"So?"
The Fourth Raikage slowly lowered his arm, but his lightning release chakra was still circulating. "You told me all that just to say how miserable Kumogakure is? And then what? What can you do?"
Obito chuckled and said calmly:
"I can give you an opportunity."
"A chance to turn things around."
"A chance... to restore Kumogakure to its former glory, or even take it further."
A brief silence fell over the training ground.
For a moment, only the crackling of lightning could be heard.
After a while, the Fourth Raikage stared at Obito, slowly clenching his lone hand, and asked in a low voice:
"Who... exactly are you?"
"Who I am doesn't matter."
Obito shook his head. "What matters is whether you're willing to seize this opportunity."
The Fourth Raikage and Killer B exchanged a glance.
Killer B nodded slightly, signaling that they could hear him out.
After a long while, the Fourth Raikage took a deep breath, and his lightning release chakra slowly subsided.
"Come with me."
He turned toward the Raikage Building. "We'll talk in my office."
Four hours later.
Obito emerged from the Raikage's Office, and space warped again as he vanished.
No one knew exactly what he and the Fourth Raikage had discussed.
Only Mabui, who had been stationed outside the door, noticed that when the office door opened, the Fourth Raikage was sitting alone behind his desk. His gaze was complicated, but deep within it... there was a new trace of resolve.
"Mabui."
The Fourth Raikage suddenly spoke.
"Here."
Mabui opened the door and entered.
"Pass on my orders."
The Fourth Raikage rose, walked to the window, and looked down at Kumogakure below:
"First, initiate phase two of the Lightning Cloud Plan. Mobilize all reserve ninja and intensify their training."
"Second, secretly recall