In the end, Raikage had no choice but to sit back down, looking utterly defeated.
What could he do? The situation was stronger than he was.
In terms of pure combat power, even combined, the two brothers were no match for Naruto alone.
Not to mention, B was now clearly on the other party's side, even secretly exchanging eyebrow raises and meaningful looks with Naruto while being scolded by his brother.
He wondered if these two Jinchuriki are still students who hadn't graduated from the Ninja Academy.
Actually, Raikage's thought wasn't entirely unfounded.
After all, technically, at the beginning of this year, Naruto indeed hadn't graduated from the Academy yet.
"Here, have something to eat. Don't keep such a stern face."
Fortunately, Jiraiya, being a seasoned veteran of the Ninja World, stepped in to smooth things over in time, handing a portion of food to Raikage.
Looking at the food in his hand, Raikage didn't overthink it and just started eating.
He wasn't worried about poison.
As Naruto said, with his strength, there was no need for such tricks. If Naruto had any ill intentions, he would already be dead.
Besides, he was genuinely hungry.
The Lightning Release Chakra Mode greatly enhanced his physical capabilities in a short time, but the cost was a significant consumption, not just of Chakra but also of physical stamina.
"By the way, I asked my Sensei to relay information to you. Didn't you receive it?"
Jiraiya spoke up, perhaps to break the ice or simply to gather some information.
He glanced at B, who had gone back to chatting with Naruto, before turning to ask Raikage.
"He came here on his own without authorization."
Raikage took a bite of food and then answered in a low voice.
Even if Konoha hadn't said anything, he wouldn't have let his brother leave Kumogakure.
Even in past battles where B's involvement was necessary, Raikage would deliberately draw the battlefield close to Kumogakure to prevent B from being too far away.
Ever since his father, the Third Raikage, died, he had resolved to protect B, the only person he acknowledged as 'family'.
Although they weren't related by blood, he truly treated B as his own younger brother.
Another point...
Was that he didn't really trust Konoha.
Of course, he wouldn't say that out loud here.
Perhaps Naruto happened to hear Raikage's response, as he suddenly turned to look their way.
"Right, since B is already here, it saves you another trip."
Naruto stood up and walked over to face Raikage.
"From now on, let B stay by my side."
"Huh?"
B was surprised, as Naruto hadn't mentioned this beforehand.
"Uzumaki Naruto! What are you trying to do?!"
Raikage flared up, his beard and hair seeming to bristle as he stood and roared at Naruto.
Even though he had been easily defeated earlier, he didn't lack the courage to fight again.
The only reason he hadn't attacked immediately upon waking was because B was in the other party's hands.
"Hey, look at you, getting impatient again."
Naruto felt somewhat helpless about this elder brother's hot temper. He reached out and 'gently' pressed Raikage's shoulder, forcing the grimacing Raikage back down into his seat.
"According to a reliable intelligence source… namely, this lady here."
With that, Naruto half-stepped aside, revealing a somewhat awkward and confused Konan behind him.
Frankly, she herself didn't understand how things had turned out this way.
'Even if he didn't kill me, shouldn't I be imprisoned? Why did it seem like this 'junior brother' didn't take our previous battle seriously at all?'
This wasn't entirely her fault.
After all, in this Ninja World full of 'destiny', 'hatred', and all sorts of complex emotions, everyone seemed to be a philosopher with their own belief.
Once their belief was opposed, peaceful coexistence became impossible.
But it wasn't like that on the high seas.
Whether it was fighting over prey or the conflict between pirates and Marines, often people would end up sitting down together for a drink or a party after a fight.
Except for some truly despicable scum, many men of the sea weren't opposed to sharing a drink with a respectable enemy.
Hey, even though we were trying to kill each other just yesterday, I think you're pretty alright, we're all buddies!
-That was roughly the feeling.
Naruto was like this, and under his influence, Sasuke and Karin were also trending in this direction.
