[Naruto Grandfather] Chapter 86 - 90

Chapter 86

The auction hall was vast, with special private rooms reserved for the five major ninja villages. Despite Shin-Konoha’s disdain for these villages, appearances still had to be maintained.

In the Cloud Village Private Room

Yugito Nii sat beside Darui, while three other Jonin stood guard nearby. Darui, likely to become the Fifth Raikage in the future, looked tense. However, his strength was still lacking, hovering just below the level of an elite Jonin.

In Cloud Village, ninjas were known for their robust physiques, honed through rigorous training and Lightning Release techniques. Their formidable appearances spoke volumes about their strength.

“What do you think, Darui?” Yugito asked gently. Despite being the Two-Tails Jinchuriki, Yugito was known for her calm demeanor and kindness—a rarity among those who bore such a burden.

“We have to rescue the Fourth Raikage and Killer B,” Darui replied, his voice laced with frustration. “They’re integral to the village’s strength. No matter the cost, we must win this auction.”

The word auction left a bitter taste in his mouth. It was a humiliating situation for Cloud Village and, more importantly, for the Raikage. Darui clenched his fists, anger simmering beneath the surface.

“How much money do we have?” he asked, attempting to focus on the task at hand.

“We’ve brought 70 million ryo,” Yugito replied. “Of that, 20 million came from the Daimyo, who’s harboring a deep grudge against Shin-Konoha. After all, they destroyed the Daimyo’s mansion and captured our leaders. Shin-Konoha has made itself the Land of Lightning’s enemy.”

Darui’s palm slammed onto the table, shattering it. His anger was palpable. “They’ve pushed too far. This isn’t just about Cloud Village—it’s about the pride of the entire Land of Lightning.”

Yugito nodded, her expression grave. “I’m more worried about the others here. Look at those private rooms—and the crowd below. Most of them are here to undermine us.”

Darui followed her gaze, his eyes narrowing. Shinobi and dignitaries from various nations filled the hall, their intentions clear. The Land of Lightning’s rise to power had made many enemies, and now they were all eager to see Cloud Village falter.

“They wouldn’t dare challenge us outright,” Darui muttered. “Even without the Raikage and Killer B, they’d face the full wrath of Cloud Village.”

Yugito sighed. “Let’s see what happens. The auction is about to start.”

On the Main Stage

Tsunade stepped onto the platform to preside over the auction. Her presence immediately drew attention, particularly from Konoha’s representatives. Seeing Tsunade on Shin-Konoha’s side stung deeply, turning Konoha into an even greater laughingstock.

For once, Cloud Village and Konoha shared a rare moment of unspoken solidarity—both were humiliated by the unfolding events.

Wasting no time, Tsunade introduced the first auction item. The curtain parted, revealing the bound and visibly furious Fourth Raikage.

The hall erupted with murmurs and gasps.

“am I not the final item?” the Raikage growled, his face flushing with rage. “Are you looking down on me, Shin-Konoha?”

The Raikage’s shame deepened as he scanned the room, spotting familiar faces from across the ninja world. He wanted nothing more than to vanish. Or perhaps just end it all now, he thought bitterly.

Shin-Konoha is roasting both my dignity and Cloud Village’s reputation over an open fire for the world to see. Uzumaki Chito—you’re a cunning, despicable man.

From his unseen vantage point, Uzumaki Chito smirked. He could sense the Raikage’s seething hatred but paid it no mind.

In the Cloud Private Room

Darui and Yugito shot to their feet as the Raikage was paraded before the crowd.

“Shin-Konoha has gone too far,” Darui spat. The image of his once-unshakeable leader bound and humiliated filled him with rage.

“Calm down,” Yugito urged. “This is exactly what they want—to provoke us. If you act out now, they’ll have every excuse to capture you. Do you want to be the next auction item?”

Her words cut through his anger, chilling him to the core. The thought of being bound and displayed like the Raikage silenced him. He slumped back into his chair, his helplessness overwhelming.

