Here's the BONUS CHAPTER as promised—thanks for the support, and let's keep this energy going!
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Although Guts had effortlessly defeated him, Fourth Raikage understood very clearly now, the gap between their strengths was enormous.
Still, being pinned to the floor and stomped on in front of everyone? For a proud Kage-level ninja like him, this was humiliation beyond tolerance.
Especially given his notoriously short temper.
"Bastard!!" he roared.
His Lightning Style Chakra Mode surged again, no hand seals needed. Sparks crackled around him,but before he could even move, Guts raised both feet, now covered in Armament Haki, and stomped down hard.
The tiles beneath the Raikage cracked as his face was driven into them again.
"Lord Raikage!" Yugito Nii and the Cloud Shinobi exclaimed in horror.
"If Konoha acts during alliance talks, what will the rest of the Shinobi world think?!" one Cloud ninja yelled indignantly.
Too bad for him, he was standing next to Anko, who had Samehada resting against his neck.
Without hesitation, she slapped him so hard his teeth rattled.
Tsunade finally intervened. "No killing," she said, her voice loud and clear. "If word gets out that the Raikage was murdered while forming an alliance with Konoha, the repercussions would be catastrophic."
This wasn't like when the Second Hokage was ambushed by Kinkaku and Ginkaku. That was a rebellion. This was different. There had been no betrayal within Cloud—this was entirely their doing.
Guts, still seated on the Raikage's back, smirked. "What's the worst that could happen? Another Great Ninja War?"
He cracked his neck. "Honestly, I'm hoping for it. It's been too peaceful lately. I think I'm starting to rust."
The room fell silent.
Even the Cloud Shinobi were dumbfounded. Was this guy seriously looking forward to another war?
"I wouldn't mind testing out Samehada either!" Anko added gleefully.
"You two, shut up!" Tsunade snapped, rubbing her temples.
After a moment of thought, she said, "Throw them in prison until we can sort this out. Orochimaru, you're in charge of them."
Orochimaru frowned, clearly annoyed,until something seemed to amuse him. He nodded, smiling darkly while licking his lips as he looked at the Fourth Raikage.
Under the escort of Guts, Minato, and other elite Jōnin, the Cloud delegation was marched to Konoha Prison.
Orochimaru waited eagerly, practically licking his lips. The guards posted nearby knew better than to interfere. Once Guts and Minato left, Orochimaru wasted no time and pulled out his...
Syringes. Sedatives. Blood tests. More needles.
The Cloud Shinobi were subjected to endless tests. It was less imprisonment and more a living nightmare.
Meanwhile, Tsunade convened a high-level meeting.
Even though Cloud had acted with clear hostility, a full-scale war was too risky.
The Third Ninja War had only ended five years ago, and Konoha was still recovering. Despite Guts strength, launching a war was not an option unless absolutely necessary.
Tsunade finally declared, "We'll escalate this to the Lightning Daimyo. Let them decide how to respond."
Minato was assigned to deliver the letter. His speed made him the best choice, and, frankly, no one trusted Guts not to cause an international incident.
As the meeting ended and the leaders stepped outside, a red-haired woman holding a blonde boy was waiting.
Kushina and Naruto rushed to greet him. Naruto leapt into his father's arms, giggling.
Guts watched the scene, somewhat amused.
Naruto noticed. "What are you lookin at?!"
Kushina bonked Naruto on the head. "Be polite!"
Naruto pouted but didn't cry, he was used to it.
Minato chuckled awkwardly. "Sorry about that, Guts."
Guts clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Minato, raise that boy right. If he turns out like some spoiled brat, I'll have to rethink some things."
His mind flashed to Boruto, cringe incarnate. If Naruto ended up like that, Guts might Galaxy Impact him into a better character arc.
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