As a doctor, Tsunade had no reason to refuse such a sincere request from someone who would not give up even with only the slimmest chance of survival.
Although he was a ninja from the enemy village of Kirigakure, she was a medical ninja. A healer had a compassionate heart; how could she truly stand by and let someone die?
Just as Tsunade opened her mouth to agree to Raito's wager, an extremely familiar, energetic voice suddenly rang out through the air.
A piercing buzz filled the air, produced by the violent friction of chakra.
It was immediately followed by a full-throated shout!
"Rasengan!"
Boom!
An azure ball of chakra shot out without warning from the blind spot on his right and struck Raito squarely in the shoulder. The tremendous impact instantly sent him flying.
At that instant, Tsunade's eyes widened in surprise as she stared intently at the figure holding the Rasengan.
Was that... the Fourth Hokage's technique?
Who was this kid who suddenly appeared?
The child before her was about half a head shorter than Raito. With that dazzling blond hair, he bore a striking resemblance to the late Fourth Hokage.
Could he be...
"Raito! You... come back to the village with me!"
Naruto stood where Raito had been standing, panting heavily as he watched Raito land steadily more than a dozen meters away.
His expression was serious, his gaze as unyielding as stone.
Raito patted his somewhat numb right shoulder, then raised his head and looked at Naruto with a complicated expression.
He actually found me?
How on earth did Naruto manage that? Raito had clearly used every means at his disposal to conceal his presence thoroughly.
``` [Great Sage: A special form of chakra resonance exists between Tailed Beasts. Within a certain range, they can sense