Half an hour later, Tobirama sensed that Hashirama hadn't budged for quite some time. Using the Flying Thunder God Technique, he teleported over—only to find Hashirama pinned immobile beneath the crushing weight of the Gracious Deity Gates!
"Big Brother… what on earth happened to you?!" Tobirama blurted out in shock.
Hashirama beamed, cheeks flushed with excitement. "It was Madara's dōjutsu! You wouldn't believe it, little Tobi—[details omitted for brevity]… Oh! Never mind that, hurry and get me out of here! Something big's about to go down!"
"You and Madara really are a pair of tragic brothers—both getting caught by your own signature jutsu, one after the other. Talk about embarrassing…" Tobirama shook his head, freed Hashirama from under the Gracious Deity Gates, and immediately activated the Flying Thunder God Technique, whisking them both back to the Hidden Rain Village.
Naruto wasted no time convening an emergency meeting.
After laying out the events in the Land of Water village, Hashirama was visibly agitated. "Madara is planning to target the Daimyo of the Land of Water! We have to stop him, or the entire nation will descend into chaos—and that could become the spark that triggers another Great Ninja War!"
This was no exaggeration. The balance among the Five Great Nations was already precarious; a single upheaval could set off a chain reaction, with other countries seizing the opportunity to strike.
Hashirama's expression was grave. "Now that Madara has the Rinnegan, only you can stop him, Naruto!"
Naruto stroked his chin, calm and thoughtful. "Since this happened on Water Country's territory, it wouldn't be proper for us to intervene unilaterally. Here's what we'll do: send confidential letters to both the Daimyo's mansion and Kirigakure, explain the situation, and let them prepare in advance…"
Hashirama shot to his feet. "But—"
Tobirama placed a steadying hand on his brother's shoulder. "Relax, big bro. If Naruto isn't panicking, why should you?"
"Sigh…" Hashirama could only sit back down, defeated.
Tobirama continued, "There's no point worrying about this now. What's done is done."
After the meeting dispersed, Tobirama found Naruto in private, getting straight to the point. "Playing by the rules like this isn't your usual style. What's your real plan?"
Naruto smiled. "Of course we're going to intervene to keep the ninja world from descending into chaos. The real question is when and on what terms. Our involvement needs to be above reproach."
He leaned against the railing, gazing into the cloudy sky, his eyes deep and calculating.
"If we just bail out the Land of Water, not only will they fail to appreciate it, they'll brand us as meddlers in their internal affairs—helping them for nothing and getting blamed for our trouble."
Tobirama nodded. "That's… actually pretty logical."
Naruto's eyes sharpened. "So, we let them come to us for help. Once they formally request our aid, we can set the terms—money, land, resources, whatever benefits us. One thing's for sure: we're not doing this for free."
Tobirama eyed him meaningfully. "And if they refuse to offer anything? Would you really watch them burn?"
Naruto grinned. "Of course not. For the sake of the bigger picture, I'll step in no matter what. But as long as they believe we might leave them to their fate, our leverage is secure."
Tobirama looked away, a hint of admiration in his tone. "You really are shrewder than big brother. Serving as the head of little old Hidden Rain is beneath you. Once things settle down, you should return to Konoha as Hokage. Both big brother and I would back you."
Naruto waved him off with a laugh. "I've already achieved my dream of being Hokage. This time, let someone else chase that dream."
Tobirama said nothing more.
On the way back, Tobirama asked, "How confident are you in stopping Madara?"
Naruto considered. "Seventy percent."
Tobirama frowned. "That's twenty percent less than I'd hoped."
Naruto explained, "With the Rinnegan, Madara can contest me for control of the Gedo Statue."
Tobirama countered, "Isn't that overthinking it? Neither of his original Rinnegan are in his possession—they're both with you."
Naruto shook his head. "I'm not the original owner, so the ocular power is diminished. Both eyes together might barely equal one of the original's."
"But Sasuke'sRinnegan is a superior one. It's not quite the equivalent of two, but at least one and a half. Madara, as Indra's reincarnation, is essentially the original owner. So, one and a half versus one—unfortunately, I don't have the upper hand. That missing twenty percent is the scenario where Madara seizes the Gedo Statue."
Tobirama pressed, "So you're just leaving this vulnerability unchecked?"
Naruto replied, "I've taken some precautions. Obito used Kamui's space-time jutsu to reinforce the Four Red Yang Formation. At the very least, Madara can't just summon the statue away. Of course, nothing's foolproof—if his ocular power is strong enough, cross-dimensional summoning is still possible…"
He half-closed his eyes, voice low. "If I want to seize absolute initiative, I need to awaken my own Rinnegan."
