A Thorn in Their Side

"Kazan?"

"That brat who defeated Yugito Nii?"

The Cloud Shinobi had received the battle report as well.

The Third Raikage read its contents, his eyes revealing a wisdom utterly at odds with his rugged appearance.

Everyone thought Kumogakure was full of muscle-headed brutes who worshipped strength, especially the Third Raikage.

But in truth, no one who rose to lead a village was a complete fool.

Rough on the outside, shrewd underneath—that described the Third Raikage best.

During the Third Shinobi World War, the Third Raikage and the Cloud Shinobi harbored grand ambitions.

Years of research had finally borne fruit. Tailed beasts could now be deployed on the battlefield without harming their allies.

This period could well be called the pinnacle of the Cloud Shinobi's history.

Yet Konoha was producing a steady stream of talent too.

The previous generation had the Sannin and the White Fang of Konoha. This generation had Minato Namikaze, with Kazan to follow.

The Raikage knew why.

Konoha had abundant resources, and its predecessors included two godlike figures: Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha.

Whether in its stockpile of ninjutsu or its variety of kekkei genkai, Konoha stood above all the Five Great Shinobi Villages.

Given time to develop, its talented shinobi would keep emerging without end.

If this continued, even with perfect jinchuriki in their hands, Kumogakure might not be able to overpower Konoha.

"Old man, what do we do next? Attack them?"

The future Fourth Raikage was brimming with fighting spirit.

What was so special about Grandma Chiyo? She was just an old woman with one foot in the grave. What did killing her prove?

"Idiot! Get out of here!"

The Third Raikage lashed out in fury, personally "seeing" his son out of the office.

With a crash, the future Fourth Raikage smashed through the window