However, such theoretical planning was subject to too many variables. Ling brought it up now merely to boost morale. Whether things would actually develop as Ling hoped was a big question mark.
Still, having a feasible plan was better than nothing. Konoha immediately began gathering personnel and supplies, preparing to head to the frontlines for this life-or-death battle.
Ling returned home. He actually had a preliminary plan. If this plan succeeded, while it might attract Black Zetsu's attention, the so-called Ninja Alliance would undoubtedly collapse without a fight.
The method, naturally, was to have the Ling clone transform into a Ninja from Kumogakure, but with one eye altered to resemble a Rinnegan, then infiltrate the Alliance to assassinate some high-ranking officials from Iwagakure and Sunagakure.
The reason for disguising as a Cloud Ninja was because the Lightning Release Chakra Mode was easiest to imitate; Ling's Yang Lightning could achieve a similar effect.
Moreover, if Yin Lightning was stimulated like Yang Lightning, it would be identical to the unique Black Lightning of the Hidden Cloud Village. So, cosplaying as a Cloud Ninja was the simplest and most suitable for assassination.
At the same time, he would have the Eight Trigrams Eight Man Squad from the Hidden Sound Village don Iwagakure gear and forehead protectors, and launch a surprise attack by sea against the vulnerable Hidden Cloud Village.
With this move, they would surely turn against each other. Perhaps even before the Alliance fully assembled, they would start fighting among themselves.
No time to waste. The Land of Rice Fields wasn't far from the Land of Grass. A single Flying Thunder God got him there. The first step was naturally the Ling clone's transformation.
First, he obtained a set of Kumogakure equipment and uniform. Then, the clone's height began to increase, muscles filled out, and its skin tone turned bronze.
With light yellow hair and a face full of tough features, anyone could tell it was a child of the Hidden Cloud Village. Next was the most crucial step: altering the eyes to resemble the Rinnegan.
This was simple, thanks to the fact that Ling himself had collected a Rinnegan. The patterns were replicated one-to-one.
Plus, with the Adamantine Bracelet disguised by cloth wrappings, now the clone possessed both the repulsive force and the Chakra absorption ability associated with the Rinnegan in the Alliance's intelligence.
'I am Padai of the Hidden Cloud Village! Taste my Lightning Bomb!'
The clone's body erupted with dazzling lightning that seemed to condense into a suit of armor. This was all formed by manipulating Yang Lightning, mixed with Lightning Release Chakra.
With this setup, even the Third Raikage would doubt whether his village really had such a person who had privately obtained the Rinnegan.
Then, the clone forcefully molded Yin Lightning into an explosive, lightning-like form. Black Lightning spread all over its body. Although not as violent as Yang Lightning, shaping it was much simpler.
At the Hidden Sound Village, the Eight Trigrams Eight Man Squad received the order. They immediately had twenty-four elite Ninjas marked with White Zetsu's cursed seals put on the gear obtained from attacking Iwagakure Ninjas.
A total of thirty-two people: twenty-four Elite Jonin and eight quasi-Kage level. Enough to wipe out a poorly defended major Ninja village.
One of their objectives was to storm the Hidden Cloud Village, seize its secret techniques like the Lightning Release Chakra Mode, Black Lightning, or the Heavenly Transfer Technique.
Far from fearing a surprise attack on a vulnerable Hidden Cloud Village, they were extremely excited. They directly boarded ships to launch a surprise attack on the Hidden Cloud Village from the sea.
The Ling clone personally headed to the Land of Grass, infiltrating the Alliance's temporary headquarters. It began selecting suitable targets and placing Flying Thunder God Marks in appropriate locations.
With Cursed Energy shrouding itself and earth techniques akin to the Ephemeral Technique, no one could detect the clone's presence.
'Now, we just need to wait for the Eight Trigrams Eight Man Squad to make their move. Then, on the night the Third Raikage finds out, immediately start assassinating the high-ranking officials of Iwagakure and Sunagakure.'
