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"Enough!"
Seeing that Gaara was about to start a fight with his own villagers because of him, Naruto stepped forward and raised his voice.
He faced the gathered Sand Shinobi and declared, "I didn't manipulate Gaara! Gaara and I are friends. I would never take action against him!"
"Why should we believe you just because you say so!?" one of the clan elders snapped, full of suspicion.
Baki stepped up, his tone neutral but firm. "I'm sorry, Naruto. Everyone's concerns are reasonable. Even I questioned the situation because the Kazekage's recent behavior has been...abnormal. Please understand the caution of the Sunagakure leadership."
Gaara rose from his seat, anger flashing in his teal eyes. "What, as Kazekage, I'm not even allowed to vouch for Naruto?"
Yūra moved forward. "Of course we follow your commands, Kazekage-sama. But your orders affect the fate of Sunagakure. As senior advisors and clan elders, we have the right—no, the duty—to voice our concerns."
Temari stepped in, tone gentle but serious. "Gaara, the elders aren't completely wrong. Give them a reason, a clear one. Something they can accept."
Kankurō nodded. "She's right, Gaara."
Gaara scoffed and turned toward Naruto. "I understand you. When those around you don't understand, it makes you feel powerless, doesn't it?"
Naruto placed a hand on Gaara's shoulder and leaned in slightly. "Let it go for now. We can talk elsewhere. Tonight, maybe. There's no need to fall out with your own people because of me."
Naruto gave him a few subtle winks, silently suggesting that they meet again in secret when no one was around. As someone who had served as Hokage in his previous life, he knew this situation all too well. Even as the strongest force in the shinobi world, he had often been restricted by Konoha's council when making decisions.
After all, a true leader is only given full authority in times of war. During peace, cooperation and consultation take priority.
Except, of course, for that madman, the Fourth Raikage.
Gaara saw through Naruto's intentions and smiled slightly. "It's alright. Don't worry about me. I just want to test something today—whether or not my position as Kazekage still holds power!"
With that declaration, Gaara's sand rose abruptly, swirling through the chamber in a ferocious current. He shouted, "Clear the room!"
With a thunderous crash, the sand blasted outward, scattering the clan elders like leaves in the wind!
Baki and Yūra moved quickly to shield the older advisors, guiding them to safety. Temari and Kankurō retreated as well, shocked by Gaara's eruption.
"Gaara, are you insane?!"
"Lord Kazekage, what are you doing?!"
"Please, don't act recklessly!"
Gaara glared at the crowd. "Believe me. As Kazekage, I care only for the protection of this village. I have my reasons for bringing Naruto into the restricted chambers. But it's a matter of classified importance—I cannot reveal it now.
To the clan elders, I apologize if I've offended you."
With those words, Gaara raised his hand again, preparing to restrain the elders with sand.
"Wait."
Baki raised his hand and stepped between Gaara and the others, glancing from Gaara to Naruto with a sigh.
"…Fine. We'll leave it to you."
He thought of Chiyo, who had sacrificed herself for the future of both Sunagakure and Konohagakure. If he tried to block this path now, he'd be spitting on her legacy.
Baki turned to Temari and Kankurō. "You two remain and stay close to the Kazekage."
Then he addressed the gathered elders. "Kazekage-sama has ordered a retreat. Withdraw from the chamber."
"But Lord Baki!?"
"This can't be allowed!"
"Yūra-sama, say something!"
Yūra clenched his jaw. He didn't agree with letting Naruto near their inner sanctum and still suspected the Kazekage might be under some influence—but if Baki had already yielded…
"…Follow Lord Baki's instructions," Yūra said at last.
"But Yūra-sama…"
Yūra frowned, sharp and stern. His silence silenced them.
One by one, the elders began withdrawing, albeit reluctantly.
"Wait a moment."
Just as they were turning to leave, Naruto stepped forward again.
Baki looked back. "Is something wrong?"
Naruto's Rinnegan shimmered faintly as he stared at the group. His voice was steady, yet cold. "If I really wanted something from Sunagakure, I wouldn't have come politely. I could've just taken it by force.
If Gaara weren't my friend, I wouldn't have held back at all.
I know what you're thinking—that I'm arrogant. So let me give you a point of reference.
If your intelligence network isn't useless, you must've heard of what happened to the Raikage in Kumogakure, haven't you?"
The room grew tense. Whispers rippled through the group.
Kankurō leaned close to Temari and muttered, "Sis…when did Naruto get this cocky?"
Temari sighed. "He was like this during the Chūnin Exams. Arrogant little brat then too."
Baki narrowed his eyes. "So what exactly are you saying, Naruto?"
Naruto's gaze was unwavering. "I'm saying Gaara is my friend. He brought me into your secret chamber to help me, and in doing so, he's helping the future of Sunagakure. So stop making it hard for him.
Now I'll ask—who agrees, and who objects?"
Immediately, several of the elders rose in outrage, ready to protest. But before any words could leave their mouths, the power of Naruto's Rinnegan surged like a tsunami, crashing down upon the chamber!
BOOM!
An invisible force blanketed the room. Everyone—except Gaara—was crushed by an overwhelming pressure. Their knees buckled; many collapsed.
"What is this terrifying chakra?!"
"I—I can't breathe!"
"He's…he's too strong!!"
Gaara called out sharply, "Naruto!"
Only then did Naruto ease the pressure. He gave a cold snort and said, "Forgive me. As a guest, I was rude."
Yūra wiped the sweat from his forehead and motioned silently for the elders to leave. His heart was still pounding. That pressure… It wasn't any less intense than what one would feel when facing a fully enraged Jinchūriki.
This… was the power of the Rinnegan. Not just any dōjutsu—it was a divine force, the eye of the Sage of Six Paths himself.
Baki, drenched in sweat, swallowed hard. He had once conspired with Orochimaru during the invasion of Konoha. Though Naruto had defected, his power now could utterly obliterate them all. If Naruto truly wanted to destroy Sunagakure, it would only take a moment.
No wonder he defeated the Raikage. His strength was on a completely different level.
Baki exhaled deeply. Forget it. I've served under three generations already. I'll stick to advising the village and managing internal affairs. Diplomacy... I'll leave that to the Fifth Kazekage. After all, having a powerful ally like Naruto Uzumaki isn't necessarily a bad thing.
With that, he called the others to follow, retreating and leaving Temari and Kankurō behind to guard the entrance.
Gaara smirked, gave Naruto a rare thumbs up, and led him deeper into the hidden chambers of Sunagakure.
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