Was he putting on that imposing, domineering stance to raise the morale of his troops after their repeated defeats? It seemed the Third Raikage had vaguely sensed what was about to happen!
No wonder he had seen through my true plan! Looking at the Third Raikage before him, whose domineering aura was beginning to show, Chiba—wearing an expression that said, "I no longer wish to fight, nor do I need to"—grew slightly solemn, carrying a trace of gravity.
Still, he truly deserved to be the leader of a village. Like the Third Hokage, the dominance and majesty of one long in a position of power could not be worn away by any number of defeats!
Merely changing his stance gave people the feeling that the man before them could never be brought down! However, compared to the Third Hokage, the Third Raikage's leadership was more outwardly expressed, while the Third Hokage possessed a kind of majesty hidden beneath calmness. Yet either kind could give one's own people the strength to see hope in desperate circumstances.
This was what they called leadership charisma, wasn't it? Although my combat strength may catch up to theirs, I'll never possess that kind of charisma! As his expression settled, this thought surfaced in Chiba's heart, and he could not help but feel deeply impressed by the Third Raikage.
"First, there is no longer any need for us to fight. That is something we both agree on, correct?"
Then, with a grave air about him, he raised his hand a little higher, further demonstrating that he had no intention of continuing the battle.
"Of course!"
Hearing this, the Third Raikage immediately nodded. He understood very clearly that there was no meaning in fighting now. Even their earlier life-or-death battle seemed meaningless when it had failed to