I founded the "Bragging Cult" in Naruto.

Chapter 674 Emotions that couldn't be vented, when they were finally released, were like being stuffed into a volatile balloon.

"Konoha and Kirigakure have started a war, and it's serious."

In the Hidden Cloud Village, inside the Raikage's office, Tsuchida, holding the intelligence, spoke to A.

Compared to a year ago, Ai now appears more composed. Of course, he only appears more composed; in reality, he is still the same battle maniac.

However, the position of Shadow means that he must maintain a composed demeanor, even if it's just an act.

He touched the two small mustaches that had just grown on his upper lip, then touched the goatee on his chin that had never been cut, and said:

"So, Konoha isn't colluding with Iwagakure? If that's the case, Konoha has temporarily shielded us from the pressure from Kirigakure, so can we focus our full-scale attack on the Land of Earth?"

Ai had never forgotten the matter of avenging his father. For the past year, he had been waiting for an opportunity, a suitable opportunity to send troops to the Land of Earth.

However, there was great resistance from the village. At first, they said that the Third Hokage had just passed away and it was not advisable to start another war. They also said that A had just succeeded as the Fourth Raikage and needed to learn how to manage the village.

Ai endured it, after all, the Raikage position was his father's legacy, something he, as the son, should have done but his father hadn't.

Later, he held a funeral, purged those disloyal individuals from the village, and used an iron fist to subdue all departments of Kumogakure. He then proposed sending troops to the Land of Earth.

But then the villagers had a different story. They said that the other ninja villages were settling accounts for the aftermath of the previous battle and preparing for the expenses of the next battle, and asked him to apply for funds from the Daimyo of the Land of Lightning.

Ai understood that you can't fight a war without money, so he accepted the offer and went to the daimyo's capital. With the help of Tatsuma and Yosuke, he obtained a large amount of money from the daimyo, enough to fight a war for at least another ten years.

But the villagers said that the money shouldn't all be used for the war, but rather for the development of the village.

If a village engages in excessive military campaigns, it will find itself in the awkward situation of winning a short-term battle but not a long-term one.

This concerned the future of the village, and Ai endured it, watching helplessly as his subordinates spent money on things that were completely useless in the war.

Finally, the village's development got back on track, and this time Ai felt the opportunity was ripe, so he once again proposed to send troops to the Land of Earth.

But those old fogies kept saying the situation was unfavorable, that Iwagakure had been able to rest and develop, that Kirigakure was eyeing them covetously, and that there were threats and harassment from Sunagakure, and so on.

Konoha, unsure whether the non-aggression pact would be broken, rejected Aifabing's proposal.

At that moment, Ai wanted nothing more than to smash those old bastards to death. Where were they all this time?! When everyone was still unsettled, he announced the start of a war—why didn't he? Why wait until everyone had rested and regrouped?!

At the same time, intelligence from Iwagakure (Hidden Stone Village) that the Tsuchikage intended to cooperate with other ninja villages to change the way war was waged was also relayed back to Kumogakure (Hidden Cloud Village).

If Iwagakure's plan succeeds, and if Kumogakure launches a large-scale war, it will definitely be opposed by the other ninja villages, and even the other four villages will speak out at the same time to restrict Kumogakure's actions.

Once again, Ai had no choice but to lie low.

But now, Ai felt there wouldn't be a better opportunity. Now was the best time to avenge his father. If those bastards dared to refuse, then let's see whose fist is harder!

Looking at the murderous glint in Ai's eyes beneath his composed exterior, Tu Tai swallowed back the words of advice he wanted to say. It was indeed not the right time to persuade Ai to calm down.

Emotions that cannot be vented are like being put into a volatile balloon when they are released; they will either burst with the next breath or be punctured by the slightest noise or disturbance.

This anger will be released no matter what, and that's exactly what's happening now. The balloon will either burst in the village or on the battlefield; the Hidden Cloud Village can only choose one.

Clearly, the battlefield is more suitable. Tu Tai thought for a moment and asked, "Then, Lord Ai, shall I go and devise a battle plan?"

As soon as the words left his mouth, Tu Tai could clearly sense that Ai had lessened his malice towards him. Ai nodded and said, "We must fight a great battle, we must win a great victory!"

"I understand. I'll make the arrangements now."

Tu Tai nodded, turned and left. Ai showed a satisfied expression. With Tu Tai's support, it would be much easier to persuade those old guys.

Those people didn't listen to him, or rather, Ai couldn't come up with a reason that would convince those old guys, but Tutai was different.

Compared to himself, the Raikage, those old guys trusted Tsuchikage more. They would consider the feasibility of Tsuchikage's statements or opinions, rather than denying and questioning them first, and then analyzing them, as they did with A's statements.

Moreover, Ai knew he was bad at talking, and after being rebuked by those old guys, he was left with only the option of resorting to force. But those old guys were not only powerful and influential, but it was also extremely impolite of them to attack.

Another reason is that those people were old and frail, and Ai Zhen was afraid that she might accidentally kill them with a single punch.

If one or two of those old guys were accidentally killed by me, I would have to go and apologize to them.

