On January 2nd, while civilians across the ninja world celebrated the New Year in a festive atmosphere, Konoha's forces, hidden in the Land of Rain and the Land of Tang, launched a preemptive strike, crossing borders to invade the Land of Earth and the Land of Lightning, respectively.
When the border forces of the Land of Earth and the Land of Lightning discovered Konoha's ninja, fierce battles broke out.
In the Land of Earth, the raiding force led by Uchiha Fugaku advanced nearly a hundred miles in a single day. The garrison stationed at the border was wiped out by Fugaku's forces, but not before they managed to relay the information about Konoha's raid.
Boom!!
"Those Konoha bastards dare to launch a sudden assault? Do they think there's no one left in Iwa?!"
"Bring Deidara—I have urgent questions for him!"
In the Tsuchikage's office, Acting Tsuchikage Kitsuchi received the report from the border. Upon learning of Konoha's movements, he flew into a rage, slamming the table and ordering his subordinates to summon Deidara.
Iwa, with Kitsuchi temporarily acting as Tsuchikage, had only just begun to stabilize. But before the New Year's holiday had ended, Konoha brazenly launched an attack, throwing the recently stabilized village into turmoil.
It had been less than a year since Ōnoki's passing, and Iwa's Tailed Beast had still not been recovered. During this vulnerable period, Konoha's sudden assault disrupted Kitsuchi's plans entirely.
"Konoha dares show ambition toward our Iwa? Then peace is no longer an option."
"Because of Uchiha Madara, our elite forces have taken massive losses. Konoha must've noticed our current weakness."
"This kind of aggression must be countered with force!"
After issuing orders, Kitsuchi stood in silence, thinking. Though he didn't understand Konoha's true motives, he had no intention of negotiating. A counterattack was absolutely necessary—any talks could come after they had secured a victory.
Just as he moved away from his desk to begin rallying forces, Kitsuchi suddenly felt his skin tighten and his hair stand on end.
Without hesitation, he leapt aside—and not a moment too soon. A thunderous explosion erupted, and the spot where he had just stood was blasted into a massive crater that bored straight through the floor.
Kitsuchi landed and turned to look at the hole in shock. His pupils shrank as he stared toward the source.
Where the wall once stood, sunlight now streamed through a gaping breach.
"Lord Tsuchikage!"
Moments later, the door burst open as seven Iwa Anbu rushed in and formed a protective circle around Kitsuchi, their eyes sharp and alert beneath their masks.
"Father?!" Not long after, Kurotsuchi rushed in. Relieved to see Kitsuchi unharmed, she quickly moved to his side and took a defensive stance as her eyes darted across the room, noting the devastation.
"What happened?!"
"This ninjutsu... it's from Konoha," Kitsuchi began—but before he could finish, a figure appeared inside the office.
The intruder wore a black cloak and carried a long blade at his waist. He stood calmly at the edge of the blasted wall, his brilliant red hair glowing in the sunlight.
"You're Raiden of the Uzumaki clan?!"
Kitsuchi recognized him at once and narrowed his eyes.
"That's me," Raiden replied with a faint smile.
"Heh, Fourth Hokage... perhaps we were wrong not to send our congratulations on your wedding. But surely, that's no reason to come here yourself."
"If you were upset, a letter would've sufficed. I'd have found a way to correct our oversight."
Kitsuchi forced a smile and subtly gestured to the Anbu behind him while beginning to form a hand seal behind his back. He knew full well—this wasn't a social call.
Raiden, who was supposed to be celebrating in Konoha, had suddenly appeared here. And that earlier Lightning Release was clearly intended to kill.
"Make up for it? Thanks. Since you're feeling generous, I won't stand on ceremony."
"I came here for one reason only—to inform all of Iwa that, as of today, the village is officially annexed by Konoha. From now on, Iwa will cease to exist as an independent entity."
"I'm organizing twelve shinobi squads. You, Kitsuchi, will serve as captain of Squad Four."
"If that's clear, then prepare your people to follow orders."
Raiden stood in the middle of the office as if it were his own, completely at ease.
"Annexed? Twelve squads? What exactly are you planning?!"
Kitsuchi's hand seal completed, his chakra gathered—but before attacking, he still pressed for more information.
"I intend to place the entire ninja world under Konoha's authority."
"All shinobi villages, military forces, and political bodies that refuse to obey... will be destroyed."
"I'm just here to notify you."
Raiden grinned. During the previous night's meeting, he had already "persuaded" the elders of the Mist and the Sand. The trend was clear.