Among the Crowd

The spectacle of the Fourth Raikage bound on stage ignited a wave of comments and whispers.

“That’s the Fourth Raikage? He doesn’t look so scary now.”

“Look at those muscles. Must be from Cloud's Lightning Release training.”

“They’re really auctioning off a Raikage? This is unprecedented.”

In Konoha’s Private Room

Danzo observed the scene with an amused smirk. “Impressive. The Fourth Raikage’s ability to endure this humiliation shows remarkable restraint. If he returns to Cloud , Shin-Konoha will face a reckoning.”

Jiraiya sighed, his expression grim. “Do you think they’ll come back for vengeance?”

Danzo chuckled. “Undoubtedly. Not everyone has the... tolerance of Sarutobi Hiruzen.”

Chapter 87

Jiraiya cast a long, contemplative look at Danzo. Despite the questionable methods he had employed in the past, there was no denying that Danzo had always prioritized Konoha’s survival above all else. In that moment, Jiraiya couldn’t help but wonder if Danzo as Hokage might not be the worst idea after all.

“Hehehe,” Danzo chuckled, his eyes scanning the auction hall below. “Let’s see who dares to provoke Cloud Village today. I imagine there will be a few surprises.”

Tsunade’s confident voice rang out across the auction hall. “The first item: the Fourth Raikage, A. Starting bid: one million ryo. Minimum increments of 100,000 ryo. Let the bidding begin.”

“1,100,000 ryo!” came the first bid, quickly followed by another.

“1,200,000 ryo!”

The bids rose steadily, but in modest increments. Watching from the stage, the Fourth Raikage’s face darkened with humiliation. Why is no one fighting for me? Where’s Yugito? Where’s Darui? Have they abandoned me?

The Raikage’s heart felt heavy. He had endured physical battles, but this emotional wound—being auctioned like a commodity—cut deeper than anything he had ever experienced.

The price crawled to 4.5 million ryo. Most bidders had fallen silent, and those remaining were clearly not from the major villages.

Uzumaki Chito, observing from afar, sneered. He knew exactly what was happening. The other ninja villages were colluding to suppress both Shin-Konoha and Cloud Village. By allowing the price to remain low, they hoped to humiliate Cloud while denying Shin-Konoha the financial benefits of the auction.

Tsunade, standing on stage, noticed the same thing. Thankfully, Uzumaki Chito had anticipated this scenario.

In the Private Room

“Kakashi, why isn’t anyone bidding higher? Is the Raikage really that unpopular?” Naruto asked, frowning.

Kakashi adjusted his mask thoughtfully. “It’s not about popularity. They’re trying to keep the price low so Cloud Village looks weak and Shin-Konoha doesn’t gain much money.”

Naruto’s brow furrowed. “So what do we do? More than four million isn’t enough to help the village.”

The door to their private room creaked open, revealing a figure in a black robe adorned with red clouds. Nagato sat in a wheelchair, with Konan gently pushing him forward.

“Uncle Nagato?” Naruto’s face lit up. Despite their complicated history, Naruto felt a kinship with Nagato, another member of the Uzumaki clan.

“Lord Chito invited us,” Konan explained with a faint smile. “It seems we’ve arrived at the perfect time.”

Down in the auction hall, a figure in the same red-cloud robe stood and raised his voice. “Fifteen million ryo!” shouted Hidan, his tone both reverent and enthusiastic.

The room erupted into whispers as the Akatsuki member boldly entered the fray.

Kakuzu, seated beside Hidan, sighed. “You’re bidding too high. Do you even understand how auctions work?”

Hidan scoffed. “It’s for Lord Chito. Money doesn’t matter.”

Kakuzu rolled his eyes but couldn’t argue. Ever since Hidan’s newfound devotion to Uzumaki Chito, he had grown both more zealous and, strangely, more powerful.

