The Uzumaki Sage Body was especially appealing. According to the system, it was equivalent to the physique of a top-tier expert of the Uzumaki Clan, the same kind of sage body Mito Uzumaki had.
It was far stronger than the Uzumaki Clan physique. The Uzumaki Sage Body was probably second only to Hashirama Senju's perfect sage body.
But there was still a considerable gap between the two physiques.
After earning 30,000 points for defeating Orochimaru last time, Ziyun had exchanged them for the Uzumaki Clan physique, and his constitution had improved dramatically.
For one thing, Ziyun's training had progressed much faster than before. He had successfully raised his mastery of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit to 75%, and his Observation Haki had reached 69%. After all, he could now train for over ten hours a day without feeling tired.
Ziyun had also succeeded in combining the two. His Observation Haki could now scan a radius of two kilometers, not much worse than the Byakugan.
Most importantly, Ziyun's current physique allowed him to fight for at least several hours without tiring. If Orochimaru came now and didn't use Genjutsu or Sealing Jutsu, Ziyun was confident he could kill him.
That was only the effect of the Uzumaki physique. With the Uzumaki Sage Body, Ziyun felt his stamina could rise dramatically once again.
On top of that, there was a Mythical Zoan fruit, the Nine-Tailed Fox Form, and 30,000 mission points.
The temptation was too great.
"Ziyun... they're coming for you." Yotsuki A glared at Ziyun. The kid was too naive.
Konoha was clearly trying to test Ziyun this time. If they agreed, Ziyun would be in grave danger.
"That's right, Ziyun. No matter how many supplies Konoha offers, we won't send you to the edge of a cliff. Dodai, go tell the Konoha Ninja that the Hidden Cloud Village has no interest in an alliance with Konoha!"
The Third Raikage spoke angrily.
How many years had it taken the Hidden Cloud Village to produce a genius like this? No matter what terms Konoha offered, he wouldn't put Ziyun in danger.
Ziyun felt a warmth in his heart, but he still had to find a way to persuade the Third Raikage to ally with Konoha. He also had to take part in that trial tournament of Konoha's.
Otherwise, wouldn't the rewards within his grasp slip away for nothing? The time limit was only three days.
"Don't worry, Uncle Raikage. I have the Thunder God Technique. Konoha Village can't do anything to me."
"Besides, I'm in urgent need of supplies to improve the three Ninjutsu, Tekkai, Finger Pistol, and Shave. If I succeed, perhaps I can make them suitable for the Hidden Cloud Village's ninja to learn."
Then inspiration struck Ziyun, and he came up with a reason even the Third Raikage couldn't refuse.
"Really? Ziyun, are those three Ninjutsu almost ready?"
At those words, the Third Raikage sprang to his feet, his eyes full of excitement.
Dodai and Yotsuki A, standing nearby, were stunned for a moment before they too grew excited.
If the Hidden Cloud Village's ninja could all learn those three Ninjutsu, the village would no longer need to defer to Konoha.
"Yes, really. I only need to make a few final changes, but those changes will require a great deal of supplies and money."
Seeing a glimmer of hope, Ziyun quickly spoke up.
In fact, all he needed to do was exchange the 30,000 points he would receive for completing this mission with the system.
Hearing Ziyun say that, the Third Raikage was tempted too.
If the Hidden Cloud Village's ninja could all learn those three powerful Nintaijutsu, it would be enough to greatly increase the village's strength. From then on, they would never again need to defer to Konoha.
But to gain all that, they would have to put Ziyun in danger, so the Third Raikage was still hesitant.
"How about this, Uncle Raikage? Come with us when the time comes. Surely Konoha won't dare try anything then."
Ziyun thought for a moment before speaking.
In fact, the Third Raikage was very powerful. Among the current Five Kage, he should be stronger than Ōnoki, the Third Mizukage, and the Third Kazekage, and could contend with Hiruzen Sarutobi, the "Strongest Hokage," for first place.
After all, even the Eight-Tails couldn't break through his strongest defense. The only thing that could truly pierce it was his own Strongest Spear, Hell Stab: One-Finger Nukite.
In a real one-on-one fight, Hiruzen Sarutobi might not be able to beat the Third Raikage and would very likely suffer a one-sided beating.
With the Third Raikage there, presumably Konoha Village wouldn't dare try anything.
"All right. This is indeed worth the risk. If danger really does arise, I'll stay behind to hold them off and cover your retreat."
After carefully considering Ziyun's proposal, the Third Raikage could only choose this course.
The Third Raikage had given it careful thought. This was an opportunity heaven had bestowed upon the Hidden Cloud Village. If they seized it, the balance of the entire Shinobi World would change.
At worst, he would stay behind and fight Konoha to preserve the Hidden Cloud Village's spark, Yeyue Ziyun.
The Third Raikage wasn't like Hiruzen Sarutobi, who would hide far away at the first sign of danger. That much was clear from how he had died in the original story while covering the retreat of Kumogakure's main force.
If the worst came to pass, he would give his life without hesitation to protect Ziyun.
If it were Hiruzen Sarutobi instead... it went without saying what he would do.
Tsk, tsk, tsk~ That's the difference, I guess.