With Konoha's overwhelming power—especially after Raiden had killed the legendary Uchiha Madara—the rest of the world had no choice but to bow. With nearly every Jinchuriki under Konoha's control save for One-Tail, resistance was futile.
The emissaries hadn't gone home to negotiate—they'd gone home to deliver Konoha's ultimatum.
After subduing the Mist and Sand, Raiden had left Konoha early this morning and come here. He had already resolved: if Iwa submitted, all would proceed smoothly. If not, then—to minimize Konoha's casualties—he'd eliminate the resistance personally.
At his current level of strength, politics and manipulation were meaningless. Raiden wasn't going to sacrifice Konoha lives to conquer a fractured world. After all, once unified, they'd need those people to govern.
"The entire ninja world under Konoha? Then..."
Kitsuchi's face fell. He'd heard of Konoha's recent invasions and had suspected they aimed to dominate, but Raiden's ambitions were far greater than expected.
"Those assassinations of noble figures across the ninja world recently... that was your doing?!"
Kitsuchi instantly made the connection.
"That's right. The world only needs one ruling voice."
"Any excess... will be silenced."
Raiden's admission sent tension soaring through the room. Kitsuchi murmured, "You're insane... completely insane."
"Are you trying to start another ninja war?!"
"We Iwa shinobi will never betray our Daimyō and submit!"
With a roar, Kitsuchi slammed his hands to the ground. Spikes of stone erupted from the walls and floor, hurtling toward Raiden.
Instead of following up, Kitsuchi grabbed Kurotsuchi's hand and sprinted toward the exit. He knew they couldn't defeat Raiden here—they needed to retreat and regroup.
"I didn't say you could leave."
"If you won't comply... then I'll act accordingly."
Raiden's body shimmered as a black Lightning Release armor formed around him. The stone spikes shattered harmlessly upon contact.
He reached out and muttered, "Banshō Ten'in."
A terrifying gravitational force surged from his palm—stronger even than what Uchiha Madara had once wielded.
Kitsuchi and Kurotsuchi, already mid-escape, were pulled off their feet and sucked toward Raiden.
Iwa's Anbu attempted to intercept, but a sudden net of lightning enveloped them. Caught off guard, the elite shinobi fell unconscious as electricity coursed through their bodies.
Kitsuchi and Kurotsuchi were ensnared by Raiden's lightning rope, completely immobilized.
"Damn it! Let us go, you bastard!" Kurotsuchi cursed, thrashing, but her strength was no match. Her struggles were futile.
Kitsuchi, in contrast, was silent.
"Hey, brat. Are you done yet?" Raiden asked, his tone cold. "Do you realize where you stand? Are you really so eager to die?"
An overwhelming pressure radiated from Raiden, and Kurotsuchi choked on her next insult. She fell silent.
Raiden turned to Kitsuchi, lifted him by the collar, and asked calmly, "Have you thought it through?"
"I'm giving you a chance. Don't waste it."
"I don't want more bloodshed. Too many have died already. If we keep going like this, unifying the factions will only get harder."
"If you truly care about the people of Iwa, you'll know what to do."
"Death is easy. But think—think of someone else."
"Don't think I won't do it. If necessary, I'll wipe out Iwa entirely to avoid Konoha's casualties."
"You know exactly what I'm capable of."
Raiden's voice wasn't loud, but it cut like steel. Kitsuchi and Kurotsuchi heard every word. Kitsuchi, ready to shout a retort, paused. He swallowed his words.
Raiden had slain Uchiha Madara—the man none of them could stop. Madara had stood before them and killed Ōnoki. And now? Iwa was weaker than ever.
There was no hope of victory.
Kitsuchi's fists clenched as he swallowed his pride. There was no other way.
He fell silent, his expression dark. Seeing this, Kurotsuchi lowered her head, tears forming in her eyes, burning with the sting of humiliation.
"You made the right choice. In that case, let's coordinate Iwa's integration with Konoha's next moves."
Raiden exhaled softly, released the lightning rope, and patted Kitsuchi's shoulder. Cooperation was the best possible outcome—hostile takeover would only deepen wounds that could take generations to heal.
Time heals all wounds.
Had Kitsuchi refused, and Raiden been forced to slaughter Iwa's forces, the animosity it created would fracture the unity they desperately needed—cracks that could not be mended in ten or even twenty years.
Before the coming of outside threats, the ninja world needed to stand as one. And that was something Raiden could not afford to compromise on.
"A good start," Raiden murmured, helping Kitsuchi to his feet with a warm smile and serious eyes.
"Four of the Five Great Villages are now aligned. Next... is Cloud."
"And once we control every shinobi village—then we begin centralization."
The goal was within reach.
(End Of Chapter)
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