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"Quick, where are they? Take me to see them!"
As if Tutai had suddenly found his backbone, he hurriedly stepped out without hesitation.
When I went to meet with the Daimyō of the Land of Lightning, he was clearly displeased—not just because of Obito's terrifying destructive abilities, no!—but more specifically because of the sheer scale of destruction caused by the Akatsuki member named Deidara.
It left the Daimyō utterly shaken. He didn't even dare consider making enemies with the Akatsuki.
After learning that the Akatsuki were willing to cooperate with Kumogakure, the Fourth Raikage had strongly disagreed. This disagreement directly led to conflict, and the resulting battle nearly obliterated Kumogakure. Even the Raikage himself fell into a coma.
High-ranking shinobi like Darui were captured, and others like Cee fell unconscious. The Chief of Staff, Mabui, also lapsed into a coma due to the Divine Tree's chakra absorption.
What kind of situation was this?
Kumogakure was almost annihilated!
The entire leadership was nearly wiped out!
The Daimyō of the Land of Lightning was furious. In a situation like this, what would happen if another Great Nation launched an attack?
What could they use to defend themselves?
Kumogakure's top-tier combat strength had been dealt a massive blow, effectively crippling the nation's military defense!
It was madness!
Pure idiocy!
Other ministers and officials of the Land of Lightning began voicing harsh criticism. They demanded the removal of the Fourth Raikage, A!
Especially now that he was critically injured and unconscious, political opportunists began suggesting that other noble clans should be supported to claim the Raikage's seat.
Tutai tried his best to defend Raikage A, arguing that he had suffered his injuries while protecting everyone. If someone else had been in his place, Kumogakure would have been completely wiped out!
Besides, Raikage-sama's younger brother, Killer Bee, wouldn't stand for such a coup either!
Sure enough, after they summoned the Eight-Tails' jinchūriki, Killer Bee, the Daimyō and the other officials became visibly uneasy.
A jinchūriki is equivalent to a nation's nuclear deterrent. Whoever possesses one holds the power to destroy nations.
The Daimyō was fully aware of the close bond between Killer Bee and the Fourth Raikage. He wasn't willing to gamble on whether Bee would support his brother or not.
So, taking political strategy into consideration, the Daimyō ultimately declared: "If Fourth Raikage A is no longer able to lead Kumogakure effectively, then let his younger brother take his place."
Tutai sighed.
He had initially come with the goal of convincing the Daimyō to sign the Five Great Nations' Shinobi Alliance Treaty. But the Daimyō simply brushed him off and said coldly, "Clean up your own mess first. Otherwise, before the alliance is even formed, you'll be the first to fall."
After the meeting, Tutai returned to the Raikage's office, his expression heavy with worry and disappointment. It was just then that he heard Naruto and Killer Bee had arrived.
He immediately rushed out, only to run into Killer Bee head-on.
"Bee! Oh, you're finally back!"
Tutai threw his arms around Killer Bee, overwhelmed with relief. Bee was his final lifeline now. Without him, there was no way to save the Raikage or Kumogakure.
Killer Bee looked at Tutai and asked urgently, "Where's my big brother!?"
Tutai replied, "In the medical ward."
The moment the words left his mouth, Killer Bee was already walking away at a brisk pace.
Tutai exhaled. Judging by Killer Bee's expression, it was clear how worried he was about Raikage-sama's condition.
But that was fine. Let him go see for himself. As for Tutai, what mattered now was that Bee had returned. His real target now… was Naruto.
With that thought, Tutai continued walking forward and arrived before Naruto ten seconds later.
"Put away your weapons and stand down! What kind of behavior is this!?" he scolded harshly.
The Kumogakure shinobi guarding Naruto looked confused and replied angrily, "But Lord Tutai, he's part of Akatsuki!"
Naruto smiled and said, "Let me make this clear again—my organization is called Heaven. Got it? Even the outfits are bright and sunny. You really can't tell the difference?"
"Bah! You're still in the same boat!"
"That's right!"
Having witnessed the battle between Naruto and the Raikage—especially the part where he took Kumogakure's secret technique archives—many Kumogakure shinobi held a deep grudge against him.
Tutai snapped, "Do you think you can defeat him? Raikage-sama already lost. Do you think you're stronger than Raikage-sama!?"
The kumo shinobi were stunned by Tutai's words but still muttered in protest, "But Lord Tutai, he's—"
"Silence!!!"
Tutai roared, shutting them up instantly. "Do you want to save Raikage-sama or not!?"
"Of course we do!" everyone answered in unison.
Tutai exhaled and spoke firmly, "When Naruto came to Kumogakure to retrieve something, he did it through a formal duel—openly and honorably. Look at how the Akatsuki reacted when we refused to cooperate. They blew up half our village!"
"Yet Naruto, despite his overwhelming power, is still willing to speak to us as equals."
His words left the Kumogakure shinobi in contemplative silence.
"Killer Bee-sama wouldn't befriend Naruto without reason."
"Since both Killer Bee-sama and Raikage-sama trust Naruto, then we, the shinobi of Kumogakure, must also learn to trust him. He is not the same as Akatsuki!"
Finishing his speech, Tutai turned to Naruto, extended his hand, and said, "Welcome back to Kumogakure."
Naruto smiled, grasped Tutai's hand, and said warmly, "Sorry. I should've left Uncle Bee here… maybe then you wouldn't have been attacked like this."
Tutai laughed heartily and said, "No, Naruto. Taking Killer Bee with you was the most correct decision. After this battle, I've realized—Kumogakure can't protect Killer Bee at all!
Only you, Naruto, have the strength to protect Killer Bee and the Eight-Tails jinchūriki from Akatsuki!
In other words, in a broader sense, you've already protected Kumogakure, Lord Raikage, and the entire shinobi world!
Because if the Eight-Tails had fallen into Akatsuki's hands, the consequences would've been catastrophic!!!"
Tutai's words not only struck a chord with Naruto but also caused several of the Jōnin nearby to rethink everything.
Yes, Akatsuki had been systematically targeting jinchūriki.
If Killer Bee had stayed in Kumogakure, there was no way they could've kept him safe!
On the other hand, Naruto had proven to be beyond Akatsuki's reach.
Maybe… just maybe, this was why kumo sought his help after all.
Realizing that Naruto's presence might genuinely help protect Kumogakure, some of the shinobi began to shift their stance.
"Please, come inside, Naruto."
Naruto nodded and followed Lord Tutai. As they walked, he smiled and said jokingly, "Uncle Tutai, it's only been a few days, but your level of thinking has really expanded!"
Tutai chuckled bitterly and replied, "It's not like I had a choice. This shinobi world forced an old man like me to grow up!"
Naruto smiled softly.
That's right—sometimes, only pain can make people understand pain… and eventually, learn to overcome it.
After suffering Obito's assault, many people's perspectives were beginning to shift.
As they walked, a shinobi ran up to report: "Lord Tutai! Mabui has regained consciousness."
Tutai's eyes lit up, and he smiled happily. "Really? That's great news! What about Raikage-sama? Has he woken up yet?"
"Not yet."
"I see…" Tutai said, a bit disheartened.
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