Chapter 126 – The Demand for Naoetsu and Ten Billion
"Fourth Raikage, don't get too arrogant!" a Konoha jōnin shouted with righteous fury. "Konoha once bowed its head only because of that backstabbing old dog—the Third Hokage—forcing us to tolerate your Kumogakure again and again.
But now, with the Fifth Hokage here, if you dare to come today… don't think you can leave in one piece!"
The Cloud shinobi burst into mocking laughter, as though they had heard the funniest joke in the world.
The Raikage's gaze sharpened like lightning as he spoke coldly:
"Uchiha Fugaku… I'll give you one more chance.
Cede Naoetsu to me, and pay ten billion in reparations. Do that, and I'll consider withdrawing."
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Fugaku frowned slightly. Naoetsu?
Before he could recall, Hyūga Hiashi stepped forward, his voice taut with anger:
"Hokage-sama, Naoetsu is one of the Land of Fire's most important ports. It cannot be ceded!"
At his words, Fugaku's memories surfaced. Naoetsu—a major coastal city on the Land of Fire's eastern shore. Its position was strategic, facing Uzushiogakure across the sea and lying close to the archipelago belonging to the Land of Hot Water.
The Raikage's demand wasn't just greed—it was an attempt to seize a vital artery of Fire Country's trade and defense.
Fugaku's lips curled into a disdainful sneer.
Does he still think I'm the weak, pliant Sarutobi Hiruzen?
No—today he had come prepared to kill the Fourth Raikage. His death would not only shatter Kumogakure's pride, but also rally all of Konoha behind him. It would cement his rule, win loyalty from the undecided, and pave the way for the next step in his vision.
With the Eternal Mangekyō in his eyes and the Complete-Body Susanoo at his command, few in the shinobi world could hope to stand against him.
First, I will strike down Kumogakure. Then, one by one, I will sweep the other villages aside. Konoha will rise again—stronger than ever.
His voice was cold and unyielding:
"Enough talk. My head is right here—kill me, and the entire Land of Fire is yours. Come and take it if you can."
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The Fourth Raikage smirked, amused at the arrogance.
"I gave you a chance, and you spat on it. Very well. If you wish to be the egg against the rock, then so be it.
Tell me, Uchiha Fugaku—shall it be one-on-one, or shall we let our armies clash?
If I were you, I'd offer up my own life. Spare your men the humiliation of dying pointlessly."
His sensory unit had already reported quietly: the Konoha reinforcements were nearly all jōnin-level. Far more than he had brought.
If this battle devolved into chaos, Kumogakure would suffer heavy losses.
That was why he pushed for single combat—he intended to defeat Fugaku personally and break Konoha's morale.
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Before Fugaku could answer, Hyūga Hiashi stepped forward angrily.
"What a joke! You have only a few dozen jōnin; the rest are merely chūnin. In high-end strength, Konoha clearly has the advantage!
Hokage-sama, don't listen to him—let us fight together!"
At his words, the Konoha shinobi steeled themselves. Their expressions hardened, kunai were drawn, and chakra surged across the field.
Yet behind the steel, doubt lingered.
Even if they had the numbers, the Fourth Raikage's reputation was overwhelming. The battlefield was littered with the corpses of their own comrades—seasoned jōnin whose strength matched their own, now slain by the Raikage's raw power.
Could their new Hokage truly stand against such a monster?
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But Fugaku's next words silenced them all.
"There's no need. Since the Fourth Raikage desires single combat, I'll grant him this small wish.
All of you—fall back one thousand meters. I will not have you caught in the crossfire."
His voice was calm, but absolute.
Uchiha Yashiro immediately shouted:
"You heard Hokage-sama! Everyone retreat one thousand meters!"
Though startled, Hiashi quickly followed suit, rallying the Hyūga and other Konoha shinobi to withdraw.
Across the field, the Raikage gave a short, disdainful laugh.
"Retreat one thousand meters as well," he ordered his men.
To him, this was a matter of pride. He would defeat Fugaku openly, crush him before the eyes of both armies, and carve Kumo's supremacy into stone.
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The moment the field cleared, Fugaku's chakra surged like a tidal wave.
Scarlet light erupted around him, searing like blood aflame. A massive ribcage of chakra burst forth, forming sinew, muscle, and flesh in seconds.
The ground trembled as a colossal figure rose skyward—towering wings unfurled, armored plates clamped over its body, and weapons of myth materialized in its hands: a blazing shield, a flame-spewing gourd, and the visage of a wrathful tengu.
Complete-Body Susanoo.
A war god born of crimson fire loomed above the battlefield, its sheer size dwarfing mountains.
Within the crystalline brow, Fugaku stood with arms crossed, his Eternal Mangekyō blazing.
Looking skyward, the moon seemed within reach. Looking downward, the Fourth Raikage was as small as dust.
The Kumogakure shinobi gaped in horror.
"W–what is this?!"
Even the mighty Raikage staggered, stunned by the giant's presence.
"This… this is madness. Is this still human power?!"
Forcing down the chill creeping into his spine, the Raikage growled stubbornly:
"Hmph. Some Uchiha illusion trickery, is it?!"
But deep within, he felt it—an ominous weight pressing upon his very soul.
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✨ End of Chapter 126 – The Demand for Naoetsu and Ten Billion
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