During these days in Iwagakure, Anya controlled Lie Kai's body and spent time with Deidara, creating scrolls that recorded some of the Explosive Clay jutsu for him.
After witnessing Deidara's passion for the art of explosion, Anya became even more determined and studied alongside him every day.
The two could be seen playing throughout the village.
One day, on the rocky cliffs surrounding Iwagakure, Anya was training Lie Kai in taijutsu. She had him practice climbing the cliff while she stood at the top, throwing stones downward to increase the difficulty.
Looking at the mountains encircling Iwagakure, Anya couldn't help but recall her mission during the Second Great Ninja War. Back then, her ignorance really did make her fearless—I dared to challenge an entire ninja village alone. If it hadn't been Kitsuchi who came, but rather Onoki instead, she probably would have been finished.
Just as she was reminiscing, Onoki had already arrived above the scene.
Anya was startled and quickly greeted, "Greetings, Tsuchikage-sama."
Onoki chuckled, "Lie Kai, you've been enjoying yourself with your son these past few days, but I've received quite a few complaints."
"Complaints?" Anya asked in confusion.
Onoki quickly replied, "Staying up all night instead of sleeping, setting off Explosive Clay outside, making noises loud enough to scare people to death. What do you say about that?"
"Oh, that…" Anya smiled awkwardly. "I'll be more careful next time."
Onoki laughed heartily, "Haha, no problem. I can tell that your child Deidara has great talent. Perhaps when he grows up, his strength might even surpass yours."
"Of course. I have confidence in him."
"Now, onto serious matters." Onoki quickly wiped the smile off his face and handed over a scroll.
Anya opened it. A shiver ran down her spine as she took a deep breath and asked, "Is the intelligence report accurate?"
Onoki nodded affirmatively. "I've activated all our undercover agents in Kumogakure. It's been confirmed. If our intelligence is accurate, Raikage may have already left Kumogakure."
Anya faked enthusiasm and said, "If that's true, this might just be a once-in-a-lifetime chance."
"Exactly." Onoki's face also showed signs of excitement. "I plan to assign you to lead this mission, while I will make a high-profile appearance on the Konoha battlefield, engaging in battle with them to completely lower Raikage's guard."
"But…" Anya hesitated. "Tsuchikage-sama, without you here, no one in our village can match Raikage."
"Have you never heard of the human wave tactic? He may be strong, but what can he do?" Onoki's eyes flickered with a murderous glint as he calmly continued, "[Each one] can overwhelm him with just one jutsu—pile them on, and he'll be crushed."
"Ten thousand?" Hearing this number, Anya's heart pounded. At this moment, she finally understood why Hanzo once claimed Iwagakure was the strongest—just in terms of sheer numbers, they ranked first among the Five Great Countries. Other ninja villages had been fighting continuously since the Third Great Ninja War and could never mobilize so many people by now.
Anya tightened her grip on the critical scroll in her hand and said, "Tsuchikage-sama, I guarantee mission success."
Onoki patted his shoulder and said, "Go say goodbye to your child. Then leave. I'm waiting for good news from you."
"Yes."
In a certain part of the prison in Iwagakure, Shou Kari had already been waiting here for a long time. When Anya arrived, he stepped forward without hesitation and teased, "What, finally decided to come despite leaving your son behind?"
After seeing him, Anya quickly understood, "Looks like the Tsuchikage also gave you a copy of the intelligence report."
"That's right," Shou Kari looked extremely excited as he whispered, "You think Raikage will really come? These are just crippled prisoners—would he really risk so much for them?"
"In normal circumstances, I don't think so." To be honest, if it were up to Anya, he wouldn't even dream of rescuing prisoners—it was just plain stupid. Not only was the risk enormous, but most of these captives were already broken men. Even if they were saved, they'd just be useless burdens with no real value.
"But Raikage isn't an ordinary person. He might actually come." Anya didn't know much about Raikage, but he firmly believed that he would come. This was a trap specifically set according to Raikage's personality by two devious old bastards—Third Hokage and Danzo. So there was a very high probability he would fall right into it.
Time passed minute by minute. Just when Shou Kari began feeling drowsy, a huge explosion suddenly woke him up.
"Boom... boom..."
The prison gates exploded open under the force of lightning, and a tall, muscular man strode into the prison with an imposing aura.
"Good God, he actually came!" Shou Kari's heart leapt into his throat. As he extended his hand preparing to launch an attack, Anya grabbed him, saying, "Don't act yet. Let him rescue them first."
Shou Kari immediately understood. Raikage's objective was to save people. If so, what harm could letting him do so bring? After all, they were merely prisoners who would instead become burdens for him. How clever!
"Who are you? Daring to break into this prison!"
The Iwa ninjas inside the prison had already been written off. They knew nothing of what was happening. Upon seeing the intruder, they unhesitatingly launched attacks at Raikage.
Yet against Raikage's full assault, not one prison guard lasted a single strike. Soon, they all fell to the ground, incapacitated.
"Look quick—it's Raikage! Raikage has come to rescue us!" A ninja from the Hidden Cloud Village spotted Raikage's figure and shouted excitedly.
Hearing the shout, other Cloud ninjas cried joyfully, "Raikage, we're here!"
Following the direction of the voices, Raikage charged straight ahead: [Hell Stab – Four-Finger Penetration Strike].
A surge of lightning concentrated on his four fingers. The prison walls collapsed under his rapid piercing strike. Even the barrier set outside the prison shook for a second before shattering. The sheer force was staggering.
Seeing so many of his comrades here, Raikage felt deeply moved. He roared loudly, "You're saved. Everyone, get up now. Follow me."
"Yes!" The captured Cloud ninjas responded unanimously. Supporting each other, they stood up. Some who were severely injured were carried directly, and nobody was left behind.
Seeing this, Raikage felt relieved and waved his big hand, commanding, "Let's move out—we're heading back to our village."
From the darkness, Shou Kari and Anya exchanged a glance, then quietly nodded before vanishing from sight.
Having successfully rescued his comrades, the Raikage led the charge himself, leaving scorched earth in his wake. He had already received intelligence that the Tsuchikage Onoki was locked in battle with Konoha up ahead, leaving this area unguarded. This was their best chance, so they pushed forward relentlessly, every second counting.
Before long, a wide river stretched out before them. Once they crossed it, they would officially enter Kumogakure territory.
Not expecting such a smooth journey, the Raikage shouted loudly, "Quickly, everyone board the boats!"
"Raikage-sama, this is as far as you go."
Midair, Anya and Shou Kari stood atop a bird-shaped clay construct crafted from white modeling clay, gazing coldly down at the group below. Meanwhile, countless Iwa ninja began to emerge silently from the ground, stretching endlessly into the horizon.
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