The Third Raikage couldn't help but glance sideways at it.
After a few seconds of glaring, when Raj showed no intention of getting down, he snapped irritably, "Boy, I'm a patient! Shouldn't you have the decency to care for the sick?"
"Lord Raikage, your injury is on your right hand. Raj's position on your left shoulder won't affect it. Additionally, please allow me to treat any lingering injuries in other parts of your body," Rin said.
Rin, ever sincere, immediately set to work after receiving her payment.
Kumogakure's medical standards lagged at least an era behind Konoha's.
While their treatment of the Third Raikage's body appeared successful, many hidden injuries had been overlooked.
Rin could handle these hidden injuries herself.
She used the Mystical Palm Technique to treat several areas.
Initially, the Third Raikage felt nothing, but after each treatment, he suddenly felt his body lighten considerably.
"Konoha truly is powerful. Ah~ Let's go to your main camp."
Though the Third Raikage appeared volatile, he was actually a rather kind and amiable man.
In front of the mere ten-year-old Rin, he seemed remarkably easy to talk to.
However, this was only because he didn't know her true identity.
If he had known she was Tsunade's apprentice... Hmm, he probably wouldn't have been so gentle and kind.
During wartime, ironware was scarce and expensive.
Only the Land of Lightning, with its abundant mountain resources, could afford to demand compensation in ninja tools from the Land of Wind - a demand that would have bankrupted them.
"Everyone, disperse. Just leave a few teams to patrol the area," Fugaku ordered.
This territory fell under his jurisdiction.
Although Minato and Raj had been in charge for the past few days, with the war nearing its end, it was time to reclaim command.
It sounded heartbreaking, but Fugaku was deeply grateful to Raj and Minato.
Without their help, Fugaku's forces would have suffered heavy casualties defending against the surprise attacks from Kumogakure and some Kiri Ninja.
Thanks to Raj and Minato's assistance, the Mist-Cloud allied forces rarely dared to raid their camp, significantly reducing their workload.
With this in mind, Fugaku made a silent resolution.
Once the war ended, he would have Obito invite the cat back to the clan for a visit, to strengthen their relationship with Raj.
Perhaps by leveraging its power and connections, the Uchiha could finally establish a firm foothold in Konoha.
Of course, this would make Obito and Tetsuo even more crucial.
'After we return, I'll promote Tetsuo to Elder,' Fugaku thought to himself.
Tetsuo and his subordinates had been stationed at the border for years, operating largely outside the Uchiha's sphere of influence.
Unlike most Uchiha, he belonged to an independent faction.
The process might be fraught with challenges, but for the sake of the Uchiha... It was a necessary measure.
At that moment, Tetsuo was still lying unconscious in the main camp.
The fierce battle days earlier had left him comatose, and he hadn't yet awakened.
However, Tsunade assured them he would recover soon.
Raj and Rin escorted the Third Raikage back to the camp.
"Where's Yugito?"
Upon arriving at the camp, the Third Raikage showed no concern for his own injuries, instead immediately asking to see Yugito, the Two-Tails Jinchuriki.
"Meow~ Should I take you to see her first?"
Raj tilted its head.
Yugito hadn't believed the Third Raikage was injured before.
Now that Raj was bringing the wounded Raikage to her, she would surely be "delighted"!
Thinking this, Raj eagerly awaited the Raikage's agreement.
As expected, the Third Raikage nodded slightly and said, "Take me to see her. It's a good opportunity to explain the situation."
"Raj, isn't this a bad idea? Shouldn't we see Lady Tsunade first?"
"It's fine, meow."
Raj waved its paw and led the Third Raikage to the Sealing Team's location.
Keeping Yugito locked up indefinitely wasn't a solution.
Having the Raikage explain the situation would make things easier for everyone.
Yugito was being monitored by the Sealing Team.
Whenever the seal showed the slightest sign of weakening, they immediately reinforced it to prevent the Two-Tails from leaking its power.
Though Yugito was strong, her own strength was no match for an entire team.
"Who's there?"
"Meow~ It's me, Raj."
Raj slowly entered, greeting the four members of the Sealing Team.
Hearing the cat's meow, Yugito immediately woke up.
She sprang to her feet, glaring warily at Raj.
'What's it doing here?'
'First they sealed me and bound my tails. Then they drenched me in blood.'
'What new torment does this Konoha bastard have planned for me today?'
Her mind raced with dark possibilities.
'They could extract my Tailed Beast or Chakra. Konoha is capable of such things.'
A wave of fear washed over her.
From childhood, she had learned that a Jinchuriki would die if their Tailed Beast was extracted.
'Am I going to die?'
"Meow~ Don't worry, I'm sending someone to keep you company."
As Yugito's mind raced with dark thoughts, the curtain was pulled aside, and a familiar figure strode in.
To her astonishment, the Third Raikage's right hand was heavily bandaged, as if he had suffered a severe injury.
Could it be...?
Raj's words flashed through her mind.
Along with the memory of the Raikage intercepting that Wind Release technique, she realized something else. So, the Raikage really was injured that day.
"Little Yugito, are you alright? Not hurt, are you?"
"Waaah! Lord Raikage, you've been captured too? How is that possible? How could they capture you? What will happen to the village...?"
Yugito's imagination ran wild, and she immediately assumed the Third Raikage had also been captured, her heart sinking with despair.
The Third Raikage's lip twitched.
'Does this old man look like someone who could be captured?!'
Still, he knew Yugito was worried about him and cared deeply for the village.
"Meow~ That's right, I captured him. Just as I promised, I've brought him here to reunite with you."
Yugito's heart ached even more at his words.
The Third Raikage's forehead creased with annoyance. He glared at the cat before turning to Yugito with a smile.
"Our village has reconciled with Konoha. I came to check on you and spar with Tsunade."
"Is that so?"
Yugito paused, her expression softening. She quickly understood the situation.
The village must have reconciled with Konoha because of her, and the Third Raikage was likely seeking Tsunade's help to heal his injured hand.
Otherwise, given the Raikage's temperament, he would never have ventured alone into Konoha's Main Camp.
The Sealing Team members were surprised by the news of the reconciliation, but they remained silent, their eyes fixed warily on the Raikage and Yugito.
"Yes, but you'll need to stay here a while longer. Once the war is completely over, I'll come to retrieve you."
The Third Raikage smiled and reached out to stroke Yugito's head.