In the Cloud Village Private Room

Darui leapt to his feet, glaring at the Akatsuki member below. “What’s going on? Who are these people?”

Yugito placed a hand on his shoulder, her expression grim. “That’s Akatsuki. They operate out of the Land of Rain. Their members are rumored to be as strong as entire villages.”

Darui’s fists clenched. “What could they possibly want with the Raikage?”

Yugito’s gaze hardened. “I don’t know, but we can’t let them take him. The Raikage is more than a leader—he’s a symbol of Cloud's strength. Without him, our village’s reputation will crumble.”

“Fifteen million ryo. Going once... going twice—” Tsunade’s voice dragged out the tension.

“Twenty million ryo!” Darui’s voice cut through the hall. His heart sank at the amount, but there was no choice. Cloud Village couldn’t afford to lose.

Tsunade smiled slyly. “Cloud Village bids twenty million ryo! Are there any other offers?”

The room buzzed with renewed energy. Other villages, unwilling to let the Raikage return to Cloud unscathed, began bidding.

“Twenty-one million ryo!”

“Twenty-four million ryo!”

The bids climbed rapidly, reaching 34 million ryo. At that point, hesitation began to set in. For most participants, the cost of humiliating Cloud no longer seemed worth it.

“Thirty-four million ryo,” Tsunade called out. “Going once... going twice... sold!”

Aftermath

Darui and Yugito sighed in relief as the gavel fell. The Raikage was finally theirs again, though at an astronomical cost. The two shared a look of quiet determination. Cloud Village would never forget this humiliation—or the price they paid.

Onstage, the Raikage collapsed onto his knees, overwhelmed by a mixture of relief and shame. Thirty-four million ryo was a staggering amount, enough to strain Cloud’s resources for years. Meanwhile, Shin-Konoha would reap the benefits of the ransom.

As the hall began to empty, he resolve solidified. “One day,” he muttered, “we’ll make Shin-Konoha pay for this.”

The Raikage, though physically free, bore the weight of his village’s debt and disgrace. For now, Cloud had no choice but to retreat, regroup, and prepare for what lay ahead.

Chapter 88

Auctioning off me, enabling my sworn enemy to grow stronger, and then waiting for them to defeat me in the future.

The mood of the Fourth Raikage was utterly abysmal. If there were words to describe his frustration, they’d surely form an unending tirade of curses.

Having finalized the deal, the defeated Fourth Raikage was escorted away, but the shinobi from Kumogakure quickly tried to retrieve him. Their efforts were halted by Might Guy.

“What’s the meaning of this, Shin-Konoha?” Darui’s voice bristled with indignation as he prepared to confront Might Guy.

“Once the auction concludes, the Fourth Raikage will be returned to you,” Might Guy stated calmly, showing no signs of intimidation. “You just need to prepare the sum of thirty-four million ryo.”

Unfazed, Might Guy securely locked the Raikage in a specialized room crafted by Uzumaki Chito. The room had been designed to suppress the immense power of the Raikage, ensuring he couldn’t escape.

“Darui, listen to him. Come back when the deal is settled and take me home,” the Raikage instructed with an air of resignation.

The Raikage knew all too well that even the mightiest of dragons could not dominate a serpent in its lair, and Shin-Konoha was no ordinary dragon—it was a Leviathan.

“Yes, Lord Raikage. We’ll return shortly to retrieve you,” Darui replied with deference.

Casting a venomous glare at Might Guy, Darui turned and left the backstage, refraining from further outbursts.

Might Guy observed the scene with mild amusement. He had anticipated a confrontation with Darui, but the Raikage’s commanding presence alone had quelled any rebellious inclinations.

It was a testament to the Raikage’s leadership—a man of such stature could silence even the most defiant allies.

In the auction hall, the main event finally unfolded. Killer B, the Jinchūriki of the Eight-Tails, was led to the stage.

The room collectively tensed. Representatives of clans, great and small, as well as the shinobi from both major and minor villages, seemed to hold their breath in anticipation.

