It was all because Gekkō Raito now wore the Mizukage's hat, the symbol of Kirigakure's highest authority.
His loose Mizukage robes snapped in the wind, constantly reminding everyone that the man before them was no longer Konoha's discarded pawn from years ago, but Kirigakure's esteemed Lord Mizukage!
"Shi..."
Shikamaru opened his mouth, instinctively wanting to call that familiar name, only for it to stick in his throat as though he had swallowed a fly.
Their statuses were worlds apart. He ought to address him respectfully as "Lord Mizukage" now.
Calling him directly by name was a serious offense in the shinobi world.
Realizing this, Shikamaru could only sensibly shut his mouth and silently watch that figure's back, just like his companions.
Just then!
Thud!
A tremendous crash erupted, shattering the ground. The rampaging Naruto appeared before Gekkō Raito as if he had teleported, his claws raised.
Yet Gekkō Raito had his back turned completely toward the enemy, leaving openings all over his body, as though he had not noticed the murderous threat behind him at all.
Kurenai's pupils shrank to pinpoints. She instinctively reached for Gekkō Raito's shoulder, trying to pull him away.
But everything happened too fast!
Clang-buzzz!
An extraordinarily dull metallic impact reverberated, but the expected sight of blood and flesh flying never came.
Gekkō Raito stood perfectly still, without even shifting his heels a fraction.
Those claws, powerful enough to tear through rock, scraped across his back without so much as cutting the fabric of his clothes.
Gekkō Raito turned his head slightly, looking at Kurenai as she tugged at his shoulder. His tone was calm. "What's wrong?"
Kurenai was utterly dumbfounded. She stammered, "You... how are you... completely unharmed?"
Gekkō Raito shrugged without explaining much. "Just leave the rest of this mess to me."
"This kid's