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Instead of directly finding Mei Terumi and the others, replicating their actions from the parallel world, we can bring the Kirikage directly into our fold.

Just then, the Hokage Building appeared before Iori's eyes. After countless years, it still stood in the heart of Konoha, untouched by destruction.

Just as Iori was about to enter, Tobirama came out with the Third Raikage.

Upon seeing Iori's return, Tobirama's eyes revealed a hint of joy.

He said to Iori with a serious expression, "You're finally back. Perfect timing. The Third Raikage has decided to join us. Please go to Kumogakure with him and bring the Kumogakure ninja under your command."

Upon hearing this, the Third Raikage stepped forward, his gaze resolute, and solemnly bowed to Iori: "Your Majesty the future Emperor, the Third Raikage, A, pays his respects!"

Iori looked at Tobirama with a hint of surprise. Seeing Iori's expression, Tobirama said to him, "He is unwilling to surrender to the Hokage of Konoha, but he would gladly accept the surrender if it were to the Emperor of the Empire."

Upon hearing this, Iori nodded in understanding.

For the Third Raikage, the Hokage was an equal opponent. He could accept a temporary defeat, but he could not accept becoming the Hokage's subordinate.

However, if the recipient is the emperor who has pacified the five great nations and unified the entire ninja world, he would not mind offering his loyalty to him.

"Since you've agreed to join, I certainly won't treat you unfairly. But what kind of treatment you'll receive as a ninja of the Cloud Village will depend on your performance."

"You must understand that the treatment of those who surrender voluntarily and those who are conquered is worlds apart."

Although Iori admires the Third Raikage's pragmatism, he will not easily compromise on the treatment of Kumogakure.

As Iori's base and the first subordinate to pledge allegiance, Konoha would naturally enjoy the highest treatment from the start, while ninjas from other villages would have to put in extra effort to get an equal opportunity.

However, this treatment is not static. Over time, these differences will gradually be eliminated, and the relationship will return to a relatively equal footing.

"Please rest assured, with your power, there will be no second voice in Kumogakure," the Third Raikage said firmly.

His voice was like thunder, shaking the surrounding air.

The Hidden Cloud Village was originally an organization similar to a traditional mafia, and the Raikage led the entire village with his powerful strength and personal charisma.

If it were just a matter of strength, you might be able to kill them, but you wouldn't be able to subdue them.

However, if the strong person is originally from the Cloud Ninja or has a close relationship with the Cloud Ninja, then everything is different.

The Cloud Ninja Society, which naturally admires strength, decisively abandoned their original leader and gathered under the banner of the strongest, cheering for him.

"Then let's go. I haven't met the Fourth Raikage of this world yet. I wonder how different he is from the one in the parallel world."

Iori looked at the respectful Third Raikage and said nothing more, simply inviting him to leave together.

The Third Raikage didn't say anything, but silently walked to Iori's side and followed closely in his footsteps.

As Tobirama watched the two figures depart, he began to ponder, silently calculating the current situation in his mind.

Now that Iori has returned, it means that the Land of Wind has fallen into Konoha's hands.

With the Third Raikage in charge, taking over the Land of Lightning shouldn't be too difficult.

Given the relationship between the Cloud Ninja and the Daimyo of the Land of Lightning, the purge of the nobles of the Land of Lightning is unlikely to go smoothly.

But this is not a big problem. Under the strict orders of the Konoha enforcement team, they will eventually come to the truth.

The current problem is figuring out how to conquer the Land of Water and the Land of Earth.

The First Tsuchikage, Ishigawa, was a man of unwavering will, even stubbornness. To this day, he still holds the mentality that "we'd rather perish together," resisting surrender and refusing to join Konoha's camp.

It seems that if we really can't persuade them, we can only prepare for being expelled from Iwagakure.

Aside from needing to draw another force from their already strained resources to rule the Land of Earth, Konoha wouldn't suffer any losses. Tobirama only hoped that the Tsuchikage would understand the current situation and not force Konoha to take action to wipe them out.

The strategy for conquering the Land of Water is arguably the simplest among all the lands.