Of course, the most affected was Konohamaru. The original Konohamaru already felt that the [Will of Fire] taught by Hiruzen was somewhat empty and hypocritical, and now, he completely disregarded it.
After establishing the credibility of the information source, Naruto proceeded to describe the abilities the mask-wearing man had displayed.
"His ability to ignore attacks is likely related to 'space'. B's brother, you felt it too when you fought him, right?"
"I have a name!"
Raikage first expressed his displeasure at Naruto's form of address, but then followed his words and recalled the battle.
'Indeed, that ability was particularly troublesome for a close-combat fighter like me.'
"If he could infiltrate once, he could potentially do it a second time."
"Last time the target was to lure you out. Next time, he might directly target B."
Naruto's words weren't without reason, but based on this alone, it was impossible for Raikage to hand over his village's Jinchuriki.
Seeing that the other party still intended to refuse, Naruto rubbed the space between his eyebrows, and his expression suddenly turned stern.
"I think there aren't many places in the world safer than by my side right now. Do you understand what I mean, B's brother?"
Then, Naruto simply laid his cards on the table.
"Actually, I'm not really asking for your opinion."
"That guy still wants to target the Jinchuriki."
"The Jinchuriki aren't getting proper protection in their villages, and I need to gather the other Jinchuriki to 'lure' that guy out."
Naruto slowly crouched down, looking Raikage directly in the eyes, his presence intensifying.
Although he didn't release his Conqueror's Haki, the pressure was still overwhelming.
"Don't judge by appearances, my fishing skills are quite good, you know."
This statement made Sasuke, who had just woken up, inwardly disagree.
He had seen Naruto sit empty-handed by the waves in the Land of Waves for an entire day.
"For you, the Jinchuriki are the 'ultimate weapons' of your village, so you can't easily hand them over."
"I understand."
"However, in my view, they are also people, just like me, and their comings and goings should be free."
"Besides, having these weapons or not makes no difference to me."
Actually, after all was said and done, strength was the most critical factor.
If anyone else had dared to say these things in front of Raikage, he would have already struck them down with his Lariat.
Naruto also seemed unaccustomed to speaking such long paragraphs to others.
After saying this, he sat back down and began drinking by himself.
"B, what's your take on this?"
Raikage looked at his brother, wanting to hear B's decision.
If B decided to return, then even if it cost him his life, Raikage would take him away.
"Brother, I... I also think this is better."
B knew deeply that if even someone of Naruto's strength couldn't catch that guy, then neither he nor Raikage would be able to either.
Rather than letting other villagers become casualties of the battle, it was better for him to stay by Naruto's side. He could then return after the mysterious masked man was dealt with.
After all, he knew Naruto wouldn't restrict his freedom.
"Is that so..."
Looking at B, who had already made his decision, Raikage fell silent for a few seconds, then nodded, stood up, and prepared to leave.
"Oh, right, B's brother, doesn't your village also have the Two-Tails? Nii Yugito, right? Remember to have her come to me as soon as possible too. Don't let her get captured."
"Or I can go to your village to pick her up."
Naruto suddenly spoke up, addressing Raikage, who was already walking into the night.
Hearing this, Raikage stumbled, then turned his head to glare angrily at B. He didn't need to think to know who, besides himself, here knew the identity of the Two-Tails' Jinchuriki.
However, the angry expression on Raikage's face didn't last long before it was replaced by another look.
He looked at Naruto and said, "Fine, I'll have Yugito come."
"But if I remember correctly, Iwagakure seems to have two Jinchuriki as well. And the Fourth Mizukage of Kirigakure, Karatachi Yagura, he's also a Jinchuriki."
Raikage's words were almost an explicit hint. After saying this, he truly left without looking back.
Hmph!
'Since we in Kumogakure won't have our Jinchuriki, then none of you should have yours either.'
Raikage might not concede on other points, but he had to concede to Naruto's combat power.
He believed that with Naruto's strength, forcibly taking the Jinchuriki from that old fox Tsuchikage wouldn't be difficult either.