They're promoting the "Konoha threat" theory, and spouting nonsense about the Hidden

Chapter 12 My Hidden Cloud Village must lend a hand!

Since Hozuki Shingetsu spread the theory of the Konoha threat through various means, the other ninja villages were the first to receive the news, compared to the slow-moving Konoha.

There's no way around it; as the undisputed leader of the ninja world, anything that has even the slightest connection to Konoha makes these ninja villages extremely sensitive.

In today's ninja world, any news related to Konoha that doesn't reach the desks of the village kage within three days is considered a serious dereliction of duty.

Not to mention, Hozuki Shingetsu took advantage of his new position as Minister of Foreign Affairs to write a long letter to each village's shadow, in which he not only loudly proclaimed that they were friendly neighbors separated only by a strip of water, but also casually mentioned this matter.

In the letter, Hozuki Shingetsu angrily called Konoha a disgrace to the ninja world, saying that if Kirigakure hadn't closed itself off from the world, they would have sent troops to fight it.

At the end of the letter, Hozuki Shingetsu creatively proposed that, in order to prevent Konoha from launching a war, the Lightning, Earth, and Wind factions should form an alliance to firmly lock Konoha in the center of the continent.

As for the position of leader of this alliance... of course it should be held by a man from a family that has served as a high-ranking official for four generations, or rather, by the Raikage of the second-ranking village in the ninja world, Kumogakure.

To demonstrate the legitimacy of the alliance, Hozuki Shingetsu even proposed calling the "Raikage" the "Thunder Emperor" to highlight his authority in leading the four countries.

Well, combining the "Fire Emperor" of Konoha, it's like the two emperors of the East and West were evenly divided in the Warring States period.

"That brat from Kirigakure is quite the troublemaker!"

After carefully reading the letter sent by Hozuki Shingetsu, the Third Raikage, A, lay on the large office sofa, his tone somewhat inexplicable.

"What a pity! If he thinks he can lure my Hidden Cloud Village into making a move with such a small temptation, then he is seriously underestimating me!"

"Dad, are we just going to do nothing and just stand by and watch?"

Ai's son, the future Fourth Raikage who is the same age as Hozuki Shingetsu, Yozuki Rai looked at his father with resentment.

"How could we possibly stand idly by! No matter who's attacking Konoha, Kumogakure will definitely step in!"

"Alright! Dad, you tell me, who do you want me to do!"

For the future Fourth Raikage, Yoruichiro, his upbringing was to defeat Konoha and prove who truly reigned supreme in the ninja world. Unfortunately, he never had that opportunity from birth. Therefore, when he saw a chance to harm Konoha, he was eager to act.

Although he didn't know what to do, how to do it, or where to start, it didn't matter; he was already bursting with excitement!

Hey!

The Hidden Cloud Village will never be enslaved!

"All you ever do is work, work all day long! Go and cook your own meals!"

The Third Raikage, A, glanced disdainfully at his hot-blooded son, truly wondering how someone as intelligent as him could have given birth to such a simpleton.

Look at Hozuki Shingetsu from Kirigakure, he's the same age as my son and he's already playing these kinds of high-difficulty schemes, while my son is still just babbling on and on. It's really embarrassing.

However, he is still his own son, and in the ninja world, strength is always the most important factor. Although his son is not very bright, he has excellent talent for training. According to his current training progress, it is very likely that he will master the clan's secret Lightning Release Chakra Mode before the age of twenty.

What you lose in your brain can be recovered from the battlefield. I doubt that little guy from Kirigakure can do anything about it.

So he was amazed that Hozuki Shingetsu could defeat a Konoha team at such a young age, but he never worried that his own team would be left without someone to deal with him.

In fact, with Yoruichi's current strength, he could not only defeat the same Konoha team, but also achieve an instant kill. After all, the key to Lightning Release ninjutsu lies in speed and power, and as long as it is done unexpectedly, it can be done to kill instantly.

Seeing his son, in a fit of enthusiasm, recklessly grabbing equipment and starting to train in the Raikage's office, Ai shook his head and turned his attention back to the current public opinion incident.

That being said, while we say we want to help, how to help, when to help, and under what banner to help are all things that need to be carefully considered.

To be honest, when I saw the first part of the letter and the public opinion in the ninja world regarding Konoha, I was very happy.

After all, according to the theory of relativity in the ninja world, the enemy's misfortune is my good fortune, the enemy's weakening strength is my great increase, and the enemy's evil is my justice. The reasons behind this increase and decrease are countless.

However, before he could figure out how to take advantage of this opportunity to strike a blow against his old rival, he suddenly saw the second half of Hozuki Shingetsu's letter about the alliance.

Actually, he initially refused, but... the title "Thunder Emperor" was just too appealing!

Moreover, Ai suddenly realized that this was also a great opportunity to take advantage of the Konoha threat theory, intimidate smaller countries, seize their living space, and unify the various small countries.

With Konoha posing such a great threat, it's only reasonable for you to seek protection from my Hidden Cloud Village to prevent you from being attacked by Konoha.

