The Raikage's eyes widened in disbelief. "Are you serious?"

  Naruto turned his head slightly and replied, "Absolutely. In front of all the Kage here, do you think I would dare spout nonsense?"

  "Mmhmhmhm…" The Raikage ched his fists tightly. In the end, his for his brother's safety outweighed everything else.

  Crack!

  The Lightning Release Chakra Mode dissipated as the Raikage prepared to leave. Before departing, he left behind a harsh warning: "Naruto Uzumaki, I'll let you off the hook for now! But Uchiha Sasuke has stained his hands with the blood of Kumogakure! If he falls into my hands, I swear he won't leave alive! And you… you'd better watch yourself!"

  Naruto responded with a meaningful smile. "Very well, I look forward to it…"

  This was no mere pleasantry. Iure, Naruto would cross paths with the Raikage many times. In faot long after, they would engage in an epic battle of taijutsu in the secret grounds of Kumogakure, the "Valley of Hell."

  ōnoki adjusted his Tsuchikage hat and sighed, "Well, this was quite the show. Worth the trip. Who knows when the Five Kage Summit will be…"

  Mei Terumī's charming eyes shifted toward him. "Tsuchikage-sama, are you heading back already? Since you're here in the Land of Iron, why not experiehe famous hot springs? They might even help with your back pain."

  "Wow!" Kurotsuchi's eyes lit up, clearly tempted by the idea.

  Hot springs were not exclusive to the Land of Iron, but in this frigid climate, they were particurly appealing.

  ōnoki replied thoughtfully, "Hmph. With so murest in the Shinobi World, I 't shake the feeling that there are forces stirring in the shadows. I'd better return to the vilge to keep watch…"

  After all, Danzō had mentioned during the summit that the leader of the Akatsuki was Uchiha Madara. That cim was uo be baseless.

  The name "Madara" alone was enough to send ripples through the world.

  Mei Terumī's expression also turned serious.

  ōnoki's tone grew grave. "Danzō's disgraceful escape today has surely jeopardized his position as Hokage. But we 't rule out the possibility of him res to other schemes. I propose we Kage jointly petition the Daimyō of the Land of Fire to impeach him. What do you think?"

  Mei Terumī nodded. "I'm more than willing. The ideology of Root poses a threat to the is of the Land of Water…"

  "…" Gaara silently observed Naruto, his gaze plex.

  Temari pced a hand on his shoulder and whispered, "No matter what, he's now a rogue ninja of Konoha. You're the Kazekage. Remember your position."

  "Yes, I uand…" Gaara turned away relutly, silently hoping: Naruto, I hope that one day, you'll tell me what truly happened.

  Unnoticed by most, Suigetsu had already slipped away with Jūgo.

  Apart from Naruto, Konan, and Orochimaru, the only ones left were Mifune and his samurai, along with the Konoha delegation.

  Naruto turo Mifune. "Mifune-sama, I apologize for the trouble caused today. I still have matters to discuss with the Konoha ninja. Could we impose on your hospitality a little longer?"

  Mifune replied, "You must leave the Land of Iron by midnight at the test."

  Naruto nodded. "Thank you…"

  "…" Mifued with his men. The samurai, who had long maintained a ral stan the Shinobi World, adhered to their code of Bushidō more out of survival than principle.

  As long as their is were not threatehey preferred not to meddle in the flicts of ninja. Yet Mifune was a man of great vi. In a previous life, when Obito decred war during the summit, Mifune had led his samurai to join the fight against the Akatsuki for the sake of the world's safety.

  For this reason, Naruto maintained a basic level of respect for him.

  Orochimaru, ever perceptive, spoke up before Naruto could. "Naruto-kun, I'll excuse myself for now…"

  Naruto replied, "Go ahead. Wait for me at the usual spot. I'll be there shortly."

  Konan and Orochimaru left.

