Just as Reiji and Amai were on their way to the Raikage's office, a serious discussion was already underway inside.
The Third Raikage, A, leaned back on the sofa, fatigue etched into his not-yet-old face.
It had been over two months.
Despite dispatching countless ANBU, not a single trace of the infiltrator had been found. Instead, they ended up capturing numerous civilian agents from various villages.
Many of them had been undercover for over a decade—some had even started families within the village.
And their children, many of whom had already become Genin, had come to truly see the village as their home.
Faced with these children who admired him and loved the village, even someone as strong as the Third Raikage couldn't help but feel exhausted.
He pressed his fingers against his brow, then straightened his expression and addressed the ANBU kneeling before him.
"What do you have to report?"
"Reporting to Raikage-sama. According to intel from our Kirigakure agents, the Three-Tails went berserk, broke free from its Jinchūriki seal, and escaped."
"Oh?" The Third Raikage's eyes lit up slightly as he slowly sat upright.
With the previous incident involving the Two-Tails, this development piqued his curiosity.
"Was it a natural berserk, or was someone behind it?"
"We're not sure." The ANBU bowed his head even lower.
The Third Raikage snorted but said nothing more.
This was the nature of their village: while others struggled to infiltrate them, they also couldn't manage to infiltrate others.
He leaned back again and asked casually, "Was the Tailed Beast recaptured?"
The ANBU nodded. "It was, but it was done by Uzumaki Village of the Land of Whirlpools."
"Explain."
"After going berserk, the Three-Tails caused massive destruction throughout Kirigakure. Before the Third Mizukage could arrive, it plunged into the sea and began heading west.
It crossed the vast ocean and entered the Land of Whirlpools, where it was sealed by the Uzumaki Clan of Uzushiogakure and later returned to the Land of Water."
At those words, a faint blue spark flickered in the Third Raikage's eyes.
"The Uzumaki Clan?!"
This clan had been famous during the Warring States Period.
Like the Senju Clan, they were known for their Sage-like bodies and unmatched vitality and chakra.
At the same time, they excelled in Fūinjutsu.
Thanks to their alliance with the Senju Clan, they had managed to thrive even though they weren't among the most powerful fighting clans.
At that thought, the Third Raikage quietly suppressed some darker intentions.
The villages had just come out of war, and all were still recovering. Starting a new conflict wouldn't be wise.
But taking a few people? That might be doable.
They helped the Land of Water seal the Three-Tails. Helping us seal the Two-Tails should be just as easy.
They can't just help the Mizukage's little brother and ignore me, the Raikage big brother.
Just as the Raikage was inwardly mocking Uzushiogakure, a knock sounded at the office door.
"Enter!" came his rough voice.
A young man walked in, holding the hand of a child around ten years old.
The child kept his head down. His hair was white on one side, green on the other, and a deep sadness covered his face.
At the sight of him, the Raikage's expression softened.
"Fukai, what is it?"
The boy slowly looked up, tear streaks running down his handsome face.
"Uncle… my father… he can't hold on much longer."
The usually steadfast Raikage sighed deeply.
Two months ago, when Reiji provoked the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki into a partial transformation, Fukai's father—never a perfect host to begin with—had already been on the verge of collapse.
It was then that the Third Raikage ordered Fukai's father, his own cousin, to be moved into the Raikage Building.
He hadn't expected the man to deteriorate so quickly.
At that moment, the young man holding Fukai's hand suddenly spoke.
"Raikage-sama, I'm willing to take my brother's place and become the Eight-Tails' Jinchūriki!"
After a brief silence, the Third Raikage nodded.
Just then, another knock came at the door.
With permission granted, Amai entered the room, bringing Reiji with him...
"Raikage-sama, Raimei has arrived."
With that, he quickly scanned the room and stepped aside without another word.
All eyes turned to the silent figure standing in the middle.
Reiji, however, felt no fear.
He'd been to the Hokage's office plenty of times.
Now, the Raikage's office was officially unlocked too.
He couldn't help but joke to himself:
Why didn't they give me the ultimate check-in system? I'd crush it!
Still, joke aside, he didn't underestimate the Raikage's intelligence in the slightest.
Anyone who could lead a village might not be the most outstanding in any single area, but they definitely had no real weaknesses.
"Raimei, have you fully recovered?" Raikage-sama asked, not with sternness, but with surprising gentleness.
Reiji's eyes drooped as he gave a sluggish nod.
Seeing this, Raikage-sama frowned slightly.
If he remembered correctly, Raimei was supposed to be proud and confident. So why did he look so lazy and half-asleep?
"Didn't get good rest at the hospital?" Raikage-sama asked.
"No, I rested well. The doctors and nurses took great care of me."
"Then why are you dragging yourself around like this?"
At that, Reiji chuckled inwardly.
There it was—he knew Raikage-sama, being the straightforward type, would ask.
Looks like I've fully adapted to Kumogakure's way of thinking. I'm starting to think like them now!
With that in mind, Reiji knew it was time to show some energy.
He furrowed his brow, tightened his lips, and lit up his eyes. Staring down at his clenched fists, he said in a low voice,
"Because I need to save my strength... for training!"
The Raikage's eyes lit up instantly.
More than just acceptable, this answer hit the mark.
After all, as the toughest man in the village, he had no patience for sluggish, soft types.
To him, men of the Land of Lightning should embody thunder—fierce and full of fire.
"So, what are your plans now?" The Raikage asked, straightening his posture.
"Training! I'm still not strong enough. I need more—much more—training. I have to keep forging my body so I can stand in front of my comrades when it counts!"
The Raikage burst into booming laughter, clear admiration in his eyes.
He knew this kid had been permanently shaken by the loss of his comrades.
"Kid, do you want to become Raikage?"
Reiji firmly shook his head. Ignoring Raikage's brief look of surprise, he replied in a low, determined voice,
"I used to! But now... I'll carry Okufu's dream and become the village's strongest shield!"
He pounded his chest and let out a dramatic growl. It was so embarrassingly over-the-top, he wanted to curl his toes until he drilled a hole through the floor and built a three-bedroom apartment in it.
But he knew—damn it—Kumogakure loved this kind of energy.
Sure enough, the muscular Raikage roared with laughter, sprang to his feet, and strode over to Reiji.
His massive frame radiated pressure as he extended his fist.
"Come on, kid! Show me your resolve!"
Damn it! For the sake of Lightning Release Chakra Mode, let my chūnibyō soul burn again!
Long live youth!
Reiji clenched his fist and slammed it hard against the Third Raikage's.
At that moment, Raikage's overwhelming aura exploded. With a mighty punch, he sent Reiji flying straight into the wall.
Then he laughed heartily.
"Hahaha! Not bad! That's some real determination! Hahaha!"
Reiji dragged himself out of the wall, completely speechless.
He knew the Raikage hadn't meant to hurt him. If he had, half of Reiji's body would be gone by now.
Besides, what sent him flying was raw force—not sharp or violent.
So this... this is how the Raikage says hello, huh?
Even though he was utterly drained inside, Reiji forced a fired-up expression onto his face.
"Raikage-sama! I swear—I'll surpass you one day!"
And the moment he said it, he felt like he'd just swallowed dirt.
Was this what they meant by:
"I'm just trying my best to play my part, like one of those guests on a sappy variety show getting picked for fake drama~"?
Grimacing inwardly, Reiji silently opened his grudge notebook.
Hiruzen Sarutobi… Danzō Shimura! This is all your fault! You forced me to go undercover in Kumogakure and shatter every shred of my pride! I'll remember this!