Chapter 286

Of course, revenge is only on the mind of the Fourth Raikage, who is extremely dissatisfied with Kaito Uchiha, even believing that his own failure was due to his carelessness.

Confidence is a good thing, and with enough of it and firm conviction, a person can continue to grow.

But when confidence reaches its extreme, it becomes arrogance.

And when such a person, who also holds significant power as a Kage, becomes arrogant, the destruction they can bring is unimaginable!

Onoki has no idea what the Fourth Raikage is thinking; otherwise, he would definitely support him one hundred percent.

Exactly how Kaito Uchiha fought the Fourth Raikage and the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, he isn't too clear on.

But he is well aware of how he and the members of the Akatsuki were defeated by Kaito Uchiha.

If someone is courting death, especially if it's someone he extremely dislikes, Onoki would definitely support their approach wholeheartedly.

However, it's a pity that he doesn't know, and upon seeing Kaito Uchiha enter, his expression turned gloomy.

"Uchiha Kaito, are you here to mock me or to flaunt your own achievements?"

The Fourth Raikage didn't have as many concerns as Onoki and directly spoke out angrily.

"Catching Onoki, the Tsuchikage, and capturing me, the Raikage, do you feel a sense of accomplishment? Do you think you are very powerful now?"

"Capturing Onoki indeed gives me a sense of accomplishment because the old man is very strong."

Kaito glanced at the Fourth Raikage and shook his head disdainfully.

"As for you, what are you even worth?

Killer Bee at least had the Eight-Tails to cooperate with; he was much more difficult to deal with than you.

You're just a fly with a bit of speed. If you didn't still have some value, what makes you think you'd still be alive?"

Kaito wouldn't give the Fourth Raikage any face, after all, he saw no need to be courteous with a dead man.

Kaito's attitude made the Fourth Raikage's face suddenly turn even uglier, as he stood up and spoke out loudly.

"Then why don't you kill me? Do you really dare to make a move?

I'm telling you clearly, no matter how you negotiate with Kumogakure, we will not give you anything!

Not a single thing!

As long as I am with Kumogakure, then you can forget about getting anything!"

"That's really irritating."

Kaito turned his gaze towards him, and in an instant, his eyes turned a blood red, and a strange chakra quickly enveloped the area.

The Fourth Raikage was caught off guard and completely frozen, while Kaito hit him hard in the abdomen with a punch.

The Fourth Raikage felt as if he had been struck by lightning, feeling an intense pain in his abdomen.

However, he didn't utter a sound, biting down on his teeth without making any noise.

"Even though you are the Raikage, Kumogakure isn't something you can decide on your own. You may not care about the village's interests, but others do."

Jiraiya also spoke up at this moment, showing no intention of stopping Kaito.

"I came to see you as something a Hokage should do.

I hope you conduct yourself properly and don't do anything that would embarrass everyone."

Jiraiya's words were definitive; his character was not like Hiruzen Sarutobi's. He absolutely would not accommodate the Fourth Raikage.

Onoki glanced at Jiraiya, feeling that this man was indeed very different from Hiruzen Sarutobi.

However, he would not speak now; he could only lament that the younger generation was becoming more and more formidable, and the times were developing ever more rapidly.

"Lord Hokage, then I won't disturb you any longer."

But at this moment, Kaito suddenly spoke up.

"I have safely brought back the Tsuchikage, and the battlefront has also stabilized. If there's any issue, you can slowly discuss it with the two Kage. I will take my leave now."

"You've worked hard, Director Kaito."

Jiraiya smiled and nodded, and then Kaito turned and left the room.

As Kaito's footsteps gradually faded away until they could no longer be heard, Onoki finally let out a slight sigh.

"Konoha has found such talent; I must indeed congratulate you. However..."

He paused for a moment, then lifted his head to continue with emphasis.

"Konoha has once again produced someone like Uchiha Madara, who can be seen as a harbinger of war in the shinobi world. I fear anyone would feel endangered by this.

And, I have heard that there are seven clans jointly managing Konoha, Hokage."

"The term 'managing' might be a bit of an overstatement."

Jiraiya faced this question with calm, shaking his head slightly before he slowly spoke.

"In Konoha, we believe in specialization.

I put those who are best suited for their duties in their positions and let them maximize their value by striving to fulfill those responsibilities.

That's much better than me, an outsider who knows nothing, yet foolishly tries to meddle to assert my authority.

What I want is a beautiful, powerful Konoha.

Not one that's completely under my control but leaves everyone feeling dissatisfied and unhappy.

Now, everyone in Konoha can express their opinions; everyone can utilize their unique strengths.

That's the difference between us, and probably also the difference between me and my teacher.

Perhaps you think this is just an excuse or a rationale I've created for myself.

But regardless of what you think, the fact that you're here now, doesn't it already prove the current strength of Konoha?"

Jiraiya's words, though not spoken hastily, caused Onoki and the Fourth Raikage to fall involuntarily into silence.

In truth, they really wanted to say, "We lost to that bastard Uchiha Kaito; what does that have to do with Konoha?"

But considering that Kaito is indeed a member of Konoha, one of its formidable combat forces, they held back their words.

At this moment, they could only sigh, for they were the defeated.

Standing atop the Hokage Rock, Kaito looked down over the entirety of Konoha, which still had traces of festivity spreading through it.

The large contingent that had returned with him had apparently already disbanded on the spot, needing to go home and rest after such a lengthy period of war.

However, during his visit to Onoki with Jiraiya, Kaito had received a piece of information.

That was that this unit would only stay in Konoha for a week before immediately departing for the front lines in the Land of Hot Water.

Kaito didn't have many objections to this; after all, he understood what it meant, and Jiraiya had explained it to him very clearly.

They were to ride the momentum of victory to pressure the higher-ups of Kumogakure.

Now that the news of the Fourth Raikage being in Konoha was beginning to spread, Konoha also had to make all necessary preparations.

Negotiations were inevitable, but there were also many things to do before that.

Such as dealing with Kumogakure possibly going mad to rescue the Fourth Raikage, or if they might recklessly start a war.

Moreover, Jiraiya had brought up to Kaito that he hoped Kaito would go to the front lines as well.

Because in a sense, Kaito had almost become a symbol of victory.

Whether he fought or not, just his presence was enough to boost the morale of the Konoha ninjas to an unprecedented peak!

Kaito had no intention of refusing this matter.

Going to the Land of Hot Water to enjoy the hot springs was not a big deal at all.

Although the Fourth Raikage was a battle maniac with muscles for brains, Kaito didn't think that Dodai was so irrational.

Besides, it wasn't certain whether Kumogakure would still be intent on starting a war at that time.

"If you, the Fourth Raikage, die, and Konoha vehemently denies involvement, and you really dare to start a war regardless of everything, then I would truly admire you."

Kaito muttered to himself internally, but he was also seriously considering other matters.

That was how to better, pin the blame for the Fourth Raikage's death onto someone else.

//

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