The Situation Escalates!

"Ōnoki, you damned runt!" the Third Raikage cursed.

"Take one more step, you brute. I dare you," Ōnoki said coldly.

Dust Release gathered in his hand once more. He aimed it at the Kumogakure ninja behind the Raikage, ready to fire.

"Oh, hell no!" The Third Raikage stopped short. Frustration and fury filled his eyes as he glared up at Ōnoki.

"Ōnoki, I'll say this one last time. If you don't hand over the Tail-Locking Seal, I won't spare a single Iwagakure ninja here, even if you kill every Kumogakure ninja behind me!" A's voice was cold and resolute.

"A, I'll explain this one last time too. Iwagakure didn't take the Tail-Locking Seal. Keep pushing me, and we can kill each other's ninja, return to our villages, and prepare for all-out war!" Ōnoki replied evenly, refusing to back down.

"You didn't take it? Then who did? My ninja told me themselves that Iwagakure ambushed them and stole the Sealing Jutsu!" The Third Raikage's anger surged.

"Hmph! The thief's crying thief!"

"If Iwagakure really had it, do you think we'd still be here, waiting for you to come after us?"

"With my ability to fly, could you take it back from me even if you caught up?" Ōnoki asked, his face blank with mockery.

"You!" The Third Raikage trembled with rage.

It was true. With that runt's abilities, what could he do even if Ōnoki had taken it? Kill a few more Iwagakure ninja to vent his anger? But Ōnoki was no weakling. His Dust Release alone could wipe out every Kumogakure ninja except him.

For now, Ōnoki was still holding back. Could there really be a trap here?

The Third Raikage took a deep breath and calmed himself. "If it wasn't Iwagakure, was it Kirigakure? Or one of the smaller