Compared to the volatile Fourth Raikage, Killer B was an entirely different allure. The crowd regarded him as a strategic asset—raw, untapped power.

The Eight-Tails was among the strongest of the tailed beasts, and Killer B was a living weapon. To those gathered, he was nothing short of a priceless treasure.

All eyes were locked on him, brimming with desire. Holding Killer B meant controlling immense combat strength, and even if Killer B didn’t cooperate, he could be replaced with another Jinchūriki.

To them, the tailed beast was what mattered—not the man who wielded it.

“The final item of today’s auction is from Kumogakure—the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki, Killer B!”

With a dramatic flourish, Tsunade unveiled Killer B, whose treatment thus far had been far more dignified than the Raikage’s.

Shin-Konoha’s Private Room

Upon hearing Killer B’s name, Nagato and Konan turned their attention to the stage.

“It really is Killer B,” Nagato remarked. “He’s the prey we’ve been seeking.”

Nagato’s thoughts briefly wandered to his original plan to capture the tailed beasts. However, after finding solace in the bonds he had formed in Shin-Konoha and the strength of Uzumaki Chito, the plan had been abandoned.

The Akatsuki had since evolved from a mercenary group into something far greater—a unified force. Konan, for her part, had solidified her position as the ruler of Amegakure, succeeding the late Hanzō of the Salamander.

Naruto, sitting nearby, looked puzzled. He had sparred with Killer B before and found him to be eccentric but harmless. Moreover, B’s contributions to Shin-Konoha’s reform programs had been exemplary—certainly better than the Raikage, who often shirked his responsibilities.

“Why do you want to capture Killer B?” Naruto asked, curious.

Nagato hesitated, his initial reaction tinged with vigilance. Then, shaking his head at his own paranoia, he replied, “I suppose there’s no harm in sharing.”

With a self-deprecating chuckle, Nagato explained, “My original goal was to collect the tailed beasts and summon the Ten-Tails. Through the Eye of the Moon Plan, I intended to use the moon to control everyone, forcing peace upon the world.”

“But I’ve abandoned that plan. I’ve come to believe that true peace can be achieved through Shin-Konoha’s ideals.”

Nagato’s voice carried a quiet hope as he added, “Naruto, don’t let me down.”

“You can count on me,” Naruto assured him. “Shin-Konoha will become a beacon of peace, bringing harmony to the entire ninja world.”

Nagato’s face softened, but his gaze drifted back to the auction hall, where the fervor over Killer B continued to escalate.

“If any of these villages gain control of the Eight-Tails’ power, it’ll only lead to more bloodshed,” Nagato said grimly.

Naruto grinned mischievously. “They can try, but they won’t succeed. The Eight-Tails is already with me.”

Reaching into his pocket, Naruto pulled out a peculiar, octopus-like creature. The small figure, resembling a bull with tentacle-like tails, blinked groggily.

“Oi, Naruto! Don’t take me out when I’m sleeping! I was having a great nap,” Gyūki grumbled, his voice laced with irritation.

Nagato’s jaw dropped. “Is that… the Eight-Tails?!”

Gyūki tilted his head, eyeing Nagato with mild curiosity. “Eight-Tails? I’d prefer eighteen tails! Twice as many as that fox, Kurama. But nope, Dad only gave me eight.”

Nagato looked between Gyūki and Killer B, utterly baffled. “But… isn’t Killer B the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki?”

Naruto smirked. “Not anymore. Grandpa Chito helped extract Gyūki. Killer B is just Killer B now.”

The revelation left Nagato speechless. Shin-Konoha had outwitted everyone without lifting a finger.

Meanwhile, the bidding war raged below, with the price soaring past thirty million ryo.

“Thirty-five million!” came a shout from Kirigakure.

The crowd was frenzied, each village determined to claim the prize.

Kirigakure, bolstered by its wealth, had no qualms about spending lavishly. Meanwhile, the combined forces of Sunagakure and Iwagakure, though less financially endowed, scraped together every resource they could muster.

