Two days later, even though Minato Namikaze had issued a gag order, the news still managed to spread through the spies of various countries. After all, this was on the mainland, not in a secluded nation surrounded by water like the Land of Water.
If the ninja world had newspapers, the headline for the past two days would undoubtedly be:
"Big News! The Eternal Life Organization Appears Again, Their First Target is Konoha!"
"The Eternal Life Organization Ravages Konoha, and the Reason is Orochimaru? What Unspeakable Secrets Lie Within?!"
"Shocking! A Look at the Inseparable Story Between Orochimaru and the Eternal Life Organization, Why Did Fire Temple..."
...
The Land of Wind, Sunagakure.
Rasa, who had recently ascended to the position of Fourth Kazekage, gleefully threw the intelligence report in his hand onto his desk and exclaimed, "So Konoha has its day too, it's truly satisfying!"
Maki, a Jonin of Sunagakure, stood beside him and asked, "Kazekage-sama, what is our Sunagakure's stance on this matter?"
"Heh heh, stance?"
Rasa slammed his hand on the table and shouted, "There's only one word for it: Good!"
Rasa was in a particularly cheerful mood. Not too long ago, he had sent the "Hero of the Sand," Yashamaru, who posed the greatest threat to him within the village, to Kirigakure to be secretly assassinated. Now, he heard the news of his sworn enemy, Konoha, being invaded and ravaged by the Eternal Life Organization.
This was truly a cause for great celebration!
Maki looked at Rasa with concern, knowing full well why Rasa's reaction was so intense.
Ever since the Second Great Ninja War began, they, the Sand Shinobi, had been utterly suppressed by Konoha, from beginning to end, without a single advantage.
Even Chiyo, the only one who had managed to make a slight impact, was quickly subdued by Tsunade's arrival. It could be said that everyone in Sunagakure harbored a deep-seated resentment.
Why were only the Sand Shinobi constantly suppressed, while the other four nations looked down on them!
Rasa, as the Kazekage, felt deeply humiliated. The Land of Wind, one of the Five Great Nations, had no standing at all!
His wife had died in childbirth, and he had resolved to make his son a Jinchuriki, only for him to be a failure, unable to even control the rampaging Tailed Beast.
It could be said that Rasa's life had been a string of failures from start to finish. Now that he had finally heard some pleasant news, it was no surprise that he had lost some of his composure. Maki felt he could understand.
After a while, when Rasa had calmed down, Maki said, "Kazekage-sama, how does Sunagakure view this matter? What if that Eternal Life Organization were to come to our Sunagakure as well..."
Rasa let out a breath and slowly replied, "We won't interfere. We will remain uninvolved. Sunagakure still needs to recover."
"Notify the guards to strengthen patrols. Although there shouldn't be anything in Sunagakure that the Eternal Life Organization would covet, we must still be cautious!"
"Understood."
Maki bowed and accepted the order. Then he asked, "Gaara, he..."
"Don't mention that failed experiment!"
As soon as Rasa heard Gaara's name, a surge of anger welled up within him.
Maki seemed to want to say more, but this was the Kazekage's private family matter, and it was difficult for him to speak. He could only say, "Then this subordinate will take his leave!"
After Maki retreated, Rasa stood by the window with his hands behind his back, his cold eyes seeming to pierce through the buildings and see a small, dark-eyed boy swinging alone on a swing.
"Useless trash!"
...
The Land of Lightning, Kumogakure.
The Fourth Raikage, Ay, like his father, was bare-chested. His white Kage robe was casually tossed aside on the desk. In the spacious Raikage's office, he was performing physical exercises.
Dodai sat at his desk, processing documents with a look of utter despair!
He could confidently declare: this is a father and son! They were definitely not bought as a set with scroll seals!
What kind of Raikage shirks their duties and leaves the approval to their subordinates!
You might as well let me, Dodai, be the Raikage!
Although Dodai had such fleeting thoughts, he was well aware of his own capabilities, only suited to be a strategist.
To offer advice, and to handle minor village affairs. When it came to issues between nations, he lacked the courage to make decisions!
Seeing that Ay was once again preparing to train all day, Dodai helplessly said, "Raikage-sama, what are your thoughts on the Eternal Life Organization's sudden invasion of Konoha?"
Ay, who was doing a handstand push-up, calmly replied, "What other thoughts can I have? Just watch the show!"
Dodai's face showed an expression of "I knew it would be like this." He then said gravely, "Raikage-sama, this matter is not to be taken lightly. You absolutely cannot be careless!"
Ay performed a Thomas spin and turned back, wiping the sweat from his body. "What do you mean?"
Dodai's face was solemn. "This matter can be viewed from two perspectives. First, the Eternal Life Organization has a grudge against Konoha, and Orochimaru is merely an excuse. Their move this time was to test Konoha's foundation. If their strength is not much greater than the Eternal Life Organization, they may launch a second attack on Konoha in the near future!"
Ay showed a look of curiosity. "Is the Eternal Life Organization truly that powerful? Can a single, unrevealed organization contend with one of the Five Great Nations of the ninja world?"
"This is just one possibility."
Dodai continued, "Secondly, the Eternal Life Organization's target is Orochimaru, and their engagement with Konoha was merely a cover for Orochimaru's defection. This also explains why Konoha did not suffer too many losses, with only an outdoor training ground being largely destroyed."
Ay rubbed his chin and said, "Then Dodai, which possibility do you think is more likely?"
Dodai looked at the report in his hand again and pondered, "I personally believe the second possibility is more likely, but I cannot rule out other potential reasons."
Ay put his Kage robe back on and said, "Then what does this have to do with our Kumogakure? We don't have anyone like Orochimaru in our village... Hmm? Are you implying..."
"Exactly!"
Dodai said solemnly, "The Eternal Life Organization's objective may be talented individuals from various countries. Although we only know that Orochimaru is one of Hiruzen Sarutobi's students, and he possesses no Kekkei Genkai himself, we cannot be too careful."
"If ninjas from our village are also abducted by the Eternal Life Organization, it would be a tremendous loss for us!"
"Indeed! What you say makes sense. Immediately issue an order for strict vigilance against suspicious ninja entering or leaving the village!"
Ay looked at Dodai and suddenly asked, "Did you just mention Kekkei Genkai?"
"Yes, Kekkei Genkai. What's wrong, Raikage-sama?"
Ay rubbed his chin, deep in thought. "I recall Konoha has two great Doujutsu Kekkei Genkai families, the Uchiha and the Hyuga. If we could obtain one of them for the village to research..."
Dodai's eyes widened. "Raikage-sama, you intend to..."
"Precisely! Konoha has just suffered an invasion from the Eternal Life Organization and its strength has been greatly diminished. If our Kumogakure were to visit Konoha under the guise of establishing diplomatic relations, the probability of success would be very high!"
Dodai hesitated slightly. "However, what if Konoha discovers our plan..."
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"
Ay clenched his fist, his eyes gleaming. "I believe this time it will definitely succeed!"
Dodai felt a bit embarrassed. Don't you know your father said something similar, and the envoy mission to Konoha at that time only left one lunatic still residing in the Kumogakure hospital.
But you are the Raikage, so be happy. As long as it's not me, Dodai, who is sent on the mission to Konoha!