Naruto : Cruel Rebirth

The Raikage's eyes widened: "Are you serious?"

Naruto turned and said, "I would not lying in front of all the Kage"

"Ughhh…" Raikage clenched his fists, ultimately caring more about his brother's safety than anything else.

Crack!

The lightning armor dissipated, and as Raikage left, he left a harsh warning: "Uzumaki Naruto, I'll spare you today! But Uchiha Sasuke has blood on his hands from our Kumogakure! If I get my hands on him, I won't show mercy! And you… better watch yourself!"

Naruto said meaningfully: 

"Alright, I'll be relying on you..." 

This wasn't just polite talk. From here on, Naruto would have many encounters with Raikage, and in the near future, they would even have a legendary battle in the hidden "Hell Valley" of Kumogakure, an incredible 'Ninja Taijutsu' fight! Oonoki adjusted his Tsuchikage hat and said, 

"That was quite a show. It was worth coming all this way. I wonder when the next Five Kage summit will be…" 

Terumi Mei, with her beautiful eyes, turned to him: 

"Tsuchikage-sama, are we heading back? Since we're here in the Land of Iron, why not try the local hot springs? It might help with your back pain!" 

"Wow!" Black Earth's eyes lit up, clearly interested. 

Hot springs weren't unique to the Land of Iron, but its cold climate made it the perfect match. 

Oonoki thoughtfully responded: 

"Hmph, these days the ninja world is filled with small-time players. I always feel like there are people waiting in the shadows, just out of sight. It might be better to head back to the village and stay on guard..." 

After all, Danzo had mentioned in the meeting that the leader of the Akatsuki was Uchiha Madara. That wasn't something you could just ignore. 

Just the name Madara was enough to stir up storms. 

Terumi Mei also looked serious. 

Oonoki spoke seriously: 

"Danzo's scandal of leaving the meeting today means his position as Hokage is probably at risk. But we can't rule out that he might try some other tricks. I'm planning to send a joint letter with the other Kage to the Land of Fire's Daimyo, to formally accuse Danzo. What do you think?" 

Terumi Mei replied: 

"I'm willing to cooperate. The ideals of the Root will interfere with the interests of the Land of Water..." 

"..." Gaara looked at Naruto, his gaze complicated. 

Temari placed a hand on his shoulder and whispered: 

"Whatever happens, he's a rogue ninja from Konohagakure now. You're Kazekage, so be clear about your position..." 

"Ah, I understand..." 

Gaara turned around helplessly, thinking: 

"Naruto, I hope one day, you'll tell me what really happened." 

At some point, Suigetsu had already dragged Jugo away. 

Other than Naruto, Konan, and Orochimaru, only Mifune and his samurai, along with the people from Konohagakure who had traveled a long way, remained. 

Naruto turned to Mifune: 

"Mifune-sama, this was unavoidable. Please forgive me for the intrusion. I have some things to discuss with the Konohagakure ninjas. Would you mind if we stayed a little longer?" 

Mifune responded: 

"At most, you have until midnight tonight to leave the Land of Iron." 

Naruto nodded: 

"Thank you..." 

Mifune and his men left. The samurai, who had long maintained a neutral stance in the ninja world, followed the code of Bushido, but it was mostly out of survival necessity. 

As long as their interests weren't affected, they didn't want to get involved in the conflicts of the ninja world. 

But Mifune was also a man of great principles. When Obito declared war at the meeting, Mifune led his samurai to step up and join the fight against Akatsuki to protect the world's safety. 

Naruto still held at least some respect for Mifune. 

Orochimaru, skilled in reading the atmosphere, didn't wait for Naruto to speak. He said, 

"Naruto-kun, I'll step aside for now..." 

Naruto replied: 

"Go ahead. Wait for me at the usual place. I'll join you soon." 

Konan and Orochimaru stepped aside. 

