Naruto The Thunder Calamity

Yes, whether it's the Senju clan, which held power through the Third Hokage of Konohagakure, 

or the Uchiha clan, which sought to produce a Hokage in every generation, 

neither of them seems particularly interested in the village's leadership anymore. 

Senju Tobirama spends most of his time holed up in the lab, rarely stepping out. 

Uchiha Motohide barely shows up at the Konoha Police Force even once a week. 

As for Tsunade... 

She's busy practicing Sage Jutsu while watching over Raijin as he handles village affairs. 

Even the so-called Konoha advisory council rarely shows up in the Hokage's office. 

Power struggles? Schemes and plots? There's none of that anymore. 

Everyone is focused on mastering Senjutsu. 

Just like they once trained relentlessly in Ninjutsu as kids. 

Perhaps, only when the limits of Sage Jutsu become apparent will the power struggle reignite. 

No one who has made it this far is a fool. 

Everyone understands that having influence in Konoha doesn't depend on how often you speak in high-level meetings. 

It depends on your strength, the strength of your clan, and how many supporters you have. 

Even though most people stay silent, whenever these individuals speak at high-level meetings, their words carry weight.

That's why Raijin has decided to start delegating the official duties piling up on him. 

And his target is Namikaze Minato. 

This is a ninja whose skills in the original timeline were more than enough to qualify him as Hokage. 

Even though he hasn't reached that level yet, Raijin believes it shouldn't be a problem. 

After all... 

How much better was the Namikaze Minato of the original timeline at administrative tasks before becoming Hokage? 

He was just the "Yellow Flash" who could wipe out hundreds of ninjas in an instant. 

Anyway, it's worth giving it a try. 

"So, how about giving it a shot, future Fourth Hokage?" 

Raijin smiled warmly and kindly as he asked Namikaze Minato. 

"This..." 

Minato swallowed nervously and instinctively took half a step back. 

Though he didn't know why, his instincts told him this might not be a great deal. 

"First of all, the current situation in the ninja world is chaotic. As a ninja who has mastered Sage Jutsu, I don't think you should be wandering around. 

After all, Uchiha Madara has no way of dealing with Konoha right now. If he wants to take things further, the only option left to him is to find a ninja who has mastered Sage Jutsu and absorb all the natural energy within them. 

So, moving forward, unless something unexpected happens, ninjas who have mastered Sage Jutsu but aren't strong enough to escape from Madara won't be allowed to leave the village for missions." 

Raijin raised one finger and explained this to Minato. 

Even though Raijin wasn't sure if Madara could really pull this off, he knew Madara well enough to believe he could absorb Hashirama's power. 

For the foreseeable future, Raijin wouldn't permit ninjas who had mastered Sage Jutsu to go on outside missions. 

And his word alone was enough to make it so. 

"Secondly, come help me in the Hokage's office and get familiar with Konoha's operations. In the future Fourth Hokage election, my vote will be yours." 

Raijin raised a second finger as he continued. 

As for when the election for the Fourth Hokage would take place... 

Who knows? Probably whenever Tsunade dies of old age. 

After all, that woman is living a carefree life these days, completely unlike what you'd expect. 

She holds the title of Hokage but doesn't do what a Hokage should. 

She doesn't show any intention of stepping down. 

So, judging from the current situation, it's unlikely there'll be a new Hokage election in the next few decades. 

Seeing Namikaze Minato still a bit hesitant, Raijin thought for a moment before speaking to him again. 

"If you have any issues with your training, I can help you as much as possible. When necessary, I can even assist you directly with your training." 

"Hey! Raijin! What are you trying to do?!" 

Jiraiya, who had been watching Raijin trying every way to recruit his student, suddenly lost his calm when he heard this. 

Is this guy trying to steal his student?! 

Raijin ignored Jiraiya and just quietly looked at Namikaze Minato. 

"Alright..." 

Namikaze Minato instinctively swallowed. The first two points were vague, but the last one was a real advantage. 

Uchiha Raijin was undoubtedly the strongest ninja in Konohagakure right now. 