"In another month, the White Snake Sage will be off traveling. Indra's original blood is still sealed in that mountain wall. She's hinted that when she leaves, I can go claim that blood myself. That's my best shot at gaining Indra's power…"
Tobirama mused, "So for the next month, the ninja world will be teetering on the brink of war…"
Naruto replied, "Yeah. The tides of the world—long divided must unite, long united must divide. Whether we wish for it or not, the turning point is right in front of us. All we can do is fight for every advantage."
Screech!
Messenger hawks, swift as lightning, crossed great nations in a day. The confidential letters arrived in no time.
Land of Water, Daimyo's Mansion
Daimyo Uesugi Kenshin summoned his advisors for an emergency nighttime council.
Seated on a southern cushion, fan in hand, his small eyes swept the room. "Just now, Hidden Rain sent an urgent message—claims that Uchiha Madara is coming for your heads. Well? How credible do you find this?"
The advisors exchanged bewildered looks, muttering among themselves.
One finally spoke up. "Daimyo-sama, with all due respect, that letter is utter nonsense!"
Uesugi Kenshin had already made up his mind, but feigned uncertainty. "Oh? Why do you say that?"
After all, this way, if things went wrong, he wouldn't have to take the blame.
The advisor continued confidently, "That Uzumaki Naruto is a rogue ninja from Konoha, usurped the Hidden Rain leadership, caused terror in the Land of Lightning, and is widely recognized as a villain. Rumor has it he's the current Akatsuki leader. Why trust anything he says?"
Uesugi Kenshin covered half his face with his fan, feigning doubt. "That's true, but I can't see what he'd gain by lying so obviously…"
The advisor replied, "It's simple—spread panic here so he can exploit the chaos. That's his benefit!"
The other advisors chimed in:
"Exactly, that's how it is!"
"And besides, Uchiha Madara has been dead for ages! How could a corpse crawl out of its coffin? Pure delusion!"
"Daimyo-sama, there's no need to worry. The mansion is heavily guarded, and Kirigakure's elite jōnin are on standby. The Mizukage herself is at your disposal. Even if Madara were some ancient demon, he wouldn't stand a chance!"
Uesugi Kenshin didn't immediately respond. Instead, he glanced toward the end of the table at Nakafu Ōtsubaki, who had remained silent. "Nakafu, don't you have a relative named Nakafu…?"
Nakafu Ōtsubaki's face twitched, but he quickly composed himself. "No, I don't. Nakafu is a common Water Country surname. Lots of people have it."
"Oh, is that so…" Uesugi Kenshin continued, "The letter says this all started because a Nakafu led a massacre in a village, and now they're coming for payback. I thought maybe it was aimed at you. After all, I've heard rumors about you abusing your position, but I just listen, nothing more…"
"Such slander! My loyalty to you and the Land of Water is unwavering. If I've done anything shameful, may lightning strike me down!" Nakafu Ōtsubaki declared, though his legs were trembling under the table.
He cursed his cousin for making a mess and ignoring his warnings.
Uesugi Kenshin nodded. "Well… I still think the letter is alarmist, but just to be safe, let's send a squad of personal guards to check things out."
Half an hour later, a shocking report arrived!
"What… all annihilated?!"
Clatter!
Uesugi Kenshin's fan dropped to the floor.
Every advisor fell silent.
"Where's the Mizukage? Get her here to protect me—now!"
"It'll be dawn at the earliest before she can arrive from Kirigakure!"
"Daimyo-sama, a personal letter from the Mizukage has arrived!"
"Hurry, let me see it!"
The letter read:
To the Honorable Uesugi Kenshin,
By the time you read this, I will have already set out with a rescue team. But if the threat truly is Uchiha Madara, I fear even I will be powerless and can only stand with you to the end.
I urge you to seek refuge at once, and to request immediate aid from Uzumaki Naruto of the Hidden Rain Village. When Kirigakure was in crisis, it was Naruto who saved us. In this moment of life and death, do not hesitate!
Fifth Mizukage, Mei Terumī
After reading, Uesugi Kenshin barked, "Send word—no, beg the Rain Village chief Uzumaki Naruto for help! Tell him that whatever he wants—money, land, manpower—I, Uesugi Kenshin, will agree to anything!"
Hidden Rain Village
Upon receiving the Daimyo's desperate plea, Naruto stood and began to pack.
Konan eyed the letter, her brows furrowing. "The Daimyo's promise is awfully vague—money, land, people, but no specifics. Shouldn't we settle the terms before acting?"
"That vagueness is perfect. It means we get to name our price, high or low, as we see fit…"
Naruto donned his flame-patterned cloak. Konan stepped forward to straighten his collar.
Rumble… Lightning flashed and thunder boomed outside the tower.
A fierce grin spread across Naruto's face. "Let's go. It's time to meet 'A-ban'…"
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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