Chapter 89

“Thirty-six million ryo!”

Following Kirigakure’s bid, Kumogakure immediately shouted out their offer, pushing their limit.

They had already spent 34 million ryo to reclaim the Fourth Raikage, leaving them with little to spare for Killer B. For the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki, they were now stretched thin and desperate.

“Should we just give up?” Darui slammed his fist onto the chair in frustration.

Bang! The chair shattered under his strength.

“There’s no other option,” Yugito Nii said somberly. “We don’t have enough to bid for Killer B.”

Her voice carried a note of despair. As a fellow Jinchūriki, she felt a deep kinship with Killer B. His current plight could very well mirror her own in the future.

“Thirty-seven million ryo!” Kirigakure raised the bid again without hesitation.

From the beginning, Kirigakure had calculated that Kumogakure wouldn’t be able to afford both the Raikage and Killer B. Their true target had always been Killer B, and they were now fully committed.

“Now Kumogakure is in trouble,” Yagura chuckled, glancing toward the private room where Kumogakure’s delegation sat. He seemed to relish imagining their helplessness.

“Lord Yagura, is this truly worth it?” Terumi Mei asked with concern. “Purchasing the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki isn’t financially viable for Kirigakure, and our village’s treasury is already strained.”

Yagura, who had been implementing increasingly bizarre policies, was already driving Kirigakure into decline. Talented shinobi were leaving the village in droves, and now this reckless bidding only exacerbated their financial woes.

“Since when do I need your opinion?” Yagura snapped coldly, his gaze icy. Whether Kirigakure thrived or faltered seemed to mean little to him.

Unbeknownst to those present, Uzumaki Chito observed Yagura from a higher perspective and noticed something unusual—a faint thread of chakra linking Yagura to another figure in the auction house.

That figure was none other than Uchiha Obito.

“Of course,” Uzumaki Chito murmured to himself, recalling how Obito had used genjutsu to control Yagura. It was clear he intended to win Killer B at the auction, likely to further his own schemes.

“This fool,” Uzumaki Chito muttered. “He doesn’t even realize he’s creating problems for himself.”

He quickly took action, contacting Obito directly. “Obito, have Yagura withdraw from the bidding immediately. Kirigakure has no need to get involved.”

Obito, taken aback by her tone, hesitated. “But, Lord Chito, I only wanted to—”

“Do it now,” she commanded sternly.

Frightened, Obito didn’t dare delay. Using his genjutsu, he ordered Yagura to cease bidding.

“Thirty-seven million ryo going once!” Tsunade called out from the stage.

“Thirty-seven million ryo going twice!”

“Wait!” Yagura’s voice rang out, halting the proceedings. “My apologies, Tsunade-sama, but I just realized we don’t have enough funds to cover our bid. May I retract it?”

The hall fell into stunned silence. Tsunade’s expression darkened. If she had known, she wouldn’t have entertained their bid in the first place.

A tense silence hung in the air until Uzumaki Chito’s voice resonated from all directions, cold and commanding.

“Do you think Shin-Konoha is a place where you can act as you please?”

“Do you think you can make a bid and then retract it at will?”

“This is the first and only warning. Kirigakure will be punished for this insult.”

His words carried an oppressive weight that bore down on everyone in the hall, suffocating them with dread.

In Kirigakure’s private room, the crushing pressure of Uzumaki Chito’s power brought everyone to their knees. Even the Three-Tails within Yagura recoiled in terror, unwilling to stir under his gaze.

Why did we have to encounter someone like him? the Three-Tails thought bitterly. It vividly remembered the fear of being subdued by Uzumaki Chito in the past.

Outside the auction hall, Obito writhed on the ground, overwhelmed by the pain of his punishment.

“Mom, why is that strange man rolling around on the street?”

“Don’t stare, dear. It’s probably some kind of performance art. Let’s keep our distance—his madness might be contagious.”