The 'high-ranking officials' Ling mentioned weren't Kage level, but Elite Jonin. These individuals managed various affairs. Their deaths would cause massive chaos.
This move was akin to the Third Raikage, upon learning his home had been raided by Iwagakure, retaliating against Iwagakure and paralyzing some of its key departments to prevent pursuit.
'Ninjas, don't blame me for being underhanded.'
Who told Iwagakure to deploy the most Ninjas, nearly fifteen thousand? So, to retaliate against that little dwarf Ōnoki, let him and Kumogakure fight it out until their brains turn to mush.
As for why Sunagakure was also targeted, naturally because they reneged on the agreement after signing it. A despicable person like Rasa had to pay the price.
The clone didn't have to wait long. Ten hours later, it received news that the Eight Trigrams Eight Man Squad had stormed the Hidden Cloud Village.
As expected, in the Alliance command tent, a sudden explosive sound was heard. No doubt, the Third Raikage had smashed a table, followed by the sound of arguing.
'Ōnoki! Damn you! How dare you attack my Cloud Ninjas! Today, this old man will finish you right here!'
The Third Raikage's body erupted with intense lightning. Behind him, the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki Killer Bee and the Fourth Raikage A immediately became indignant as well.
'This old man did no such thing!'
Ōnoki, floating in the air, was practically dying of anger. How could he possibly make a move at such a time? If he were to act, it would be after crushing Konoha.
'This old man won't argue with you. I'm leaving first. If it truly was Iwagakure, you'll face the wrath of the Hidden Cloud Village!'
The Third Raikage wasn't brainless. He understood Ōnoki shouldn't do this now. But it was also possible the treacherous Ōnoki was doing the opposite to shake off suspicion.
He didn't immediately start a fight because Kazekage Rasa and Hidden Mist's Yagura were both present. Starting a fight could lead to unpredictable developments.
'Killer Bee, A, you two take the brothers and temporarily withdraw fifty kilometers from the Alliance. Wait for my message. Be careful not to be attacked by Iwagakure!'
Then, the Third Raikage used the Heavenly Transfer Technique to rush back to the Hidden Cloud Village. If he didn't hurry, his entire foundation might be looted.
How fierce were those thirty-two from the Eight Trigrams Eight Man Squad? They charged straight into the heart of the Hidden Cloud Village, beating the unprepared Cloud Ninjas to a pulp.
Mabui and Samui didn't even have time to mobilize Ninjas before the attackers reached the Raikage's tower, efficiently carrying out the predetermined plan with clear division of labor.
One group captured some key personnel from the Raikage's tower, like Mabui and Samui. These were their insurance for escaping the Hidden Cloud Village.
Another group immediately began ransacking the secret chamber where Kumogakure stored its secret techniques, using all sorts of violent methods to break in. By the time Cloud Ninja clans arrived to fight, the Eight Trigrams Eight Man Squad and their subordinates were already fighting their way out with hostages.
The entire process was unbelievably fast, giving Kumogakure no time to react. By the time they fought to the outskirts of the village, the Third Raikage had just arrived via the Heavenly Transfer Technique.
He immediately erupted with lightning, ready to charge and kill these thieves, his speed like a meteor scattering lightning.
'Water Release: Great Exploding Water Collision Wave!' The Eight Trigrams Eight Man Squad formed hand seals together, jointly performing a group Ninjutsu. Some among them even used Sage Art Chakra to execute this technique.
A hundred-meter-high tsunami, stretching two or three kilometers, surged toward the Hidden Cloud Village. Although the village was built on a mountain peak, the water wouldn't disperse immediately.
-------------------------
If you enjoy this story, you can read 70+ advanced chapters on Patreon!
Webnovel will keep getting 1 new chapter every day but Patreon readers can stay far ahead.
Maybe it's not a big deal now… maybe it will be later.
[email protected]/Greyhounds
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"