Chapter 284: Kitsuchi, Cloud Ninja (cont.)

The leader was a plump man who looked remarkably genial and harmless.

Yet he was Kitsuchi, son of Ōnoki, the Third Tsuchikage of Iwagakure in the Land of Earth, reputed to be the hardest man alive to kill.

Naturally, the guards stopped Kitsuchi and his group without exception.

Kitsuchi did not get angry. After reporting the identities of his group, he said directly, "Please pass on a message. Tell them we have something to discuss with the Four Heavenly Phenomena."

After learning their identities, the gate guards neither doubted them nor made any other move. They simply followed procedure and reported the matter to the Four Heavenly Phenomena.

Upon receiving the news, Black Eagle and the other three immediately frowned. What was going on? At this time, shouldn't everyone have continued playing hide-and-seek?

Why had Iwagakure suddenly stepped forward at a time like this? The only thing certain was that this was no simple matter.

Perhaps this was the fuse that would ignite the incident.

However, the Four Heavenly Phenomena had no way to retreat now, so they decided to see what these Earth ninja from Iwagakure wanted.

Naturally, they could not simply charge in recklessly.

Before that, they had the guards stall for time. During that time, they had already sent word to Yugito of Kumogakure.

They did so because they had received word not long ago that Kumogakure's reinforcements had already arrived.

Their numbers and quality were exceptionally high. Clearly, Kumogakure had no intention of avoiding them, or perhaps they merely wanted to display Kumogakure's strength.

As Iwagakure made its move, people from the other factions and ninja villages soon noticed as well. For a time, everyone began gathering here.

Kitsuchi showed no dissatisfaction at the Four Heavenly Phenomena's obvious attempt to stall for time. From beginning to