Ambushed! Hokage Armor, Combine?

Faraway Kumogakure.

The Second Raikage received intelligence from the Chloe Squad.

Time was short and the mission urgent. Without notifying the other two sides, the Raikage immediately decided to take action.

Even if the Konoha team had no elder-level ninja, the mere fact that three Jōnin had been separated from the group made them worthy targets for Kumogakure's assassination.

However, rather than deploying the elite Kinkaku and Ginkaku unit, the Raikage personally went to Kumogakure Prison and selected its most vicious inmates to carry out this mission.

Deep underground in Kumogakure Prison, a solitary cell was dark and damp, its air thick with the pungent smell of mold.

The prisoners of Kumogakure Prison were never given the chance to go outside. They could only kill themselves amid day after day of loneliness and despair.

In the center of the darkness, a figure sat cross-legged.

He had a head of white hair and a lean frame, with heavy chains wrapped around his body. He remained utterly motionless.

A walked up to the cell door and got straight to the point. "Shinnō, I'm giving you an opportunity."

"Take part in a hunting operation. The targets are four Konoha ninja. Kill them all, and I'll remove the Lightning Curse Mark inside you and let you go."

Shinnō slowly opened his eyes, a sharp gleam flashing within them. "How strong are the targets?"

"Three Jōnin, plus one suspected Konoha elder. I'll also send three elite squads to assist you."

"Heh-heh—" Shinnō chuckled softly and slowly rose from the ground. His chains clinked crisply against one another. "Deal!"

Many years ago, Shinnō had secretly infiltrated Kumogakure, intending to steal one of the village's inherited body techniques. During the operation, the First Raikage discovered him, and the two immediately engaged in a fierce battle.

During the