His insights into ninjutsu and senjutsu were impressive, but the promise of direct training assistance was priceless. 

Namikaze Minato had heard that Uchiha Raijin was also skilled in speed techniques. 

Even his Mangekyō Sharingan abilities were speed-related. 

"Good. Then head to the Hokage's office and meet my shadow clone there. It will explain what to do next." 

Raijin smiled slightly and spoke to Namikaze Minato. 

As Namikaze Minato left, Raijin casually slung an arm over Jiraiya's shoulder. 

"Can't I just borrow your student?" 

Walking toward the central lake, Raijin whispered to Jiraiya. 

"Minato should focus more on his training, don't you think?" 

Jiraiya replied with a slight annoyance in his voice. 

He genuinely believed in his student's exceptional talent. 

At least, it was better than his own. 

"But someone has to do the job, right? Why not you?" 

Raijin suggested to Jiraiya. 

"I wish I could, but I just can't..." 

Jiraiya replied reluctantly, pursing his lips. 

"No worries. I can teach you. It's simple—there's a process. You just sign your name in certain places, and that's it." 

"Sign my name?" 

Jiraiya immediately retorted. 

"You're something else. Signing my name? Of course, you sign your own name!" 

"And if something goes wrong, it'll all come back to me?" 

"Obviously. If you make the decisions, who else would they blame?" 

"No way. I still think Minato isn't right for the job." 

"Are you done complaining? How about I treat you to dinner?" 

"...Fine, I guess..." 

… 

Shigeru stared at the 30th fallen ninja in front of him, veins faintly bulging on his forehead. 

Suna had too few geniuses, not enough money, and nothing but sand. 

Watching his village's ninjas drop one by one like this, Chizō felt like he was about to lose it. 

If things keep going at this pace, the Sunagakure might collapse on its own before any ninja capable of standing against Uchiha Raijin even appears.

But…

Rather than letting Konohagakure bleed them dry, Shigeru was unwilling to give up as long as there was even a glimmer of hope. As for Otsutsuki Isshiki, he wasn't thinking so far ahead. His sole intention was to bind the Sunagakure and Iwagakure together and push them into war against Konohagakure.

Since Uchiha Madara couldn't be used, he would make use of the Sunagakure and Iwagakure instead.

Otsutsuki Isshiki believed that as long as these two villages gained enough power, they would never coexist peacefully with Konohagakure.

Uchiha Raijin could no longer be allowed to grow unchecked. 

Those eyes—eyes unlike anything he'd ever seen—filled Otsutsuki Isshiki with a sense of danger.

"Raijin-sama"

While Jiraiya, Raijin, and Tsunade were having a meal together, a ninja from the Hyuga Clan appeared in front of Raijin.

"Koji-sama asked me to report to you: the Hyuga Clan is willing to offer a Byakugan in exchange for Senjutsu."

Raijin put down his cup and looked at the ninja standing before him.

"Alright, I understand. Please pass along my thanks. Tomorrow afternoon, have the Hyuga Clan members gather. I'll bring people to choose a Byakugan."

The Hyuga ninja froze for a moment, surprised by Raijin's calm response.

But only for a moment. He quickly concealed his emotions. 

Though it was humiliating, the Hyuga ninja showed no hostility toward Raijin. 

After all, this was nothing more than a fair and open trade. 

The real shame for the Hyuga Clan lay with their arrogant main house head!

As the Hyuga ninja departed, Tsunade turned to Raijin. 

"This is going to throw the Hyuga Clan into chaos."

"Yeah, this could very well ignite the internal conflicts within the Hyuga Clan," Jiraiya said with a nod.

"That's not important. Conflicts within a clan don't have much to do with the village," Raijin replied calmly.

"But it might cost Konohagakure some excellent scouting ninjas," Jiraiya pointed out.

"If the village directly intervenes in the Hyuga Clan's affairs, those internal conflicts could very likely be redirected toward the village itself," Tsunade said, shaking her head. 

Unless the village was willing to give up the Byakugan and offer Sage Techniques to the Hyuga Clan freely. 

