Chapter 228: The Kage-Level Standoff
The next morning in the Land of Rain, the sky was strangely quiet.
For once, there was no rain.
Heavy clouds hung low across the sky, covering the horizon in dark gray layers. The air felt thick and damp, as if the rain itself were holding its breath.
At the entrance of Konoha's camp, rows of shinobi stood in perfect formation.
Every one of them wore the standard green flak vest of Konoha's frontline forces. Their posture was straight, their expressions sharp, their morale high.
At the very front stood the leaders of Konoha's forces.
Hatake Sakumo—the legendary White Fang.
The three Sannin: Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru.
And beside them stood Ragnar, the Rakshasa of Konoha.
These figures represented the strongest combat power currently present in the Land of Rain. Each of them carried a reputation that could shake the battlefield.
Although Ragnar still technically held the rank of genin on paper, everyone present understood the truth.
He was not merely a shinobi.
He was an ANBU Rakshasa personally authorized by the Third Hokage, functioning essentially as an elite captain-level operative within Konoha's hidden forces. His role and influence during this war had already surpassed normal rank classifications.
No one questioned his presence here.
Behind the leaders stood Konoha's elite jonin.
Members of the great clans filled the ranks—Hyuga, Akimichi, Yamanaka, Aburame, Yuhi, and others. These were the pillars supporting Konoha's military strength.
Further to the side stood the Uchiha clan.
Their placement was noticeably more distant from the center.
Although the Uchiha had participated in the war, their contributions on the main battlefield had been limited. In fact, their position had suffered greatly after a critical failure earlier in the campaign, when Rain shinobi infiltrated and destroyed their forward tower.
Because of that mistake, Konoha forces had been forced to relocate defensive positions, and the Sannin themselves had later been sent to face Hanzo in a dangerous confrontation.
As a result, many in Konoha held quiet resentment toward the clan.
Even now, the Uchiha stood stiffly at the edge of the formation.
Several of them wore unmistakable expressions of dissatisfaction.
But no one voiced it aloud.
Today was not the day for internal conflict.
Today was for negotiation.
At noon, representatives from four powers would meet here:
Konoha.
Sunagakure.
Iwagakure.
And the Land of Rain under Hanzo.
The purpose was simple.
An armistice.
Or perhaps the beginning of a new war.
Jiraiya crossed his arms impatiently and muttered,
"Captain, why haven't they arrived yet?"
Tsunade shot him an annoyed look.
"Relax. This isn't a tavern meeting. Negotiations between villages aren't something you rush."
Hatake Sakumo remained calm, his eyes steady as he watched the distant road.
"Everyone stay alert," he said.
"Negotiations are not the battlefield—but a single careless sentence here can damage the interests of the entire village."
Today he stood here not merely as a commander.
He was acting as the representative of the Hokage himself.
The responsibility was immense.
Whatever agreement emerged from this meeting would shape the political balance of the ninja world.
Konoha needed peace.
But peace could not come at the cost of weakness.
Sakumo intended to make sure of that.
Beside him, Ragnar said nothing.
He simply stood quietly and observed.
Politics.
Compared to the battlefield, it was a different kind of struggle. On the battlefield, enemies tried to kill you directly.
At the negotiation table, they tried to strangle you with words.
The clouds above thickened.
The atmosphere grew heavier.
Then—
The ground trembled faintly.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Footsteps.
Uniform.
Measured.
From the distant road approaching the camp, several groups of shinobi appeared.
Three banners rose into view.
Iwagakure.
Sunagakure.
The Land of Rain.
And walking at the front of those forces were three figures whose presence alone could change the course of a battle.
The Third Tsuchikage.
The Third Kazekage.
And Hanzo of the Salamander.
Behind them marched their respective shinobi squads.
None of them made dramatic displays of power, yet the aura surrounding the three leaders was unmistakable.
They were Kage-level warriors.
Even from a distance, the pressure they carried could be felt clearly.
What made it more troubling was that the three groups had arrived together.
They had clearly coordinated beforehand.
Hatake Sakumo's gaze sharpened.
"So they came together, just as expected."
A faint, sinister smile curled on Orochimaru's pale lips.
Ragnar remained expressionless.
He studied the three approaching figures calmly.
For a moment, a simple thought crossed his mind.
If he drew his sword now…
If he struck with full speed and strength…
Could he kill one of them before the others reacted?
The distance between the two groups shrank rapidly.
When only ten meters remained, both sides stopped at the same time.
No one spoke.
They simply stared at each other.
On one side stood three Kage-level leaders.
On the other stood Sakumo, the Sannin, and Ragnar.
Even though not all of Konoha's representatives were officially Kage-level, their combined presence was not inferior in the slightest.
The Tsuchikage's eyes immediately locked onto Ragnar.
Hatred flickered in his gaze.
Among all enemies in this war, Ragnar had been the most troublesome for Iwagakure.
"If I released Dust Release instantly," Onoki thought coldly, "I might be able to eliminate Rakshasa before he reacts."
The Third Kazekage's mind ran through a similar calculation.
"At this distance, a large-scale Iron Sand technique could devastate Konoha's front line. Even if Rakshasa survived, their losses would be severe."
Hanzo observed more carefully.
His breathing mask hid his expression, but his mind was equally alert.
"So that is the boy they call Rakshasa…"
He had heard the name many times during the war.
But rumors were not enough.
He needed to see the boy himself.
Could this young shinobi truly survive the poison of his salamander?
The three leaders thought different thoughts.
But none of them acted.
Because the cost of attacking now would be catastrophic.
And Ragnar…
Ragnar was thinking something equally dangerous.
"If I move first," he calculated calmly, "neither the Tsuchikage nor Kazekage specializes in close combat."
His hand rested on the hilt of the Yama Demonic Sword.
"With speed, strength, and one clean strike… I might be able to remove one of their heads instantly."
The question was simple.
Which one should he kill?
Ragnar's eyes moved slowly between them.
His killing intent was not hidden.
He casually lifted the sword and spun the handle once in his hand.
To an outside observer, it might have looked like an idle gesture.
But the three Kage understood the truth immediately.
This was a warning.
The air grew colder.
The Tsuchikage felt a chill creep up his spine.
"What terrifying killing intent…"
The Kazekage and Tsuchikage exchanged a brief glance.
Neither spoke.
But both understood the same thought.
"Rakshasa is insane enough to do it."
Even Hanzo grew more serious.
He had fought countless battles, killed countless enemies.
Yet the murderous aura coming from Ragnar was enough to make even him cautious.
"This boy…"
"He really is dangerous."
The tension between the four factions grew so thick it felt like a blade pressed against everyone's throat.
A single spark could ignite a massacre.
Hatake Sakumo noticed Ragnar's movement.
But he did not stop him.
In negotiations, roles mattered.
Sometimes someone had to be the calm voice.
Sometimes someone had to be the threat.
And Ragnar was very good at being the threat.
Finally, Sakumo stepped forward with a warm smile.
"Kazekage, Tsuchikage, Hanzo-dono," he said calmly.
"You've come a long way."
"If we are here to negotiate peace, then let us sit down and discuss matters properly."
He gestured toward the camp behind him.
"Please."
The killing tension in the air did not disappear.
But the first step toward negotiation had been taken.
(End of Chapter)
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