No Heir

Perhaps no one ever imagined that such a dramatic reversal would occur on the Stone Shinobi battlefield, with Konoha remaining inactive while the Stone Shinobi and Cloud Shinobi clashed in the heart of the Land of Waterfalls.

"The Cloud Shinobi have likely fallen into an ambush set by the Stone Shinobi..."

Fugaku Uchiha, leading the vanguard, lay hidden in the mountains, Chunin from the reconnaissance team beside him reported the battle situation one by one.

However, what made Fugaku Uchiha frown slightly was the unique environment here. Two high mountains on both sides were like an insurmountable barrier. In war, even ordinary Jonin would find it difficult to cross them unscathed.

"The Stone Shinobi will definitely attack from both sides..."

Fugaku Uchiha found it hard to understand why the Cloud Shinobi army was rushing straight towards them at such a high speed, as if they hadn't seen anything.

"Could this be a trap...?"

A jolt went through him, and he dispatched several more reconnaissance squads. If the news was false, and it was actually a joint operation between the Cloud Shinobi and the Stone Shinobi, then things were probably in serious trouble.

"The Stone Shinobi and Cloud Shinobi are about to converge at the Twin Gorges of the Land of Waterfalls. Although both sides are coming with great force, they have not yet engaged in battle, and the possibility of a joint force cannot be ruled out. Frontline reconnaissance team, Fugaku Uchiha."

He hastily wrote down the intelligence in the scroll, sealed it, and handed it to the messenger who was waiting nearby.

"Immediately Chunin a message from the Yamanaka to Lord Minato Namikaze!"

"Order everyone to prepare for a fight to the death!"

Fugaku Uchiha donned his armor and went into battle. At this critical juncture, he had no time to think. Even if there was a sliver of a possibility, if he turned a blind eye, he might become a sinner against Konoha.

Meanwhile, at the Stone Shinobi camp, Ōnoki looked at his advisors and his tone became more ruthless.

"The Third Raikage is old, he should die..."

Ōnoki hovered in the air, overseeing the rear. Through the tent, he could only gaze in the direction of Twin Gorges, while his think tank members gathered intelligence reports one by one beside him.

"The Cloud Shinobi Ninja's spies have been captured, and the intelligence we sent to Cloud Shinobi should have reached them by now..."

"That's good. We've kept him around for so long; it's time for him to prove himself..."

"The fools of the Land of Lightning, trying to infiltrate an enemy country—what a joke..."

Thinking of the Third Raikage, Ōnoki gazed into the distance, his mind drifting back to Kato Osamu he had met once before.

If it weren't for hearing that this rising star of Konoha had killed the Mizukage, which stirred a thought in his mind—to kill the Third Raikage, the Kage known as the Strongest Spear in the Shinobi World —he wouldn't have been able to make up his mind for the time being.

"How are the troops in the rear?"

"They had already laid an ambush on the border of the Land of Waterfalls..."

A cold smile appeared on his face. Thinking that after this battle, the second fallen Shadow would appear, Ōnoki felt a sense of anticipation.

"However... there's been no news from Konoha yet. Although Minato Namikaze has dispatched reconnaissance units, the main force remains inactive..."

"If our Stone Shinobi and Cloud Shinobi go to war, Konoha will naturally be happy to see it happen, and it's normal for us to remain inactive..."

Kitsuchi, who had been standing to the side listening for a long time, seemingly lost in thought, suddenly spoke up upon hearing this.

"What if Konoha launches an attack on us now?"

He glanced at his son, a hint of Ōnoki flashing in his eyes, and explained to him.

"You overestimate Konoha and underestimate Jiraiya..."

"The Third Shinobi World War has continued to this day, with Konoha fighting against the four great ninja villages single-handedly. Even though Konoha is strong, it has suffered heavy losses..."

"Our spies report that the graduation age for Genin in Konoha has been reduced to ten years old, more than half of the Chunin been killed or wounded, and 70% of the Jonin have been lost..."

