Naruto: From Konoha to One Piece

"Lord Raikage, the main question now is whether we should continue this war," Dodai, the attendant of the Raikage, said with a frown.

"What are you saying? Are you suggesting we surrender to Konoha before even fighting?" an outspoken Jonin shouted from below.

"Silence!" Killer Bee, who usually wore a cheerful demeanor, now spoke with a cold intensity, his gaze sharp and deadly.

The outburst made the Jonin freeze. Though Killer Bee often acted casually, his other identity as a Jinchuriki—a host for the tailed beast—was never something to take lightly. While the two Jinchuriki of this generation possessed extraordinary self-control, making them seem approachable, no one could overlook their inherent danger.

The Fourth Raikage also calmed down at this moment. Initially, he had been eager to push forward against Konoha, but the devastating losses that Hidden Cloud Village had recently endured had given him pause. More than anything, losing the two-tailed Jinchuriki to the enemy was a dire setback.

Taking a deep breath, he said, "It's clear that continuing this war won't be easy. But we can't simply retreat or risk appearing weak—not just to Konoha, but also to Iwa, who would surely seize any chance to strike at us."

"It's better to launch a calculated attack to save face and then consider talks with Konoha," the Fourth Raikage suggested, his voice steady.

After his words, the gathered Jonin exchanged glances, nodding in agreement. Hidden Cloud Village needed to show strength, even if they were going to withdraw. An outright retreat would damage Hidden Cloud's hard-won reputation and make them vulnerable to other villages who might see it as a sign of weakness.

Though Konoha had never been aggressive, the other ninja villages—including Iwa and even Suna—had all felt the ire of Hidden Cloud's previous provocative actions. Given Hidden Cloud's ruthless reputation, the village needed to maintain its strong image.

Nodding firmly, the Fourth Raikage swiftly rallied his forces to demonstrate strength while Konoha was still regrouping. The goal was to secure a quick victory, which could then be used as leverage in negotiations.

But unknown to the Raikage, the "Kurogami" he loathed was already closing in on their camp.

Kojin, a Jonin and recent beneficiary of the Byakugan, had been excelling during this time. After his mission to Konoha, he'd successfully returned with Hinata and was rewarded with a transplanted Byakugan—an ability highly coveted by the Hidden Cloud elite.

Originally belonging to Hinata Hyuga, a young Konoha clan member, Kojin's new Byakugan granted him unparalleled reconnaissance skills. Even though it lacked the combat power of the Sharingan, the Byakugan's extended range and near-complete field of vision made it invaluable for surveillance and a vital asset in times of war.

Consequently, Kojin was tasked with leading Kumo's reconnaissance squad and monitoring Konoha's activities with his new Byakugan. Thanks to its 360-degree vision, he was not only able to survey Konoha's forces but also observe any movements in the Land of Lightning from their rear.

"Huh? Who's that ninja in the back? This chakra... such an overwhelming presence!" he muttered.

A cold realization struck him. "No... this is the Kurogami!" Recognizing the overwhelming chakra signature, Kojin quickly pieced it together. Only one person could have such intense chakra—a ninja feared by both Konoha and Hidden Cloud alike.

Kojin quietly alerted the camp, and soon, Hidden Cloud Village's forces began mobilizing, encircling the approaching threat.

"Seems they've noticed me," Shin observed calmly. Though he had not yet activated the enhanced sensory powers of the Uzumaki Clan's Mind's Eye of the Kagura, his perception allowed him to sense the gathering of Hidden Cloud forces.

"It's pointless resistance," he thought.

Just then, two electric bolts surged towards him, and in a flash, two massive fists crackled with lightning, slamming toward his chest.

In an instant, three figures collided, lightning crackling and reverberating; though Shin was flung back a few meters, he steadied himself quickly, his chest and fists cloaked in dark energy, unscathed. Meanwhile, the two attackers—both clad in lightning armor—grimaced, coughing up blood.

"This guy… His strength is even greater than my father's!" the Fourth Raikage murmured, wiping blood from his mouth.

Killer Bee, carrying several blades on his back, commented, "This seems more like steel release than dark release. But even if it is, the defensive power here is ridiculous. Not even the lightning armor can withstand that."

Although Killer Bee's control over lightning armor wasn't as advanced as the Fourth Raikage's, the impact had shattered his hand bones completely. Fortunately, as a Jinchuriki, he healed quickly, and his tailed beast chakra had already mended his injuries.

"Be cautious, Bee," the voice of Gyuki, the eight-tailed beast within him, warned. "This enemy… something feels very wrong about him."

Of course, something was wrong. Shin's abilities included the Rinnegan, Wood Release, Sharingan, and powers that could overpower tailed beasts themselves. As one of the mightiest tailed beasts, Gyuki instinctively sensed the threat before them.

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