Naruto gave them no time to react. He stepped forward, his blazing gaze fixed on the Raikage.
"Lord Raikage, think about it. Who stands to benefit the most? Once Konoha and Kumogakure go to war and the Shinobi World falls into turmoil, the only ones who profit will be those organizations hiding in dark corners, unable to see the light of day!"
His words rang out with conviction, directly branding C's intelligence as "vicious rumors" and instantly turning himself from a criminal awaiting judgment into a victim being plotted against by the same "mastermind behind the scenes" as Kumogakure.
"You are the leader of Kumogakure, a hero of immense importance in the Shinobi World. Surely you would not be swayed by such flawed false intelligence and make a decision that pains your loved ones and delights your enemies, would you?"
Naruto lifted his chin slightly, his eyes filled with the sincerity of someone saying, "I believe in you."
That left the Raikage, A, completely over a barrel.
Did he believe C's intelligence? Of course he did! But without clear evidence, could he admit it?
If he admitted that he believed it, he would be confirming that he was a "foolish leader swayed by rumors." He lacked even that much judgment, yet had come all the way to Konoha to demand answers. It would be a complete joke.
But if he publicly denied it, then his entire reason for standing here today would vanish. Was he supposed to lead his men back in disgrace? Where would that leave the Fourth Raikage's dignity?
He was trapped between a rock and a hard place!
More importantly, he truly feared that old bastard Ōnoki of Both Scales.
Every major nation now possessed some of Konoha's intelligence from the Land of Hot Water. Every major