A New Snake In The Shinobi World

The clone's voice was mechanical and emotionless, repeating the same line three times as the Kumo ninja closed the distance.

Since the clones lacked the ability to think independently, they simply repeated the commands Orochimaru had programmed into them.

The Land of Sound had a strict policy: no foreign ninjas were allowed to enter. If someone wanted access, they needed an official permit, approval from the Land of Sound' Daimyo, or direct permission from Chana or Orochimaru.

Otherwise, any entry was deemed illegal.

Illegal entrants would be issued a single warning. Upon being warned three times, they would be expelled by force.

And anyone who resisted during expulsion would be killed without hesitation.

The outcome was predictable. When the Kumo ninja drew his sword against the clone, he crossed an unbreakable line.

Thus, the clash between the Kumo ninjas and Orochimaru's clones erupted.

Typically, ninjas from major villages held an advantage over those from smaller ones. They boasted superior combat skills, better equipment, and highly effective team strategies.

But this battle left the Kumo ninjas shaken.

They had the numbers disadvantage but believed their superior swordsmanship would let them triumph. Yet, as the fight dragged on, they realized something alarming: these Sound Village clones, armed with only kunai, were matching them in one-on-one combat.

"How is this even possible?"

Clang! Clang!

Two metallic clashes rang out, and the Kumo ninja and the clone were forced backward simultaneously.

"Damn it…" the Kumo ninja muttered through gritted teeth. "What's with these guys?"

"Yeah, they're not normal," another Kumo ninja replied, his expression tense.

"Hey, has anyone noticed something strange?"

"What?"

"Since when did this country have a ninja village?"

"Huh?" The others frowned as realization struck.

Yes—when had this small nation ever developed a ninja village?

And those forehead protectors...none of them recognized the emblem.

"Stay alert!"

"Damn it, where did these guys come from?"

"Less talking, more fighting! We need to break through first!"

"They're physically strong, and they outnumber us—"

"Wait… Look over there!"

The group turned to see reinforcements approaching from the distance.

A dozen figures, dressed in identical black gear, were charging toward them at high speed.

As soon as they arrived, they didn't hesitate. They drew their weapons and dove straight into the battle.

The eerie silence of the barren mountains and ridges was soon broken by the echo of anguished screams.

Meanwhile, Konoha's forces received similar treatment from the clones.

However, unlike the Kumo ninjas, the Konoha teams handled the situation with caution. Upon being warned by the clones, most of them chose to retreat without further confrontation.

After pulling back from the Land of Sound, the Konoha teams didn't immediately withdraw. Instead, they stationed reconnaissance squads along the border to monitor the country's movements and began strengthening their defenses along other lines. Additionally, they sent messengers to negotiate with the Daimyo of the Land of Sound.

As for Kumo's forces, they had sent more than one team into the Land of Sound.

But due to their more aggressive nature, several of those teams inevitably fell to the clones.

Word of the situation quickly reached the upper ranks of Kumo.

"What? The Land of Sound?"

"Yes, Lord Raikage. So far, three teams have gone missing. It's likely… they won't be coming back."

The Third Raikage frowned deeply.

By now, he had fully recovered from his injuries sustained in the Land of Frost.

But while his body had healed, his pride had not.

As a ninja who had remained unscathed for so many years, the wound inflicted during that battle, caused by his own hand was a mark of humiliation.

How could he forget? Orochimaru had not only injured him but had also come close to ending his life.

The memory burned in his mind, but he had no time to dwell on it now.

After learning about his forces' losses in the Land of Sound, the Third Raikage quickly summoned his son and the village's senior officials for a council.

The resistance from the Land of Sound demanded a cautious approach.

The situation reminded the council of the Second Great Ninja War, when three major villages had attempted to invade Amegakure. Despite their superior strength, they were forced to retreat as soon as Amegakure, led by Hanzo of the Salamander, resisted.

Even a small village could become a significant threat when they had a capable leader.

Engaging a minor nation in full-scale conflict could lead to unnecessary losses.

It was like battling a powerful boss in a game while ignoring a smaller one nearby. If you didn't deal with the smaller threat first, the distraction could wipe you out.

Previously, Amegakure had stood its ground thanks to Hanzo. Now, with the Land of Sound displaying similar defiance, who was to say they didn't have a comparable figure leading them?

After careful deliberation, the council reached a decision.

First, they would adjust their route to avoid direct conflict with the Land of Sound.

Second, they would send envoys to negotiate with the country's leaders and gauge their intentions.

"How bold," the Raikage muttered. "An unknown, insignificant nation… daring to strike down the ninjas of a great power during wartime? Do they have a death wish?"

What the Raikage didn't know was that the current Daimyo of the Land of Sound was paralyzed with fear.

The Five Great Ninja Villages dominated the world, and smaller nations could only bow their heads.

Let alone killing ninja from a major village, most small nations wouldn't even dare to offend them.

And yet…

Chana, upon hearing the news, was utterly panicked.

After all, she was just an ordinary civilian from Uzushiogakure, a woman who had stumbled into this role.

Despite years of experience managing the village, she still lacked the confidence to handle such high-stakes situations. Faced with the intimidating pressure of negotiations with Kumo, she felt completely out of her depth.

"What do I do? What do I do?"

Chana paced back and forth in her office, as frantic as an ant on a hot pan.

With Orochimaru absent, she couldn't bring herself to make a decision.

What if she angered Kumo, and they decided to retaliate against the Sound Village?

This wasn't just a minor skirmish, it was a matter of survival for the entire village.

Fortunately, Yahiko stepped up to the plate.

Upon hearing the news, Yahiko rushed over with Nagato and Konan in tow. "We killed ninjas from a great power. Yeah, this is a tricky situation. But don't worry, Sister. Let me handle the negotiations."

"You… you?" Chana's eyes widened as she stared at the teenage boy. "Can you really… do this?"

Yahiko grinned confidently. "Heh, you'll find out soon enough. Trust me."

***

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