Obito groaned, questioning his life choices.

Back in the auction hall, the bidding continued without Kirigakure.

“Thirty-six million ryo going once!”

“Thirty-six million ryo going twice!”

“Thirty-six million ryo going three times—sold!”

“Congratulations to Kumogakure on winning Killer B!” Tsunade announced, her voice filled with satisfaction.

The auction concluded, yet the tension in the hall lingered. Those who had participated in the bidding now pondered the potential consequences.

Kumogakure had reclaimed both the Fourth Raikage and Killer B, leaving their strength intact. Anyone who had challenged them during the auction now risked retribution from the volatile village.

As the crowd dispersed in twos and threes, someone finally raised a practical concern.

“How are we supposed to leave?”

Smiling slyly, Tsunade addressed the departing guests. “The invitations were for the auction only, not the return journey. You’ll have to figure out your own way back.”

Her grin widened. After collecting a total of 70 million ryo, she was in an excellent mood. With that kind of money, she could indulge in several rounds of gambling without worrying about losses.

“Of course,” she added, “if you’d like to stay and explore Shin-Konoha’s shopping district, you’re more than welcome.”

Darui turned to the Raikage. “Lord Raikage, what should we do now?”

The Fourth Raikage, though still recovering, was unbothered. “We’ll leave once I’m fully healed. For now, let’s visit the shopping district. There’s no sense in leaving empty-handed.”

Having spent time in Shin-Konoha, he was well aware of the treasures hidden in its commercial streets.

Though Shin-Konoha wouldn’t make it easy for the Raikage to return safely, they wouldn’t allow other villages to harm him either. Uzumaki Chito’s strategy was clear—sit back and watch the chaos unfold.

The Raikage understood this but was powerless to change it. Shin-Konoha’s power was absolute, and Uzumaki Chito’s authority was unparalleled.

As the patriarchs of various clans toured Shin-Konoha, they found themselves awestruck by the enormous ninja academy.

“With a facility this large, how many shinobi is Shin-Konoha planning to train?”

Chapter 90

Many small clans and minor ninja villages lingered in Shin-Konoha for a while, observing its wonders, before finally leaving.

“What? That’s how much your ships charge?”

“Three times the usual rate?!”

“This is daylight robbery!”

Despite their protests, the ferry staff, led by Azuki working a part-time shift, responded with a calm smile.

“So, are you boarding or not?” Azuki asked, her demeanor unflinching.

“Of course, we are,” the travelers grumbled through forced smiles, hiding their frustration.

Internally, they cursed Shin-Konoha’s extortionate prices, but outwardly, they dared not challenge the village’s authority. Such was the reality under Shin-Konoha’s overwhelming strength.

In the conference room, the atmosphere was serious as the leaders of Shin-Konoha gathered.

“What about the others? Have they left yet?” Tsunade asked, addressing the group.

Nagato, a member of the Uzumaki clan, had been granted the privilege of attending the meeting.

“The Five Great Ninja Villages haven’t left yet,” Shizune reported, her tone composed. “And the Hyuga family remains here as well.”

Tsunade leaned back, frowning. “Interesting. They must have some plans for dealing with Kumogakure. Konoha, of course, has its own agenda, but the Hyuga family… could they be here for reconnaissance?”

“It’s unclear,” Shizune replied, furrowing her brow. “Hiashi has been wandering around Shin-Konoha with Hanabi, seemingly inspecting the village.”

“Inspecting?” Tsunade’s eyes narrowed before a sudden realization struck her.

Could the Hyuga family be considering joining Shin-Konoha?

Her expression darkened for a moment before she regained her composure. “No word of this leaves this room,” she instructed firmly.

The implications of a bloodline limit clan like the Hyuga family joining Shin-Konoha would be massive. Such a move would only further solidify the new village’s strength and reputation.

A knock at the door interrupted the meeting.

“What is it?” Tsunade asked.

