Kill Your Big Brother

Late spring of the 44th year of Konoha.

Kumogakure had suffered defeat in its war against Sunagakure, and its logistics force was suspected to have been wiped out by Sand Ninja who had infiltrated behind enemy lines. Not a single member of the entire logistics force had survived.

Although this heavy blow had left the Kumogakure Ninja furious, now... they had no choice but to sit down and negotiate amicably with Sunagakure.

It could be said...

Their plan to launch a surprise attack on the Land of Wind... had officially failed.

After all, the future Fourth Raikage had been sealed into a strange basin by Rasa of Sunagakure.

This was an extremely heavy blow to them. On top of that... although he had withdrawn behind the scenes, the Third Raikage had not yet abdicated and had forcefully ordered them to bring his son back. So... what else could they do besides negotiate?

Could they really just take him by force?

What if that sinister Sand Ninja—Rasa—decided to fight to the death?

Therefore, they had no choice but to compromise~

Killer B cheerfully led the Kumogakure Ninja into the temporary negotiation tent Sunagakure had set up. He seemed completely unconcerned about what might happen to his big brother.

If the Kumogakure Ninja behind him had not known what kind of person this idiot was, they might have thought he was happy to see his big brother captured so he could inherit his brother's position as Raikage.

And at this moment...

Rasa likewise brought the Sand Ninja to the temporary negotiation room. As one of the key figures responsible for bringing them victory... how could he not show up?

"Good morning, everyone!"

With a smile on his face and control of the proceedings, he directly beckoned the Kumogakure Ninja to take their seats.

This negotiation... would be led by the Sand Ninja.

After all, who could blame them when they had the Fourth Raikage in their hands?

"Come, come! Everyone, don't be nervous. Just make yourselves at home."

However, no matter how warm and hospitable he was, the group of bare-chested giants remained cold-faced. They even snorted, refusing to show the future Fourth Kazekage the slightest respect. The Sand Ninja, on the other hand, all wore cheerful smiles, as if something wonderful had happened.

As expected...

People really ought to smile more often~

That way... their moods would improve.

Fortunately, their chief negotiator, Killer B, was not a ninja who went around with a dark expression all day. If he did not break into a rap at a time like this... honestly, Rasa would have found it rather strange.

After all, dancing, singing, and rapping were Killer B's trademarks~

Rasa smiled at Killer B, who was wearing sunglasses and smiling as well. He gave a slight nod and said, "The Third Raikage chose you as the negotiator. It seems he truly picked the right person~"

If there was anyone in Kumogakure who would genuinely treat A well instead of blindly following ninja principles, it was probably Killer B and no one else.

Even the Third Raikage... if he had come in person, then when pushed past his limit, he might have chosen to uphold Kumogakure's dignity and abandon his own child.

After all, he was the Raikage of Kumogakure!

Sometimes... he had to put Kumogakure's interests first.

Perhaps it was precisely because he understood this that the old man had hardened his heart and chosen not to come~

"So... how have you considered it?"

Rasa was not anxious in the slightest. After capturing the Fourth Raikage and escaping from the battlefield, he had already seized the initiative. Unless... Kumogakure wanted to exchange him for another Fourth Raikage.

But that was impossible.

They had even abandoned the Kage of their own village. Did they want the other ninja villages to laugh at them?

Besides, Killer B, the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, alone was enough to make Kumogakure consider the matter carefully.

One had to understand...

Killer B was A's brother and A's Right-hand Man. If they abandoned the Fourth Raikage like this, would it make the Jinchuriki resent them? What if the Jinchuriki defected?

Moreover... even if they chose to abandon the Fourth Raikage now to protect the village's interests, the Third Raikage might not say anything, but... what about afterward?

Who could know what would happen?!

Every year, quite a few ninjas disappeared from the village under mysterious circumstances. Some might say... they had merely gone to carry out secret missions. But... who could guarantee that every one of them had really gone on a secret mission?

"So... shall we get straight to the point?"

However, just as Rasa finished speaking...

"Kumogakure guarantees that it will immediately withdraw its troops and will not hold Sunagakure responsible for the unjustified attack on our logistics force." Killer B continued smiling at Rasa. As he spoke, he even gestured with both hands. "Yo, the Fourth Raikage is..."

"Let's skip the improvised performance for now." Rasa hurriedly cut Killer B off. He rubbed his forehead helplessly and said irritably, "And as for this demand of yours..."

Hold us responsible?

Responsible for what?

It was clearly Kumogakure that had started this war, and now... they were blaming the Sand Ninja instead.

Rasa narrowed his eyes slightly as he looked at Killer B.

"Sunagakure must hold Kumogakure responsible for invading our country without cause."

Although... the Daimyo's Office of the Land of Wind was stingy and constantly caused trouble, they had to maintain a firm stance at a time like this. Otherwise... it would be easy for the other ninja villages to despise them.

Although Sunagakure was so poor that they did not care about being despised, if they showed their displeasure with the Daimyo's Office now, what if that brain-damaged Daimyo decided to replace them with another ninja village and then... requested Kumogakure's help in purging his domestic enemies?

Wouldn't that push them straight into the role of the villains?

At that point, this war would no longer be a war between invaders and resisters. It would become... the Daimyo's Office requesting a friendly foreign force to exterminate domestic rebels.

This was a testament to the friendship between the two countries!

"First... Kumogakure must withdraw its troops and announce its defeat in this war."

"Impossible! We Kumogakure Ninja have not been defeated. The fact that we're willing to withdraw is already giving you plenty of—"

However, Rasa did not give the burly ninja, who was probably one of Kumogakure's warmongers, a chance to continue. He cut him off directly and slammed his hand down on the table.

"Fine! Then go back and continue the war!"

If Sunagakure still agreed to fight them... he would definitely kill that A guy first.

Sure enough, as soon as he showed his strength, Killer B began rapping again.

This guy... couldn't he read the situation?

Fortunately, the Kumogakure side seemed unable to stand it either. They hurriedly dragged the previously defiant Kumogakure Ninja back and then... urged their own Lord Killer B to take things seriously.

They were negotiating here!

After seeing the negotiation room fall silent again...

Killer B looked helplessly at Rasa before spreading his hands and whistling, easing the frustration of having his artistic talent interrupted time and again. He shook his head and said, "The Kumogakure Ninja won't agree, and neither will the Third Raikage. Kumogakure has not been defeated!"

Declare defeat at a time like this...

Did the Kumogakure Ninja still want to keep their dignity?

However...

Rasa smiled at Killer B and likewise shook his head, speaking slowly. "No! You will agree. As long as you agree, that's enough."

"???"

"If you don't agree, I'll kill your big brother outright. Then we'll continue fighting!"

"..."