Konoha's main gates.
The air was heavy as iron, seemingly frozen solid.
Fourth Raikage A, looking like a muscular iron tower, stood right in the exact center of the gate. He didn't even intentionally do anything, merely letting his signature Lightning Release Armor activate as feral blue arcs of electricity danced wildly across his bronze muscles, emitting a terrifying and crackling sound.
That was not the pressure of chakra, but a pure, physiological sense of oppression. The Konoha ninja on guard duty around him felt like small boats in a tempest; even breathing became difficult, and their hands gripping kunai were slick with cold sweat.
Behind the Raikage, Darui—his most trusted right-hand man with a lazy yet sharp demeanor—and C, whose sensory abilities were peerless, flanked him on either side with wary expressions, pushing this tense atmosphere to its absolute peak.
Amidst this suffocating standoff, a figure slowly walked out from inside the village.
"Commissar!"
Naruto did not wear combat gear, dressed only in ordinary orange casual clothes. There was not the slightest flicker of chakra fluctuation about him; with his hands tucked into his trouser pockets, his pace was unhurried, and his expression was as calm as someone going out for an after-dinner stroll.
On one side was a thunderous, lightning-shrouded muscular monster.
On the other side was a breath-free, leisurely strolling neighborhood youth.
This extreme and vivid contrast made everyone present's heart leap into their throats.
"You're Naruto Uzumaki?"
Clearly, this youth-like person did not match his imagination.
The Raikage's voice boomed like a thunderclap exploding right beside everyone's ears. His hawk-like eyes scrutinized Naruto from above.
"That's me. The neighbors and townspeople know me very well; you can ask them one by one," Naruto said with an unruffled expression.
Naruto's relaxed attitude gave the Raikage a brief