Chapter 140: Raikage, Have You Ever Known Defeat?
Under the Raikage's forceful command, even if the Cloud shinobi were unwilling, they had no choice but to obey.
Soon, Minato Namikaze, wearing heavy chakra-suppressing shackles, was roughly shoved into the room.
His once bright and cheerful appearance was now somewhat disheveled, covered in injuries, suggesting he hadn't had an easy time these past few days.
However, since his life wasn't in immediate danger, it was the best possible outcome.
Meeting Minato's gaze, Uchiha Kazuki nodded slightly in greeting.
"I'm sorry... I really didn't expect things to turn out this way." Minato's face showed deep guilt, his head hanging low, completely lacking his previous confidence—even his blond hair seemed to have lost its luster. "I'm truly sorry it came to this, and that I had to trouble you to rescue me."
The Raikage rested his elbow on his knee, hand supporting his chin, his gaze shifting between the two.
Though it was only a brief exchange, it was enough for him to extract useful information from their words.
"Excuse me, but your reunion is over." His deep, gravelly voice interrupted them as he slowly lowered his hand, straightening his posture until he sat ramrod straight—like an unsheathed blade, exuding overwhelming presence. His gaze locked onto Uchiha Kazuki. "I've brought the person you wanted. Now it's your turn to fulfill your end."
"To be honest, how do you plan to get me out of here?"
Minato smiled bitterly, glancing at the surrounding Cloud shinobi and the Third Raikage. His heart sank as he said, "Don't count on me. They've sealed my chakra pathways—I can't use the Flying Thunder God Technique to escape with you."
"Don't worry, I never planned to rely on you anyway."
Uchiha Kazuki slowly stood up from the chair, looking at the Raikage. "Once he leaves the Hidden Cloud Village safely, our deal will be complete. Agreed?"
"Fine."
The Raikage paused, his eyes narrowing dangerously. "But you... are not allowed to leave. You must stay here."
Even now, he still couldn't figure out what this young man was planning or how he intended to escape from right under his nose.
But as long as he prevented this man from leaving the room, the Raikage was absolutely confident he could keep him here.
"Of course—that's one of the conditions of our agreement."
Uchiha Kazuki spread his hands in acceptance, then said to Minato, "Did you hear that? You'll have to leave on your own. Remember to send me a signal once you're safely out."
"Wait—what about you? What will happen to you?" Minato frowned, looking at him with worry.
"I have my own way out. You don't need to worry about me."
Uchiha Kazuki gave him a reassuring look, then slowly walked over, intending to pat his shoulder.
In an instant, the Third Raikage appeared, seizing his wrist. His icy gaze blazed with killing intent. "Kid, you're still a hundred years too young to pull tricks on me!"
"Oh... so tense?"
Despite having his wrist gripped, Uchiha Kazuki showed no panic, instead replying jokingly, "Don't worry, I have no ulterior motives—just wanted to say goodbye."
But the Raikage clearly didn't believe this answer. He gave a meaningful smile. "The prerequisite for the Flying Thunder God Technique is leaving a space-time jutsu formula on the target's body. I won't take that risk and give you a chance to make contact with Minato Namikaze."
Minato's expression stiffened instantly, as if his thoughts had been exposed.
He had indeed intended to leave a Flying Thunder God marker on Uchiha Kazuki the moment they made contact, then use it to retrieve him after escaping the Hidden Cloud Village.
But unfortunately, the seemingly brutish Third Raikage was surprisingly perceptive, seeing through the scheme immediately.
"Since we've been found out, there's nothing we can do."
Uchiha Kazuki shrugged helplessly and sat back down in his chair. "Minato, it seems I'll have to let you go first."
"No—I can't leave you here alone!"
But Minato's personality made it impossible for him to accept this, and he shook his head firmly. "If saving me requires sacrificing your life, I absolutely refuse!"
"Don't waste any more time, Minato."
Uchiha Kazuki shook his head, then looked directly into his eyes. "Kushina is in the Hidden Cloud Village right now to save you. You should understand what that means, right?"
"What did you say?! Kushina... how could she possibly be here?!"
Minato was utterly shocked, his eyes wide with disbelief.
"Let her explain the details herself." Uchiha Kazuki, too lazy to elaborate, hit the important points. "Your mission is to take Kushina away from the Hidden Cloud Village as quickly as possible and escort her safely back to Konoha. As for everything else... that's not your concern."
Minato understood the critical importance of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, but precisely because of this, he found himself caught in another dilemma. "But... what about you?"
With his intelligence, upon learning that the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki was in the Hidden Cloud Village, he'd roughly pieced together the entire plan.
Uchiha Kazuki had used the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki and himself—one as bait, the other as a bomb—leveraging the entire Hidden Cloud Village as his trump card to force the Raikage to release him.
But once he and Kushina left, that fragile balance of power would instantly shatter.
Then, Uchiha Kazuki would have to face the Third Raikage and the entire Hidden Cloud Village alone!
"That's not important, Minato."
Uchiha Kazuki gazed at him with apparent affection, his tone carrying a hint of resolve. "In shogi, once the King is captured, the game is over."
"You..."
Minato paused slightly, his eyes beginning to well with tears.
"And I am merely a piece to be sacrificed."
Uchiha Kazuki continued, his voice subtly and gradually penetrating Minato's heart. "Protecting the King is what I should do. I hope you survive, and I hope you can fulfill your dream. Only then can the village—and our clan—perhaps usher in true hope."
Minato understood his metaphor, and the softest part of his heart seemed to be touched.
So what Kazuki had always longed for was reconciliation between the village and the Uchiha clan, and he was willing to give his life for it!
"Go, Minato."
Uchiha Kazuki urged again, his eyes softening. "Don't forget your mission—protect the village and Kushina!"
"I... I understand!"
Minato gritted his teeth, his eyes bloodshot. "I won't forget—I definitely won't forget!"
With that, he turned and walked toward the exit. Cloud shinobi tried to stop him, but the Raikage halted them with a single glance.
"I'll have Killer B and A follow him,"
The Raikage said calmly. "If I find out you haven't kept your promise, I'll kill him immediately."
"Fine—that's your prerogative."
Uchiha Kazuki sat calmly in the Raikage's seat, propping his cheek with one hand, and chuckled. "Since there's still some time before this concludes, Raikage, I'd like to ask you a question."
"Go ahead."
The Raikage said expressionlessly, sitting perfectly still. "Consider it a reward for having the courage to face me."
At that moment, Uchiha Kazuki suddenly raised his hand and removed his mask,
revealing a young, energetic, and arrogantly handsome face. He adjusted his glasses, and in his blood-red Sharingan eyes, the Raikage's figure was perfectly reflected. A confident smile played on his lips:
"Lord Raikage... have you ever known defeat?"
[End of Chapter 140]
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