Emik01
patreon
Chapter 308: Reckless Raikage? I Am Even More Reckless!
🕑 Added 2024-11-18 11:12:01 +0000 UTC"What do I want? Raikage, I'm afraid I don't quite understand what you're asking!"
Hearing the Fourth Raikage's question, Akira shook his head and said, "We, from the Leaf Village, have come a long way with goodwill. Yet, you've attacked us, one after another, and now you ask what I want?"
Pausing briefly, Akira then continued, "And besides, haven't I already made my intentions clear?"
"Just as your Cloud Village treated Hyuga Hizashi back then, we shall treat Killer Bee in the same way today!"
"Isn't that obvious? You only stopped me just now, Raikage."
Akira's words made the Raikage's expression turn extremely sour. Likewise, the faces of the nearby Cloud shinobi were filled with rage.
Clearly, killing Killer Bee in Cloud Village? That was something none of them could accept.
The reason the Leaf Village agreed to let Hizashi sacrifice himself back then was due to the weakness of the Third Hokage.
But the Fourth Raikage was known as one of the most reckless men in the ninja world. There was no way he would compromise like the Third Hokage did!
"Uchiha Akira, you need to stop joking at a time like this!" The Fourth Raikage looked at Akira intently, his tone serious.
"Joking? I'm not joking at all," Akira responded, shaking his head.
"Not joking? If you're not joking, let me be clear—Cloud Village will never agree to this!" The Fourth Raikage shook his head firmly, his tone unwavering.
"Seems like the situation isn't exactly up to Cloud Village anymore, is it?" Akira smiled lightly, asking rhetorically.
After all, both Killer Bee and the Fourth Raikage had already been defeated by him. Did they still have the qualifications to negotiate?
"But similarly, Cloud Village will not be taken lightly!"
"No matter how powerful you are, Uchiha Akira, in Cloud Village, our shinobi would rather die in battle than bow down to anyone!"
"If you insist on taking Killer Bee's life, we will fight to the death!" The Fourth Raikage declared, his expression resolute, without a trace of hesitation.
"Fourth Raikage, do you even know how many of your people would die if a full-blown battle broke out? Don't blame me for being arrogant, but the destruction of Cloud Village today is not out of the realm of possibility!"
Akira looked at the Raikage, outlining the real consequences of an all-out fight.
Indeed, in the original story, Uchiha Madara alone took on the entire Shinobi Alliance.
Though Akira's strength wasn't yet at Madara's level, he wasn't facing the entire Shinobi Alliance either—it was just Cloud Village.
If it really came down to a fight, with his Wood Release and ability to transform into the Divine Dragon, Akira thought that the total destruction of Cloud Village was far from impossible.
"If Cloud Village is destroyed today, it would only prove that we were only that capable!"
"Even if we perish, we'll die standing, not bowing down to anyone!"
"I believe the people of Cloud Village would all support my decision!" The Raikage spoke, still brimming with determination.
"That's right! We trust Raikage-sama's choice. We would rather die standing than live on our knees!"
Indeed, the Fourth Raikage's words were quite powerful. As soon as he finished, the surrounding Cloud shinobi looked rejuvenated, shouting in agreement.
Their unified resolve and unyielding determination certainly fit the Raikage's persona. Under his leadership, Cloud Village undoubtedly had courage and spirit.
If the Third Hokage back then had even half of the Fourth Raikage's guts, the Leaf Village's outcome wouldn't have turned out the way it did.
"Akira-kun…" Seeing the Cloud shinobi all prepared to face death under their Raikage's command, Hinata looked at Akira with a worried expression.
These Cloud shinobi didn't look like they were bluffing. They genuinely seemed willing to die standing.
Their bloodthirsty resolve was enough to shake anyone to their core.
Naturally, everyone turned their eyes toward Akira, waiting to see how he would handle the situation. Was he really going to start an all-out war with Cloud Village?
That would be entirely different from their original purpose for coming here.
Akira didn't respond immediately. In truth, seeing the Raikage's reckless determination made Akira reflect for a moment.
He didn't doubt the Raikage. As one of the most hot-headed characters in the original story, the Raikage was definitely capable of such actions.
Of course, Akira never truly intended to kill Killer Bee. His tough stance was mainly to gain leverage for negotiations.
"Alright then, how about we both take a step back?" Akira said after some thought.
"What do you mean by taking a step back? Speak clearly!" the Raikage demanded.
"First, Cloud Village must fully and unreservedly teach us the method of how to fully control a Tailed Beast. That is the main purpose of our visit here."
"Secondly, regarding the death of Hyuga Hizashi, you, as the Raikage, must personally visit the Leaf Village and bow before Hizashi's grave!" Akira stated his two demands.
"Impossible!" The Raikage practically jumped in response to Akira's demands, shaking his head violently.
"Impossible?" Akira narrowed his eyes slightly at the Raikage's response, a dangerous glint flashing in his gaze.
"Agreed, I can help you with the Tailed Beast training," the Raikage nodded.
The Waterfall of Truth was merely the first step. Even if he cooperated fully, the success rate of gaining full control over the Tailed Beast's power was incredibly low. Thus, he felt there was no harm in agreeing to this request.
"But as for going to Hyuga Hizashi's grave to bow? No way!" The Raikage firmly shook his head.
Back then, it was concluded that Hizashi was in the wrong, which was why he paid with his life.
If, as the Fourth Raikage, he were to go to Hizashi's grave and bow, wouldn't that be admitting to the entire shinobi world that Hizashi had been innocent?
That would be like slapping both Cloud Village and himself in the face—something the Raikage could never accept!
"So what? Do you really think I don't have the strength to destroy Cloud Village?" Akira's face darkened, his voice cold.
"Hmph, I'll say it again—Cloud Village will die standing before it ever bows down to anyone!"
The Raikage's stubborn nature shone through once again as he glared at Akira, standing firm in his response.
But just as the Raikage had his own bottom line—not allowing Killer Bee to die—so too did Akira have his.
Especially in front of Hinata—if he couldn't settle the score for what Cloud Village tried to do to her back then, what kind of boyfriend would he be?
"Alright then, it looks like the negotiation has fallen apart!" Akira said, his tone hardening, no longer willing to yield in the face of the Raikage's stubbornness.
As soon as he spoke, Akira made no further move to talk. His hands formed a seal, and he shouted, "True Several Thousand Hands!"
Rumbling echoed through the air.
As Akira channeled his chakra, an enormous wooden Buddha-like figure rose from the ground, as towering as a mountain.
Thousands of hands fanned out behind the Buddha, like the feathers of a peacock. This colossal wooden figure was nothing short of awe-inspiring.
The ordinary Wood Human Technique produced a giant about a hundred meters tall. But the True Several Thousand Hands could grab Tailed Beasts like they were mere chicks in its hands. Its immense size was undeniable.
As this monumental wooden giant appeared, the entirety of Cloud Village was thrown into chaos.
Every shinobi and even civilians came out of their homes, staring in utter shock at the Buddha, several hundred meters tall.
What on earth was this colossal, mountain-sized entity?
"Raikage! If you want to risk the fate of your entire village to protect your pride, then go ahead, make your move!"
The Fourth Raikage was known for his recklessness, but right now, Akira was being even more reckless.
Having summoned the True Several Thousand Hands, Akira turned to face the Raikage.
Even in the middle of Cloud Village, Akira showed no signs of fear.
Facing an entire village alone—so what? He had nothing to fear.
The Raikage's face darkened further, his complexion paling as he witnessed Akira's colossal wooden Buddha.
Akira was even more reckless and unrestrained than him, and that realization made the Raikage's expression turn grim...
