[Kirigakure | Mizukage Tower | Council Chamber]
The towering halls of the Mizukage Tower thrummed with quiet tension.
Mei Terumi, Fifth Mizukage, stood at the head of a wide circular table. Around her sat trusted advisors — veterans of Mist's long years of civil strife, now charged with charting a path toward peace.
A courier scroll lay open before them — its contents delivered by hawk mere hours ago.
Mei's sharp green eyes narrowed.
"So… Raiga Kurosuki has been killed."Her voice was calm, measured — but the room stiffened.
She tapped the scroll with a manicured nail."By a Konoha genin, no less."
A ripple of surprise spread through the council.
"Lady Mizukage," one elder ventured, cautious, "Raiga was a dangerous rogue. His death spares us great embarrassment. As for the child—"
Mei's gaze sharpened."That child possessed the strength and instinct to cut down one of the most brutal Seven Swordsmen this village has ever produced. Do not dismiss that lightly."
Silence.
She gestured to another report lying beside the first."But more importantly—look beyond the kill itself."
She tapped the parchment again.
"The boy did not steal the Kiba blades. They are secured and are being formally returned. Konoha could have kept them—claimed them as spoils, or handed them to their own swordsmen."
Another pause.
"Instead…" Mei allowed a small smile, "…they send them back. Openly. Diplomatically."
The council exchanged glances.
"An inexperienced genin and a mid-ranking jōnin carrying such symbols of trust… this is no mere errand."Her tone softened, thoughtful."It is a message."
An elder frowned."Are we certain it is not bait?"
"If it is," Mei replied lightly, "it is masterfully subtle bait — and one I intend to handle with equal care."
She straightened.
"Dispatch an envoy to meet them at the Frost border town. A trusted one — not an armed squad, but a diplomat. We will formally accept the blades and open dialogue."
A murmur of agreement rose.
"Let Konoha know," she continued, "through this gesture, that the new Mist will not be ruled by ghosts of the past."
An aide inclined his head."Who shall lead the envoy?"
Mei's eyes gleamed with resolve.
"Chōjūrō will lead. Ao will observe discreetly. I trust their judgment."
She exhaled softly.
"Naruto Uzumaki… a boy who slew Raiga, and then extended an open hand."A faint smile played at her lips."Perhaps… one worth watching."
[Kumogakure | Raikage's Office]
Lightning flickered beyond the tall windows of the Raikage's tower.
A, the Fourth Raikage, loomed behind his desk — arms folded, gaze intense.Before him lay a fresh intelligence scroll, unfurled across polished wood.
Darui and C stood at attention as its contents were read aloud.
"…Raiga Kurosuki — eliminated in Kaigan, Land of Fire," C reported. "Source: Konoha field report. The killing blow delivered by… Uzumaki Naruto."
The name hung in the air like a spark waiting to ignite.
A's brow furrowed."Uzumaki… Naruto?" He shot C a sharp glance.
C nodded."A genin. No record in foreign files. Barely mentioned even in Konoha's open dossiers."
Darui added:"He is a jinchūriki. Host of the Nine-Tails."
That made the Raikage still.
"No one briefed me that the Nine-Tails jinchūriki was being deployed."
C exhaled."Until now, the boy was unknown — never deployed beyond Konoha's borders… until this mission."
Darui continued, voice steady."Now, following this, Kiri is sending an envoy. Their new Mizukage appears inclined toward peace — sparked by the boy's actions."
A's expression darkened.
"One genin kills a Swordsman of the Mist… and shifts the balance of nations?"
He began to pace.
"We failed to secure the Uzumaki bloodline years ago. And now Hiruzen has raised one beneath our notice."
His fists clenched.
"A jinchūriki — young, untested — unknown to us until now."
Darui spoke carefully."With respect, Raikage-sama… we know little of his full abilities. This could be a fluke."
A shook his head."No. Jinchūriki do not fluke their way through a Swordsman of the Mist."
He stopped abruptly.
"Begin full intelligence sweep. Everything — age, team, instructors, clan ties. Friends. Weaknesses."
Darui and C exchanged glances.
C asked quietly:"And if he proves valuable?"
A's mouth curled in a cold smile.
"Then Kumo must act. Persuade… if possible."A pause."Take… if necessary."
His gaze shifted toward the storm beyond the tower windows.
"The Nine-Tails is too dangerous a weapon to remain in Leaf hands alone."
Darui exhaled."Understood."
As the storm raged over the mountains, Kumo's ambitions stirred once more — centered now on a single name:
Uzumaki Naruto.
[Capital of the Land of Fire | Daimyō's Estate | Audience Chamber]
The late-morning sun cast long beams across the ornate chamber of the Fire Daimyō's estate.
At the head of the lacquered hall sat Lord Hachirō — a man of elegant age, sharp gaze belying the softness of his silken robes.
Before him knelt two high-ranking Konoha envoys — summoned to report.
Among them stood Homura Mitokado, voice measured as he unrolled a scroll.
"…and in conclusion, the actions of Uzumaki Naruto — genin of the Leaf — resulted in the death of Raiga Kurosuki, a former Seven Swordsman and missing-nin of Kirigakure."
He glanced up.
"Subsequently, Kiri has dispatched an official envoy seeking diplomatic talks. The Mizukage herself appears inclined toward peace."
Silence.
The Daimyō tapped a long finger against his chair's armrest.
"A genin," he murmured. "And this boy… he is the Kyūbi jinchūriki, is he not?"
Homura inclined his head."Correct, Lord Daimyō."
Hachirō sat back, gaze sharpening.
"I have heard of this Uzumaki child. Much scorned and hated once… and yet now he brings opportunity."
He exhaled slowly.
"The death of such a rogue as Raiga is no small matter — nor the chance to ease relations with Kirigakure."
Another pause.
"This Uzumaki… does he understand what waves he has set in motion?"
Homura allowed a faint smile."Perhaps not fully, my lord. But his instincts serve Konoha well."
The Daimyō steepled his fingers.
"Good. His potential must be nurtured — not squandered. Konoha's young must not be underestimated."
He turned to an attendant.
"Prepare a formal letter of commendation to the Hokage. The boy's actions serve not only the village, but the Land of Fire."
The attendant bowed.
The Daimyō's gaze grew thoughtful.
"And if Kirigakure indeed seeks rapprochement — we shall support these talks. A treaty would benefit not only the ninja… but the entire land."
He looked once more at Homura.
"Tell the Hokage this: the Fire Daimyō watches with approval. And he watches with great interest the rise of Uzumaki Naruto."
His gaze drifted to the ancient portrait hanging behind the dais.A faint smile touched his lips.
"Perhaps… the age of change is closer than we think."