A stood off to the side, supported by Hidden Cloud medical ninja. The wound in his chest had received emergency treatment and was tightly bandaged. His face was pale, but he remained conscious.
After hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's words, he fell silent for several seconds, then turned to Dodai beside him and said, "Send someone to fetch the money."
Dodai nodded and turned away to make the arrangements.
Three hundred million ryo was no small sum for Hidden Cloud's finances, but given the Raikage's temperament, he would never go back on a promise made in public.
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded, then glanced toward Mirai.
Mirai was standing nearby, talking to Kushina. Sensing his gaze, he looked up, and their eyes met for a moment.
"Mirai," Hiruzen Sarutobi said, "the second part of the wager-the two gifted ninja-is yours to choose."
Mirai walked over with Kushina.
His gaze rested on A for a second, then shifted to Dodai before returning to Hiruzen Sarutobi, the faintest hint of a smile on his lips.
"I've chosen the first," Mirai said. His voice was quiet, but everyone present could hear him. "Yugito."
The Raikage's brows snapped together.
"Yugito was already Hidden Cloud's Two-Tails jinchuriki-" A was only halfway through his sentence when Mirai raised a hand and cut him off.
"Lord Raikage, before the wager, she was your jinchuriki. I have no objection to that.
But now she's a registered Konoha ninja, with an identification number, a file, and the Hokage's seal."
Mirai spoke at an unhurried pace. "Since we're following the terms of the wager, I'm formally declaring my choice now-the first slot goes to Yugito.
From this day forward, Hidden Cloud may not claim that Yugito is a Hidden Cloud ninja in any form, for any reason, or through any channel. She belongs to