Kumogakure's Alliance Treaty

Time flew, and turmoil stirred once more in the shinobi world.

The flames of war had yet to die out, and clashes between the nations continued. Yet at this turbulent moment, Kumogakure's Second Raikage actually invited Konoha's Second Hokage Tobirama Senju to form an alliance!

The news struck like thunder, causing a considerable stir within the Konoha High Command.

Kumogakure had always been renowned for the formidable strength of its Lightning Release ninja, whose methods were ruthless and whose fighting style was savage and decisive.

They had long been one of the most aggressive forces in the shinobi world, clashing with Konoha on numerous occasions.

Now they were volunteering an alliance. It was far too unusual.

"Do they want peace, or are they waiting for an opportunity to strike?"

"What schemes are hidden behind this alliance agreement?"

Tobirama Senju sat in the Hokage Office, his hands folded before him, fingertips lightly tapping the desk. His gaze was as deep as the sea.

A master of tactics and political maneuvering, he knew that friendship never came without a reason in the shinobi world. For Kumogakure, which had once contested Konoha, to suddenly offer an olive branch, there had to be some deeper calculation behind it.

Senju Toka stood beside him, frowning slightly as she spoke in a low voice. "Brother Tobirama, Kumogakure's attitude changed far too quickly. They've always coveted Konoha's kekkei genkai. I'm afraid they have ulterior motives for proposing an alliance."

Tobirama Senju nodded slightly, his gaze cooling. "That's precisely what interests me."

He was not naive enough to believe Kumogakure sincerely wanted an alliance, but he could not refuse these negotiations.

The balance of the war was shifting subtly. Any ninja village changing its stance could influence how the situation unfolded.

"Whatever they're planning, I have to see it for myself," Tobirama said calmly, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

Senju Toka hesitated before finally asking, "How should we respond? Are we really going to accept this alliance?"

Tobirama smiled faintly, his gaze cold. "We'll talk first, then decide."

He rose and put on his Hokage robes, his voice firm. "Notify the ninja troops. We leave for the negotiation site immediately."

Storm clouds gathered, and a crucial negotiation that would determine the future of the shinobi world was about to begin...

At that moment, Shinichi had yet to learn that Tobirama Senju had already departed with his ninja troops for the negotiation site in Kumogakure.

But he knew these talks would never go smoothly.

The Second Raikage's meeting with Tobirama?

Kinkaku and Ginkaku's elite troops... they're going to stage a coup!

Shinichi stood in his family's training grounds. A breeze swept past, stirring the cloak embroidered with the Uchiha Clan Crest on his shoulders.

He knew history was about to roll forward, and Tobirama Senju would die in Kumogakure's ambush, surrounded and killed by Kinkaku and Ginkaku.

Although that old man had put him through countless miserable training sessions and even forced the title of "Tsunade's uncle" onto him, Shinichi had to admit that Tobirama Senju's presence was vital to Konoha.

For a master of forbidden techniques and a tactical genius to die just like that... what a waste.

Shinichi took a deep breath, and the system interface slowly appeared in his mind.

[Ding! Special mission triggered—"Turn the Tide"]

[Mission objective: Change Tobirama Senju's fate and allow him to live longer]

[Mission reward: ??? (Determined by mission completion)]

Shinichi narrowed his eyes slightly. He had long since grown used to the system issuing missions without warning, but this time, he needed no reward. He simply did not want Tobirama Senju to die so soon.

If Tobirama could live a few more years, perhaps Konoha's future would be more stable.

Tobirama Senju's death would not merely mean that Konoha lost a top strategist. It would also bring enormous changes to the entire shinobi world.

The Third Hokage's succession would be accelerated. Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Jiraiya would mature sooner, while the conflict between the Uchiha and Konoha might escalate earlier because of Tobirama's passing...

Everything was fraught with uncertainty.

Shinichi's gaze darkened slightly as he quickly organized his thoughts and planned his route.

Since I know how history will unfold, I should prepare in advance.

I have to find that damn old man before the fighting starts and change his fate...

Shinichi hurried home, said a few words to his mother, then quickly gathered his equipment and prepared to leave.

No matter what, he had to reach the negotiation site in Kumogakure!

A storm was coming, and the gears of fate were slowly turning...

At Kumogakure's border, lightning flashed, and deadly threats lurked on every side.

The meeting between the leaders of Kumogakure and Konoha had been intended to symbolize peace. Yet true peace had never existed on the battlefield.

