Naruto: Uchiha Rejects Konoha

At this time, the border of the land of the Earth appeared. Obito and Black Zetsu watched as the Kumogakure shinobi eliminated the Iwagakure shinobi stationed at the border, knowing they had successfully sown discord.

Not only did it trigger a war between Kumogakure and Iwagakure, but it also resulted in the capture of the Four-Tails. Once these two villages begin fighting, it will inevitably cause shifts in the situation across the entire ninja world.

Even if other shinobi villages cannot be directly involved, the war will reduce the pressure on Amegakure. Moreover, as the scale of the war expands and tragedies occur frequently, the Akatsuki organization will attract members more quickly.

"Now that Nagato's troublesome matter has been resolved, don't you think it's time to focus on yourself? According to my investigation, Uchiha Itachi's Mangekyō Sharingan technique includes Amaterasu.

If you can't react in time, it's easy to fall into his trap. Kotoamatsukami and Uchiha Yagami's ocular technique can activate regardless of space. With only one Sharingan, you cannot resist them effectively."

Black Zetsu spoke aloud, noting that the biggest reason he failed to obtain Kakashi's eye last time was not just being restrained by Mingfeng's ocular technique but also because Obito hesitated due to his attachment to Kakashi.

Otherwise, with Kamui's suddenness, Kakashi's eye could have been taken instantly.

Black Zetsu, who lacked any human-like experiences, naturally didn't understand Obito's emotional conflict. To him, for the plan to succeed, Obito, his pawn, had to become stronger.

"I know, but now is not the time. Let's wait until the war begins."

Obito responded without emotion. Over the past few days, they have been inciting conflict between Kumogakure and Iwagakure while gathering limited intelligence on Konoha.

Considering that Konoha had been frequently invaded in the past, its defences were undoubtedly strict at the moment. However, once news of the war spread, the situation would change.

In Konoha, the Third Hokage looked at the scroll bearing Mingfeng's seal and let out a long sigh.

Uchiha's rural revitalization proposal was indeed beneficial for Konoha, and he couldn't outright reject it. However, it was disastrous for the Sarutobi clan's interests.

"Hiruzen, what should we do if this continues? That brat Uchiha Yagami has approved all the village's public projects but modified the support plans. What will happen to the families behind us?"

Utatane Koharu asked impatiently. She couldn't criticize Mingfeng for holding the funds hostage since all the projects he approved were genuinely beneficial to the village.

Despite their attempts to find fault, Mingfeng's actions left them no valid ground for complaints. The developments were veering far from what they intended.

"Don't ask me—I'm already under enough pressure. The Sarutobi clan is in such a dire situation, and I don't know how we'll recover!"

The Third Hokage sighed heavily, regretting the clan's focus on combat power development without investing in industries. With the loss of village subsidies, the clan now faced a financial crisis.

He could foresee Konoha's mission assignments being swiftly cleared out, leaving numerous shinobi congregating at the mission desk, desperate for work.

Without family subsidies, shinobi would rely solely on mission rewards. After all, not every ninja could sustain themselves like the Uchiha and Hyūga clans.

The village's problems were being addressed, but the Third Hokage's personal troubles had only just begun.

"Lord Raikage, all targets have been eliminated. It seems Iwagakure hasn't received any intelligence about our movements yet."

Samui reported to the Fourth Raikage, quickly detailing the battle's outcome.

After a long march, Kumogakure's forces had arrived near Iwagakure. Despite Ōnoki's vigilance, Kumogakure's surprise attack from the sea caught Iwagakure off guard.

"Good! Wait for the signal from Yugito and Yutai. Once they're in position, the plan will proceed."

The Fourth Raikage nodded firmly. Though known for his recklessness, he wasn't foolish. War wasn't merely about charging in and killing—it required strategy.

This time, he came with the intent to deliver a decisive blow to Iwagakure. Fully prepared, Kumogakure would ensure that Iwagakure felt the pain of their attack from the very first confrontation.

