The Raikage's tree-trunk arms stayed crossed. He didn't bite on Tsuchidai's pitch right away—instead, his voice boomed like thunder in the empty office.
"Tsuchidai, what the hell do you think I should do?"
Tsuchidai paced slow, every step dripping old-man calculus. Voice low, but each word hammered the Fourth's skull.
"Original snatch? Straight-up bloodline heist."
"Easiest play: lock the kid in a stable, turn him into a stud. Pump out Cloud-exclusive Uchiha babies."
Zero emotion—like he was reallocating rice rations.
"Dump mountains of cash and years into building our own branch… but…"
He pivoted, one eye blazing like a spotlight.
"Intel says this Makoto ain't your average Uchiha. Prodigy. Wise beyond years. Zero love for Konoha—hell, he's eyeing Cloud like it's the promised land."
"Kid's a skeleton key. Unlocks a better door."
He froze, stare hot enough to ignite the air.
"We raise… a second Madara!"
"A Cloud-rooted Shura—thunder-crushing the whole damn ninja world!"
"Raikage, picture it: a living legend ours. That worth more than a breeding program? And…"
He reined in the hype, added coolly:
"Paths ain't mutually exclusive. Groom him hard and sic our top-tier kunoichi on him—best blood matches."
"Peak firepower plus bloodline boom? That's the foundation for Cloud world domination."
The brain-trust just painted a wet-dream future.
"One guy… suppressing the entire ninja world?"
The Raikage's eyes sharpened, pure fire. Solo world-crusher? Every Kage's wet dream. Precedent? Madara's "Shura" legend—built on mountains of corpses.
His meaty fingers drummed his biceps, brain in overdrive.
Tsuchidai backed off half a step, giving the boss room. One eye slid to Asui and Samui, voice steady again.
"This is big. No rush. My rec…"
He paused for drama, snagged the Raikage's full attention, then dropped it clear:
"Meet the kid. Eyes on, ears open. Jade or junk? Sincere or snake? Face-to-face tells all."
"Plus, he's young—combat training can wait. Priority one: forge bonds with Cloud."
Last two words? Heavy glance at Asui and Samui. Wink-wink.
The Raikage grunted approval—trusted his external hard drive. Thunder-voice: "Hm."
To the ladies: "Bring the Uchiha brat."
…
Minutes later, Asui and Samui hit the treacherous mountain path to the Raikage tower. Makoto strolled between 'em like a tourist.
He scoped the view, geeked.
Jagged cliffs stabbed the sky. Roiling cloud seas below. Brutal stone architecture carved into the peaks—total opposite of Konoha's leafy vibe. Epic as hell.
Zero gloom. Just curious vibes.
"Makoto, Cloud's scenery pretty unique, huh?"
Asui's tone soft, laced with subtle comfort… and guilt. This kid saved my life, and I "kidnapped" him.
She eyed his profile, dreading the worst-case: stud farm.
"Place is dope. I'm digging it."
His chill softened her gaze, guilt dialed to eleven.
Asui sucked in mountain air—like psyching herself up, like promising him.
"Don't sweat it. Raikage and Tsuchidai are invested. They'll hook you up."
Lower, fierce: "Even if shit hits the fan… I got you."
Samui—ice-queen exterior—covertly rolled her aching shoulders (those massive "thunders" were a lifelong curse). Hearing Asui, she deadpanned:
"I'll take care of you too."
Stone-cold delivery, but her pale ear tips blushed pink.
…
Creaaak—
Raikage office doors groaned open.
Makoto stepped in, Asui and Samui on his flanks.
Weird formation—looked like the half-pint was escorting two elite Cloud jōnin to negotiations, not the other way around.
Fourth Raikage Ai lounged behind a monster desk, chest bare, presence like a thunderstorm you could feel. Just sitting there owned the room.
Behind him, one-eyed Tsuchidai lurked like a shadow, veteran gaze locking on Makoto like a sniper scope.
Neither spoke. Air froze. Knife-sharp stares—probing, dissecting, hoping.
Makoto paused, cocked his head, brow arch. Zero nerves. Just… amused?
He sauntered to the empty chair like it was his living-room recliner, plopped down, leaned back, got comfy.
Met their "one-and-a-half" razor eyes with a lazy smirk.
Bottomless confidence. Gamer-god swagger.
Talk? Cool. No talk? Table flip. Player's creed: vibes first.
Pre-ninja world? Law-abiding citizen.
Post-ninja world? No laws.
Makoto: I do what I damn well please!