Hearing Mei's question, Naruto lifted his head as well.
"…"
Seeing that the attention was no longer on him, Hagoromo quietly shook his head and retreated back into Naruto's body.
Darui spoke slowly.
"I have two reasons."
"First, half a month ago, Uchiha Jin and the reanimated Madara Uchiha openly attacked the Cloud-Raikyo Gorge in Kumogakure."
"During that attack, Killer B had the Eight-Tails Gyūki extracted from him."
That incident had indeed been Jin's doing. There was no denying it.
Mei asked, "Then what about Killer B? Did he die?"
Darui replied, "No. Even he doesn't understand why he survived, but I suspect it has something to do with Gyūki's unique survival method."
Naruto added, "It wasn't just Gyūki!"
"From Shukaku of the One-Tail to Kurama of the Nine-Tails, every single tailed beast was violently taken by Uchiha Jin!"
Kurotsuchi nodded.
"Exactly."
Mei turned back to Darui.
"Lord Raikage, is the loss of Gyūki the reason you believe Uchiha Jin is the heavenly demon?"
Darui shook his head.
"No."
"My belief that Uchiha Jin may be the heavenly demon has nothing to do with Gyūki."
"It is based on Naruto's judgment."
"Naruto is someone whom both I and Lord Fourth Raikage held in the highest regard."
"If Naruto has reached a conclusion, then I take it very seriously."
Naruto was deeply moved.
"Thank you! Thank you, Darui! I won't let you down!"
Darui held up a hand.
"Don't make promises yet, Naruto."
"I said I take your judgment seriously."
"That doesn't mean I'm convinced you're absolutely right."
Kurotsuchi nodded.
"Exactly."
Mei pressed further.
"Then how do your two reasons connect to your decision?"
Darui continued.
"The loss of Gyūki is the first reason. It establishes an objective fact: Uchiha Jin has already invaded Kumogakure and harmed our interests."
"But my second reason is the true reason I've decided to march with Naruto."
He paused.
"It involves a very personal matter."
Mei nodded.
"Please, go on."
Darui's expression grew solemn.
"Uchiha Jin has a younger brother."
"His name was Uchiha Jin."
"Twelve years ago, Uchiha Jin married our kunoichi Samui."
"That same year, they had twins—Kazahana and Hanaka."
"The children concealed their Uchiha surname and lived in Kumogakure for five years."
"Seven years ago, Uchiha Jin died under unclear circumstances."
"Afterward, Samui formally relinquished her status as a shinobi and left the village."
"Her younger brother Atsui and the two children left with her."
Darui folded his hands.
"If all of that happened naturally, then as Raikage, I had no right to interfere. Every procedure was legal."
"But if Naruto is correct…"
"If Uchiha Jin truly is the heavenly demon from the Great Toad Sage's prophecy…"
"Then everything changes."
"Jin's death may not have been natural."
"And whether Samui and her family left of their own free will is no longer something I can confidently assume."
"If they were coerced…"
"If Uchiha Jin used threats, manipulation, or some kind of mental control…"
"Then the situation is entirely different."
He looked at the others with unwavering eyes.
"If Samui and her family are truly trapped inside that demon's nest, being held as hostages…"
"Then rescuing them is Kumogakure's duty."
"Whether we succeed is one matter."
"Whether we make the attempt is another."
"I trust you all understand the difference."
Mei nodded slowly.
"I see."
"So this is an act of duty toward former comrades who may have been taken against their will."
"In that case, I can understand your decision."
"But your reasoning still depends on Naruto's story being true."
Kurotsuchi nodded.
"Exactly."
Darui looked directly at Naruto through the screen, his expression grave.
"Yes. And that is why I want one final answer before I stand up and mobilize my forces."
"Naruto."
"Are you truly certain?"
"Is Uchiha Jin really the heavenly demon foretold by the Great Toad Sage?"
"If there is even the slightest doubt in your heart…"
"Tell me now."
"Because I, Darui, Fifth Raikage, carry the lives of twenty-seven thousand Cloud shinobi on my shoulders."
Naruto clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles whitened.
His eyes burned with unwavering determination.
"Yes."
"I am one hundred percent certain."
"Darui, thank you for trusting my judgment."
"And I deeply respect Kumogakure's sense of honor."
"Please rest assured."
"This campaign is aimed only at Uchiha Jin, Kaguya, and the reanimated Madara Uchiha and Obito Uchiha under Jin's control."
"Everyone else in the Hidden Dark Village—including the children living there—are people we intend to rescue."
"Of course…"
"That includes Samui, Atsui, their children Kazahana and Hanaka…"
"And even Uchiha Jin's own wife and daughter."
Naruto's voice trembled with emotion.
"I swear."
"I will save them all from Jin's grasp."
"When this campaign is over, Samui, Atsui, and the children will return safely to their home in Kumogakure."
"You have my word."
Darui nodded once.
"Then it's settled."
Naruto spoke with renewed vigor.
"The Hidden Dark Village lies in the unclaimed lands at the southwestern edge of the shinobi world."
"It can effectively be considered the gateway to the Land of Wind."
"Once your forces are assembled, gather in the Land of Wind."
Darui replied, "Understood. I'll begin mobilizing Kumogakure immediately."
The Kumogakure screen went dark.
On the Iwagakure screen, Kurotsuchi grinned inwardly.
This is getting interesting. It's been a long time since the shinobi world was this lively.
I'll bring everyone along to watch the show.
And maybe give Brother Jin and Brother Deidara a little surprise.
She shrugged.
"Well, it seems the overall direction is set."
"Iwagakure will participate as well."
Meanwhile, Mei thought to herself:
Jin isn't currently in the Hidden Dark Village.
And if Naruto truly becomes even stronger with Hagoromo's power…
Then things could become dangerous.
Whether this farce born from Naruto's stubborn conviction ends in bloodshed remains to be seen.
But if a real battle breaks out, the Hidden Dark Village may eventually be overwhelmed by sheer numbers.
And when that happens…
Kirigakure will support the Hidden Dark Village.
Mei smiled and said aloud:
"Kirigakure will also participate."
At last, the weight hanging over Naruto's heart lifted.
Everyone…
Thank you for trusting me.
I, Uzumaki Naruto, will not betray that trust.
I will lead us to victory in this war—
The Fifth Great Ninja War.
Enjoyed these chapters? Access 60+ ahead avanced chapters and exclusive content by visiting my Patreon. https://patreon.com/WillOFD129?