In the Hokage's Office
The four elders, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo, Enma Mitokado, and Koharu Utatane, gathered again. Their faces were as solemn as water. When Kiyosuke arrived, Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke first. "You're here. Kumogakure has sent a letter."
"Oh? Are they going to war? It seems I have to pay Kumogakure a visit," Kiyosuke said casually.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's face darkened. Could you just be more stable for once?!
He said, "Well, it might lead to war, but it's not certain."
"Hmm? fight or night?" Kiyosuke said impatiently.
This indecisiveness didn't seem like something the hot - tempered Fourth Raikage would do.
"The Fourth Raikage has sent a challenge, asking you to duel with him. If you win, there won't be a war, and the peace treaty will continue to be in effect," Danzo said. "Kiyosuke Asakawa, the village has nurtured you. Now it's time for you to contribute to the village."
"Heh!"
Kiyosuke sneered. "He just wants to take my life."
He felt a bit disappointed. He had expected the Fourth Raikage to come up with some astonishing move, but instead, it was such a ploy. What a letdown.
Anyone with eyes could tell that this was a trap set to kill Kiyosuke. But at present, it was the best solution. Let Kiyosuke fight the Fourth Raikage and win. This way, not only could the war be stopped, but also Konoha's strength could be demonstrated.
It would prove to all countries and ninja villages that Konoha was not to be bullied by anyone.
When receiving the challenge from Kumogakure, Hiruzen Sarutobi also heaved a big sigh of relief. After all, not having a war was a good thing for Konoha now.
As for Kiyosuke... He believed Kiyosuke could defeat the Fourth Raikage, right?
Konoha had already dispatched troops to the border of the Fire Country to confront Kumogakure. Although no fighting had broken out yet, the situation needed to be resolved as soon as possible. Otherwise, it would be detrimental to both sides.
Just the daily consumption was quite a lot.
"Fine, I accept. Where will the battlefield be?"
"Right at the border."
"No problem."
"We'll send people to assist you," Hiruzen Sarutobi said.
Hiashi also said, "Lord Kiyosuke, this matter originated from our Hyuga clan. I will go with you."
"Thanks for your kindness, but I prefer to act alone. Also, I'll leave Naruto in the care of the Hyuga clan. If I don't come back, Naruto will be raised by the Hyuga clan," Kiyosuke said.
Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo's faces darkened. They were not satisfied with what Kiyosuke said.
But they didn't show their anger as they still needed Kiyosuke's strength.
Hiashi shook his head. "Please don't say such things, Lord Kiyosuke. You will surely return victorious. During this period, Naruto will be treated like a young master of the Hyuga clan."
"No need. That kid doesn't need to be pampered. He's tough. The 'young master' treatment isn't suitable for him. Well, we shouldn't waste any more time. I'll get ready and leave," Kiyosuke said.
With that, he turned and left the Hokage's office. After bidding farewell to Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others, the Hyuga brothers also left.
Not long after
At the Konoha Gate
The Hyuga brothers, along with Naruto and Hinata, were seeing Kiyosuke off at the gate. Naruto wasn't sad. He waved his hand and said, "Uncle Kiyosuke, go and come back quickly. Remember to bring me some local specialties. Ouch!"
Kiyosuke flicked Naruto on the forehead again. Naruto covered his forehead, and Kiyosuke said, "Don't cause trouble at Hinata's place. Don't disturb their training. Practice your horse - stance well. I'll check your progress when I come back."
"Ah? Horse - stance training is so tiring."
"You can also choose not to practice." Kiyosuke turned to the Hyuga brothers. "I'm leaving Naruto in your care."
"Don't worry. We'll take good care of Naruto," they said.
"May good luck be with you in battle!!"
"Thanks for your well - wishes!" Kiyosuke waved his hand and left Konoha.
...
The news that the Fourth Raikage was going to duel with "Blazing Lord" Kiyosuke Asakawa quickly spread throughout the ninja world. Many forces were paying attention to their battle.
Under the surface, there was a hidden turmoil. Some people even hoped they would both perish, which would be a huge blow to both Konoha and Kumogakure.
There were also those who were thinking about taking advantage of the situation and killing them. The bounties on the heads of the Fourth Raikage and Kiyosuke were quite high in the black market.
Just getting one of them would mean they wouldn't have to work hard for the rest of their lives and could even have a harem.
Those with such devious plans were also gathering towards the area where the two armies were stationed.
Kiyosuke moved very fast. In just a few days, he arrived at the border.
The large Konoha army was stationed here. The one in charge of the Konoha ninjas was an old - school elite jounin named Shougo Akuryouin. He immediately welcomed Kiyosuke and explained the situation here.
The situation was mainly in a stalemate. There wouldn't be a fight anytime soon. However, the Fourth Raikage had already arrived and was waiting for Kiyosuke.
Now that Kiyosuke was here, Shougo Akuryouin felt more at ease.
With the Fourth Raikage's speed of movement, no one in the ninja world could rival him except Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage. Coupled with his extremely defensive Lightning Release Armor, Konoha's attacks couldn't harm him at all.
Back then, the Third Raikage, in order to cover the retreat of his companions, single - handedly fought against ten thousand ninjas and lasted for three days and three nights before finally succumbing to exhaustion.
This showed how terrifying the Lightning Release Chakra Mode was.
As the son of the Third Raikage, the Fourth Raikage was probably no less powerful than his father.
Currently, when Konoha faced him, without the presence of Kage - level powerhouses, no one could defeat the Fourth Raikage.
But now that Kiyosuke was here, Shougo Akuryouin felt more at ease.
"I remember Shisui Uchiha is here, right?" Kiyosuke asked.
Because Kumogakure had been stationing troops on the border and there were occasional skirmishes with Konoha, Konoha often issued some missions for ninjas to go to the front line. Shisui had made a name for himself here.
The name "Teleportation Shisui" was becoming more and more renowned.
"Yes, I'll send someone to call him for you," Shougo Akuryouin said.
"Okay." Kiyosuke nodded.
Not long after, the young Shisui arrived and said, "Long time no see, Senior Kiyosuke."
"Yeah, long time no see. This time, I'm dueling with the Fourth Raikage, and I want you to come with me," Kiyosuke said.
"Me?" Shisui looked at Kiyosuke in confusion.
Kiyosuke said, "We have to be on guard against the Fourth Raikage setting an ambush for me. Kumogakure still has two tailed - beast jinchuriki. The Eight - Tails jinchuriki can control the Eight - Tails very well. I don't want to get hit in the face by a Tailed Beast Bomb. You, as an ace, will act with me."
One must always be on guard against others. Although the Fourth Raikage seemed like a hot - head, as the Raikage, he was definitely not an ordinary person. He had brains.
Claiming to have a one - on - one duel with him was clearly an attempt to keep him here.
Kiyosuke didn't know the specific arrangements, but he guessed that it was very likely that the Fourth Raikage would team up with his adoptive brother, Killer B, to attack him.
However, he would deal with whatever came his way. He had a Mangekyou Sharingan that could control tailed beasts on his side.
"What do I need to do?"
"You'll know later," Kiyosuke said with a mysterious smile, making Shisui have a bad feeling.
He always felt that things would be very difficult later.