The Avengers of the Uzumaki Family

A burly, dark-skinned figure suddenly rushed in. Tu Tai frowned, about to reprimand him, when he heard words that sounded almost like a broken voice.

A look of wild joy immediately appeared on Tu Tai's face.

It should be noted that since the Raikage retreated back to the village two days ago, although he had undergone comprehensive treatment and was no longer in danger of death, he had fallen into a deep coma. This was not only a severe physical injury, but also a mental one. The Fourth Raikage had also suffered a great deal, and Menma's blow was multiple.

This makes it difficult for the Fourth Raikage to recover from his injuries.

At one point, it was experiencing the same persistent high temperatures as ordinary people.

Over the past two days.

Tsuchida and the others felt a tightness in their chests; their Hidden Cloud Village could not accept the death of their Raikage.

That would be an absolutely devastating turn of events.

Fortunately, everything is still within an acceptable range.

Tsuchikage hurriedly dropped his official duties and strode quickly toward the hospital. By the time Tsuchikage arrived at his personal ward, the Raikage's private room...

The most skilled medical ninja in Kumogakure, a man over sixty years old, was also giving his Raikage a thorough examination.

That extremely serious expression gradually relaxed as the inspection was carried out.

"Lord Fourth Generation, your injuries are basically healed. You just need to rest for a few more days before you can be discharged from the hospital."

The attending physician looked at the Fourth Raikage, who was leaning against the hospital bed with a respectful expression and whose face looked somewhat haggard, and spoke.

Injuries can be treated and recovered; short limbs can be reattached through special surgical procedures. However, the lost vital energy cannot be easily recovered in a short period of time.

The Fourth Raikage was well aware of this, and nodded slightly, saying with a hint of weakness, "Yes, Iwa-san, I'll have to trouble you this time too."

Don't be fooled by the Fourth Raikage's volatile temper.

However, those in the village who are highly experienced, have made contributions, or are very capable and talented are still given great respect.

The earthen platform is like this.

The same applies to Dr. Koiwa in front of us.

They shed blood and sweat for the Hidden Cloud Village.

For this reason alone, A, as the Raikage, must respect these people. Not to mention, the Hidden Cloud Village has always been fond of people with special abilities, and it is also the village that loves to collect all kinds of bloodline limits and special talents.

On the topic of inclusivity.

The Hidden Cloud Village is absolutely unparalleled in the entire ninja world.

This is why Kumogakure was able to maintain its strength and remained the second largest ninja village in the ninja world for a long time. If it weren't for the deep foundation left by Konoha, Onoki would have lived for a longer period of time.

It's entirely possible that Kumogakure could easily defeat Konoha and Iwagakure.

However, the Hidden Cloud Village is now facing its third major crisis since its founding (the previous two being the coups wrought by the Gold and Silver Brothers, and the death of the Third Raikage).

"No, it is what I should do. Then, I will take my leave. Tsuchidai, you should not take up too much of the Fourth Hokage's time."

Dr. Koiwa, with his completely white hair and beard, bowed slightly to the Fourth Raikage, gave a brief explanation to Tsuchida, who had just arrived, and then got up and left the ward.

"Speak, Tu Tai, what is the current situation?"

After Yu Xiaoyan left and closed the door.

The Fourth Raikage, A, also stared at the earthen platform, his voice slightly low as he asked the question.

After taking a deep breath, Tsuchikage succinctly recounted the events of the past two days, the losses suffered by his village, and the news of the Iwa ninja's large-scale invasion to the Fourth Raikage.

He had initially seen Tu Tai rushing over with a very serious expression.

The Fourth Raikage had some suspicions in his heart.

But upon hearing the exact details, the Fourth Raikage's heart grew extremely heavy. He truly hadn't expected that a choice he had made, which, based on past experience, wouldn't have been considered reckless, would bring such a heavy blow to his own ninja village.

Even with the composure of the Fourth Raikage, his heart couldn't help but clench. It was only because he had seen many storms in the past that the Fourth Raikage was able to force himself to calm down. After all, no matter how bad the current situation was, it couldn't be worse than when his father had just died in battle. At least the internal environment was still quite stable.

His more than ten years as Raikage still brought him great prestige. As long as he was alive, the village would not descend into chaos anytime soon.

This is the source of the Fourth Raikage's confidence.

"Hmph, that old bastard Onoki, all he knows how to do is these kinds of dirty tricks. Let's just abandon all the positions on the front lines. There's no need to get angry with that old guy now. Just hold our border. Let Bi go over there. That old guy will know when to quit while he's ahead. He won't make any rash moves. I know him too well."

The Fourth Raikage, A, snorted softly.

"Yes, Lord Raikage."

Seeing that his Raikage was still able to look at the problem calmly, Tsuchikage breathed a sigh of relief.

What their Hidden Cloud Village needs most right now is time to adjust.

Even the Fourth Raikage needed time to recover.

Don't be fooled by how simple the doctor's explanation sounds.

He only needs to rest for a few days before he can be discharged from the hospital.

