I founded the "Bragging Cult" in Naruto.

"Yui, what do you guys think? I personally think this Fourth Hokage is just weird no matter how you look at him."

A week later, after the formal meeting concluded and they returned to their assigned accommodations, Ai eagerly looked at the head ninja of Kumogakure. Suzuyui remained silent for a moment before saying:

"It's hard to say, but Sakamoto Tatsuma's chakra aura is indeed completely different from the Sakamoto Tatsuma I knew before."

The difference between the two is so great that it's impossible to connect them at all.

"So, it's highly possible that our previous speculation—that the Fourth Hokage was actually a substitute—is true?"

Ai stroked his mustache, narrowed his eyes, and Tutai beside him said, "Lord Ai, but Sakamoto Tatsuma looks perfectly healthy, and the Konoha ninjas treat him with the same respect as always."

"Even now, you still can't see through this earthen platform."

Ai shook his head and said, "If Sakamoto Tatsuma looks weak, and the Konoha ninjas no longer respect him as much as before, then this might actually be a hoax."

After all, even if this Sakamoto Tatsuma isn't the real Sakamoto Tatsuma, how could a Konoha ninja, with their high standards, possibly reveal a flaw? If we discover a flaw, it might be a loophole deliberately left by Konoha.

"Chakra aura is something that cannot be faked, and it's something that Konoha can't change or hide, do you understand?"

Tsuchitai hesitated, looking at A, who considered himself to be on the third level, feeling uneasy, as if Konoha's current wave was actually on the fifth level.

"Lord Ai, I think we really need to test them out. There are quite a few Jonin from Sunagakure and mid-level ninja from Iwagakure in Konoha. Their combat strength should not be underestimated."

If they strike first, with the resources we can mobilize right now, we might not actually gain any benefit.

"How should we test him?"

"I had someone investigate, and recently, Minato Namikaze and the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki's child have been getting very close to the Hyuga successor. These two children are quite important to the future of Konoha."

Targeting these two best reveals Konoha's attitude, don't you think?

"You still haven't given up on collecting Konoha's bloodline limits and children with special physiques."

Ai glanced at Ziyou, knowing this was her consistent philosophy. After a moment's thought, he said, "I will create opportunities for you as much as possible, but all of this will be your own decision. Do you understand?"

"If I fail, I will not implicate the village."

Yui said solemnly that he understood that if Sakamoto Tatsuma hadn't been in trouble, his operation would never have succeeded, but for the sake of the village, he had to try.

If his operation succeeds this time, it means that Sakamoto Tatsuma is really in trouble. He's risking his life to obtain information that could influence the ninja world. It's worth it.

"Then let's have the banquet tomorrow night. Most of Konoha's high-ranking officials will be there. You can take advantage of the situation, and I will try my best to slow down Konoha's progress."

Ai made his decision, and Tsuchida sighed. In the years since the Fourth Raikage took over, he had gradually developed his own ideas.

With the encouragement of radicals like Ziyu, Tutai's position became increasingly awkward. Tutai realized that his attempts to dissuade them were useless, and he began to consider how to handle the mess.

This book was first published on 2020s.com, providing you with a reading experience free of errors and disordered chapters.

Perhaps Ai will only truly wake up after suffering a major setback in Konoha.

Not far away, in the Iwa ninja's encampment.

With a smile on his face, Huang Tu said, "This time, Konoha's attitude seems to be quite good. They did not refuse our request to bring back the Iwa ninja, and even made it clear that we only need to go through the formalities to end this cooperation."

Because of the long journey and the resulting change in environment, Onoki, who was not present at the meeting, nodded upon hearing this and said, "Yes, this group of ninjas has experience in participating in the expansion of Konoha."

Even if they cannot participate in combat operations after returning, their experience will be of great benefit to the development of our Iwagakure Village.

Therefore, even if it comes at a price, we must bring these people back to the village. This is the next phase of our cooperation plan that I have devised. You can discuss this thoroughly with Konoha at the banquet tomorrow evening.

Huang Tu took it, and before even looking at it, asked suspiciously, "Dad, aren't you going to the banquet tomorrow night? Is something really wrong with your health? Should we go to Konoha Hospital to get it checked out?"

Onoki shook his head and said, "I'm going to meet with the remaining Iwa ninja tomorrow, or rather, to prevent them from doing anything foolish. Moreover, this kind of meeting will be a valuable experience for you, and you need to learn how to handle things on your own."

"A foolish thing to do?"

"Yes, in just one day, I have observed at least three groups of people making contact with the stranded Iwa ninja. I am not sure of their identities, but I must ensure that the Iwa ninja do not participate in the actions of other forces."

"I see."

Huang Tu nodded and began to look at the documents in his hand. His brows furrowed deeper and deeper as he asked, "Dad, this cooperation is basically just giving money to Konoha."

"This is the bottom line. You can try your best to negotiate, not necessarily to profit from it, but at least to reduce expenses. That would be a good achievement for you. But you can't cross this line, understand?"

"Hmm. I'll look into it and try to minimize the village's losses."

Huang Tu nodded. He understood that it was impossible to profit from Konoha, and he didn't have such great ambitions. He only wanted to make steady progress. Even if he did succeed as Tsuchikage, it would only be to maintain the status and stability of Iwagakure for the next leader.

Meanwhile, Tatsuma arrived at the Konoha Cemetery, where two people were already waiting.

"Heavenly Wind, Thousand Strokes".

Chenma came to their side, took the incense sticks that were placed to the side, lit them, and placed them in the incense box before saying:

"I have a feeling that the Hidden Cloud Village will take the initiative in this meeting, so I want you to wait and see if they will willingly hand us any leverage."

Tianfeng nodded and said, "We've waited all these years, so there's no rush. However, if they really behave themselves, I will make my move after they leave the Land of Fire."

"Yes, I support it."

Tatsuma nodded and said, "You two weren't discovered on your way back, were you?"

Both of them were out on missions, so they wouldn't be participating in this open ceremony. Qian Dou shook his head and said, "I've been driving myself crazy the whole way back."

Unless someone else has a means of observation that can see farther than the White Eye, it would be impossible for them to find our tracks.

"That's good. Now, it's up to Kumogakure to decide whether to only lose Suyui, or to drag at least half the village down with them." (End of Chapter)