Raikage A's Moment of Triumph

Only after Hiruzen Sarutobi spent a long time calming him down did Minato Namikaze regain his composure.

Minato's mind was in turmoil. On one side were the wife and child he loved.

On the other was the village, leaving him

more shaken than he had ever felt in his life.

At that moment, Minato had truly lost his usual calm.

So many conflicting thoughts churned inside him that he was close to losing control.

He kept trying to quiet the turmoil in his heart.

But in the end, Minato let it all burst out.

He strode to the window and roared, "I don't care who that person is. If I ever learn who killed my wife and child in the future,

"I, Minato Namikaze, will tear them to pieces."

"Tear! Them! To! Pieces!"

"I, Minato Namikaze, can die.

"But if anyone dares touch my wife or child, I don't care who they are. They'd better be ready to pay with their life."

At that moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally understood one thing.

Minato Namikaze was undoubtedly a worthy Hokage.

But

he was also a worthy father and husband.

Watching Minato gradually calm down, Hiruzen thought, Tsunade, Jiraiya, Konoha has fallen into such chaos.

Are you two still holding a grudge against this old man?

Hyuga Clan Compound

Hizashi Hyuga watched Hyuga Hiashi on the screen.

When he saw the decision his elder brother made at the end, Hizashi

could no longer hold back his tears.

He turned to young Neji and said, "Listen carefully, Neji. No matter what happens in the future,

"if anything happens to me, it will be because I chose it myself.

"Never hurt anyone because of what happened to me."

Young Neji was already sobbing uncontrollably. He had just watched the father he admired most die.

How could he not be heartbroken?

But even at his age, Neji understood that his father had made the choice willingly.

He had also seen how much pain the future clan leader was in.

Hizashi Hyuga is my father, but he's also Hyuga Hiashi's own younger brother.

Having understood it all, young Neji turned to Hizashi and said with resolve, "I'm going to get stronger, Father.

"I'll become so strong that no one will dare set their sights on the Byakugan again.

"And I'll protect Lady Hinata."

Hizashi looked at his thoughtful son with pride. "Good!"

"That's my son."

"Get some proper rest these next few days.

"Tomorrow, I'll take you to see your little sister."

Young Neji looked at him in confusion. "Father, I have a little sister?"

Hizashi stroked Neji's head fondly and explained, "Lady Hinata has already been born.

"She must be a little over a month old by now..."

Hearing that he meant Hinata, young Neji nodded happily.

"All right, Father."

Hyuga Main Family Compound

In the meeting room, the elders cursed furiously. "Hiruzen Sarutobi, you've brought shame on us!"

"What an utter disgrace!"

The elders continued to curse Hiruzen Sarutobi...

Then Hyuga Hiashi's firm voice rang out. "I expect you to do everything I just told you.

"I will not allow Neji Hyuga to be branded with the Caged Bird Seal."

The second elder of the Hyuga Main Family rose to object. "Have you lost your mind, Hiashi?

"Can't you see that child's potential?

"If he gains power, the situation could spiral beyond our control.

"Have you forgotten that his future self spoke of wiping out the Hyuga?

"That boy is a ticking time bomb, and he's extraordinarily gifted."

At that moment, Hyuga Hiashi was nothing like his usual accommodating self.

He spoke with a firmness that brooked no refusal. "This is the Hyuga,

"not the Uchiha.

"I am the clan leader, and my word is an order. If Neji Hyuga

"still harbors those thoughts in the future, I will take full responsibility.

"Of course, I'll take Neji with me before I die.

"If anyone objects again,

"don't blame me for showing no mercy!"

It was the first time the elders had seen Hiashi so resolute.

In the end, they had no choice but to accept it.

After discussing the matter, the elders settled on a compromise.

Neji would not bear the Caged Bird Mark, but no one could let that fact get out.

They would tell outsiders that Neji had been branded. Hiashi understood what he needed to do behind closed doors.

With that, the emergency meeting ended.

Kumogakure

Outside the Raikage's office, on the top floor,

Raikage A called out in a ringing voice, "You've all seen it, haven't you? In the future, Kumogakure will surpass Konoha!"

Civilians and Cloud Ninja alike erupted in cheers.

Every face was filled with joy.

Cries rose from all sides. "Long live the Raikage! Long live the Raikage!"

"Defeat Konoha! Defeat Konoha!"

Raikage A raised his voice. "Quiet, everyone! Settle down!"

At the sound of his voice, the crowd fell silent one by one.

Moments ago, all of Kumogakure had been in an uproar. With a single sentence from Raikage A,

the villagers and Ninja had gone completely still.

He looked out over the rows of people standing straight before him.

Delighted, Raikage A thought, Do you see this, Father? My future self really did it.

I will defeat Konoha and make our village the greatest in the Shinobi World.

Drawing his thoughts back to the present, Raikage A resumed his speech from the roof of his office.

He pointed toward the Light Screen and declared with confidence, "Once the future reveals Sasuke Uchiha and Shisui Uchiha,

"and that Naruto Uzumaki too, if they all come from Konoha,

"then you've seen for yourselves what kind of enemies we'll face!

"You felt that helplessness deep in your bones. They talk about destroying the entire world as if it were nothing.

"That Shisui Uchiha talks about wiping out the Five Great Ninja Villages just as easily.

"We absolutely cannot let enemies like them grow stronger.

"If we eliminate them before they come into their power,

"only then will there be a place for us in this Shinobi World. I've already approached the other three nations about joining forces.

"They were afraid. Every one of them chose to hide and refused.

"But!

"As the second-greatest Ninja village in the Shinobi World, how could we

"back down now just because the enemy is strong?

"That isn't how we do things. That isn't who we are.

"Our fate will only be safe when we hold it in our own hands.

"So when the time comes, I will lead all of you against Konoha.

"I will lead you to victory and make us the greatest Ninja village in the Shinobi World!

"Until then, I won't allow any of you to slack off.

"Keep training. Keep pushing past your limits.

"And get stronger!"

Fourth Raikage Ay bellowed with all his might, "Prepare for the war to come!"

The crowd heard his rousing words.

Everyone present burned with fighting spirit.

Civilians and Ninja alike shouted at the top of their lungs, "Defeat Konoha! Defeat Konoha!"

"Become the greatest Ninja village in the Shinobi World!"

Others shouted, "Long live the Raikage! The Raikage is invincible! Defeat Konoha!"

At that moment, Raikage A knew what it meant to feel on top of the world.

Yet one day, these people's thirst for battle would bring them regret.

The higher Raikage A soared now, the more painful his fall would be.

The Light Screen in the sky

changed once again

and began to play.