Chapter 105: The Fate of Kumogakure

The Weight of Defeat

Kumogakure had fallen.

The Raikage, the Storm God of the Cloud, had been brought to his knees.

The world had expected retaliation. For Kumo to rise, to lash out, to drown Konoha in vengeance.

Instead—there was silence.

Their forces were scattered. Their pride was shattered.

And now, with no options left, they had been summoned to Konoha.

Not as warriors.

Not as equals.

But as defeated men, summoned to negotiate the future of their village.

The Gathering of Power

Konoha's war council chamber was silent.

At the head of the long wooden table sat Hiruzen Sarutobi, his face unreadable, his presence heavy. To his right, Orochimaru, his golden eyes gleaming with something cold and amused. To his left, Danzo, ever composed, ever ruthless.

Standing behind them, like shadows of the future, were Minato, Kushina, Nawaki, Inari, and Reji.

Across the table sat Darui and C, representatives of Kumogakure.

Their shoulders were stiff, their eyes wary.

And at the center of the room, kneeling on the cold stone floor, bound in chakra-sealing restraints—

The Raikage.

His golden eyes burned with pure, unfiltered rage.

Orochimaru leaned forward slightly, his voice smooth as silk, sharp as a dagger.

"Shall we begin?"

The Two Choices

Hiruzen exhaled, placing both hands on the table. "Kumogakure has two choices," he said, his tone calm, measured.

Darui and C tensed.

"You may choose war," Hiruzen continued. His gaze was cold, unwavering. "You may choose to rally your remaining forces, call upon your allies, and attempt to reclaim your so-called lost honor."

His voice never wavered.

"But you already know how that will end."

The unspoken truth weighed down on the room.

Kumogakure had already lost once.

If they fought again, they would be erased.

Silence.

Then, Hiruzen spoke again.

"The second option… is peace."

C flinched. "You mean surrender."

Orochimaru chuckled, tapping a single finger against the table. "Oh no, not at all. We're simply… offering you a better future."

Darui's jaw tightened. "A future where Kumo bows to Konoha?"

Orochimaru's smile widened slightly.

"A future where Kumogakure prospers… under Konoha's guidance."

The room grew cold.

The Price of Peace

The Raikage let out a deep, thunderous growl. "You expect us to surrender our entire nation?" His voice was a storm barely contained.

Orochimaru's smirk did not falter.

"No," he said softly. "We expect you to recognize the inevitable."

His gaze flickered toward the next generation standing behind him.

Minato, standing still, his eyes calculating.

Kushina, her presence unbreakable, unwavering.

Nawaki, his chakra pulsing like the roots of a vast forest.

Inari, silent, his Sharingan gleaming like fresh blood.

Reji, his Byakugan piercing through every movement, every hesitation.

"They are just the beginning," Orochimaru said softly. "Konoha's future is… unstoppable."

His fingers tapped against the table once more.

"Your village can fight that future… and be destroyed."

He leaned forward slightly, voice dripping with poisoned honey.

"Or… it can become part of it."

A Different Proposal

Darui's fingers twitched. His instincts screamed to fight, to resist.

But logic held him still.

Konoha had already won.

If they fought again, they would lose everything.

His voice was hoarse when he finally spoke.

"What… do you want?"

Danzo sat forward. "Kumogakure will fall under Konoha's military authority. Your shinobi will serve under our command."

C inhaled sharply, his hands balling into fists. "You're annexing us."

Danzo didn't blink. "We are securing peace."

Darui's breath came short, but before he could speak, Orochimaru cut in.

"Perhaps we are approaching this the wrong way." His golden eyes flickered with amusement.

Danzo turned toward him sharply. "Orochimaru—"

The Snake Sannin waved a hand. "Why take by force what can be gained mutually?"

The council stilled.

Orochimaru smiled.

"We don't just take Kumogakure's military might." His voice was calm, almost amused. "We make them dependent on us."

Darui and C stiffened.

"What?" C asked slowly.

Orochimaru laced his fingers together. "A partnership. One that benefits both villages."

He tilted his head. "We expand trade. Konoha supplies resources—food, medicine, technology. In exchange, Kumogakure supplies manpower, raw materials, and chakra research."

He leaned back, eyes half-lidded in satisfaction.

"The more Kumo relies on Konoha, the less they will ever think of opposing us."

A pause.

Then—understanding dawned.

Danzo's expression was unreadable. Hiruzen nodded slightly.

And across from them, Darui and C finally understood Konoha's true plan.

Not just war.

Not just conquest.

Absorption.

The Moment of Decision

The Raikage's breath was heavy. His pride screamed at him to resist.

But he had seen the battlefield with his own eyes.

He had felt Minato's kunai against his throat.

He had watched his army collapse under the weight of Konoha's young.

And now, he looked at the men before him—and saw the future.

His hands trembled.

Then, with a voice like dying thunder—

"What are your terms?"

Kumogakure Falls

Hiruzen's expression remained neutral, but his eyes were heavy with finality.

"Kumogakure will maintain autonomy, but its military will follow Konoha's command."

Danzo spoke next. "Your trade routes, supply chains, and diplomatic relations will integrate with ours."

Orochimaru smirked. "And your shinobi will train alongside ours."

Darui felt his stomach twist.

They weren't just taking Kumogakure.

They were reshaping it.

Turning it into a shadow of Konoha.

C's hands curled into fists. "And the Raikage?"

Orochimaru's smile returned.

"He will be… retired."

The Raikage's jaw clenched so tightly it cracked.

But he said nothing.

Because he knew—

He had already lost.

The New World Begins

Hiruzen finally stood. "Make your decision."

The room was silent.

Darui and C turned toward their fallen leader.

The Raikage, once the strongest man in Kumogakure, sat motionless.

His hands clenched.

His body trembled.

And then—

His head bowed.

"…We accept."

Konoha had done the impossible.

Not through war.

Not through bloodshed.

But through strategy.

Orochimaru rose, his golden eyes gleaming.

"Good."

He turned away, his voice smooth, victorious.

"Then let us discuss the finer details of your new future."

And just like that—

Kumogakure ceased to be a nation.

And Konoha took one step closer to ruling the world.

End of Chapter 105.