Yugito focused her attention on her Kage.
"The Two-Tails and Naruto's Nine-Tails both sensed that guy didn't feel like the true Madara Uchiha. They could sense something familiar, but if it really was Madara Uchiha, I don't think he would have run from Lord Raikage."
Madara Uchiha was famous for loving battle and showing off his strength. He had no interest in hiding or sneaking away. If that man truly was Madara, with his power, he definitely could have easily defeated both Naruto and Yugito—and he wouldn't have wasted time escaping either.
The name "Madara" alone was a weapon in itself. For someone who claims to have "abandoned everything," what better identity to steal than that of one of history's strongest shinobi?
"I will dispatch a unit to pursue that man," Gaara said, turning toward his desk—only to remember he'd already overturned it.
Mariko watched him helplessly as Gaara marched straight to a sandbag and punched it into pieces.
"Now, let's head to the Frost Country first and end this fight!"
Mariko turned around, facing Naruto directly, and began explaining the upcoming operation plan.
"Konoha has broken through the enemy lines. With the intelligence you provided, we can concentrate our strength on eliminating the enemies in the southwest. Then, we can deploy part of our forces to reinforce your western front, where Pain leads the Amegakure army."
"First Sanshouo Hanzo, now this Pain…" A muttered as he returned to the table and sat down. "Amegakure certainly knows how to produce troublesome ninja. Still, I appreciate Hanzo more… Though I'm not exactly fond of mass slaughter either."
Despite suffering heavy losses during their first encounter, Naruto wasn't afraid of Pain—regardless of whether he possessed the Rinnegan or not.
Pain's attitude really unsettled Naruto. He always seemed consumed by a pain deeper than anyone Naruto had ever known. What did he want to do? Spread his pain across the entire world? Force everyone else to suffer as he did?
That's ridiculous.
"No matter how strong he is, he must have a weakness," Naruto said, crossing his arms with a frown.
He remembered his only encounter with Pain and everything that followed.
"Someone who claims to be a god and dares to start a world war—who even is he? Usually people like that are deeply unsatisfied with themselves, believing everything they do is justified. Arrogant fools like him always end up as failures."
Of course, that didn't mean he wasn't dangerous.
A gave Naruto an interested glance, while Mariko and Yugito were taken aback by Naruto's sharp words.
Naruto truly hated Pain.
Perhaps it was because Pain had defeated him and he'd held a grudge ever since, or perhaps there was something deeper behind it. Maybe both.
In any case, Naruto had successfully completed this mission.
"You did well, Naruto Uzumaki. Thank you for safely bringing Yugito back," A grumbled.
Several ninja from Kumogakure entered and set down a new table, replacing the one A had smashed over earlier.
A didn't even blink at the change.
"The problem now is how to get you safely back to Konoha. Of course, you're welcome to stay here just like Yugito stayed in Konoha before."
Upon hearing this, Yugito's eyes lit up.
The thought of Naruto staying with her, enjoying her hospitality until she was ready to rejoin the war effort made her heart race.
Of course, she had no intention of letting him go so easily—though she doubted he'd mind much anyway. She'd find a way to make him want to stay.
Naruto hesitated for a moment too—"Lady Tsunade *did* say I should take some proper rest…"
But he couldn't bring himself to do that. Even if it meant taking a nice break, how could he just sit back and rest while his teacher, his old Root comrades, and his longtime friends were still fighting on the battlefield? Not to mention—he was supposed to be this great warrior everyone had high hopes for. Well…maybe those expectations were just too heavy to carry.
"Thank you for your kindness, but I really must return. Right now, Kumogakure needs Yugito now, and I can't just stand idly by while my comrades fight."
The war had already broken out in full force now, so returning to Konoha through Frost Country wouldn't be easy at all.
"That settles it!" A slammed the table with a massive noise.
These tables must've been specially made for this hotheaded Raikage—at least they could survive A's daily "abuse." "We'll send an escort to take you back."
Naruto and Yugito exchanged stunned glances, while Mariko awkwardly scratched her cheek.
"There's no need to go to trouble. I can find my own way back," Naruto said.
"That's final. End of discussion," A growled, leaving no room for argument.
The Raikage was famous for his stubbornness and iron will—and he had the strength to back it up.
"We'll arrange a ship to take you south, skirting around those islands. This way, you won't be attacked by enemies at sea. Then we'll have you land in Frost Country, which is much closer to the territories controlled by Konoha."
With Frost Country—the land between the two great ninja villages—now under control of their allied forces, things had gotten much easier.
The Northeastern Alliance was busy dealing with ground combat and had absolutely no time to monitor maritime activities, let alone send people to intercept their ships.
This actually sounded like a solid plan. Naruto was used to relying on his own strength when traveling. Even though he could enter Sage Mode and fly at maximum speed through the air, long journeys still exhausted him greatly.
If he didn't get enough rest, he wouldn't be ready for new missions as soon as he got back to Konoha. But now, he could relax aboard the ship, rest well during the trip, and return to Konoha in peak condition once they reached shore. That way, he'd be battle-ready the moment he stepped foot back in Konoha.
"Alright then, Lord Raikage," Naruto said gratefully, a warm smile on his face. "I'll follow your arrangement."
******
Jiraiya hoped Naruto had already reached Kumogakure safely and was well clear of the battlefield. However, he hadn't heard from the recon units that had infiltrated deep behind enemy lines, so he assumed Naruto was still en route.
In another week, Konoha's army would arrive at Shimogakure. He hoped to wipe out the enemy in a single decisive blow.
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