Hatake Tatsuya in Naruto

"His woman? Who are you talking about?"

The Third Raikage didn't take long to ask Mabui, his tone sharp and direct. In the complex and ruthless game of inter-village warfare, taking hostages was a basic tactic. Far more despicable acts had been committed in the name of victory. Was there any reason to hesitate now?

Cloud Shinobi Village, while powerful, lacked the wealth of Iwagakure. If Hatake Tatsuya demanded another exorbitant ransom—say, 10 billion ryō—it could bankrupt the village entirely.

Hatake Tatsuya's reputation was undeniable, but his personal connections were even more infamous. His associations with Senju Tsunade, the Hokage's wife, and Terumi Mei, the Mizukage, were widely known. Kidnapping either of those women? Out of the question.

"I've done some research," Mabui reported. "Aside from the obvious candidates, there's another possibility. Among Konoha's ranks, he seems to have a close connection to Yūhi Shinku's daughter. There's also a medical ninja, Nohara Rin, who's from a civilian background. She appears to be the easiest target."

If Tatsuya had overheard this, he would've been exasperated. Why did everyone seem to have Nohara Rin in their sights? She'd already escaped Uchiha Madara's schemes, and now Cloud Shinobi Village was targeting her.

"Do you think you can infiltrate Konoha and take her?" the Third Raikage asked, testing Mabui's resolve.

"For Cloud Shinobi Village, I can and I will," Mabui answered with determination.

Cloud Shinobi had a history of bold actions—like their attempt to kidnap Uzumaki Kushina when Konoha's defenses were lax. Mabui had every reason to believe they could pull off a similar operation.

Just as the Third Raikage was about to issue the order, Killer Bee's voice rang out.

"Yo, Uncle Raikage, we got some playmates on the way-ay!"

The room tensed as Bee's shout interrupted their plans.

"What's now!?"

The Third Raikage and the 500 Cloud Shinobi soldiers surrounding him immediately turned their heads, scanning the area for the source of the disturbance.

What met their eyes was shocking. Surrounding the high cliffs above them were countless figures, heads packed tightly together. A glance estimated the numbers to be in the thousands, all wearing forehead protectors from Konoha and the Mist.

"An ambush!?"

The same realization dawned on the Third Raikage, Killer Bee, Mabui, and the entire Cloud Shinobi force.

"Thanks for making it so far, Raikage-sama."

The voice cut through the tense air as the crowd of Konoha and Mist Shinobi parted. At the center of the cliffs, where the boundary between the two villages lay, a figure emerged.

Tatsuya strolled forward, his face alight with a mocking smile as he looked down at the Cloud Shinobi forces. Beside him, Terumi Mei held onto his arm, radiating calm confidence.

"You! What is the meaning of this!?"

The Third Raikage's voice boomed, his anger palpable as he glared at Tatsuya. His presence was like that of an enraged beast.

"Oh, nothing much," Tatsuya replied nonchalantly, his smile unwavering. "It's just that Cloud Shinobi Village has been causing far too much trouble lately. Frankly, I can't think of a single reason why your leadership should continue to exist."

The Third Raikage's eyes narrowed, his jaw tightening as Tatsuya continued.

"But don't worry. I don't intend to destroy Cloud Shinobi Village," Tatsuya said with a casual wave of his hand. "On the contrary, I've already decided on a more suitable Raikage to take over."

With those words, his meaning became unmistakable. Tatsuya had grown tired of Cloud Shinobi Village's constant meddling. While he had no intention of wiping out the village itself, his plan was clear: eliminate its current leadership and install someone he deemed more fit to lead.

"What nonsense are you spouting!?"

The Third Raikage roared in fury, his body erupting with lightning chakra. His hair stood on end, crackling with raw energy.

Before anyone could react, the battlefield tensed, and the Third Raikage prepared to unleash his wrath.

The Third Raikage leaped from his position, soaring through the air and closing the 100-meter gap to Tatsuya on the cliff in an instant. His fist, crackling with the raw power of his Lightning Style, hurtled toward Tatsuya like a thunderbolt.

