"But these two can't die, and I won't kill them either."
Uzumaki Kuming looked at Uchiha Itachi and Kakashi, who were sitting cross-legged before him, and voiced the thoughts he had kept buried in his heart. Itachi looked confused when he heard Kuming say that, while Kakashi wore an expression of understanding. He wasn't surprised by what Kuming had said.
"Why, Master? Aren't they our enemies?"
Itachi had never encountered matters like this before, and he was still somewhat naïve about them. Kuming glanced at him, then turned to Kakashi, who sat beside Itachi, and asked with a smile:
"Kakashi, from your expression, it seems you have some thoughts. Go ahead and share them."
Kakashi nodded. He knew Kuming was giving him a chance to prove himself. Though Kuming had phrased it as a question, it was undoubtedly an opportunity for Kakashi to make an impression.
"I think their identities are what give Lord Kuming pause."
"The Raikage and his younger brother, Killer B, hold high positions in Kumogakure. And I've heard that their clan, the Yotsuki Clan, is Kumogakure's foremost clan. It has produced two consecutive Raikage, so they wield enormous influence among the Cloud Ninja."
"From what we heard in the meeting just now, although the Raikage and his younger brother have personally taken to the battlefield this time, their goal probably isn't simply to invade the Land of Fire."
"If they meant to invade, the border forces wouldn't stand a chance against the Cloud Ninja troops led by the Raikage himself. But so far, the other side hasn't made any major moves. They've only killed our scouts."
"Their real goal is probably to test us."
After finishing, Kakashi looked at Kuming. He now understood why the Raikage had led the Cloud Ninja in only killing Konoha's scouts.