.
They had come for one reason: to witness the inauguration of the Fourth Mizukage, Karatachi Yagura.
Though he had yet to officially take office, Yagura was already handling official business in the Mizukage's Office.
"Lord Mizukage, here's a report for you to look over."
Genji, Kirigakure's most respected elder, handed Yagura a report with his aged hands.
Yagura skimmed it quickly, then looked at Genji.
"So Konoha's envoy could become a target for everyone?"
Genji nodded slowly.
"Exactly. Orochimaru and Uchiha Lihuo made enemies of the Sand Village a year ago, so they may take this opportunity to make a move."
"Someone as cunning and shrewd as Ōnoki would never pass up the chance to get a share of the spoils."
Yagura set down the report and slowly got to his feet, pacing around the office.
He knew this incident would be an important test of his abilities as the new Mizukage. If he handled it poorly, it could have serious consequences.
Yagura also knew that he couldn't rely too much on Genji. He had to make this decision himself!
After thinking for a moment, Yagura spoke slowly.
"Orochimaru and Uchiha Lihuo must not come to harm! At the very least, they must not come to harm on Land of Water territory!"
"Otherwise, Kirigakure's reputation will suffer greatly."
Genji nodded with satisfaction, then asked,
"Then what should we do?"
Yagura answered decisively,
"Use security as an excuse to close off some of the ports, and send the Seven Ninja Swordsmen to escort them!"
At that, Genji hesitated.
"Isn't that too much of a show of force? The Seven Ninja Swordsmen are usually assigned important missions such as assassinations."
Yagura looked at Genji and spoke in an unyielding tone.
"I said Konoha's envoys must not come to harm! Who knows what trouble the other hidden villages might stir up?"
Seeing that the Mizukage had made up his mind, Genji said no more. Before leaving, he added,
"Should we eliminate them after they leave Kirigakure?"
"This is an excellent opportunity to weaken Konoha."
Yagura shook his head.
"I've only just taken office, and my position isn't secure. I shouldn't make any major moves. Besides, if all those hidden villages can't kill them, there's no point in adding us to the list. This is settled."
Genji nodded and took his leave.
And so, all the hidden villages sprang into action at the same time!
Before you continue