He knew perfectly well that if he refused whatever Ōnoki was about to propose, Ōnoki would change his tune and send the Stone Ninja army surging forward.
The Third Raikage was not afraid, but he had no way to ensure his subordinates survived.
If they fought, the overwhelming difference in numbers meant the Third Raikage would inevitably lose!
This was Ōnoki's scheme, laid out in plain sight!
"Hahaha, Lord Raikage, calm down."
"I had no choice but to invite you this way. Ordinary methods would hardly get you to settle down and hear me out."
"My hand was forced."
Ōnoki stroked his beard as he spoke.
He was rather pleased with himself for having outmaneuvered the Third Raikage.
It was a shame, though, that he could not kill his rival outright.
"Spit it out. What was so important that you had to resort to something this shameless?"
Anger burned in the Third Raikage's eyes.
Ōnoki kept smiling, unruffled by the accusation.
"What do you think of Konoha? And what do you think of Uchiha Yin?" Ōnoki asked.
"Uchiha Yin? The one who killed Fourth Kazekage Rasa and the Third Mizukage?" The Third Raikage narrowed his eyes, as if he now understood what Ōnoki was after.
"That's right. We didn't pay Uchiha Yin much attention before, but now we have no choice. He's killed two Kage. We suspect his power has already surpassed that of an ordinary Kage-level ninja."
Ōnoki's expression turned grave.
"That's why I intend to join forces with you and the new Fourth Mizukage..."
In Kirigakure, after a series of struggles, the question of who would become Fourth Mizukage was finally settled.
Yagura, who looked remarkably young, had taken the position.
Though Isobu was not inside him at the time, Yagura had still become Fourth Mizukage.
But before