Regarding the matter of Uzumaki Menma, the Fourth Raikage's stubbornness was fully revealed.
He trusted only his own people his people in the strictest sense of the word.
After exchanging a brief glance with Cee, Dodai ultimately chose to set the issue aside for the moment. There would be other opportunities later; there was no need to rush. Advice depended on method, timing, and circumstance. Besides, at present, they had not even located Menma's trail.
"There has been no change in Konoha's movements," Samui reported calmly after the Raikage's question concluded. "Aside from reinforcing their northern border, there are no notable deployments."
"Hmph." The Fourth Raikage snorted coldly. "Still indecisive? Have they truly not settled on a candidate for the Fifth Hokage?"
"Yes," Samui replied without hesitation. "There is still no definitive announcement. However, based on our analysis, the most likely candidate remains Jiraiya of the Sannin."
"Jiraiya…"
As someone of the same generation, the Fourth Raikage A had crossed paths with Jiraiya multiple times during the Second and Third Great Ninja Wars. He understood very well what kind of man that so-called Toad Sage was.
Jiraiya assuming the position of Fifth Hokage was, indeed, the most reasonable outcome.
"The Intelligence Division and the Espionage Division will intensify their investigations," A said sharply. "No detail is to be overlooked."
His gaze shifted.
"Darui, you'll head south personally. If an opportunity presents itself do not hesitate. You have my full authority."
His tone was heavy with killing intent.
"Yes, Raikage-sama," Darui replied lazily, yet without a trace of disrespect.
"Yes, understood," Cee echoed.
"Hmph." A nodded in satisfaction before turning his massive frame toward the floor-to-ceiling windows. Through the glass, it was as though he could see far beyond the horizon toward the south, toward Konohagakure.
"This time," he said coldly, "I will not let the opportunity slip."
Kumogakure was in motion.
And so was Iwagakure.
However, compared to the Fourth Raikage's aggressive posture, Ōnoki, now well into his seventies, appeared markedly calmer. Naturally, the upheaval within Konoha could not be ignored, nor could the search for traces of the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, Uzumaki Menma. Yet Iwagakure had no intention of overcommitting resources.
For Ōnoki, preserving the existing balance of his village remained the highest priority.
That was his explicit stance during the high-level council meeting.
"Old men like us don't need to rush," Ōnoki had said. "Watch how the others move first. Acting later is the wiser choice."
It was merely a difference in strategy.
Under these circumstances, the two great villages still maintained their respective dominance.
Unlike Sunagakure.
The Hidden Sand Village had entered its darkest period.
Their Kazekage had fallen in battle.
Their Jinchūriki had been captured.
Hundreds of elite shinobi had perished.
For Sunagakure, the past ten days had felt like an entire year compressed into suffering.
Had Maki not swiftly summoned the elders Chiyo and Ebizō to stabilize the situation, the village might have collapsed outright.
Even so, Chiyo and Ebizō could only hold things together temporarily.
Unless the conflict with Konoha was resolved and the captured Sunagakure shinobi led by Gaara were retrieved, true stability would remain impossible.
Sunagakure was the most passive party of all.
Leadership was no longer in their own hands.
As for Kirigakure, the Hidden Mist remained eerily silent. From beginning to end, it had expressed no stance whatsoever on the situation. Under the scrutiny of watchful eyes, there was no sign of large-scale troop movement.
It was as though Kirigakure was completely detached from the turmoil of the outside world.
This abnormal silence inevitably drew attention.
Yet despite everything, the true focal point of the ninja world remained Konohagakure.
This was not merely external pressure,it was an internal crisis as well.
After news spread that the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, Uzumaki Menma, was the biological brother of Namikaze Naruto and the son of the Fourth Hokage, the reaction was explosive.
Outside the Land of Fire, many treated it as sensational gossip.
Inside Konoha, however
The village was in chaos.
Especially among those who had once cursed him, glared at him with disgust, or treated him with open hostility particularly lower-rank shinobi and civilians.
Their limited understanding simply could not process such a revelation.
It was, quite literally, cognitive overload.
The demon fox is Yondaime-sama's son!?
That monster is Lord Naruto's brother!?
What… what have I done…
Yondaime-sama… I'm sorry… I'm so sorry…
Menma… was actually a lord…?
No no I don't believe it!
This must be enemy deception!
That thing betrayed the village! How could he be the Fourth Hokage's child!?
But… he does resemble Yondaime-sama a little, doesn't he?
No! Impossible! I refuse to believe it!
Public opinion split violently.
Some awoke immediately, their hearts filled with remorse. They finally understood why Menma had chosen to defect and felt that their past actions had betrayed the Fourth Hokage himself.
Others stubbornly clung to hatred, refusing to abandon the image of the "demon fox," rejecting outright the idea that he was the Fourth Hokage's son.
This, too, was human nature.
In many ways, a deeply flawed one.
Still others fell into utter confusion emotionally unwilling to accept it, yet rationally unable to deny it. They desperately wanted the village leadership to step forward and explain everything.
But at this moment
The upper echelons of Konoha chose silence.
Dispel the rumors?
How?
This was no rumor it was fact.
In the past, they had feigned ignorance. But now that the truth was exposed, to continue smearing him would be tantamount to slapping their own faces.
The common people did not know.
But the high-ranking shinobi and clan leaders absolutely did.
That was the Fourth Hokage's child.
Attempting to deny it now would only deepen the fracture.
Thus, denial was impossible.
And public acknowledgment was equally unthinkable it would shake the very foundation of Konoha's authority.
Silence was not the right choice.
But it was the only choice left.