Hidden Cloud Village (Kumogakure)
Raikage Office – Inside the Administrative Building
The newly appointed Fifth Raikage, Yugito Nii—also known as Yumuren—sat in her office, her gaze fixed on the towering stack of public opinion letters scattered across her desk. Her brows furrowed with frustration.
After a long moment, she sighed, a trace of bitterness tugging at the corners of her mouth.
"Samui, help me out, will you? These things are giving me a headache."
Having spoken, Yugito leaned back in her chair, eyes drifting toward the ceiling.
Samui, the woman she'd summoned, didn't immediately address the letters. Instead, she walked behind Yugito and began massaging her shoulders.
"If you ask me, there's nothing worth reading," Samui muttered, her tone flat. "We'd be better off just burning them all."
Yugito gave a wry smile. "If burning them could solve the problem, I'd have lit the match myself. But if we ignore these complaints, it'll only stir up more unrest."
Samui's eyes narrowed with frustration. "I just don't get it. You were the one who protected everyone and brought them back alive. Why are they turning on you now?"
"It's bad enough that the village elders are opposing you," she added, her voice rising. "But even the people you saved are acting ungrateful. It's disgusting."
Samui's anger was evident—written all over her face. Dressed in a tight-fitting gray mini-skirt and an outfit that barely contained her generous curves, she continued kneading Yugito's shoulders. As the new Raikage leaned her head back, her line of sight was completely blocked by Samui's impressive figure.
There's no end in sight...
"People's hearts are unpredictable," Yugito murmured. She glanced upward at Samui and added silently, just like yours once were.
She couldn't help but feel a pang of envy toward Samui's voluptuous figure.
Perhaps that's why Naruto Uzumaki had gone so far in tormenting Samui that night. Yugito had witnessed it—Naruto showed no mercy to anyone, be it women, elders, or children.
But with Samui, he had dragged it out… humiliating her far more than he needed to.
Even now, Samui flinched slightly whenever Naruto's name was mentioned—clearly suffering a lingering trauma.
Unaware of Yugito's internal thoughts, Samui continued her tirade. Her voice turned sharp, venomous.
"That black boar Darui—he'd have died a dozen times over if not for you. And now? He jumped ship the moment someone dangled a promotion in front of him."
Traitors. Always the most hated.
Samui's fury toward Darui at this moment was no less intense than her hatred for Naruto himself.
Yugito gave a soft chuckle. "It wasn't just a promotion. The higher-ups promised him the Raikage's seat."
Samui snorted. "That pig? The guy who nearly broke down mentally just from Naruto's illusions? And now he's supposed to be Raikage?"
Ha.
Of course, if we're being honest, Yugito mused, you weren't that different, Samui. You broke, too, that night.
As Samui ranted, Yugito yawned from boredom.
Truthfully, she had little interest in the role of Raikage. She had only fought for it because her master had requested it.
Claiming the title was one thing—holding it was another. Even as the strongest person in the village, many refused to follow her.
Because she wasn't black.
Kumogakure had always been… complicated. At first glance, the village seemed diverse and inclusive. But the truth? Power resided with the black elite.
Every Raikage in history had been black. White-skinned shinobi were tolerated, yes—but only ever as guards, never as leaders.
Now, Yugito had disrupted that order. Even Darui, who once pledged support during her campaign, had betrayed her.
Despite crushing them all through raw strength, her rule remained shaky. Disobedience festered beneath the surface. Orders were ignored. And instead, she received mountains of "advice" in the form of veiled insults disguised as guidance.
Letters filled with backhanded suggestions—each one a slow bleed meant to wear her down.
And it wasn't just the village. The entire Land of Lightning, from nobles to the Daimyō himself, were all part of the black elite. Not a single white figure held real power.
Now, Yugito stood alone—propped up only by her strength.
If she hadn't been powerful enough, they would've cut her down the moment she dared challenge the system.
