"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
The repeated pounding of a desk echoed through the office, making no one dare approach.
News of Yugito's defeat had already reached Kumogakure. Everyone knew the Raikage was in a towering rage.
After venting for quite some time, the Fourth Raikage finally managed to calm himself slightly.
"Mabui. Report the situation at the front."
Dressed in formal attire, Mabui immediately stepped forward respectfully.
"The front lines have suffered defeat. Of our three thousand shinobi, only one-third remain."
"Lord Yugito engaged 'Blazing Demon' Yusuke head-on but was ultimately overpowered and nearly suffered a fatal outcome."
Mabui recited the contents of the report expressionlessly.
"…What did you just say?"
After hearing the report, the Fourth Raikage froze, momentarily unable to process it.
Two-thirds of the army lost.
Yugito defeated in single combat?
How was that possible?
The war had only just begun. Had Konoha truly grown this powerful?
With three thousand shinobi deployed, even a six-month stalemate would not have been surprising.
Even in a direct confrontation, Kumogakure's forces should never have been routed so disastrously.
Mabui herself found the news hard to believe.
Yugito was a jinchūriki of the Two-Tails.
Yet only days into the conflict, she had already been defeated.
And…
Just two days ago, the Raikage had confidently declared that "Blazing Demon" Yusuke would suffer badly if he encountered Yugito.
Instead, the outcome had been completely reversed.
The speed of that reversal was almost embarrassing.
"Yugito's defeat is no small matter."
"Bakayarō, konoyarō, oh yeah—"
No sooner had Mabui finished than Killer B suddenly burst into an awkward rap.
Seeing his younger brother so unserious at such a time, the Fourth Raikage responded with an iron fist.
Of all moments to start rapping—now?
Three days without a beating and you're climbing onto the roof!
Already in a foul mood, he seized the opportunity to vent on his troublesome brother.
"Take this—!"
The Fourth Raikage unleashed a flurry of punches, leaving Killer B baring his teeth in pain.
After disciplining his brother, the Raikage's mood improved slightly.
"Explain the details. How exactly did Yugito lose?"
Even now, he believed that with Yugito's experience and strength, she should not have lost to Uchiha Yusuke.
Mabui steadied herself and continued.
"Last night, Lord Yugito decided to launch a surprise attack on the Konoha camp."
"However, Konoha struck first and launched a surprise assault on our encampment."
"Lord Yugito attempted a flanking maneuver from the rear… but instead fell into Konoha's trap."
Mabui carefully recounted the battlefield events.
The more the Fourth Raikage listened, the darker his expression became.
When he heard that Yugito had attempted to break through, only to be blocked by Uchiha Yusuke—and that in their direct confrontation she had been defeated—he slammed his palm down and shattered the desk before him.
"Uchiha Yusuke again?!"
"I will personally kill that brat!"
The Raikage's voice thundered with killing intent.
Yusuke had first slain Kumogakure's diplomatic envoy, and now he had defeated the Two-Tails' jinchūriki.
At the mere mention of his name, the Raikage ground his teeth, wishing he could head to the battlefield immediately and crush him on the spot.
Glancing at the shattered desk, Mabui sighed inwardly.
Another strange office expense added to the budget.
Being the Raikage's secretary was truly exhausting.
Having endured a beating, Killer B finally grew serious.
Clearing his throat, he spoke in a low voice.
"To defeat Yugito head-on… this 'Blazing Demon' Yusuke shouldn't be underestimated."
Still simmering with anger, the Raikage waved him off.
"Not to be underestimated?"
"He's just a brat who still smells of milk!"
"I could suppress him with one hand—"
Killer B gave him no face, launching straight into an improvised verse.
"Big bro doesn't understand war, his strength may be more!"
"Bakayarō, kono—"
Before he could finish, the Raikage's palm was already pressed against his face.
Did I tell you to sing?
Say one more word and see what happens.
Killer B flailed in protest—then thought better of it.
Although the Fourth Raikage sensed that Uchiha Yusuke was no ordinary opponent, in his eyes only one man in Konoha had ever posed a true threat—
The "Yellow Flash," Minato Namikaze.
Even the Sannin had never concerned him.
He had crossed paths with Tsunade of the Sannin before. Though her raw strength surpassed his, he could still overturn the situation through speed.
Only when facing the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, had he been thoroughly outmaneuvered—defeated in the very domain he excelled at most: speed.
For a time, the Raikage had believed no one could surpass a man like the Yellow Flash.
Yet that legendary figure had ultimately perished during the Nine-Tails' attack.
Once dead, he became nothing more than a failure.
If Konoha's strongest had fallen, what was there to fear from the rest?
It was precisely this belief that gave the Fourth Raikage the confidence to challenge Konoha's limits so brazenly.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was already an old man.
The Sannin were hardly at their peak.
The Nine-Tails was uncontrollable.
Meanwhile, Kumogakure possessed two powerful jinchūriki—and himself, a Raikage in his prime.
As for Uchiha Yusuke—
Defeating Yugito showed he had some ability.
But to challenge the AB Combo? He was still far too green.
Since their debut, the AB Combo had suffered only one setback—against Minato Namikaze.
Against all others, even Kage-level opponents, they were confident in victory.
This war was meant to send a message—to show the world Kumogakure's strength.
Another defeat would not be tolerated.
Having made up his mind, the Fourth Raikage spoke decisively.
"B. You're coming with me. We'll lead three thousand elites to the front."
"I will personally deal with Uchiha Yusuke."
If Konoha wished to act arrogantly, then so be it.
If it was war they wanted—then let it be war.
With the Raikage himself taking the field, would Konoha's Hokage dare to step out?
He was well aware that Konoha was no longer what it once was.
And this time—
He would not only kill Uchiha Yusuke.
He would carve a path straight to Konoha itself.
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