Negotiation

Third Raikage Ai listened to Uchiha Shaoyu's account without much expression on his face, but his sharp eyes constantly analyzed the truth and intent behind the other man's words.

After a long while, he slowly nodded, his voice steady.

"Uchiha Shaoyu, I have heard what you said. But Kumogakure cannot fully trust your word alone. We will send people to gather intelligence and verify the grievances between the Uchiha and Konoha."

Uchiha Shaoyu had expected this and replied calmly.

"Please investigate as you see fit, Lord Raikage. The Uchiha's situation in Konoha may not be known to everyone, but it is hardly a secret among Konoha's upper ranks and major shinobi clans. Given Kumogakure's intelligence network, I trust it will not be difficult to verify."

The frankness in his tone made Raikage Ai believe him a little more. At the very least, the other party was not afraid of being investigated.

"Good." Raikage Ai no longer dwelled on the matter and shifted into the substantive phase of negotiations.

"Then, Uchiha Shaoyu, having defected from Konoha and come to Kumogakure, what do you want? Or rather, what do you wish to obtain from Kumogakure?"

This was the core issue: an exchange of value.

Uchiha Shaoyu had come prepared and spoke with clear logic.

"What we want is simple. First, a safe place to settle. Kumogakure must guarantee the personal safety of us and any Uchiha clansmen who may follow in the future, protecting us from threats by Konoha or other forces. At the very least, within Kumogakure, we should enjoy the same status and respect as other Kekkei Genkai clans."

Third Raikage Ai nodded slightly.

"That is only natural. So long as you sincerely join Kumogakure, obey the village rules, and serve the village, Kumogakure will naturally not mistreat any capable shinobi."

"In Kumogakure, Kekkei Genkai clans earn their standing through strength and are held in high regard. This, I can promise."

This first condition was a fundamental consensus, and it was smoothly reached.

Uchiha Shaoyu continued.

"Second." Shaoyu shifted the subject, his blazing gaze fixed on the Raikage.

"I have heard that Kumogakure believes strength is supreme, and that the strongest shinobi should stand at the highest position. If, in the future, my strength surpasses everyone in Kumogakure, including you, Third Raikage, then I demand the right to compete to become the next Raikage."

The moment those words fell, the air seemed to freeze. The nearby Kumogakure guards showed astonishment, while the Uchiha clansmen held their breath.

Even Uchiha Renhuo and the others had not expected Shaoyu to state this goal so directly. They knew Shaoyu's ambitions were vast, but saying this before the Raikage was no different from issuing a declaration of challenge.

The surrounding Kumogakure guards' expressions changed dramatically. Their hands had already gone to their weapons, and their gazes toward Uchiha Shaoyu were filled with hostility and shock. This kid was far too arrogant—he actually dared to covet the Raikage's position?!

Third Raikage Ai's eyes narrowed sharply, his piercing gaze stabbing toward Shaoyu like lightning.

He did not refute him immediately. Instead, he fell into a brief silence, a complicated emotion appearing in his eyes.

Surprise, scrutiny, and even... a trace of imperceptible approval?

Because he knew that Uchiha Shaoyu's words had struck at the most fundamental rule Kumogakure took the greatest pride in.

The position of Kumogakure's Raikage had never been a fixed hereditary title.

The Yotsuki Clan had been able to hold it for generations because each generation produced Kumogakure's strongest shinobi.

The First Raikage had been so, he, Ai, was so, and he had confidence in his son's future as well.

But this was not an ironclad rule. If one day, a shinobi outside the Yotsuki Clan truly surpassed everyone else in strength, then according to Kumogakure's tradition that the strongest became Kage, that person should have the qualification and opportunity to become Raikage.

This was the source of Kumogakure's strength: always let the strongest lead!

This Uchiha youth not only had astonishing rumored strength, but his vision and ambition also far surpassed those of ordinary people. He had directly identified the foundation upon which Kumogakure was built and set a bold goal fully in line with Kumogakure's values.

Ai liked him very much!

Even if this youth had not been a genius of the Uchiha Clan, he would still have wanted to bring him into Kumogakure and nurture him well.

"This condition," Third Raikage Ai slowly said, his voice carrying a weighty approval.

"If you truly possess that strength, Kumogakure will naturally follow its traditions. The strongest shinobi is qualified to become Raikage. This, I can promise you."

He had agreed. This was equivalent to acknowledging Uchiha Shaoyu's potential future qualification to compete for the Raikage position—a promise of tremendous weight.

