Chapter 82

[So sorry looks like i forget about this one]

The Fourth Raikage sat on the ground, his face dark with fury. "Uzumaki Chito, I swear the two of us cannot coexist under the same sky!"

He cursed his name with every breath, blaming him for his current plight. It was all because of him —his humiliation, his captivity, and the thundercloud that loomed over his head.

Bang!

Another bolt of lightning struck him, accompanied by the familiar sound of crackling electricity. Sparks danced around his body, making the villagers chuckle quietly. For free labor, this was certainly entertaining.

Meanwhile, Naruto and Tsunade returned to Shin-Konoha by sea. Neji, however, did not join them. He had chosen to continue his journey through the Land of the Moon and the Land of Hot Water, eventually arriving in the Land of Sound—Orochimaru's territory.

Orochimaru had turned the Land of Sound into his personal dominion, establishing the Village Hidden in Sound. But none of that concerned Neji. His goal was singular: to grow stronger. In Orochimaru's laboratory, Neji sought compatibility tests for enhancing his Byakugan. His drive for power left even Orochimaru surprised.

Sasuke Uchiha, who was still refining his mastery of the Curse Mark, had been in the lab when Neji arrived. Though unaware of Naruto's return, Sasuke felt a surge of irritation upon learning later. For Sasuke, Naruto would always be his rival, an unchanging constant in his life.

Back in Shin-Konoha, the village buzzed with activity. Tsunade and Naruto resumed their duties, their presence reassuring the villagers. Everyone seemed invested in grooming Naruto to become a capable leader. Tsunade reviewed the updated financial report, her expression lighting up as she saw the 50 million ryo increase.

"We're rich again!" Tsunade exclaimed, licking her lips in delight.

However, Shizune quickly brought her back to reality. "Tsunade-sama, that money is only enough to finish the Ninja Academy. Half of the commercial street hasn't even started, and we haven't begun constructing the Hokage building..."

Tsunade's joy faded as Shizune explained the village's expenses. Her face darkened as the weight of responsibility set in.

"Half of the commercial street will do for now. As for the Hokage building, let Lord Chito build one with Wood Release," Tsunade grumbled, reluctant to part with the money.

Shizune sighed. "Tsunade-sama, we need to prioritize the village's development."

Shin-Konoha was bustling with preparations. Kakashi and Might Guy took charge of security, handling everything from neighborly disputes to patrolling the village's perimeter. It wasn't perfect, but it worked.

Iruka and Anko returned to establish a base for training young ninjas and supporting orphans from the war. Thanks to Sarutobi Hiruzen's influence, they managed to provide resources and shelter to countless children.

Tenten, now a resident of Shin-Konoha, continued to assist with blasting stubborn rocks using explosive tags. Already known for her business acumen, she was quickly becoming one of Shin-Konoha's most valuable contributors.

The villagers, inspired by Naruto's promises, volunteered at the construction site for the Ninja Academy. Naruto himself joined the effort, often working alongside the villagers and even the captives—the Fourth Raikage and Killer B.

When the Raikage first saw Naruto, his pride flared up. "So, you're Naruto Uzumaki," he said gruffly, studying the young shinobi. "The junior Uzumaki Chito values so much."

Naruto, unfazed by the Raikage's towering presence, smiled. "And you're the Fourth Raikage? You look pretty good like this."

Naruto's genuine admiration for the Raikage's aura—complete with the ominous dark cloud above his head—caught the older man off guard.

"Are you mocking me, brat?!" the Raikage bellowed, his temper flaring.

Unable to hold back, the Raikage lunged at Naruto, ready to teach him a lesson. But before he could even touch Naruto, a bolt of lightning struck him squarely from the dark cloud overhead.

Bang!

Electricity coursed through his body, leaving him momentarily paralyzed. The villagers watching from a distance didn't even flinch—they had grown used to the Raikage being struck several times a day.

Naruto offered his hand. "Are you alright?"

The Raikage glared at him, smoke rising from his singed clothes. "Naruto Uzumaki, I swear we can't live under the same sky!"

Bang!

Another bolt of lightning struck, cutting off his tirade.

As the village continued its rapid development, Tsunade finally faced reality. Reviewing the village's finances, she sighed. "Even with the Ninja Academy nearing completion, we're still short by 40 to 50 million ryo."

The Hokage building, the business district, and a proper prison were all critical projects. But Tsunade knew that wasn't the only issue.

"We also need a leader," she said during a meeting, her tone serious.

Kakashi frowned. "If we declare a leader now, it might provoke the Five Great Nations. They won't take kindly to Shin-Konoha elevating itself to that level."

Tsunade shook her head. "We're not declaring a sixth kage—we're simply appointing a leader. The village needs a voice."

Naruto spoke up. "I think Tsunade-sama is the right choice."

Everyone else seemed to agree, but Tsunade shook her head. "I'm not interested in these responsibilities. I hate this kind of thing."

The conversation was interrupted by Uzumaki Chito's voice, calm and firm. "Tsunade, I think you should take the role. The village needs you."

Tsunade sighed, feeling cornered. She had no choice but to accept.

The meeting shifted focus to another pressing issue: the captives.

"What do we do with the Fourth Raikage and Killer B?" Tsunade asked.

"Standard protocol would be to hold them as prisoners of war and wait for the Land of Lightning to pay a ransom," Kakashi suggested.