Inside the Hidden Cloud Village office, the Raikage stared at the intelligence report on his desk, impatience flickering across his muscular features.
"When did such a powerful organization appear in the Shinobi World? What exactly are they trying to do?" he demanded, then slammed his fist onto the desk.
Mabui, his secretary, rubbed her forehead with a patient hand. This was the fifth desk damaged this month.
"Raikage-sama, this is the fifth desk this month. The cost will be deducted from your salary," she said matter-of-factly.
Mabui's calm presence always unnerved him—not because she was beautiful, but because she handled affairs with an unshakable poise that left no room for bluster. She meddled in matters he would rather solve with force, and that only gave him a worse headache.
But there was no time to indulge petty gripes.
"Mabui, how do you think we should respond?" The Raikage, blunt and quick to anger, was already sizing up the Umbrella Organization's threat. Their rapid rise rivaled the influence of the Five Great Nations.
With the Konoha incident, the Umbrella had been fully exposed.
Mabui's expression turned serious. She saw further than most.
"Raikage-sama, this group is not simple. Their ambitions are vast, and they pose a grave threat to the Shinobi World. They stayed hidden for a long time, but now they have erupted."
She paused, choosing her words.
"From our intelligence, their layout is deep. Reports from infiltrators in the Hidden Mist indicate that the largest trading concern on the market—the Seven Colors Trading Company—is likely tied to the Umbrella Organization. The Mist may be only a cooperative front; the Umbrella put them on the surface to draw attention."
The Raikage was no fool. Mabui's analysis made the scale of the danger clear.
"Heh. The Shinobi World is restless again. Notify the other Kage—I'll call a Five Kage Summit… no, a Four Kage Summit. Konoha has probably already thrown in with the Umbrella."
Fourth Raikage A tapped the badly cracked desk once—too hard—and the furniture collapsed in a final, tired shudder.
Mabui only nodded and left, unbothered by the wreckage. At that very moment, a message reached the Umbrella: Gaara had sent word. The Raikage planned to convene a Four Kage Summit.
Uzumaki Naruto read the scroll without changing his expression. He had expected this.
"It seems the Great Nations have noticed us," he said. "Shisui, your thoughts?"
Naruto tossed the scroll to Shisui, who caught it without ceremony. He skimmed the contents and then replied slowly, "The strength we revealed has alarmed them, but it's not yet enough to trigger a full-scale war."
"Besides, the Great Nations are not united; they watch one another. With Gaara present, any attempt at a coordinated strike against us will likely fail."
"At worst, we can expose the Akatsuki to draw attention away from ourselves. That would force a three-way standoff. The Five Great Nations have many internal problems—they won't unite unless pushed by a very strong external force."
Naruto eyed Shisui, impressed. "You're getting sharper. You already think like a leader. Becoming a Kage wouldn't faze you."
Shisui smiled faintly but remained practical. Naruto continued, his tone cool and methodical.
"Acting through the Daimyōs is simpler. We can pressure the villages economically—send merchants, control supplies—the taxes and trade ties will force their hand. Nobles protect their interests; they won't allow their ninja to start a needless war."
"Not all war is fought with blood and blades. There's also economic warfare."
"That's why, even though our resources are sufficient, I keep opening shops and tying merchants to our chariot. Control the supplies, and you control the war."
Shisui, more versed in conventional tactics than in Naruto's broader schemes, nodded. "Supplies. If a war of attrition begins, logistics decide the outcome."
"Exactly. Supplies determine victory."
"By controlling thirty percent of the market's food supply, we've secured an unshakable position," Naruto said calmly.
"The rest is divided—some in the hands of the daimyō and their nobles, another portion with the common people, and only about ten percent with the shinobi villages."
He paused for a moment, his gaze steady.
"In the short term, without absolute certainty of victory, the other hidden villages won't dare to act rashly."
"Besides," Naruto continued, "even if we have the capability to challenge the Five Great Nations, now isn't the time. Without overwhelming force, any large-scale war would only cause needless bloodshed and deepen the suffering across the Ninja World. That's not what we seek."
He looked toward the horizon. "Our ultimate goal is a unified and peaceful Ninja World—not one left in ruins and soaked in grief."
Shisui felt a surge of respect as he listened.
With Naruto's current strength, he could likely match an entire Great Shinobi Village on his own.
But Shisui understood what Naruto meant better than anyone. He had lived through war—seen how it tore families apart, leaving behind only emptiness and despair.
"Even if we're destined to stand on opposite sides one day," Naruto said quietly, "we can at least ensure that fewer people suffer… and that peace isn't built on pain."
"I understand," Shisui replied, nodding firmly. His admiration for Naruto only deepened.
Naruto's vision—his ability to see beyond power and battle—was something Shisui could only look up to.
Meanwhile, far away in Sunagakure, Gaara received a sealed letter bearing Naruto's mark. The contents were encrypted—meant for his eyes alone.
After reading it, Gaara's expression softened, as if he had come to a silent understanding.
"So that's how it is…" he murmured. Then, looking toward his escort, he said, "Maki-sensei, let's go."
Maki, now serving as Gaara's personal guard, gave a short nod.
To guard a Kage was no small task—and Maki's strength was proof enough of that.
...
TN:
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