  With everyone else gohe snowy field became eerily quiet, save for the crag of bck fmes. Perhaps it was the psychological effect of the fmes, or perhaps it was the tension of fag his former lover and rades again, but Naruto wiped away a bead of sweat.

  The Konoha delegatio a simir sense of loss.

  Naruto's deliberate refereo them as "Konoha ninja" during his versation with Mifuung deeply. It sighat Naruto had formally severed ties with them.

  The atmosphere was heavy. No one spoke.

  Hinata, in particur, seemed utterly dejected, her shoulders slumped and her face obscured by shadows.

  Whoosh!

  In the sky above, a rge bird dissolved into ink as Sai nded, supp Shikamaru, whht leg was in a cast.

  Sai, known for his ck of social awareness, bluntly asked, "Where is Danzō-sama?"

  Naruto answered without hesitation, "He's alive. I inteo kill him, but Sasuke appeared and wao take revenge himself. However, Sasuke refused to use me as a tool for his vengeance, so we let him go."

  "!" The sheer weight of this revetio everyone momentarily stunned.

  Shikamaru, the sharpest among them, quickly pieced things together and asked pointedly, "No matter what, Danzō is still the Hokage right now. By attag him, you've pced yourself in direct opposition to Konoha, haven't you, Naruto?"

  Naruto's gaze darkened, but he soon steeled himself. "That's correct."

  "You idiot!!!" Sakura could no longer tain her anger. She stepped forward and delivered a powerful punch.

  Naruto could have dodged, but he chose not to. He was sent flying by the blow.

  Crash!!!

  Sakura lu him, grabbing his colr and shaking him violently. "Do you even know what you're saying?!"

  Naruto replied coldly and calmly, "Haven't I made myself clear enough?"

  Sakura grew even mitated. "Liar! Where is the Naruto who was always so determined a his promises? Where is the Naruto who dreamed of being Hokage?!"

  Naruto g Hinata, atg in pain, and swallowed his own bitterness. "That was then. This is now…"

  Shink! Sakura drew a kunai and pressed it against Naruto's neck. "Don't joke around! Do you believe I'll kill yht here and now?!"

  Everyone knew Sakura wouldn't actually harm Naruto.

  She lowered the kunai, her fragile emotions breaking through. Tears welled up in her eyes as she said, "Naruto, just tell me the truth. Is this because of that promise you made to me? Did it put so much pressure on you that you ended up like this?"

  This was the only reason she could think of for Naruto's betrayal.

  "No," Naruto denied immediately.

  How could it be for such a childish reason?

  "There are many things that 't be expined in a few words, Sakura. I hope you won't ask anymore. One day, you'll uand…"

  "I don't want to wait for that day!!" Sakura cried, tears streaming down her face. "Then what if I told you that the promise doesn't t anymore? What if I begged you to e back to Konoha?"

  Naruto replied, "I refuse."

  Sakura's voice trembled. "Then what if I said… the one I love isn't Sasuke, but you?"

  "…" Naruto remained silent.

  Sakura had said the same thing years ago. Back then, even though he knew she was lying, it had still shaken him. But now, he was no lohe same boy.

  Her words stirred ions in him. Yet he knew Sakura's heart was in the right pce. She was desperate and out of options.

  "Enough, Sakura. Don't say such childish things. There are too many things in this world that her you nor I ge. Don't fet, we are shinobi—those who endure and move forward."

  Naruto's voice was low as he pced a hand on Sakura's shoulder aly pushed her away.

  "…" Sakura stood there in a daze. The sudden distand unfamiliarity in Naruto's demeanor left her at a loss.

  But Naruto's words, though directed at Sakura, carried a deeper meaning.

  If Hinata were to beg him like this, Naruto feared he might lose his resolve.

  "Haah…" Naruto exhaled deeply as he stood up, brushing the snow off his clothes. Then, he began walking toward Hinata…

  AnnouSorry for being te, everyone! Here's the weekend update. I'm currently preparing my Patreon el, and you're all wele to check it out and share ygestions!