You’re Full of Shit

"You’re even more formidable than your teacher and the Third Kazekage. Those two really have worthy successors."

The Third Raikage watched Shimizu heal an injury that could have crippled an arm in just a few breaths, and his expression turned grave.

Shimizu’s strength had actually begun to surpass his by a small margin.

Even after taking a Two-Finger Nukite, his arm had only been severely injured, and he had healed it with Medical Ninjutsu in just a few breaths. Such medical skill had absolutely surpassed Chiyo, one of the ninja world’s finest Medical Ninja.

Then even a One-Finger Nukite would probably have difficulty killing him.

Unless he could unleash attacks of that level continuously, inflicting damage faster than Shimizu could heal it.

The Third Raikage knew that they could not take Shimizu down.

"Still want to fight, Lord Raikage? I can keep the two of you busy here all day."

Shimizu shook out his hand and said with a grin.

"Are you sure? In a little while, three thousand elite ninja stationed at Kumogakure’s border will arrive. Don’t get too arrogant, brat from Sunagakure."

The Third Raikage snorted.

"I see. But it doesn’t matter. We’ve been fighting for so long that my companions should have already gotten everyone out safely. As for me… I don’t think the two of you can keep me here."

Shimizu dug a finger into his ear and looked toward the Fourth Raikage, who was locked in close combat with White Warrior and Fatty.

There was no longer any need to send a puppet to hold off the Fourth Raikage. He could simply put on Daiwan and fly away with the glider wings and Airflow Manipulation.

"…"

The Third Raikage fell silent for two seconds.

Should he forcibly keep Shimizu of Sunagakure here?

This kid was several years younger than his own son, yet he already possessed combat power at the very pinnacle of the ninja world. He would likely continue growing over the next few years, becoming even more terrifying.

Would that pose a threat to Kumogakure?

The two sides were separated by more than half the ninja world. Unlike Kirigakure, which had once invaded and plundered the Land of Wind by sea, they had no historical grudge.

A young man like this would surely be treasured by the Third Kazekage, Chiyo, and the others in Sunagakure. If he were killed here, the two sides would truly forge a blood feud.

Not to mention that the two nations actually shared common enemies—the Land of Earth and the Land of Fire.

Those two countries were closest to the Land of Wind and were Sunagakure’s most direct rivals. To Kumogakure, they were rivals as well.

Besides, the Third Raikage truly was not confident that he could keep Shimizu.

If he insisted on doing it, his formidable physical defense might keep him safe, but the others might not be so lucky. There would inevitably be heavy casualties.

The most rational course was to let this go and turn conflict into peace.

But…

It was so damn frustrating!

"Stop. Would you mind having a talk with this old man?"

The Third Raikage raised a hand to stop the Fourth Raikage, then said to Shimizu,

"Of course I don’t mind."

After the Fourth Raikage stopped, Shimizu also raised a hand and used Chakra Thread to draw the three puppets back to his side.

Daiwan and Fatty were still relatively fine, with no serious damage. Little Boy, however, was already close to being scrapped.

Holding off someone with strength close to Kage level for so long was already near the limit of these three puppets.

Adding one or two more would probably do it. If he had seven or eight puppets of this level, his combat power could double, and his overall strength would rise to another level, enough to hold back a Kage-level expert.

That was Ebizo’s level of strength.

If he became just a little stronger still, he would be about on par with Chiyo.

"Dad! I was about to win! Why did you make me stop?"

The Fourth Raikage was panting heavily. A bloody cut ran across his shoulder where Daiwan had carelessly slashed him, though he otherwise looked to be in decent shape.

"Win my ass!"

The Third Raikage shot the Fourth Raikage a dissatisfied look.

Before today, he had been extremely satisfied with his son. His future achievements would definitely not fall short of the Legendary Sannin, and he would be somewhat stronger than Rasa and Karura of Sunagakure, or Kitsuchi of Iwagakure.

But now…

The Third Raikage looked at Shimizu.

This guy was several years younger than his own son, yet he was far stronger.

"Uh…"

The Fourth Raikage scratched his head and realized it too.

They had fought for so long that Shimizu’s companions had surely already transferred every member of the Chinoike Clan.

"In order to bring the Chinoike Clan into Kumogakure, this old man and the village put in a great deal of effort. Yet you came today and reaped the rewards. That puts this old man in a difficult position…"

"I’m truly sorry about that, Lord Raikage. But at your age, you should understand that many things in this world simply do not follow reason. Or rather, the strongest fist is the hardest reason."

Shimizu chuckled.

After all, Kumogakure could not do anything to him.

"You’re right. The strongest fist is the hardest reason."

The Third Raikage was not angry.

"But this time, it isn’t that your fist is stronger. You simply happened to throw that punch at the most crucial moment. This old man can count it as your victory, but Kumogakure cannot lose.

Give half the people you took away to this old man. Otherwise, this old man can guarantee that fewer than half of you will return safely to the Land of Wind."

Shimizu raised an eyebrow.

This old man… actually made quite a bit of sense.

Among the Land of Hot Water and the surrounding small countries, Kumogakure was the strongest, followed by Konoha.

If Kumogakure spared no effort in deploying large numbers of ninja, while the Raikage and son tied them down with their two top-tier combatants, it would be difficult to send that many people back to the Land of Wind without losing a single one.

After all, they were a ninja clan, not all ninja. They were destined to be unable to compare with a ninja village’s army, where everyone was a ninja. If Kumogakure intercepted them, they would certainly have to leave some people behind.

That meant some bloodlines carrying the Ketsuryūgan kekkei genkai would definitely be taken by Kumogakure.

"You should understand what this old man means. You have already displayed strength worthy of this old man’s respect, and Sunagakure’s strength is likewise worthy of respect. That is why this old man is willing to settle this peacefully. I assume you do not want your companions to shed blood either."

"You want me to give up half the people just because you said so. If you were in my place, would you agree?"

Shimizu countered.

"That is your problem."

The Third Raikage crossed his arms and held his head high.

"Half is impossible. If anyone is willing to stay behind in Hell Valley, I can spare a few for you."

Trading a few people for safety along the latter half of the journey was not a loss.

As long as they could bring people back, it was pure profit.

For Kumogakure, a few people meant the difference between having them and not having them. For Sunagakure, the difference was not that great.

"Fine."

"How am I supposed to trust that Kumogakure won’t attack again after I hand them over? After all, Kumogakure is the ninja village that loves breaking its promises the most."

"You’re full of shit!"

The Third Raikage cursed.