Earth Grudge Fear Evolution, Fourth Ability

A's suspicions were not without reason.

The sudden appearance of Uchiha ninja near Cloud Thunder Valley was full of suspicious points.

Ginkaku spoke up. "They probably want revenge against Kumogakure and deliberately came to insult the First Raikage's corpse. After all, quite a few Uchiha clansmen died at the First Raikage's hands back then."

That was indeed one possibility.

Second A waved a hand dismissively. "When the First Raikage was buried, not only was his body sealed, but a miniature sensory barrier was installed as well. It hasn't been triggered so far, so there's no need to panic for now."

"But you're right as well."

"Ginkaku, take some men to set up defenses near Cloud Thunder Valley. Search the area carefully and make sure the enemy hasn't left any spies behind."

Ginkaku froze for a moment, then understood. "You mean—you're worried the enemy deliberately lured us into inspecting the corpse so they could confirm the First Raikage's body's location?"

"That's right! Then we'd fall straight into their trap!" Wisdom gleamed in Second A's eyes. "In any case, once Ginkaku confirms the surrounding area is safe, I'll send a sealing squad to inspect the First Raikage's corpse."

"Wise indeed, Raikage!"

The disturbance at Cloud Thunder Valley quickly reached the Raikage Building. After the meeting ended, related information was swiftly passed to Konoha under Kinkaku's lead.

Before the trouble arrived, Toji had ample time to carry out his plan.

He calmly avoided every Anbu defense line in the Forest of Death, retrieved the sealing scroll containing the First Raikage's corpse, and swiftly returned to the underground laboratory.

"Earth Grudge Fear!"

Black threads cleanly sliced open the First Raikage's chest, exposing the heart within, which had long since stopped beating. Though he had been renowned for his powerful body in life, the dead