That only means that the Fourth Raikage no longer needs to stay in the hospital for treatment, but it doesn't mean that the Fourth Raikage has fully recovered. At this time, it is not suitable to confront Iwagakure head-on. The strategy that needs to be adopted is the same as it was more than ten years ago: completely abandon the outlying strongholds, including the Land of Hot Springs. If someone were to invade, the Fourth Raikage would definitely choose to abandon them decisively. As long as he holds the border of his own country, that's enough.

If these are not fundamental interests, then let them go.

We can take it back anytime, anywhere when the opportunity arises; there's no need to rush.

If we could endure it more than a decade ago, there's no reason why we can't do it now.

"What did Konoha and Kirigakure say? Did they just give up?! Or do they have some demands on Kumogakure?! And what's the situation with Uzumaki Menma right now?!"

The Fourth Raikage looked at Tsuchida with a slightly cold gaze and asked the two questions that concerned him most.

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 305 A Necessary Bold Cut

The former is a so-called 'temporary ally'.

The latter is the enemy who just defeated him on the battlefield.

This naturally warrants the utmost attention.

Although it's not quite appropriate to say it like that, the deaths and injuries of more than two thousand Cloud Ninja were actually not that bad. The most crucial thing was the loss of the Two-Tails Jinchuriki, which was a result that the Hidden Cloud Village could not accept.

In conclusion

What the Hidden Cloud Village needs to do most right now is to stabilize the situation and see if they can retrieve the Two-Tails.

No matter what method is used.

The Two-Tails is an existence that Kumogakure absolutely cannot give up.

The key lies with Konohagakure.

At least the Fourth Raikage himself thought so, and he also felt that it was highly feasible, provided that it depended on the choices and actions of his own side.

"Both Konoha and Kirigakure stopped advancing immediately after receiving news of our defeat. Konoha's envoy just arrived yesterday to inquire about our next move. I originally planned to send some people to make a show of it. If we could get Konoha and Kirigakure to start a war against Uzumaki Menma, it would be very beneficial to us later. But now that Iwa ninja are launching a strong attack, I'm afraid we can't spare any manpower."

Tu Tai shook his head slightly, his face solemn, and said with some difficulty.

The current situation is indeed a bit difficult for their Hidden Cloud Village. If the Two-Tails hadn't been lost, it would have been fine; at most, they would have just had to swallow the bitter pill and lie low for a while before the Hidden Cloud Village could regain its former glory.

But now things are different; the two-tailed beast is in someone else's hands.

Their Hidden Cloud Village cannot truly choose a completely defensive posture.

Just as Master Yuan decisively ordered Mei Terumi and Ao to lead the Mist Ninja forces to attack after learning about Utakata's situation, the tailed beasts belonging to their ninja villages could be temporarily out of their control, but they absolutely could not fall into the hands of other ninja villages.

That was a very heavy blow to their own ninja village.

This is a development that no major ninja village could possibly accept.

Kumogakure is also included.

"We still need to send some people. We can take the negotiations with Konoha to the next level. We can give up all our interests as long as we can urge Konoha to start a war against Uzumaki Menma and help us take back the Two-Tails. Even if it's just the Two-Tails, it's not impossible!"

The Fourth Raikage took a deep breath and spoke in a very decisive tone.

The Fourth Raikage's fiery temper had completely dissipated after this defeat. Now, he was incredibly calm and rational, and all he cared about was protecting the foundation of his own ninja village.

The Two-Tails Jinchuriki is clearly one of the core interests that Kumogakure must reclaim.

Everything else can be given away.

Everything else is negotiable.

Only the Two-Tails Jinchuriki.

This is the Fourth Raikage, the Achilles' heel of the entire Hidden Cloud Village, and must not be allowed to be touched by any other ninja village.

But I must say it.

The Fourth Raikage appeared quite calm.

But I still wasn't calm enough.

Or perhaps it was the lingering arrogance in his subconscious that blinded him to his true nature.

To reclaim the Two-Tails Jinchuriki?

If the Iwa ninja do not make a move.

If Konoha and Kirigakure join forces to exert pressure...

There is indeed still a considerable possibility, but now?

Tsuchidai clearly showed a troubled expression, but in the end he shook his head slightly and, meeting the Fourth Raikage's gaze, said, "As for Yugito, Fourth Hokage, I think we can't have too high expectations. We can only do our best to try."

"Huh!? Why? The earthen platform?"

The Fourth Raikage, A, was taken aback by Tsuchikage's words and asked in a deep voice with a furrowed brow.

This is not to say that the Fourth Raikage was not quick-witted or anything like that.

When simply considering a problem, even leaders can sometimes easily fall into biases and pitfalls.

Not to mention a long-standing habitual way of thinking.

It is true that blind spots in thinking can occur.

This is why Tsuchikage holds such an important position, and why two consecutive Raikage valued it highly.

They need someone like this to analyze the situation for them, offer advice and strategies, and strive to secure the benefits that belong to the Hidden Cloud Village in every battle and in many ninja affairs.