The Third Kazekage was going to die.
With his plans to invade Konoha, he was about to perish in some remote corner of the Land of Wind.
Having secured Kumogakure's promise after nearly two years of scheming, he could never have imagined that the one to strike would be the young generation he trusted most.
"Sasori, why..."
Black blood continuously poured from the Third Kazekage's mouth as he stared at Sasori in disbelief.
"Why..." Facing the Third Kazekage's question, Sasori found it somewhat amusing. He lowered his head, trying not to laugh aloud: "Because of you—this so-called strongest Kazekage—my parents died in your immature plans. But to you, my parents were probably just pawns in your hand."
Hearing this reason, the Third Kazekage spat up another mouthful of blood: "Your parents died gloriously for the village, you—"
The Third Kazekage truly wanted to crack open this youth's skull and see exactly how it was constructed.
Your parents were killed by Konoha ninja—why come after me?!
However, the Third Kazekage clearly no longer had that opportunity.
Carrying confusion and grief, the Third Kazekage coughed up a large pool of blood mixed with fragments of internal organs completely corrupted by toxins. Unable to support his body any longer, he closed his eyes forever.
"Quite capable, to endure so long under such poison." Looking at the completely lifeless Third Kazekage, Sasori's face showed no expression—neither the satisfaction of great revenge nor the thrill of striking down an important figure. Only greed for the Third Kazekage's physical form.
"Don't worry, I'll make you into the most perfect masterpiece."
...
The Third Kazekage's disappearance caused Sunagakure's leadership to grow anxious.
A Kage mysteriously vanishing within his own country—such a thing was truly hard to believe.
Unable to receive any news of their Kazekage, Sunagakure's leadership began mobilizing the village's ninja to search for traces of the Third Kazekage nationwide.
Even at this point, they didn't believe their Kazekage had encountered any danger.
After all, this was the strongest Kazekage—how could he die silently in his own country?
Sunagakure's undisguised search operations quickly alarmed the entire ninja world. Any hidden village with decent intelligence work learned this news.
"The Third Kazekage has disappeared?"
Within Kumogakure, upon learning this news, the Third Raikage excitedly slammed his palm on the desk, shattering it completely, and looked at Dodai with disbelief.
"Yes, Raikage-sama."
Ignoring the desk fragments scattered across the floor, Dodai nodded in confirmation.
Several Cloud ninja had just brought over a new desk when they heard the Third Raikage's fury-filled voice:
"Damn bastard, at such a crucial moment!"
With one strike, the new desk hadn't even been used for work before following its predecessor into the afterlife.
Kumogakure had already completed mobilization and gained the Daimyō's support, about to declare war on Konoha. And now you tell me our perfectly good ally suddenly disappeared with a "pop"?
Is there any ally in the world more unreliable than this?!
Wait, ally?
Hmm, if Sunagakure is in trouble, as an ally, I can't just stand by without helping.
The mobilization order had already been issued—they couldn't just hold it back now.
After deep consideration, the Third Raikage decided to extend a helping hand to the leaderless Sunagakure and send them a new Kage.
Of course, this Kage would naturally be the Raikage himself.
...
"Hiruzen! While Sunagakure is leaderless, this is the perfect opportunity to completely eliminate them!"
Learning of the Third Kazekage's disappearance, Danzo didn't pause for a moment, immediately seeking out Hiruzen, who was inspecting the bathhouse in his office.
Hastily putting away his crystal ball, Hiruzen coughed lightly, cast a reproachful glance at Danzo for not knocking, and slowly pulled out his pipe.
Exhaling a puff of smoke, Hiruzen looked at Danzo with a serious expression: "On what grounds would we attack Sunagakure?"
"We could claim ninja have gone missing at the border. Besides, among those nameless infiltrators, there must be some from Sunagakure—"
Danzo's words were cut short by Hiruzen.
"Evidence, Danzo. Until now, we have no proof that the invaders are from Sunagakure. Moreover, could this Third Kazekage's disappearance be bait to lure us into attacking first?"
"Even if it's bait, with Konoha's current strength, we could swallow the bait whole and leave them unable to retaliate!" Danzo still refused to abandon his idea.
"Enough, Danzo. You're too aggressive. Besides, shouldn't matters of war be decided together with Homura and the others?!" Looking at the persistent Danzo, Hiruzen felt somewhat exasperated. Why was this guy still so hot-tempered even after having a son, always wanting to fight and kill?
In comparison, Feng Bai's temperament was much better.
Feng Bai, who was shopping with Obito and Kakashi, sneezed.
"You're too weak, Hiruzen!"
Danzo nearly followed the Raikage's example and shattered the desk with one palm.
"Enough, Danzo. I am the Hokage!" Hiruzen brought out that universal catchphrase.
"You—you'll regret this!" Hearing this phrase, Danzo was utterly infuriated again, his face turning extremely ugly as he turned and left the room.
"Bang!"
Forcefully slamming the door, Danzo stormed out of the Hokage building in a huff, preparing to exchange Wind Release insights with Asuma.
Facts proved that even if Hiruzen used every means to avoid war's outbreak, the other hidden villages' envy of Konoha was very real.
As Kumogakure's warmth-delivery team personally led by the Third Raikage was repelled by Sunagakure's mysterious value man, Kumogakure, feeling cheated, simultaneously declared war on Iwagakure and Konoha.
Hearing that Kumogakure was so bold, the long-inactive Kirigakure refused to be outdone. Just when everyone thought they might be completely finished, they joined the campaign against Konoha.
The Third Great Ninja War thus erupted.
Due to the war's outbreak, some existing teams were reorganized.
Team 11, with all members promoted to Chūnin, was disbanded. Uchiha Obito, Hatake Kakashi, Nohara Rin, and Minato formed Team 7—truly, fate is unpredictable.
Exchanging glances with Asuma beside him, Feng Bai helplessly shrugged: "Obito's been reassigned. What about you?"
Asuma rolled his eyes: "I haven't received transfer orders yet, but I heard from sensei that Ryōma has already been transferred back to Root. The two of us will probably be stuffed into some squad to follow a Jōnin."
"Who knows..." Feng Bai's expression was uncertain as he looked toward the direction Obito had left.
Hopefully this Kenji won't get targeted by Madara. Otherwise, the fun would be too great, and all his years of effort would be wasted.
The leadership didn't keep Feng Bai waiting long. At dinner that evening, after finishing his meal and setting down his bowl, Danzo announced his orders:
"You—go to the Kumogakure battlefield."
🔥 Want to read the next 50+ chapters RIGHT NOW?
💎 Patreon members get instant access!
⚡ Limited-time offer currently running...
👉 [Join on - patreon.com/GoldenLong]