As everyone began to leave, the snowfield grew quiet, with only the crackling sound of black flames remaining... Perhaps it was the psychological effect of the black flames burning, or maybe it was the tension of facing old friends and lovers, but Naruto wiped the sweat from his brow. 

The people from Konohagakure felt the same sense of loss deep inside.

In the conversation between Naruto and the three ships, the mention of 'Konohagakure ninjas' was particularly harsh. This made it clear that Naruto had officially cut ties with them. The atmosphere was heavy, and no one dared to speak up.

Especially Hinata, whose shoulders drooped and whose face was buried in the shadows…

Whoosh! In mid-air, a large bird dispersed like ink. Sai, supporting Shikamaru, who had his right leg in a cast, landed on the ground.

Sai was known for being the least perceptive of others' feelings. He bluntly asked Naruto, "What about Danzo-sama?"

Naruto responded straightforwardly, "He's still alive. I was planning to kill Danzo, but Sasuke showed up. I wanted him to kill Danzo and complete his revenge, but Sasuke refused to use my hand to do it, so I let Danzo go..."

"!" This shocking revelation was hard for everyone to process.

Shikamaru, the clearest-headed, quickly gathered his thoughts and sharply pointed out, "No matter what, Danzo is now the Hokage. Attacking the Hokage means you've completely taken a stand against Konohagakure, right, Naruto?"

Naruto's gaze darkened for a moment, but then he coldly replied, "That's right, exactly."

"You're crazy!!!" Sakura could no longer hold back her anger. She took a step forward and threw a heavy punch. Naruto could have dodged, but he didn't. The punch sent him flying.

Whoosh! Sakura rushed forward, grabbed Naruto by the collar, and yanked him forcefully. "Do you even know what you're saying?"

Naruto calmly and coldly replied, "Isn't what I said clear enough?"

Sakura became more agitated. "Liar! Where's the Naruto who was always charging ahead and kept his promises? Where's the Naruto who was always talking about becoming Hokage?!"

Naruto glanced at Hinata, who was devastated behind him, and swallowed the bitterness in his heart. "That was then, this is now…"

Swoosh! Sakura pulled out a kunai and held it to Naruto's throat. "There's a limit to jokes. Do you believe I won't kill you right now?"

Everyone knew Sakura wouldn't really harm Naruto…

She lowered the kunai, and her fragile emotions burst out. With red eyes, she said, "Naruto, tell me the truth. Is it because of that promise from back then? Was it too much pressure, making you do this?"

This was the only reason she could think of for Naruto betraying Konohagakure.

"No," Naruto immediately denied it.

How could it be something as childish as that?

"Some things can't be explained in just a few words, Sakura. I hope you won't ask anything more. One day, you'll understand…" 

"I don't want to wait until that day!!" Sakura cried, tears streaming down her face. "What if I beg you, what if I say that promise doesn't count anymore and ask you to return to Konohagakure?"

Naruto replied, "I refuse…"

Sakura bitterly said, "Then what if I tell you that the person I like isn't Sasuke… it's you?"

"…" Naruto fell silent.

Sakura had said the same thing back then, and even though he knew it was a lie, it still stirred something inside him. But time had passed, and he was no longer the same boy.

Sakura's words didn't stir any emotions in him, but he understood. She was a good person; she was truly at her breaking point, with no other choice...

"Enough, Sakura. Stop with the childish talk. There are too many things in this world that neither you nor I can force. Don't forget, we are ninjas—the ones who endure and move forward…" 

Naruto spoke in a low voice, placing his hand on Sakura's shoulder, gently pushing her away.

"…" Sakura stood motionless, stunned. The sudden distance and unfamiliarity from Naruto left her feeling helpless.

However, though it seemed like Naruto was speaking to Sakura, his words were meant for someone else.

If Hinata were to cry and beg him like that, Naruto feared he might lose control.

"Huh..." Naruto stood up, took a deep breath, brushed off the snowflakes on his clothes, and then walked towards Hinata...

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