But immediately afterward, Shaoyu raised his third condition.

"Then, before I prove that I possess such strength, I need a starting point from which I can establish myself and participate in the village's decisions. I want a position as a Kumogakure elder."

"An elder?"

Third Raikage Ai's brows immediately furrowed. The little appreciation he had felt for Shaoyu's vision was suppressed by practical considerations.

He slowly shook his head, his gaze falling upon Shaoyu's youthful face.

"Uchiha Shaoyu, you are too young."

His tone was not contemptuous, but prudent in light of reality.

"The position of elder requires not only strength, but also seniority, prestige, contributions to the village, and the ability to handle complex affairs."

"You may be a genius in Konoha, but this is Kumogakure. You have only just arrived and have made no contributions. With nothing but the title of Uchiha genius and a bold claim about your future prospects, you wish to directly join the council of elders? That will not convince the public, nor does it conform to the rules."

Raikage Ai paused, and the steady aura of a peak powerhouse naturally radiated from him.

"I acknowledge your 'qualification' to compete for Raikage because it concerns Kumogakure's fundamental rules, and because it is a matter for the future."

"But the position of elder is a real, tangible position in the present. What it requires is strength that can be seen and felt right now."

His meaning was clear.

I can give you a promise of future eligibility to compete for Raikage, because it aligns with Kumogakure's spirit and is a long-term goal.

But for the existing and important position of elder, you must prove right now that you possess the hard strength to match it—strength enough to make every Kumogakure shinobi shut up.

Otherwise, even if he, the Raikage, forcibly appointed him, it would stir enormous internal opposition and unrest. It would also be no good for Shaoyu himself or for the Uchiha's integration.

Uchiha Shaoyu understood the Raikage's unspoken meaning. He did not become angry at having his age and seniority questioned. Instead, an even fiercer yet calmer fighting spirit ignited in his eyes.

"I understand, Lord Raikage."

Shaoyu's voice was calm, yet carried an unquestionable confidence.

"What you doubt is whether I currently possess the strength worthy of an elder's position. After all, rumors are only rumors, while my age and seniority are plain to see."

He slowly raised his right hand. In his left eye, that strange band of light began to revolve silently, its scarlet background resembling a bottomless, icy pool.

"Kumogakure believes strength is supreme, so let strength do the talking."

Shaoyu's gaze met Raikage Ai's.

"Please, Lord Raikage, personally 'weigh' me and see whether this young Uchiha is truly qualified to demand an elder's position in Kumogakure, and whether I have the confidence to speak of competing for Raikage."

An invisible fighting spirit began to rise. This was not a provocation, but a verification of strength based on Kumogakure's rules.

Third Raikage Ai looked at the young man before him, sharp-edged yet exceptionally calm, and a brilliant light flashed in his eyes.

Not only did he not feel offended, but a long-lost excitement surged within him—the excitement of facing an opponent worthy of battle.

"Ha ha ha ha!"

Raikage Ai suddenly burst into booming laughter that shook the surroundings. "Good! You have guts! As expected of an Uchiha who dared to defect from Konoha and covet the Raikage's position. I truly like you more and more."

It had been a long time since he had encountered such an interesting young man. His own son had decent talent, but was a little too dull, burying his head in training every day.

This little brat before him was much more to his liking.

His laughter abruptly stopped, and his expression became incomparably stern and serious, like a lion about to pounce.

"Since that is the case, Uchiha Shaoyu! Let me personally verify whether these Sharingan of yours, and you yourself, are worth an elder's position—whether you are qualified to speak of the future."

"Buzz—!"

Violent Lightning Release chakra instantly covered Raikage Ai's burly body like tangible armor. Blue arcs of electricity crackled, and even the air around him seemed charged.

That pure, overwhelming sense of power made every onlooker feel as though they could not breathe.

The Third Raikage, also known as the strongest Raikage, would be the most powerful opponent Uchiha Shaoyu had encountered since coming into this world.

But Uchiha Shaoyu was not afraid in the slightest. On the contrary, he felt a trace of excitement.

The Uchiha Clan's innate battle-loving instincts stirred within his blood. Every cell in his body urged him to fight the man before him.

Uchiha Shaoyu bent forward slightly. The light of his Mangekyō Sharingan blazed brightly, and chakra surged around him. Though his aura was not as violently explosive as the Raikage's, it was solid and profound, carrying an indescribably dangerous presence.