"Those were my words."
The Fourth Raikage's expression froze for a moment, then he burst into laughter.
Dodai wore a thoughtful expression, seemingly considering whether it was feasible.
Only Yugito's mouth twitched slightly as she gave Neji a look of disdain. "Neji, what's wrong with you? Why do you like older women?"
Neji shook his head solemnly. "Yugito, what are you talking about? I'm doing this for the village."
Yugito glared at Neji, looking like she didn't believe a word of it.
Then she muttered that she should have known sooner.
Weren't Uzumaki Kana and Yakushi Nonō both examples?
At that moment, Dodai said, "Lord Raikage, Neji really is the best choice."
"I think so too." The Fourth Raikage narrowed his eyes in thought for a moment, then slowly nodded.
Given their status, he and Killer B might have seemed like the most suitable candidates.
But everyone knew that the AB brothers weren't interested in women.
They'd married and had children only because their clans had expected it of them, to continue the family line.
The AB brothers couldn't bring themselves to take advantage of a widow.
Neji was different.
Neji had made the greatest contribution to successfully turning the Uchiha against Konoha.
As far as the village was concerned, Neji had made an outstanding contribution and deserved a reward.
As far as the Uchiha were concerned, Neji had rescued them from a crisis.
Now that Neji had taken the initiative and made a request that wasn't unreasonable, he, as Raikage, couldn't refuse.
It would also give them a reason to approach the Uchiha.
Neji was the village's rising star and the future Fifth Raikage. He was worthy of Mikoto.
By every measure, it was a good match.
The Fourth Raikage had another, more private reason for supporting it.
The