The Sunagakure visit finally ended amid endless bickering.
Reiji successfully obtained the legendary secret technique that had once saved the Fifth Kazekage Gaara—One's Own Life Reincarnation.
At the same time, he settled on an annual water fee of 150 million ryō with the Third Kazekage.
In the Kazekage's office, Reiji nodded toward the Third Kazekage behind the desk, formed a hand seal with one hand, and vanished on the spot.
Seeing this, the Third Kazekage's heart skipped a beat—he suddenly realized that this guy wasn't a shadow clone at all, but the real deal!
Still, it didn't matter.
The man knew the Second Hokage Tobirama Senju's elusive space-time ninjutsu. There was no way to stop someone like that from leaving.
...
The world spun, and when Reiji appeared again, he was already in the familiar Kumogakure of the Land of Lightning.
Looking down at the increasingly prosperous village below his feet, he sighed and held his stomach.
"Kitty, I won't be taking you to Kirigakure in the Land of Water this time. You'll stay in Kumogakure."
As soon as he finished, a pitiful voice echoed in his mind.
"Why? Are you abandoning me?"
"Of course not—I'd never abandon you." Reiji patted his stomach fondly and spoke gently.
"This trip to Kirigakure is important. I'll need to go in hiding.
Kitty, you're way too cute. Your chakra is adorable too. If we run into a sensory-type ninja, they'll recognize us instantly!"
Hearing that, Matatabi bashfully covered her face and let out a coquettish squeal.
"Nngh~ You… you... forget it! Even if you call me cute, I… I still need time to think!"
"..."
Reiji rubbed his forehead, speechless, and sighed helplessly.
"Alright, alright! Think it over."
With that, he formed another hand seal. Activating the Flying Thunder God Technique, he appeared at the entrance of the Raikage's office.
Knock knock knock.
Under the watchful gaze of nearby ANBU, Reiji knocked on the door.
"Come in," a deep voice rumbled from within.
Reiji pushed the door open and quickly scanned the room.
The Raikage's office was unusually lively.
The sofa had been moved aside, leaving the room wide open.
The Third Raikage stood shirtless, visibly surprised to see Reiji enter.
Next to him was A, the future Fourth Raikage, his body crackling with blue lightning.
Not far off, facing A, stood the Eight-Tails jinchūriki Blue B, his hair split evenly between black and green.
Between A and Blue B stood a rubber dummy. Beside it was a young man wearing a single-eye eyepatch and a black hat.
Behind him, Amai stood with a serious expression, jotting notes with a pen.
Around them stood several of Kumogakure's higher-ups, scattered throughout the room.
Everyone paused in surprise the moment Reiji walked in.
The Third Raikage's eyes lit up. He grinned broadly and waved Reiji over.
"Reiji, perfect timing! Get over here!"
Still confused, Reiji approached and greeted him.
"Hey, Raikage Bro, what's going on?"
The Third Raikage cheerfully threw an arm around Reiji's shoulders and pointed toward the rubber dummy in the center.
"See that? You and I are gonna hit it with a Double Lariat—show these two how it's done."
Just then, the young man with the eyepatch stepped closer, a flicker of confusion crossing his eyes before he nodded politely and explained,
"This rubber dummy is specially made. You can only cut off its head if both sides exert exactly the same amount of force!"
Hearing that, Reiji immediately caught on.
Ah, so that's what all this was about—they were testing to find a good partner for A!
And this young guy with the eyepatch—he must be Dodai!
Thinking that, Reiji glanced sideways at the Third Raikage and leaned in to whisper by his ear.
"Brother, if we use the Lariat together, this whole building might come down."
The Third Raikage blinked in surprise, then smacked his forehead in sudden realization.
Soon after, everyone and the equipment were moved to an open field in the village.
By then, quite a few villagers had gathered to watch—the crowd was growing by the minute.
Across from the rubber dummy, the Third Raikage stood beaming with anticipation. Reiji let out a sigh as violent blue lightning surged around his entire body.
At the same time, a blinding current of blue lightning also erupted from the Third Raikage's body.
Then the man slowly extended his arm into a chopping stance.
Seeing this, Reiji's scalp tingled instantly, and he yelled out.
"Raikage! Lariat, not Hell Stab! You trying to kill me?!"
The Raikage gave a sheepish laugh and pulled his arm back.
"Ah—sorry, force of habit."
After adjusting, both Reiji and the Third Raikage shed their smiles. They locked eyes on the rubber dummy at the center.
"Double Lariat!"
Two thunderous shouts echoed in unison.
The ground trembled beneath the spectators.
In an instant, twin streaks of blue lightning collided with explosive force.
Thud! A deep, heavy sound of bodies colliding rang through the air.
Two muscular arms slammed into each other—one bearing the kanji for "Thunder," the other "Hard."
A second later, the two figures passed each other. The rubber dummy's head was sent flying high into the sky.
The crowd collectively gasped.
Everyone knew that the Third Raikage's raw strength was unmatched in the entire village—that's exactly why he never had a proper "B."
And yet today, out of nowhere, someone had shown up who could pull off the Double Lariat with him.
Among the crowd, many shinobi exchanged glances, eyes filled with uncertainty. From Reiji, they seemed to see a familiar silhouette—a hero who'd died fighting for the village.
If Raimei were still alive, maybe the Raikage wouldn't have had to go without a partner for so long.
But while the crowd buzzed, Dodai, the man with the single eyepatch, was already deep in shock.
Others may only have had a vague sense of the Third Raikage's power—but not him.
As one of the newly promoted elites of Kumogakure, his main job was to help the Third Raikage find a suitable "B" for A.
Which meant he knew everything about the Raikage and his son's physical capabilities.
That's why he could say with absolute certainty:
There wasn't a single person in the village who could perform the Double Lariat with the Third Raikage.
Yet what he had just witnessed shattered that belief completely.
While Dodai stood frozen in disbelief, A clenched his fists, practically vibrating with excitement.
So strong! Both his old man and Uncle Reiji—these guys were built like monsters!
Damn it! I'm going to become a monster like that too!
...
After finishing the demonstration, Reiji pulled the Raikage aside and whispered.
"Raikage Bro, I came to talk about something."
"What is it?"
"I'm planning to send Matatabi back to the Temple of Wind and Thunder."
The Raikage's eyes lit up with surprise as he looked at Reiji.
So he's done playing and ready to dump her? And he wants me to take over?
Man, what a stroke of luck!