At the negotiation site, within a secluded valley, the Second Raikage sat before the conference table, his thunderous gaze sweeping over the Konoha representatives. He was an imposing man who radiated the domineering aura unique to Kumogakure ninja, every muscle taut like a beast poised to strike.

Opposite him, Tobirama Senju sat quietly, his expression as calm and sharp as ever. Even in enemy territory, he remained composed, as though everything were under his control.

But these negotiations were merely a pretext.

Kinkaku and Ginkaku's rebellion had already begun in secret!

Just as the two sides reached a critical point in their discussion of peace terms, the Raikage suddenly sensed something amiss.

Whoosh!

In the next instant, a cold gleam flashed!

A black kunai inlaid with strange runes tore through the air, carrying terrifying killing intent as it drove straight toward the Second Raikage's back!

The Raikage whipped around, lightning blazing in his eyes. Lightning Release chakra erupted within him, arcs crackling wildly through his muscles. He twisted aside with blinding speed, narrowly avoiding the fatal strike.

"Hmph, Kinkaku, Ginkaku... you actually dared to rebel?" The Raikage's voice boomed like thunder, his gaze furious and fierce.

But the answer was an even fiercer wave of killing intent!

"Lord Raikage, your time has passed..."

An icy voice drifted from the darkness as two figures, one gold and one silver, slowly emerged from the shadows.

Kinkaku and Ginkaku—Kumogakure's rogue ninja and the Raikage's trusted confidants!

Both wore red Kumogakure Armor, their long golden and silver hair billowing in the wind. They held the Six Paths Treasured Tools, their eyes brimming with indifference and arrogance.

"We never followed an incompetent Kage like you." Kinkaku curled his lips in contempt, a dangerous light flickering in his eyes. "Kumogakure needs a truly strong ruler, not a useless fool lost in fantasies of peace."

Ginkaku licked his lips, his voice chilling. "Sorry, Lord Raikage... just go quietly to your death."

The Second Raikage's eyes turned cold, and he roared, "Traitors!!"

Without hesitation, he unleashed all his Lightning Release chakra. Lightning surged, his muscles swelled, and his speed shot to its limit. In an instant, he appeared before Kinkaku, his lightning-wreathed fist crashing toward Kinkaku's face like a thunderbolt from the heavens!

But—

"Six Paths Treasured Tool—Banana Palm Fan!"

Kinkaku sneered and swung the Banana Palm Fan, one of the Six Paths Treasured Tools. Savage flames surged up, rushing toward the Raikage like a torrent of fire!

Boom!!!

The Raikage drove his fist into the sea of flames. Though his Lightning Release chakra weakened their impact, the Banana Palm Fan's six paths power still forced him back several steps.

"Pathetic!" Kinkaku sneered, launching a vicious kick at the Raikage's chest. The Second Raikage raised his arms to block, but at that very instant—

"Seven Stars Sword—Seal!"

Ginkaku struck!

With the Seven Stars Sword in hand, he slashed out a strange chain of runes, aiming straight for the Raikage's shadow!

The Raikage's expression shifted. He tried to dodge, but just then—

"Benihisago—Devour!!"

Ginkaku's other Six Paths Treasured Tool, the Benihisago, unleashed its power. Its mouth opened, and a violent suction swept out, locking directly onto the Raikage's name!

"Damn it...!" The Raikage gritted his teeth and unleashed his Lightning Release chakra at full force, trying to break free. But the Seven Stars Sword had already carved a seal into his shadow.

"Your name has already been recorded..."

Ginkaku chuckled. "Die, Second Raikage!"

Bang!!!

As the Benihisago's devouring power fully activated, the Second Raikage abruptly froze. The next second, his body seemed to be torn apart by an invisible force. His chakra was completely stripped away, turning to dust and being swallowed whole by the Benihisago!

The lightning scattered in the air. The mighty Second Raikage, ruler of Kumogakure, had fallen!

"Hahaha! Done, Kinkaku!" Ginkaku flicked the Seven Stars Sword in his hand and flashed a bloodthirsty smile.

Kinkaku licked the corner of his mouth, his chilling gaze turning toward Tobirama Senju's position. "Next... it's Konoha's Second Hokage's turn."

The battle had changed completely.

The Second Raikage's corpse lay in a pool of blood. Kumogakure's rogue ninja, Kinkaku and Ginkaku, stood before it, bloodlust gleaming in their eyes.