And if a strong enough black candidate rose tomorrow? They'd oust her in a heartbeat.
Still, Yugito was now hailed as the "hero" who saved the village.
She exhaled.
"The Konoha delegation is arriving tomorrow afternoon," she said, tapping her finger lightly against the table. "I hear they're sending Uzumaki Naruto."
Samui's hands stopped moving. A flicker of fear crossed her eyes.
"…Can't we request someone else?"
Yugito raised a brow. "He's the victor. We're in no position to make demands."
Samui lowered her head. She had entered the war seeking revenge for her brother. But in the end, not only had she failed—she had been humiliated, then rescued by Yugito.
Yugito stood up and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Don't be discouraged. I believe this is an opportunity—to stabilize the village."
Samui blinked. "That bastard is an enemy. How could he bring stability?"
Yugito nodded. "He is an enemy. But enemies can still be used. If we play this right… we can use him to eliminate some of the obstacles in our way."
"You mean… the black elders?" Samui whispered.
Yugito didn't answer directly. "If the village stabilizes and regains its strength, we'll stand a chance at challenging Konoha one day. And only then can you avenge your brother."
Samui's eyes shone with emotion. Yugito remembered her pain—and offered hope, even in the chaos.
She would never betray Yugito. Not like that traitor Darui.
She stepped back and bowed respectfully. "Lord Raikage, I'll do anything you need."
Yugito helped her up, then stared out the window.
"The elders cling to their seniority and want me to step aside for Darui. But they forget—strength rules this world."
"If I wanted them dead, I'd only need the right excuse."
Samui flinched slightly. Yugito's voice had grown cold.
That side of her—the ruthless one—was unfamiliar.
But it was necessary.
To truly rule the village… some obstacles would have to be cleared.
The Next Day – Afternoon
Border Town – Land of Lightning
Naruto Uzumaki arrived at a small city on the border with a force of 200 Konoha ninjas.
This town had been carefully selected: neutral ground, far from both villages. A lesson learned after the tragic assassination of the Second Hokage by Kumogakure.
Both sides understood the risks. The Raikage and Hokage wouldn't personally appear. Instead, trusted envoys would handle negotiations.
Naruto surveyed the area.
He left half his force outside the city for security, keeping them ready in case of ambush. Then, with the remaining hundred, he entered the city.
At the gate stood the delegation from Hidden Cloud—heads bowed like defeated soldiers.
Leading them were two women:
First, Samui—an old acquaintance, whose bold outfit hugged every curve. She had once shared a night with Naruto, her past humiliation still lingering between them.
Second, a new face—Mabui.
Elegant, with snow-white hair tied in a bun and radiant eyes, Mabui wore a gray knee-length dress and exuded the refined calm of a veteran kunoichi.
Her dark skin made her beauty more exotic than conventional, but Naruto mentally ranked her among the top five most attractive women he'd seen.
If he recalled correctly, Mabui had once served as Raikage A's secretary—and she was no weakling.
Now, both women bowed deeply.
"Welcome, Naruto-sama," Mabui said, her tone respectful.
Samui added nothing. She simply lowered her head and clenched her fists, nails digging into her palms.
Kumogakure had lost. With both the Fourth Raikage and Eight-Tails Jinchūriki dead, they had no leverage—only submission.
Naruto smiled faintly. "Samui, long time no see. Pity I didn't kill you when I had the chance."
His words were cold, even as he smiled.
"Haha… My lord is mighty. How could someone like me be your match?" Samui forced a smile, swallowing her rage.
It was humiliating, but she endured.
This was her mission—given by Yugito herself.
She would help Yugito clean house—starting with the obstacles closest to them.
Her eyes slid sideways, resting on Mabui.
Sorry, Mabui. I actually like you… but you're on the wrong side of the bloodline.
Unaware of the hidden malice, Mabui looked at her and smiled politely.
"Lord Naruto," she said, "you must be tired. We've arranged a private restaurant nearby. Shall we head there and begin?"
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