Outside Kumogakure, the Hidden Leaf Village's forces had surrounded the village.
For some reason, however, they had not attacked immediately.
"Hyuga Takata, why are you stopping us?"
One of the Jonin leading the Hidden Leaf forces questioned a member of the Hyuga clan in confusion.
"Lord Sasuke seems to have reached some sort of agreement with the Raikage. We'd better hold off for now. Besides, Naruto's Shadow Clone is on its way."
Only then did the other Jonin relax their furrowed brows.
Before long, Naruto and the Raikage's secretary, Mabui, arrived.
Mabui explained the situation to the Kumogakure shinobi guarding the gate, while Naruto informed the Hidden Leaf shinobi.
The Hidden Leaf shinobi had no objections to the wager between Sasuke and the Raikage.
On the contrary, quite a few breathed sighs of relief.
If war really broke out, there was hardly any guarantee that no one would die.
If they could avoid fighting, all the better.
At the same time, they had never considered the possibility of losing. After all, this was Uchiha Sasuke!
No matter how powerful the Raikage was, he could never be a match for that monster!
"Doesn't that mean we've already won?"
"Exactly! Who would've thought we'd end up coming here just for a sightseeing trip?"
Some of the Hidden Leaf shinobi looked relaxed and let out long sighs of relief.
"What did you say?"
"Lord Raikage won't lose! Your Hidden Leaf shinobi will be the ones losing!"
The nearby Kumogakure shinobi overheard their murmurs and immediately began arguing with them.
The Hidden Leaf shinobi refused to back down, their voices every bit as loud as those of the Kumogakure shinobi.
After all, they had every reason to be confident!
And wasn't the same true of Kumogakure?
They had complete faith in the Raikage's strength