Plan to Strike Konoha

Long Ye stroked his chin thoughtfully.

"That's an opportunity. You and Steel Scale both claim to be the strongest snake in Ryūchi Cave. Why don't I summon him here and let you fight it out? We'll see which of you is really the strongest."

"No!"

Garaga refused with righteous indignation.

He wasn't a fool. Why would he agree to fight Steel Scale to the death while Long Ye stood by and watched?

Garaga turned to the bewildered Fourth Kazekage.

"This man is a friend of Ryūchi Cave, and his strength is extraordinary. Whatever dispute you have, sit down and talk it out. There's no need for violence. How reckless! I have urgent business, so I'll be going. Oh, and you can keep the offering this time..."

With a pop, the great snake vanished in a wisp of smoke.

Kazekage Rasa's face twitched. The atmosphere grew awkward.

"I have no quarrel with Sunagakure. I only came to accompany my friend. Now that you two have finished your contest, we'll leave if there's nothing else."

Long Ye made a point of seeking his opinion.

Rasa's expression shifted.

It was obvious now that they had no chance of detaining Long Ye. Even the most arrogant snake in Ryūchi Cave had cowered before him. What he had shown so far might not be the full extent of his strength.

"Let's go!"

Long Ye called to Pakura, and the two headed out of the village.

Every Sunagakure ninja they passed stepped aside. Not one dared stop them.

Only after the pair had left the village and disappeared from sight did a middle-aged ninja with an injured arm approach Rasa, his face full of resentment.

"Lord Kazekage, we lost more than a dozen elite ninja in that clash. Are we really going to let that madman