"Now it's Tobirama Senju's turn." Kinkaku licked the corner of his mouth, tightening his grip on the Banana Palm Fan and the Seven Stars Sword, his eyes filled with killing intent.

Ginkaku chuckled, raising a hand to wipe the Raikage's blood from his face. His tone was mocking. "Konoha's Second Hokage, the master of forbidden techniques. I've heard his Flying Thunder God Technique is so fast you can't even see his shadow... I wonder what it'll look like when he dies at our hands?"

"Don't get careless," Kinkaku snorted. "Tobirama Senju is far harder to deal with than the Raikage. He's not the sort to sit around waiting to die."

Ginkaku smiled faintly and waved a hand dismissively. "So what? We've already put everything in place. No matter how strong he is, he can't escape this trap."

Meanwhile, elsewhere—

Tobirama Senju was leading a group of Konoha's elite ninja slowly into the other side of the valley.

Ever since accepting Kumogakure's invitation to peace talks, he had remained on high alert. After all, he knew better than anyone that in this war-torn shinobi world, so-called "peace talks" were often nothing more than a carefully planned assassination.

The moment he stepped into the valley, an unusual sense of pressure rose within him.

An ambush...

Tobirama Senju frowned slightly. His perception was exceptionally keen, and the surrounding Chakra fluctuations were abnormal, carrying faint traces of killing intent.

Just then, a Konoha ninja rushed over, his face deathly pale and his voice trembling. "Lord Hokage! Kumogakure... Kumogakure's Second Raikage has been assassinated by Kinkaku and Ginkaku!"

Tobirama Senju's pupils contracted slightly. In an instant, he had worked through every possibility.

The Raikage was dead, yet they were still trapped within Kumogakure's territory...

That meant Kumogakure had fallen completely under Kinkaku and Ginkaku's control!

These negotiations had been an elaborate trap from the very beginning!

Tobirama's expression did not change. Still as calm as water, he slowly looked around at the Konoha ninja beside him—

Among them were his students, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzō, along with other elite Konoha ninja.

Some of them had gone pale, clearly realizing how dire the situation had become.

"Lord Hokage, what should we do?!" one ninja could not help asking, urgency creeping into his voice.

Tobirama Senju slowly exhaled, his gaze deep. "Stay calm—panicking now will only get us killed faster."

His voice remained steady and strong, helping the ninja gathered there regain some composure.

"Our task is not to fight Kinkaku and Ginkaku head-on," Tobirama said slowly. "They've already seized control of Kumogakure, and we're in enemy territory. We must retreat immediately."

Hiruzen Sarutobi asked gravely, "But... they've clearly prepared an ambush already. I'm afraid leaving won't be easy."

Tobirama nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping across the surrounding forested slopes.

"They must have stationed ambushers all around us, waiting for us to walk into their net."

"That leaves us with only one choice—"

Tobirama Senju slowly raised his hand, crossing two fingers.

"I'll cover the retreat."

His words caused an uproar.

"No, Sensei!" Hiruzen Sarutobi was the first to object, his tone utterly firm. "You're Konoha's Hokage. You can't put yourself in danger!"

Even Shimura Danzō showed a rare look of anxiety as he said in a low voice, "Sensei, we have other options—"

"There's no time." Tobirama cut them off, his gaze stern. "The enemy has already surrounded us. If we recklessly try to break through, the entire team will be driven into a hopeless position."

He looked deeply at his students, his voice low and resolute:

"As Hokage, it is my responsibility to protect the village's future."

"And you are Konoha's future—you must make it back alive."

The instant he finished speaking, Tobirama's figure blurred. He appeared behind them in a flash, leaving a series of Flying Thunder God Technique marks.

"Go!!" Tobirama's voice echoed through the valley.

"I'll hold them off. Every one of you must retreat and return to Konoha alive!"

Whoosh!!!

Tobirama Senju vanished from the spot like a phantom, charging alone toward the greatest concentration of enemy forces.

By then, Kinkaku and Ginkaku's army had completely encircled the valley.

A murderous tension hung in the air.

"The Second Hokage... hahaha, you've finally arrived." Kinkaku sneered, slowly drawing the weapon at his waist, his eyes as cold as a blade.

"Tobirama Senju..." Ginkaku licked his lips, his fingers slowly stroking the mouth of the Benihisago. "I hope you'll be more entertaining than the Raikage."

The wind howled, and killing intent filled the air.