But just as the punch was about to connect, Tatsuya shifted slightly to the right.

In the blink of an eye, lightning erupted from Tatsuya, a brilliant spear of energy that struck the Third Raikage square in the stomach.

Boom!

The impact sent the Raikage hurtling backward, crashing into the opposite cliff with a deafening roar. Dust and debris scattered, filling the air.

Despite the immense force of the blow, the Third Raikage, known for his unparalleled defense—so tough even Wind Style: Rasenshuriken couldn't damage him—emerged relatively unscathed.

When he leaped from the stone wall, however, his face showed an uncharacteristic trace of shock.

That speed. That power. The Lightning Style attack Tatsuya had unleashed was equal to, if not greater than, his own.

The Third Raikage's eyes narrowed as they locked onto Tatsuya's white hair, fluttering in the wind. Recognition dawned, and his voice boomed.

"Konoha's White Fang!"

Tatsuya smirked from behind him. "You mean Cloud Shinobi's White Fang," he corrected, his tone laced with mockery. "Or, should I say, the Fourth Raikage, Hatake Sakumo?"

Hatake Sakumo, standing beside Tatsuya, shook his head with a resigned smile. "I dodged becoming Hokage only to end up here."

Two days earlier, Tatsuya had sent one of his ninja hounds to deliver a message to Sakumo, summoning him to the Land of Lightning to assume the mantle of Raikage. The news had left Sakumo momentarily stunned.

Now, standing on the battlefield, he could only laugh bitterly at the situation.

"You're dreaming if you think that will happen!" the Third Raikage roared, his fury igniting his Lightning Style Chakra Armor to its absolute peak.

The sheer power radiating from him was overwhelming—a force that could only be described as the pinnacle of Kage-level strength.

And then, with another burst of explosive energy, the Third Raikage charged once more.

Hatake Sakumo unsheathed his legendary blade, White Fang, the blade gleaming like liquid lightning. With movements swift as a shadow, he launched into battle, his smaller frame a blur compared to the towering Third Raikage. Their blades clashed mid-air, the sound of metal against raw power echoing like a thunderstorm.

Tatsuya observed the chaos from a vantage point, his expression sharp and commanding. With a wave of his hand, he barked, "Now! Don't leave a single one standing!"

"Oh!"

From both sides of the cliffs, hundreds of ambushing Konoha and Mist Shinobi leaped down, their battle cries filling the air. The sheer force of their descent sent waves of panic rippling through the ranks of Cloud Shinobi below.

"Don't panic! Hold your ground and clear a path!" Mabui's resolute voice cut through the chaos, her determination blazing.

Two fiery, feline tails suddenly erupted from her back, their flames licking the air.

"Wood Style: Four-Pillar Prison Technique!"

Without warning, four enormous wooden pillars shot up from the ground, forming a sturdy X-frame around Mabui, locking her in place. The wood creaked and groaned, sealing her tightly.

"Wh-what is this?!" Mabui's face twisted in shock. But before she could say more, her strength began to ebb.

Her chakra was draining away rapidly.

"Wood Style..." Mabui murmured, realization dawning. The same technique that could suppress tailed beasts.

From the shadows, Shisui Uchiha emerged, his tone cold yet casual. "Apologies. I'm in a terrible mood today, so I may have gone overboard."

Mabui glared at him but could do little as her vision dimmed.

"You can sleep it off," Shisui added dismissively before turning to engage the remaining enemies.

Suddenly, a feral roar pierced the battlefield.

Shisui spun back toward Mabui, his eyes widening.

There, standing where Mabui had been moments ago, was a massive cat demon cloaked in fire, its two tails swaying ominously. The beast snarled, its eyes blazing with murderous intent.

"Ah..." Shisui exhaled deeply, shaking his head as his Sharingan spun to life.

"Alright then," he said, his voice steady but edged with anticipation.

"Bring it on!"

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