Onoki's poor reputation wasn't built in a day. As the longest-serving Tsuchikage, he had mastered the art of opportunism during the numerous Shinobi World Wars, becoming as notorious for his constant flip-flopping between sides as for his unique Dust Release.

This time, the Iwa-nin once again demonstrated what it meant to maximize their own interests. First, they joined forces with the Kumo-nin to attack Konoha, only to suddenly stab Kumo in the back. Seizing the opportunity while Kumo's forces were tied up in the Land of Hot Water battling Konoha, and with both the Fourth Raikage and Kumo's two Jinchuriki (Killer Bee and Yugito Nii) absent, Onoki led his troops across the sea, aiming directly for the heart of the Land of Lightning—Kumogakure.

The Iwa-nin's bold move, as sneaky as it was, worked out perfectly. Just as Onoki had anticipated, Kumogakure's defenses were weak, and the Kumo-nin's minimal defense line was quickly overwhelmed by the Iwa-nin forces. Without opposition, the Iwa-nin marched into Kumogakure and looted it at will.

Though many valuable items had already been evacuated, it was impossible to completely empty such a large village in a short time. After a thorough sweep, the Iwa-nin left with their hands full, both collectively and individually.

It's no secret that, among the Five Great Nations, the wealth of the Land of Lightning comes second only to the Land of Fire. This wealth naturally extended to the Kumo-nin, who lived quite comfortably. Under Onoki's orders, the Iwa-nin didn't disturb ordinary civilians but targeted the village's wealthiest clans, the storehouses, and the library, making a hefty profit.

Kumogakure's affluence was clearly on full display.

Inside the Raikage's office at Kumogakure:

"Give the order, we need to retreat!" Onoki, now occupying the Raikage's chair, barked the command. Sitting in a chair custom-made for the bulky Fourth Raikage, the small, thin Onoki looked downright ridiculous. If it weren't for Kurotsuchi's large frame, he might not have even been visible in the massive chair.

Despite how comical the sight was, no one dared to laugh in Onoki's presence.

"So soon? But we haven't found the group of Kumo-nin who escaped," Kurotsuchi said, clearly frustrated. Although they had successfully ambushed Kumogakure, the Kumo-nin weren't complete fools, and they managed to evacuate some of the village's most valuable treasures before the Iwa-nin arrived.

"Having a fool like you as my son is the biggest mistake of my life," Onoki snapped, holding a scroll he'd found in the compound of one of Kumogakure's large clans. It contained valuable research notes on the Magnet Release, each word worth its weight in gold. He had been deeply engrossed in reading it, but Kurotsuchi's comment had annoyed him to no end.

"I told you to advance, and you hesitated. Now I tell you to retreat, and you stand there like a rock! Are you trying to defy me?" He waved the scroll threateningly but restrained himself from throwing it at his son. It wasn't out of affection for Kurotsuchi, but because he didn't want to damage such a valuable document.

"Fighting Konoha is a losing game, but going against the Kumo-nin is profitable. What's so strange about that?" Kurotsuchi muttered.

In his mind, Konoha was not to be trifled with. Every time the Iwa-nin attacked, thinking Konoha was vulnerable, they ended up being soundly defeated. As for the idea of containing Konoha's power to prevent it from becoming as dominant as it was under the First Hokage, Kurotsuchi thought that was nonsense. Even when the First Hokage was alive, Konoha hadn't been a nation that invaded others without reason. And the barren, desolate land of the Land of Earth? No one from Konoha would want it anyway.

Instead of worrying about Konoha's invasion, Kurotsuchi believed it was better to focus on profiting from weaker villages like Kumo, Suna, or even Kirigakure.

Unfortunately, his father didn't share his views. Nor did many in Iwagakure agree with him.

"You idiot! If we don't retreat now, do you want to race the Kumo-nin back here after they return from the front lines?" Onoki took a deep breath, suppressing his irritation. "This is an order, not a negotiation. And Kurotsuchi, is this how you talk to me?"

"My apologies, Lord Tsuchikage. I was out of line," Kurotsuchi said, bowing his head.

He knew his father's temper well. Once Onoki got angry, it didn't matter who was standing before him; even Kurotsuchi had been disciplined countless times, either as the Tsuchikage or as a father. The only exception seemed to be Onoki's granddaughter, Kurotsuchi's daughter, who always seemed to be spared.

From his experience, Kurotsuchi knew better than to argue. Although he doubted the Kumo-nin would return any time soon—Konoha's army wasn't to be taken lightly—he was only the Tsuchikage's son and could not go against his father's orders.

"I don't feel even the slightest bit of sincerity in your apology... but never mind. Just pass along my orders," Onoki said, waving dismissively.

Though annoyed, there wasn't much Onoki could do. Kurotsuchi might be a big, slow-witted fool, but he was still Onoki's son. Taking out his frustrations on him wouldn't help. But he couldn't risk alienating his beloved granddaughter, Kurotsuchi.

Still, it was a disappointment.

Kurotsuchi wasn't the brightest or most strategic thinker, and Onoki had set his hopes too high. When Kurotsuchi couldn't meet those expectations, Onoki inevitably felt let down.

——

Meanwhile, at the Kumo frontlines:

"Damn those Iwa-nin! Those dirty rats! I'll crush every last one of them into pulp!"

The word "furious" perfectly captured the state of the Fourth Raikage. When he heard that Kumogakure had been raided, the initial shock almost knocked him out cold. Yet, as the Raikage, A managed to hold himself together, gritting his teeth through the barrage of bad news.

After recovering, however, his fury exploded! He smashed his desk into pieces and tore apart everything in his office. And when there was nothing left to destroy, he took out his anger on the entire building.

Fortunately, no one was seriously injured during his rampage. His aide, Dodai, had managed to pull everyone to safety just in time.

Finally, as A's rage began to subside, he stood among the ruins of the building, breathing heavily. He turned to Dodai, who approached him cautiously.

"I'm sorry you had to see this mess again, Dodai," A muttered, his muscles twitching with barely controlled anger. The last time he had been this furious was when his father, the Third Raikage, had died.

"Sometimes anger helps you stay sharp, Raikage-sama," Dodai replied calmly. "But the situation is urgent. We need to return to the village immediately, or it may be too late."

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