Boom!

The barrier to Iwagakure's southwest was torn apart in a fiery explosion, destroying nearby structures. The destruction spread across a quarter of the village.

With a thunderous roar, the Eight-Tails Gyūki's colossal form broke through the barrier, rampaging through Iwagakure. Its massive tails swung violently, wreaking havoc across the village.

"That's... Kumogakure's Tailed Beast!"

"Ahole! Kumogakure actually came here. Are they trying to start a war? They even deployed Tailed Beasts as weapons!"

"You b*****d! How shameless to carry out a sneak attack like this!"

Iwagakure fell into chaos as shinobi scrambled to confront the Eight-Tails, desperately trying to drive it out of the village.

"Damn Kumogakure! You dared to unleash a Tailed Beast on us. Do you think I, Ōnoki, am easy to bully?"

Ōnoki startled awake in the middle of the night, surveyed the destruction caused by the Eight-Tails from his window. The sight of the rampaging beast destroying parts of the village filled him with fury. He barked orders to organize the village's defences and ensure the evacuation of civilians.

Despite the increasing commotion in the southwest, Ōnoki held back from rushing there. Only one Tailed Beast had appeared, and Kumogakure's main forces were still unaccounted for. Abandoning other areas to deal with the beast could leave the village vulnerable to further attacks.

But the sound of destruction and chaos echoing through the Tsuchikage Building made him grit his teeth in frustration.

When he invaded other villages, it felt like a strategic move, and he relished the sense of control. But now, experiencing an invasion in his own village was maddening.

He had to simultaneously direct his forces against the enemy, manage the damage to the village, and stay wary of Kumogakure's potential strategies.

At this moment, Ōnoki regretted sending the village's two Jinchūriki away. One of them alone could have resolved the crisis with ease.

"Tsuchikage-sama! Another Tailed Beast—there's another one! Damn it, Kumogakure has sent both of their Tailed Beasts this time!"

"What! Has the Fourth Raikage gone mad? Is he trying to fight us to the death?"

Ōnoki was stunned. Despite his extensive experience in warfare, this was unprecedented. Who would deploy multiple Tailed Beasts at the very start of a conflict? These were supposed to be deterrents, not tools of reckless destruction.

Sending two Tailed Beasts rampaging into another's village—Ōnoki could only conclude that the Fourth Raikage had truly lost his mind.

"The beasts are being controlled by the Two-Tails' Jinchūriki! We're on it!"

From his position, the Fourth Raikage observed the devastation caused by the two colossal beasts. Ōnoki's absence from the battlefield confirmed that the old Tsuchikage was still holding back, wary of falling into a trap.

"If Ōnoki doesn't act unless I reveal myself, then so be it!" the Fourth Raikage muttered. He had no intention of holding back—his only goal was destruction. His forces were responsible for wrecking Iwagakure's infrastructure, while the key aspect of the operation lay elsewhere.

Eradicating Iwagakure's forces entirely would be challenging. Even with Kumogakure deploying nearly 80% of its military strength, the destruction of one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages wouldn't happen overnight.

But the Fourth Raikage understood that war was about more than just shinobi. It was about resources.

The Tailed Beast forces, alongside the main troops he commanded, were tasked with inflicting as much damage as possible to Iwagakure's infrastructure and resources. Meanwhile, auxiliary forces led by Tutai would focus on looting and capturing supplies.

By crippling Iwagakure's resources, Kumogakure would ensure its prolonged dominance. A village with no food or weapons could not sustain a war.

However, the Raikage harboured a personal vendetta. Bringing Ōnoki to his knees would not only secure Kumogakure's victory but also allow him to avenge his father.

As soon as Kumogakure's forces entered Iwagakure, the Fourth Raikage stormed toward the Tsuchikage Building.

Shrouded in Lightning Release Chakra Mode, he bulldozed through Iwagakure's defences, smashing his way into the heart of the Tsuchikage Building.

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