But where in the world would such generosity come from?

"The Hyuga Clan's issues run deep. Where there is oppression, there will inevitably be resistance. If hope arises, the branch family will definitely rebel against the main family," Raijin said softly, raising an eyebrow.

"Right now, the branch family has no hope. Even though they're angry, they can only bury that anger in their hearts," Tsunade agreed. 

The Caged Bird seal was an insurmountable obstacle for the Hyuga branch family. 

Unless someone could break the Caged Bird seal, the main family's greatest fear of a branch family uprising would force them to crush the branch family at all costs. 

This would severely weaken the overall strength of the Hyuga Clan. 

Meanwhile, the branch family, without the main family's protection...

"So, the main family better hope that the Byakugan chosen tomorrow doesn't come from the branch family," Raijin said with a faint smile, clearly looking forward to the events of the next day.

"Oh? If it is from the branch family, are you planning to help them fight against the main family?" Jiraiya asked, frowning as he looked at Uchiha Raijin.

Raijin's actions seemed to Jiraiya like an attempt to stir up internal conflicts within the Hyuga clan. 

"No, I'm only responsible for the Hyuga clan member who contributed their Byakugan. After all, I can't just take someone's eyes for no reason, can I?" 

Raijin chuckled lightly and said this to Jiraiya. 

"Very stubborn." 

Tsunade pursed her lips as she spoke. In her view, Raijin's behavior was indeed quite willful. 

After all, Raijin could have chosen to support the main family, thereby strengthening their rule. 

Or he could have backed the branch family, giving them enough power to counter the main family. 

Either choice would have gained Raijin the support of some members of the Hyuga clan. 

Between the two, Tsunade was more inclined to support the branch family. 

After all, compared to the main family, the branch family wasn't lacking much. 

 The only real difference was being born at a slightly later time. 

But in terms of numbers, the gap was significant. 

And the branch family's Byakugan weakness was entirely caused by the Caged Bird seal. 

Emotionally, Tsunade also sympathized more with the branch family. 

However, since Raijin had made his choice... 

"But I support you." 

Tsunade glanced at Raijin and said with a soft smile. 

"Thanks for the support." 

Raijin raised an eyebrow slightly and nodded slowly. 

"You all are having a meal without inviting me?" 

At that moment, a slightly indifferent voice rang out. 

Raijin turned toward the sound and saw Orochimaru emerging from the tree Nawaki had once used to ambush him. 

Perhaps from spending too much time in the lab, Orochimaru's personality seemed to have grown colder. 

"With how busy Orochimaru-sama is every day, how would I dare disturb you?" 

Raijin chuckled softly, and the iron sand beneath him formed a metal stool that appeared at the table. 

He nodded toward Orochimaru. 

"Natural energy is truly fascinating. Being around Tobirama-sama, I've learned so much." 

A light breeze swept by, and Orochimaru's figure elegantly appeared on the stool. 

Taking the sake Jiraiya poured, Orochimaru drank it all in one go. 

"It's been a long time since we've had a meal together." 

Very naturally, Orochimaru slid the sake bottle toward Jiraiya, who glared at him in annoyance but still refilled his cup. 

"Have you developed any new jutsu? Everyone's been waiting for ages." 

Raijin raised an eyebrow and teased Orochimaru with a grin. 

"Recently, Tobirama-sama and I have been working on a jutsu that can bring back the dead—a true resurrection." 

Orochimaru replied with a mysterious tone, looking at Raijin. 

"So far, we've made some initial progress." 

... 

"Madara-sama." 

In Madara's base, Black Zetsu's figure emerged before him. 

"What is it?" 

Madara looked at Black Zetsu and asked in a low voice. 

"The location of the Three-Tails has been found." 

Black Zetsu raised his head and informed Uchiha Madara. 

"Let's go." 

Madara's eyes narrowed slightly at the news, and his figure vanished instantly. 

Along with him, Black Zetsu disappeared as well. 

If they could capture the Three-Tails without alerting Uchiha Raijin and that mysterious ninja, that would be ideal. 

(End of Chapter) 

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