“Cloud Village’s ship has departed,” came the quiet reply.

The leaders exchanged glances before another knock followed shortly after.

“Iwagakure and Sunagakure have also left.”

And then another.

“Kirigakure has departed as well.”

The room erupted in smiles. Everything was proceeding as expected.

“It seems the real game is about to begin,” someone remarked.

“Do you think Kumogakure can escape unscathed?”

“And why is Konoha still here? What are they waiting for?”

“Leave them be,” Tsunade said, dismissing the matter. “Konoha likely wants to observe their future opponents. They won’t interfere directly.”

With the meeting adjourned, Tsunade began delegating responsibilities. “Kakashi, Shin-Konoha is under your charge. Guy, ensure the academy opens soon. Naruto, you need to start preparing yourself for the responsibilities of Hokage.”

She turned her gaze to Naruto. “Write a detailed analysis of the Raikage auction—specific to the purpose and effectiveness of each strategy. Being Hokage isn’t just about strength, Naruto. You need to learn how to navigate political intrigue and leadership.”

Naruto nodded reluctantly, realizing the weight of his future role.

Elsewhere in Shin-Konoha, Jiraiya and Danzo wandered the streets, observing the layout and architecture.

“It feels just like the old Konoha,” Danzo remarked, his voice tinged with nostalgia. “It reminds me of when Hiruzen and I were young. The world was chaotic, but the village itself was united.”

“But this isn’t Konoha,” Jiraiya countered. “It may look similar, but our home is elsewhere. We should return.”

Danzo hesitated. “What if I applied to live here? Do you think they’d let me stay? I don’t need much—just a small shop to sell flowers and plants. That’s all this old man asks for.”

Jiraiya rolled his eyes. “You’re coming back with me, Danzo. No arguments.”

As they approached the village gates, they encountered Hiashi Hyuga preparing to leave.

“Hokage-sama,” Hiashi greeted them politely, his expression carefully neutral.

Jiraiya studied him for a moment. “Why hasn’t the Hyuga family left yet?”

Hiashi hesitated before responding. “Hanabi has taken a liking to Shin-Konoha and refuses to return to Konoha with me. I’ll have to head back alone for now.”

His tone carried an air of resignation. Family matters, no matter how personal, couldn’t always be concealed.

Jiraiya nodded, understanding the complexities of clan dynamics, while Danzo observed Hiashi with a sly, knowing smile.

The three men boarded the same ship to leave Shin-Konoha, each carrying their own secrets and suspicions.

From the horizon came a flash of fire, followed by the distant roar of explosions. The sounds of battle reached even Shin-Konoha.

“It’s begun,” someone murmured, watching from the shore. “Who knows who will emerge victorious?”

“No matter who wins, the casualties will be immense,” another replied. “None of the villages will miss an opportunity to weaken Kumogakure.”

Among the residents of Shin-Konoha, a collective desire stirred. “I wish we could see the battle up close. These are the strongest warriors from each village clashing.”

In their hearts, a question lingered. When will Shin-Konoha rise to become the strongest village in the ninja world, relying on more than just the power of Lord Chito?

At sea, the battlefield was chaos.

The Fourth Raikage stood on the deck of his ship, glaring at the two vessels surrounding him. His voice boomed with fury. “You’re provoking a war—an all-out ninja war!”

Yagura, wielding his crescent-shaped staff, sneered. “If we kill you here, there won’t be a war. Only peace.”

Though they were both Kage, Yagura was confident he could match the Fourth Raikage’s strength in combat. Moreover, he wasn’t alone.

On the second ship stood two more Kage: the ever-calculating Tsuchikage, Ōnoki s, and the enigmatic Deputy Kazekage, Chiyo.

“Do you think you can defeat me?” the Raikage roared, his pride refusing to falter even under such overwhelming odds.

Despite his bravado, the Raikage could feel the weight of the threat surrounding him. Even he had to admit—this time, the odds weren’t in his favor.