Amidst the chaos in Kirigakure, the Daimyo of the Land of Water had long lost his prestige among the ninja, and even if he were to be purged by Konoha, no one would care.

Under the policies of the Village of Blood Mist, the Kirigakure ninja had long been alienated from the Hidden Mist Village and the Mizukage. Apart from a few loyal individuals, the others had little affection for the Hidden Mist Village.

Once the remaining influence of Obito and Madara is eliminated, winning back the hearts of the Mist Ninja will not be difficult.

In fact, Iori had already found two excellent candidates—Jonin Mei Terumi and Jonin Kisame Hoshigaki.

Needless to say, Kisame Hoshigaki had lost faith in Kirigakure and even humanity after being subjected to endless dirty work by Suigetsu Hozuki. As long as you talked to him about the future, it wouldn't be difficult to bring him under your command.

Mei Terumi faces some difficulties, but at only twenty-something years old, she is far less determined than she would be as the Fifth Mizukage later in life. If everything about Konoha is presented to her, she will surely make a wise choice.

With that thought in mind, Tobirama turned around and went to find the First Tsuchikage again, intending to continue the previous topic and make a final effort.

Chapter 363 Hidden Cloud Village

Walking down the streets of Konoha, the Third Raikage's gaze was drawn to the bustling city around him.

Looking at the almost completely modernized Konoha, he couldn't help but sigh, "What a prosperous and peaceful scene! Will we in Kumogakure be able to live like this in the future?"

Without turning her head, Iori replied, "Of course, since you've seen the information on the Throne of Heroes, you should understand my thoughts."

"Of course, otherwise I wouldn't have so easily given up the pride of the Cloud Ninja and bowed my head to you," the Third Raikage said resolutely.

The reputation of Kumogakure (Hidden Cloud Village) in the ninja world is notorious, only slightly better than that of the Blood Mist Ninja.

The reason for this is naturally inseparable from their strategy of plundering the entire ninja world.

Their greed is like a bottomless pit. Whether it's ninjutsu, secret techniques, weapons, or bloodline limits, as long as there's something worthwhile, they will definitely find an opportunity to steal it.

If you're unwilling to pay, then kill off your relatives and friends one by one until you're willing.

There are several instances in the original storyline that describe this, two of which are Hyuga's Byakugan and Suginomura's secret technique.

The reason they developed this personality is related to the customs and traditions of the Land of Lightning.

Nestled among mountains, the Land of Lightning is not exactly fertile, and often they have to go out and plunder in order to survive.

Whether they managed to seize something and use it to support their families, or failed to seize anything and died outside, they could still ensure that the resources they had were enough to feed the rest of the population.

As the gathering place of the martial arts faction in the Land of Lightning, the Hidden Cloud Village maintained and strengthened this approach, only the target changed from resources such as food to things that could bring power, such as bloodline limits and ninjutsu.

Looting is not a sure thing. Even someone as powerful as the Fourth Raikage was once hunted down by the bounty hunters Xuanyuan Clan hired by Sugino Village for stealing their secret techniques.

One subordinate died on the spot, and another would have perished without Tsunade's help.

Now, Iori has given them a new path: as long as they govern the country well and protect the ninja world when it faces a crisis, they will be able to obtain secret techniques, bloodline limits, and abundant resources that they never dared to dream of before.

Then the name "Hidden Cloud Village" no longer matters; as long as the Cloud Ninja still exists, the actual Hidden Cloud Village will still exist.

"Alright, let's go!" Upon arriving outside Konoha Village, Iori spoke to the Third Raikage, "Don't resist, let's go."

Upon hearing this, the Third Raikage obediently followed Iori's request and abandoned all defenses.

Seeing that the Raikage had actually lowered his defenses, Iori's eyes showed satisfaction. In some ways, this could be considered a test of obedience. It seemed that the Third Raikage's surrender was not just empty talk.

The Flying Thunder God Technique was activated instantly, and the two disappeared from their original spot.

The Third Raikage felt a wave of dizziness; his exceptional sensory abilities caused him discomfort after the extremely long-distance spatial teleportation.

