Chapter 353: Intolerable
"I object!"
The Raikage slammed his fist on the table, roaring at the Daimyo.
"Cloud Village previously clashed with Uchiha Yasushi in Rice Country. That encounter ended in catastrophic defeat—we barely escaped with our lives."
"Current Uchiha Yasushi resembles the legendary Uchiha Madara in sheer terror. He's absolutely not an enemy ordinary ninja can handle."
A's voice rolled like muffled thunder through the spacious chamber, carrying the weight and gravity only personal experience could provide.
But the Daimyo sitting opposite him remained completely indifferent.
The Daimyo sipped his tea leisurely, waved his fan, and spoke with utter confidence:
"Uchiha Yasushi intends to overturn the existing order. The Four Great Nations' Daimyo will never permit this."
"Therefore, this won't be a single village operation—it will be four villages acting in concert."
"However powerful Uchiha Yasushi may be, he cannot possibly oppose four united villages."
His tone remained casual, as though discussing not a war promising mountains of corpses but a guaranteed hunting expedition.
If A hadn't witnessed that towering complete Susanoo's terror firsthand, he might share such confidence. But current A would never again view the world from the bottom of a well.
"Lord Daimyo, when a ninja's power reaches certain levels, numerical superiority becomes irrelevant."
"Surely you possess historical records about the First Hokage Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara—how they dominated the shinobi world, crushing all opposition?"
"I don't mean to discourage our side while praising enemies, but current Uchiha Yasushi is the second coming of Uchiha Madara. He's already qualified to stand at the shinobi world's pinnacle."
"Moreover, this new Uchiha Madara lacks a Senju Hashirama to restrain him. If we truly provoke him and he storms Cloud Village, our entire village faces potential annihilation."
A spoke rapidly, attempting to instill that memory-carved terror into his listener, hoping the Daimyo would make rational judgments.
His rugged face showed tense muscles, eyes holding rare, almost pleading worry.
He felt his explanation had been perfectly clear. But nothing could sway Lightning Country's Daimyo once war became his fixed decision.
"A, remember your position!"
The Daimyo abruptly straightened, snapped his folding fan shut, slapped it on the table, raised his eyebrows, and glared down at A with harsh severity:
"You are Cloud Village's Kage—the Daimyo's most powerful weapon!"
"Remember clearly—weapons cannot become dull! Otherwise, how do they differ from farming tools?"
"We're not choosing to wage war. That Uchiha Yasushi deliberately seeks to overturn the shinobi world's order."
"Even Uchiha Madara didn't dare attempt what he's attempting. How does he possess such audacity?"
"That bastard actually wants to place ninja villages above Daimyo and nobility—this is absolutely intolerable!"
"Whether you're willing or not, you must deploy forces immediately!"
"Once you deploy, the Daimyo will provide comprehensive support. Money, grain, medicine, weapons, explosive tags—all supplies in unlimited quantities."
"I have one requirement—you must level Konoha Village and eliminate that evil Uchiha!"
"Lord Daimyo..." A intended to continue persuading, but the Daimyo raised his hand, cutting him off while staring with deep suspicion.
"A, you haven't also been swayed by Uchiha Yasushi, have you? Don't tell me you no longer wish to obey Daimyo orders and want ninja villages placed above Daimyo and nobility?"
"I..." With such accusatory words spoken, A had absolutely nothing left to say.
His expression shifted several times. He sighed heavily, finally nodding agreement.
That sigh carried enormous weight, seemingly exhausting his entire strength.
Bitter compromise rolled in his throat. A knew deeply that what he'd send forth wasn't merely countless Cloud ninja lives—he was pushing the entire village toward an unknown, dangerous precipice.
Yet he lacked power to refuse.
Suddenly, Yasushi's treasonous words leaped unbidden into his thoughts, creating unexpected resentment toward the Daimyo making such foolish decisions.
But that resentment appeared and vanished instantly, immediately erased from his mind.
"I understand, Lord Daimyo. After returning, I'll bring out all the Treasured Tools of the Sage of Six Paths and test whether we can defeat Uchiha Yasushi."
"Now that's better!"
Smiles immediately returned to the Daimyo's face—warm as spring, as though his previous harsh words had never occurred.
He settled back into his seat with satisfaction, lifted his teacup, gently blew across the surface—graceful and composed.
A silently turned, his departing figure heavy as mountains, each step treading upon invisible thorns.
Outside, training shouts continued unabated, yet seemed shrouded by ominous shadow.
Lightning Country proved straightforward. But the other three nations presented complications.
When Water Country's Daimyo envoy arrived at Kirigakure, the village drowned in collective mourning.
Their previous conspiracy with Iwagakure to ambush Amegakure was meant to avenge the Fourth Mizukage while reclaiming two Jinchūriki. Who knew they'd slam headfirst into disaster, suffering devastating losses?
Fifth Mizukage Mei Terumī had barely assumed office before dying!
Accompanying ninja suffered over half casualties—only a handful escaped alive.
Though they'd killed the rogue ninja Kisame Hoshigaki, that achievement paled compared to their losses.
Consequently, village morale had collapsed completely.
Hearing the Daimyo's envoy had arrived, village elders hastily led assembled ninja to welcome him.
After settling inside, the Daimyo's envoy read his orders aloud.
"This..." The elder immediately objected, extremely reluctant to continue warfare. He deflected: "Envoy, the village just suffered devastating losses. The Mizukage sacrificed herself. Currently leaderless, we likely cannot launch external warfare immediately."
"Perhaps after selecting a new Mizukage, we can discuss this matter."
"Select what?!" The envoy's gaze swept the room before pointing randomly. "You! Starting today, you're the Sixth Mizukage."
"Before departing, Lord Daimyo made himself clear—eliminating Konoha Village and removing the evil Uchiha represents our most critical current mission. Everything must serve this goal. No one may drag their feet!"
Seeing Kirigakure's people frowning with displeasure, the envoy frowned severely and barked:
"What—do you want Lord Daimyo to further reduce your funding?"
With that threat, the Kirigakure ninja's expressions darkened. After exchanging glances, they reluctantly swallowed their anger and accepted the orders.