The Raikage crossed his thick arms. He didn't immediately respond to Dodai's suggestion, instead asking in a deep, rumbling voice that echoed in the spacious office.
"Dodai, what do you think I should do?"
Hearing this, Dodai slowly paced a few steps, each step carrying the steadiness and calculation of long experience. His voice wasn't loud, but each word struck the Yondaime Raikage's heart.
"Initially, the goal of abducting an Uchiha clansman was clear… for their bloodline."
"Following the most direct approach now would naturally be to treat him as a stud, keep him confined, make him a tool for reproduction."
Dodai's voice held no emotion, as if stating an ordinary resource allocation.
"Use massive resources and long years to build a Uchiha branch completely belonging to Kumogakure. But..."
He changed tack, a gleam flashing in his single eye as he continued.
"According to the intelligence, this Uchiha Makoto is different from ordinary Uchiha. His talent, his precociousness, his unconcealed detachment from Konoha, even the 'yearning' he showed towards Kumogakure..."
"It's like a key, opening up a better idea for me."
Reaching this point, he stopped abruptly, his burning gaze seeming to ignite the air.
"Perhaps Kumogakure can personally nurture... a second Uchiha Madara!"
"An 'Asura' rooted in Kumogakure, suppressing the entire Shinobi World with the force of thunder!"
"Raikage-sama, think about it. A living legend belonging to us, Kumogakure! How can that value be compared to mere bloodline reproduction? Moreover..."
Dodai caught his breath, suppressing the excitement in his heart, and added.
"These two paths are not mutually exclusive. While devoting effort to nurture and shape him, we can also have the most outstanding Kunoichi in the village, with compatible bloodlines, approach him."
"Top-tier combat power and prosperous bloodlines… if we can have both, that would be the cornerstone for helping Kumogakure dominate the Shinobi World!"
This strategist of Kumogakure had inadvertently painted an extremely enticing future.
"A Shinobi who... suppresses the entire Shinobi World single-handedly?"
Hearing this, the Yondaime Raikage's eyes sharpened, filled with fervor. Combat power capable of suppressing the entire Shinobi World single-handedly.
This was something no Kage could refuse. And there was precedent, as Uchiha Madara's fearsome reputation as the 'Asura of the Shinobi World' was a legend built on mountains of corpses and seas of blood!
The Yondaime Raikage's thick fingers tapped unconsciously on his arm, clearly weighing the pros and cons intensely in his heart.
Seeing this, Dodai opportunely took half a step back, leaving enough space for the Raikage to think. His single eye turned to Mabui and Samui nearby, his voice returning to its steady tone.
"This matter is of great importance, we cannot decide hastily. My suggestion is..."
Dodai deliberately paused, waiting until the Raikage's attention was fully captured before speaking clearly.
"First, meet this child. Seeing with your own eyes, hearing with your own ears. Whether he's unpolished jade or a stubborn stone, whether his intentions are true or false… face to face, it will become clear."
"Moreover, at his current age, combat training is still early. The urgent task... is to nurture 'bonds' with Kumogakure."
He said the last two words while looking at Mabui and Samui, his meaning deep.
Hearing this, the Raikage nodded slightly, deciding to follow his external brain's advice, his low voice rumbling like thunder: "Hmm."
He looked at Mabui and Samui: "Bring that Uchiha boy here."
…
A short while later, Mabui and Samui's figures reappeared on the steep mountain path leading to the Raikage Building. This time, Makoto followed between them.
On the way, Makoto looked around with great interest.
The steep, rugged cliffs stabbed into the sky, and beneath their feet rolled an endless sea of clouds… rough, majestic stone buildings were built into the mountainsides, all forming a magnificent picture completely different from the lush, green Konoha.
There was no trace of gloom from being coerced on his face. Instead, he showed an expression of keen observation.
"Makoto, Kumogakure's scenery is quite unique, right?"
Mabui's voice was soft, carrying a trace of imperceptible reassurance, and... a lingering guilt. After all, this young man before her was her savior, yet she had 'forcibly' brought him to Kumogakure.
She looked at Makoto's profile, thinking if the meeting results were unfavorable later, his eventual fate as a stud...
"The environment is indeed quite nice. I quite like it here."
This lightheartedness made the look in Mabui's eyes even softer, the guilt in her heart growing heavier.
Mabui took a deep breath, as if steeling herself, or perhaps making a promise to Makoto.
"Don't worry too much. Raikage-sama and Dodai-sama... both think highly of you. They will definitely make proper arrangements."
She paused, her voice even lower, filled with resolve. "Even if... even in the worst-case scenario, I will take care of you."
Samui, who was extremely aloof outside, rubbed her slightly sore shoulders imperceptibly, sore from holding up her impressive assets for a long time.
Those proud, large assets had been her unique trouble since they developed. Hearing Mabui's words, she said in an extremely aloof tone: "I will also take care of you."
As the words fell, Samui's exquisite features remained cold and clear as an ice sculpture, but the tips of her fair ears were quietly tinged with a faint, barely noticeable blush.
…
Creak…
The heavy door to Raikage's office was pushed open.
Makoto stepped inside, with Samui and Mabui closely following behind.
The peculiar positioning gave people an illusion, as if this half-grown boy was holding two of Kumogakure's elite Shinobi hostage to negotiate, rather than being the forcibly abducted captive.
The Yondaime Raikage, A sat imposingly behind the huge desk, his chest bare. Just sitting there casually, a tangible, thunderous oppressive aura filled the entire office.
Behind him, the one-eyed Dodai stood like a silent shadow, his experienced gaze like a searchlight instantly locking onto Makoto as he entered.
Neither of them spoke. The air seemed to solidify. Their gazes were like knives, carrying silent scrutiny, probing, and a trace of imperceptible anticipation.
Makoto's steps halted. He tilted his head, his brows lifting slightly. His face showed not the slightest hint of awkwardness or fear, but rather flashed a trace of... amusement?
It was as if he had returned to his own living room.
He walked directly to an empty chair in front of the desk and sat down without any ceremony.
Leaning back slightly, he found an extremely comfortable position. His gaze was composed, the corners of his mouth slightly upturned as he met the sharp eyes of the 'one and a half' people opposite him.
Ample confidence made Makoto's attitude exceptionally casual, possessing a player's relaxed sense of treating the world as a game.
If they could talk, they would talk. If not, he would immediately flip the table. As a player, the most important thing was to follow his heart and be at ease.
Before coming to the Shinobi World, he abided by the law. After coming to the Shinobi World, there was no such thing as law. Of course, he did what he wanted!