He opened his eyes again and found himself in the familiar mountains. On the towering peaks, there was the village he loved. Unfortunately, he had come here to end his existence.

Thinking this, the Third Raikage was still somewhat saddened, even though he had already made preparations.

Iori tactfully remained silent. He wasn't some kind of demon; he wouldn't be so cruel as to forbid people from even reminiscing about their homeland.

Soon, the Third Raikage composed himself. Since he had decided to sell the village, he had to sell it for a good price.

"Your Majesty, please follow me. Kumogakure is up there," the Third Raikage introduced.

Iori looked at the village nestled in the mountains and nodded with interest.

The Hidden Cloud Village, perched atop a towering mountain peak, appears not much different from the floating city.

Although Iori had seen the floating city in Type-Moon, he destroyed it before he could even get on it.

Now that a similar scene seems to be visible in Kumogakure, Iori has become somewhat interested.

The two walked towards the Hidden Cloud Village. When they were almost at the gate of the Hidden Cloud Village, a group of Cloud Ninja suddenly jumped out and blocked their way.

"You...you are? The Third Hokage!?" the Cloud Ninja squad leader exclaimed in surprise.

He had previously served under the Third Raikage during the Third Shinobi World War, and was one of the ninjas who retreated under the Third Raikage's cover during the attack on the Land of Earth.

Upon hearing of the Third Raikage's death, he and his comrades were both heartbroken and filled with self-reproach. If it weren't for covering their retreat, how could a man like the Third Raikage have died in the siege?

When the Fourth Raikage, A, took office, they entrusted their guilt and loyalty to him, becoming his staunch supporters.

But what he never expected was that, after many years, he would see the already deceased Third Raikage again.

“It’s you, Marui. It’s been a long time.” The Third Raikage pondered for a moment and then found his name in his memory.

Unlike the Third Raikage, who was resurrected in his prime, Marui's hair had already started to turn gray after six or seven years.

"You're not dead? That's wonderful! But why haven't you come back all these years? Everyone misses you so much!" Marui said excitedly.

"He died, but he's come back to life. Things are complicated. I can't say much to you right now. Take me to A first!" The Third Raikage didn't respond but changed the subject.

"Yes, yes, I understand." Marui calmed down. The fact that the previous Raikage was still alive was a big deal. If the Raikage didn't know, he had to inform him as soon as possible. "Please come with me. Lord Ai should be training with Lord Bi on Turtle Island."

"No need, you continue with your mission. I'll go by myself." After learning his son's location, the Third Raikage did not ask anyone else to follow him. He simply led Iori towards the secret location of Kumogakure.

On the way, the Third Raikage told Iori about the situation on Turtle Island.

"I found Turtle Island many years ago when I was searching for sea legends. There are relics of the Sage of Six Paths there, which can promote the training of Jinchūriki."

"Killer Bee's ability to become a perfect Jinchūriki and Yugito Nii's ability to fully control the Tailed Beasts can be largely attributed to the existence of Turtle Island."

Having decided to surrender, the Third Raikage told Iori everything he knew without any concealment.

The two arrived at the seaside, but the sea was empty, except for a dark dot in the distance that seemed to be slowly growing larger.

"It is called Turtle Island, but it should actually be called Island Turtle. Its main body is a giant turtle, and the island is actually the mud that has solidified on top of its shell."

As they spoke, the black dot grew larger and larger, and the island was swimming towards them.

"The Hidden Cloud Village didn't actually control the turtle; they only knew its swimming patterns."

As the island drew ever closer, a strange emotion welled up within the Third Raikage. Years after his death, he never imagined he would see his son again.

Chapter 364 Raikage vs. Raikage, Iori's Crushing Strike (4000 words)

As Iori and the Third Raikage waited for Turtle Island to slowly approach, the fierce battle on the island came to an abrupt end.

The Fourth Raikage and Killer Bee froze in mid-air, their senses seemingly drawn by invisible threads towards the two surging streams of chakra on the shore.

"That chakra is... Father?!" A look of astonishment flashed across the Fourth Raikage's face. His pupils contracted, and his eyes were filled with disbelief. "And what is that chakra reaction next to him? Is it a tailed beast?"