But if the local leader comes forward and persuades them first, and then brings it up at the meeting, it will go much more smoothly. Anyway, my father used to use this trick all the time.

Of course, if it were his father, and he couldn't persuade the elders even at the earthen platform, there was another trick: compete on seniority.

After all, his father inherited the mess left by the death of the Second Raikage, cleaned up the Gold and Silver Brothers, and rebuilt diplomatic relations with Konoha, which was on the verge of breaking ties.

After these resumes were presented, the group of old guys didn't dare to say anything more.

But Ai is different. He doesn't have much experience yet. Even his resume before becoming the Raikage only has a few failures to his name.

If it weren't for Killer Bee's recognition of him as his elder brother, and the help of talented people like Tsuchikki left by their father, Ai, relying solely on his fists, wouldn't have been able to succeed him smoothly. Therefore, Ai couldn't learn from his father to win people over with virtue.

"Someone come here!"

After Tsuchikage left, Ai spoke to the empty office. A figure appeared, bowed, and said, "Lord Raikage."

Ai didn't give the order immediately. Instead, he looked out the window, pondered for a moment, and said, "Help me deliver a letter to Sakamoto Tatsuma in Konoha and tell him that I owe him a favor this time."

As long as it's within my authority as the Raikage, I'll help him as much as possible this once. That's all. The more I say, the more likely that guy will find a loophole.

The Anbu ninja hesitated and said, "Lord Raikage, your authority even includes the decision to depose or abolish your own position."

"is that so?"

Ai paused, then shook her head and said, "Then let's add one more condition, within my authority, and what suggestions do you have?"

"I would like to suggest that the scope of assistance be expanded to include things like business negotiations or diplomatic cooperation, without harming the interests of Kumogakure."

The ANBU member suggested that this shouldn't be something he, as an ANBU member, should be involved in, but unfortunately, the Raikage really couldn't afford to be careless, and A wouldn't be angry at their overstepping their bounds for the good of the village.

Ai nodded upon hearing this and said, "Let's say that. Thank you for making the trip."

"It's just my duty."

The ANBU got up and left. Ai leaned back in his chair, put his legs up on the table, closed his eyes, and began to imagine how he should conquer the Land of Earth and how he should avenge his father.

As the snoring grew louder, Ai's smile became increasingly unrestrained.

In Iwagakure, inside the Tsuchikage's office, Onoki's expression was not so relaxed.

Because Konoha's attitude directly shows that they are unwilling to cooperate with Iwagakure to put on a good show for the daimyo of various countries, and they have directly dragged Kirigakure into the fray, forcing Kirigakure to participate in the war with all their might.

They can't afford not to go all out, after all, given the overall quality of the Konoha ninja forces, if they were to roam freely in the Land of Water, they would be an unstoppable force.

But in this way, the Hidden Cloud Village would no longer be under the pressure of being betrayed by the Hidden Mist Village. Onoki was well aware of the deep-seated hatred between the Hidden Cloud Village and the Hidden Stone Village.

After all, it was he who issued the order to surround and kill the Third Raikage.

That is an irreconcilable hatred, one that Iwagakure alone cannot resolve. Coupled with the well-known belligerent nature of the Kumogakure, it will be a tremendous test for the Iwagakure ninja.

"Wouldn't it be better if everyone worked together to make money and boost the economy? It's one thing for the Cloud Ninja to be all muscle-bound, but what is Konoha thinking?!"

Onoki cursed under his breath. He truly couldn't understand Konoha's self-destructive behavior. What was so appealing about war?!

Isn't war all about resources?! Now everyone has enough resources to develop for quite some time, so why go to war?! When it comes to interests, is there anything that can't be let go of?

Fueled by resentment, Onoki glared at his son and demanded, "You've been investigating for so long, have you found anything?!"

Huang Tu paused for a moment, then said, "No, Father, I still think that Sakamoto Tatsuma didn't do anything at all during that year."

"Hmph! I ordered you to investigate in the Land of Rain, did you investigate? Old Purple and Han were found by Sakamoto Tatsuma in the Land of Rain before, and recently there have been ninja organizations other than Hanzo operating in the Land of Rain."

What if this ninja organization is related to Sakamoto Tatsuma? Or even, what if Sakamoto Tatsuma himself created it?!

Upon hearing this, Huang Tu said, "Hanzo rejected our application, so we can only send a small team in to investigate, which is very slow. Moreover, based on the existing information, that ninja organization was actually formed by a group of idle ninjas from the Land of Rain, so it should have nothing to do with Konoha."

Onoki frowned, thinking of the two Jinchūriki in the village who were becoming increasingly disloyal, and said, "Increase the investigation efforts. Back then, when Rōshi and Han disappeared in the Land of Rain, we searched for so long but couldn't find them."

But Sakamoto Tatsuma found it immediately. I simply don't believe he didn't have spies planted throughout the Land of Rain!

"However, increasing the investigation will raise the chances of our team being exposed, especially if Hanzo discovers us."

"Are we afraid of him? Go and issue my order! Even if it means conflict with Hanzo, dig up those things from back then!"

"Yes, Lord Tsuchikage."

(End of this chapter)