"This was during wartime, after countless Chunin Jonin were promoted..."

The think tank members glanced at the situation and slowly recounted Konoha's battle losses. While this information might not be entirely accurate, it wouldn't be too far off. With such a behemoth, every detail could be examined to uncover its secrets.

"Then why don't we take advantage of this opportunity to conquer Konoha?"

Are you going?

She gave her son a disapproving look before slowly speaking.

"Even though countless Genin Konoha Sannin — Jiraiya, Tsunade, Orochimaru, Minato Namikaze, Fugaku Uchiha —along with rising stars like Kato Osamu and Shisui Uchiha, are still alive..."

"Why should I lead the team myself? Why should the Third Raikage lead the team himself?"

"Without our presence to restrain the strong individuals on both sides, any village would be slaughtered without difficulty by these powerful individuals, with the middle Genin almost wiped out! The new generation would be nearly wiped out!"

"Why didn't I take the opportunity to conquer Konoha? Because I couldn't hold off everyone by myself! Do you understand?"

Ōnoki's voice drowned out all the noise, and all the members of the think tank couldn't help but lower their heads. If the strength was overwhelming enough, who would want to resort to trickery?

Facing his son, Ōnoki, couldn't suppress his anger, but after all, he was his son, and he explained in a deep voice.

"Besides, Jiraiya may seem rough, but he's actually quite shrewd. He'll definitely be able to see through our intentions..."

"Konoha won't interfere..."

A hint of jealousy and displeasure flashed in Ōnoki's eyes. Of the three pillars of Konoha, he actually favored Jiraiya the most. Jiraiya was shrewd and strong. If Jiraiya Stone Shinobi, he would definitely consider him the most suitable successor to the Fourth Tsuchikage.

"Heaven is truly unkind, only bestowing its blessings upon Konoha..."

After a moment of contemplation, Ōnoki had an idea and looked at the think tank beside him again.

"Did that guy Rasa, agree...?"

He seemed quite interested, but he changed his condition...

While the Stone Shinobi and Cloud Shinobi are at war, launch an attack on Konoha's camp in exchange for Ōnoki's support to become Kazekage.

Although he is the Kage of an outside village and cannot influence the village's decisions, there is still an alliance agreement that can help him gain momentum. Ōnoki is renowned in the Shinobi World, and being praised by the Kage of another country will naturally enhance his reputation.

"Oh? What does he want?"

"Rasa is cautious and hasn't sent a message, but he probably means for us to show some unusual intimacy towards Pakura..."

"Hmph, this Rasa may not be very strong, but he does have some brains..."

After a moment of contemplation, Ōnoki slowly nodded. Sunagakure had been weak for many years, and even if a capable Kage were appointed, it wouldn't affect the overall situation. They still posed no threat to Stone Shinobi.

"Agree to him... and do it discreetly..."

"Nature..."

Kitsuchi stood to the side, his ears filled with all sorts of calculations, but he couldn't muster any enthusiasm. Thinking about what Ōnoki had just said, he fell silent.

Ōnoki's shrewdness seemed to have been completely absent from this burly man with a dark complexion.

"Father, how about I lead the vanguard in the great battle against the Cloud Shinobi?"

Seeing that Ōnoki's gaze had fallen on him, Kitsuchi, who seemed to be lost in thought, suddenly snapped out of it, pursed his lips, and after holding back for a long time, blurted out these words.

"Idiot!"

Ōnoki slapped Kitsuchi on the head, making him stand upright on the ground. Kitsuchi, his face covered in dust, didn't say a word, but just looked at Ōnoki with resentment.

"Why..."

Suppressing his anger, Ōnoki looked at Kitsuchi's appearance and couldn't help but sigh slightly, a look of disappointment reappearing in his eyes.

"There's no one to carry on the torch..."

He waved his hand, ignoring the Kitsuchi.