Even my Hidden Cloud Village didn't ask you for money; we went to great lengths to help you at our own expense. What kind of spirit is this? This is truly a glorious spirit of humanitarianism!

As for the letter's mention of unifying the four kingdoms... if Ai still retains even a shred of rationality, he won't do that.

Are you kidding me? Do you really think countries are made of clay?

Even the Hidden Mist Village, considered the shame of the Five Great Ninja Villages, would require the Hidden Cloud Village to suffer significant damage to subdue it, let alone the other ninja villages. Therefore, regarding Hozuki Shingetsu's letter concerning the identity of the leader of the Four Kingdoms Alliance and the title of "Thunder Emperor," he was merely tempted.

So... Ai no longer wants the position of leader of the Four Nations Alliance, but he still finds the position of leader of the Northeast Continental Nations Alliance very appealing.

"Pass down the order: three things!"

Upon realizing this, Ai quickly stood up and gestured to the earthen platform beside him to draft the order.

"First, find some people to fabricate more rumors to exaggerate the 'Konoha threat,' and not just the Konoha threat, but also the Iwagakure threat, the Sunagakure threat, the Kirigakure threat—except for our Kumogakure, a peace-loving, secluded village where weapons are sheathed and horses graze peacefully. Get all the other ninja villages involved, including Takigakure and Amegakure! Ideally, make it sound like a ninja world war is about to break out!"

Tutai silently categorized Ai's chaotic words on the document, subdividing them according to their content.

"Secondly, given the current perilous state of the ninja world, it's perfectly reasonable for our Hidden Cloud Village to protect some smaller ninja villages out of goodwill, isn't it? Immediately gather intelligence on all the smaller ninja villages and secluded ninja clans surrounding the Land of Lightning! Then, according to their importance, seize the time to coerce and entice them to join the 'Pan-Continental Self-Defense Alliance' led by our Hidden Cloud Village!"

Ai shamelessly named his alliance the "Pan-Continental Self-Defense Alliance" and was quite pleased with himself for coming up with such a brilliant name.

As the secretary of the Third Raikage, Tsuchida naturally had a thorough understanding of all the surrounding small ninja villages and secluded ninja clans, and immediately ranked the ninja villages according to their strength.

I had just written Takigakure in the first place when I felt something was wrong, so I crossed it out and wrote a different name.

Wochao Village.

With Uzushio Village still standing, it can be said that Uzushio Village is in a league of its own below the Five Great Ninja Villages. Even Takigakure Village, which possesses the Seven-Tails, is no match for it.

Putting aside Konoha's assistance, the Uzumaki clan's sealing techniques, passed down for thousands of years, are enough to cause headaches.

Moreover, the elders of the Uzumaki clan all possess the powerful, suicidal sealing ninjutsu "Dead Demon Seal," meaning these immortal old men could easily exchange one life for another with anyone, achieving "equality among all beings."

Well, in a sense, it is quite similar to "Mafuba".

"We'll leave Uzushio Village for now. We'll take care of it after we've united the other smaller ninja villages."

After seeing the rankings on Tsuchikage, the Third Raikage A hesitated for a moment, but ultimately decided to wait.

"The same goes for Takigakure. Tailed Beasts are too sensitive. If our Kumogakure really controlled three Tailed Beasts, it's hard to say whether it would be a blessing or a curse for us right now."

Ai was unusually clear-headed about this, seeing it very clearly.

The earthen platform beside him also breathed a slight sigh of relief. It seemed that his Raikage had not been blinded by the possible temptation and still had basic judgment.

"There's one last thing: spread the word that we know about this, and utterly condemn Konoha, this rotten apple of the ninja world!"

Ai changed the subject, speaking with a hint of schadenfreude. As an old rival who had encountered such a situation, it was both morally and logically his duty to let Konoha know that he knew about it and had mocked them!

After a moment's thought, Tu Tai wielded his pen with lightning speed, writing the following words on the document:

"Regarding recent rumors in the ninja world about Konoha Village expanding its military and its intention to invade, Kumogakure takes this matter very seriously. We, Kumogakure, have always been at the forefront of upholding fairness and justice in the ninja world. For many years, we have spared no effort in mediating conflicts between nations, and our contributions to the overall environment of the ninja world are evident to all. Here, we solemnly warn Konoha Village to cherish the hard-won peace we enjoy today and not to play with fire. Otherwise, Kumogakure will forever retain the right to stand on the side of justice. To show our sincerity, Kumogakure solemnly promises here that it will never deploy its Bloodstained Ninjas in unjust wars… At the same time, we call on all nations to set aside their prejudices, embrace the future, and contribute to building a shared future for the ninja world."

When the Third Raikage saw these lines, his eyes lit up, and he couldn't help but pat Tsuchida on the shoulder, praising, "Ah, yes, yes, that's exactly what I meant! As expected, Tsuchida, you understand me perfectly!"

The earthen platform, slammed onto the table by Raikage with a thud, was speechless. He could only inwardly grumble, "Damn it, you and your son are no different—both are illiterate! This village will fall apart sooner or later without me!"

(End of this chapter)