Pain's Doubts

Samui still looked cool and businesslike. Her fair face betrayed little emotion, as though the Canopy Screen were discussing someone who had nothing to do with her.

But her lips were pressed slightly tighter, and a fleeting warmth shone in her blue eyes.

The way her gaze shifted when it happened to pass over Darui gave her away. She was far from unmoved.

The Fourth Raikage took in both his adopted son's embarrassment and Samui's subtle reaction. He burst into hearty laughter and clapped Darui hard on the shoulder.

"Hahaha! That's my boy! Looks like I can trust you with the village in the future, and you've sorted out your personal life too! Samui, I'll leave this lazy kid in your hands. Keep him in line!"

Darui grew even more embarrassed. Samui merely inclined her head and replied in an even voice.

"Lord Raikage, it's too early to discuss that. Right now, analyzing the information about the future shown on the Canopy Screen matters more."

Samui stepped forward and pointed at the Canopy Screen, which had yet to disappear completely. Her voice was clear and steady.

"Lord Raikage, Darui, there's one crucial question."

"From what the Canopy Screen showed us, future Kumogakure had Chakra Cannons on this scale and organized units equipped with Scientific Ninja Tools. Yet it still chose to form the Four-Nation Alliance before daring to challenge Konoha. That tells us something."

She paused, then stressed her conclusion. "Future Naruto Uzumaki's personal strength may have reached the terrifying point where he could subdue the entire Shinobi World on his own."

"Otherwise, why would we still fear him so much in the future, even with our highly developed military?"

Darui's lazy expression vanished. He frowned. "So the future Nine-Tails Jinchuriki grew that powerful?"

"Then should we..." A ruthless glint