"Dodai, convey my words to Konoha's envoy... If they agree to our terms, we're willing to ally with Konoha."
The Third Raikage spoke quietly, as though he had made up his mind about something.
"Yes!"
Upon receiving the order, the ever-loyal Dodai immediately led a group to the guesthouse where Konoha's special envoy was staying and conveyed the Third Raikage's instructions.
In the Hokage's office in Konoha Village, Hiruzen Sarutobi and his group of four were holding a high-level meeting.
"Very good. The Third Raikage is all brawn and no brains. A few small favors were enough to make them take the bait."
After receiving word from Konoha's envoy that the Third Raikage had agreed to the alliance, Danzo Shimura sneered, as though he could already see victory within his grasp.
"Don't let your guard down, Danzo. The Third Raikage will be coming with them this time. If we anger the Hidden Cloud Village, it could lead to war."
Hiruzen Sarutobi was not as optimistic as Danzo.
At heart, he was still a bit of a coward.
Although he had never fought the Third Raikage himself, Anbu sent out by Konoha had.
The intelligence they had sent back could be summed up in one word: monster.
What was more, Konoha's current situation was hardly reassuring. According to reports from the ninja at the front, Sand Ninja had already been spotted along the Land of Fire's border.
The Third Kazekage, the strongest Kazekage, was close to losing his patience.
One reason he hadn't declared war on Konoha yet was Konoha's announcement that it was allying with the Hidden Cloud Village.
If relations with the Hidden Cloud Village broke down this time, Hiruzen believed the Third Kazekage would immediately send troops to attack Konoha.
"Hmph, Hiruzen, this is no time for indecision. This is our best chance to kill Yeyue Ziyun. Leave all the arrangements to me."
Danzo Shimura volunteered for the task.
"All right, but don't make it too obvious. And... don't leave any evidence behind. Konoha may be strong, but it wouldn't be in our interests to go to war with the Hidden Cloud and Sunagakure at the same time."
Hiruzen Sarutobi puffed on his large pipe, his face full of worry.
"Don't worry. I already have a plan," Danzo said with a cold snort. He had already thought of a plan that would serve both purposes.
There was no need for him to kill Yeyue Ziyun himself. He could just have someone from the Uchiha Clan do it.
If the Third Raikage blamed them afterward, they could hand over the person from the Uchiha Clan. That would weaken both the Hidden Cloud Village and the Uchiha. Wouldn't that be the best of both worlds?
Hmph, you really are a coward, Hiruzen.
With that, Danzo swept his long sleeve aside and left the office, grumbling inwardly.
At the same time, the Third Raikage set out with Dodai and Ziyun.
That was right. Only three people were going from the Hidden Cloud Village to Konoha this time.
After all, there was a risk of relations turning hostile at any moment, so naturally, the fewer people there were, the easier it would be to retreat.
Wasn't Ziyun Konoha's target anyway? With him there, Konoha wouldn't object.
The Third Raikage had even considered what would happen after his death. According to the Hidden Cloud Village's rules, the strongest person in the village could be chosen as Raikage.
If he died, then the next Raikage would undoubtedly be the First Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, Blue B.
The moment Ziyun left Hidden Cloud Village, his rewards were issued.
Hidden Cloud Village had already agreed to an alliance with Konoha, and once Ziyun reached Konoha, he would surely face its test.
So as far as the system was concerned, the mission was already complete.
[Ding~ Host detected to have completed an A-rank mission: Ally with Konoha and participate in the trial tournament! Rewards received: 30,000 points; Uzumaki Sage Body; Zoan · Dog-Dog Fruit · Mythical Zoan · Nine-Tailed Fox Form; Fire Style · Great Fireball Technique; Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique; physique +5.]
After receiving the rewards, Ziyun noticed a Zoan Devil Fruit in the system space. This had to be the Mythical Zoan Dog-Dog Fruit, Model: Nine-Tailed Fox.
The fruit's owner was Catarina Devon, the Crescent Moon Hunter, a vicious criminal Blackbeard had brought out of Lv. 6.
According to the original One Piece story and the system's explanation, the Nine-Tailed Fox Fruit allowed its user to transform into other people.
Unlike the Transformation Technique in Naruto, the Nine-Tailed Fox Form's transformation was an advanced one. Neither Observation Haki nor Sensory Ninjutsu could detect it. If developed to a certain level, it could also use the abilities and Ninjutsu of the person transformed into.
Of course, how powerful the Ninjutsu could be when used still depended on the user's own strength.
Otherwise, wouldn't the Nine-Tailed Fox Fruit's Awakening make its user invincible? They could simply transform into Otsutsuki Kaguya and sweep through the Shinobi World.
Naturally, Ziyun gladly accepted the fruit as well. At a critical moment, the Nine-Tailed Fox Fruit would be a very useful trump card.
It was perfectly suited for sowing discord and carrying out intelligence and undercover work.
He wondered what relations between the Uchiha Clan and Konoha were like now. Perhaps he could even sow discord between them on this trip and hasten the Uchiha Clan's destruction.
"Ziyun, be careful once we reach Konoha. It's best to stay in your room and not go anywhere."
All along the way, the Third Raikage reminded Ziyun what to be careful of in Konoha.