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Hidden Cloud Village, Medical Room, Mabui Ward
"Mabui, are you feeling better?"
Tutai stood at the edge of Mabui's hospital bed, his voice filled with concern.
Mabui offered a weak smile. "I'm much better now. I just overused my chakra with too many techniques. I just need some rest. How is Lord Raikage?"
Tutai sighed heavily and shook his head.
Mabui then turned her gaze toward Naruto and asked, "Lord Bee, has he returned as well?"
Naruto nodded.
Mabui fell silent for a few seconds, then looked directly at Naruto and said, "Even though Lord Raikage hasn't regained consciousness, Naruto, I hope that no matter what happens to Kumogakure… he can remain by your side."
Naruto blinked, a little surprised by her words.
Dodai's expression softened with emotion. Even Mabui had realized, through Obito's attack, that only Naruto was capable of protecting Killer Bee.
"Don't worry," Naruto replied, "Uncle Bee is my friend. I'll protect him. And he's really strong too—he's helped me a lot!"
Mabui exhaled in relief.
Naruto turned to Dodai and said, "Please, take me to see Lord Raikage."
"I'll come too!" Mabui declared as she attempted to get out of bed.
Tutai quickly intervened. "Mabui, you've only just regained consciousness. You should rest!"
But Mabui stood up firmly, shaking her head. "The village lies in ruins, the Raikage is unconscious, the Daimyō questions the authority of the Hidden Cloud, and the Allied Shinobi Forces are still in political disarray. One Kage is comatose, another has been captured… I don't dare to close my eyes and ignore this for even a moment."
Tutai sighed. From the moment Mabui had woken up, she had demanded updates from everyone nearby, staying informed on the current affairs of the village. The stress showed on her face.
"Lord Dodai," she said, "please take Naruto to the Raikage's room. I'll head to the office and begin handling administrative matters. Once you're done visiting, please join us for the meeting."
Dodai nodded in acknowledgment.
Mabui gave Naruto a grateful look. "Thank you, Naruto, for coming to Kumogakure's aid."
With that, Mabui, supported by her personal guard, left for the administrative office.
Dodai guided Naruto down the hall toward the intensive care unit. Along the way, he paused to check on C, the sensory-type shinobi. The medical staff informed them that while C's injuries were serious, they weren't life-threatening. He would need time to recover.
As they neared the Raikage's ward, a loud, emotional voice rang out before they even stepped through the door.
"Hey!!! My brother—my dear brother! Why did you fall!!!"
"Yo! My sorrow, it flows like a river… My brother! My brother…!"
Inside the ward, Killer Bee sat by Raikage A's bedside, tears streaming down his cheeks as he rapped his grief aloud, each syllable laced with sorrow. His powerful frame trembled with emotion, and the doctors standing nearby didn't dare interrupt.
After all, he was the Raikage's younger brother. Even if they tried to stop him, Killer Bee wouldn't listen.
Tutai arrived, and upon seeing Bee in such a state, his temper flared.
"Bee! What do you think you're doing?! You'll disturb Lord Raikage's rest!"
But Killer Bee ignored him, his voice cracking as he sobbed, "I just want my big brother to wake up… to see me… Wuuhhh… Big brother!"
He collapsed onto Raikage's bed, wrapping his arms around the unconscious Kage as he cried uncontrollably.
Dodai sighed and turned toward the medical staff. "How is Lord Raikage?"
The doctor's face was tense. "The injuries were severe—his internal organs took critical damage. But the main concern is that… we can't determine when, or if, he'll regain consciousness."
Tutai's brows knitted together. "What do you mean by that?"
The doctor hesitated, motioned for the other medical-nin to leave, then leaned in and lowered his voice. "Lord Tutai… there's a high chance that the Raikage may have slipped into a vegetative state."
"What?!"
Tutai's eyes went wide in disbelief. "But you said he was out of danger!"
The doctor sighed. "That was just to keep things under control. If word spreads that Lord Raikage might remain in a coma, the political fallout will be immense. Lord Tutai, you understand what that could mean better than anyone."
Cold sweat broke out on Tutai's forehead.
The Raikage wasn't just a village leader—he was the supreme military commander of Kumogakure. If enemies discovered that he had become comatose, they could strike at the heart of the village while it was vulnerable.
Even with the ongoing formation of the Allied Shinobi Forces, such power vacuums tempted betrayal. And with the Daimyō already showing signs of disapproval toward Raikage A, the political threat was very real. If not for Killer Bee's formidable strength and emotional ties to his brother, the Daimyō might have already appointed a replacement.
"Thank you for your hard work," Tutai said, patting the doctor's shoulder.
The doctor offered a bitter smile. "It's all for the village."
Naruto stepped forward, having heard everything. He hadn't expected Obito's attack to deal such a devastating blow. The loss of Raikage A, who was meant to command the Allied Forces, would force a complete reorganization.
A sense of guilt crept into Naruto's heart. Perhaps he had given Obito too much freedom. He should have stepped in sooner.
"Brother… Brother!!"
Killer Bee suddenly screamed toward the ceiling. His grief burst forth, and in that moment, the chakra of the Eight-Tails surged violently, filling the room.
His raw emotions had triggered a partial release of the Hachibi's chakra.
"YOU'RE TOO DAMN LOUD!!!"
BOOM!
A massive fist came down like thunder, hammering Killer Bee into the ground and shattering the floor beneath him.
Tutai's eyes widened as he stared, mouth agape. "L-Lord Raikage, you're awake!!!"
The doctor froze, then trembled as he whispered, "A miracle… It must be the bond between Lord Raikage and Lord Bee. True love and brotherhood… actually brought him back!"
Naruto stood nearby, watching in amazement. He hadn't expected it. Killer Bee's raw emotion, paired with the Hachibi's chakra, had jolted Raikage A back to consciousness.
"Big brooooo!"
Killer Bee sprang up, tears still streaming as he flung himself onto his brother again.
Raikage grunted, clearly exhausted but wearing a stoic expression. He shoved his brother aside and scolded him gruffly. "Can't I even sleep in peace? What's with all the noise?"
In truth, deep in unconsciousness, Raikage had wandered a gray void—silent and directionless. Time felt meaningless. Then, from the distance, he heard Bee's anguished voice calling him.
He followed the sound, pushing forward until the chakra of the Eight-Tails collided with the Lightning Release Chakra in his own body—energy that had been suppressing the Tailed Beast chakra for years. The moment they clashed, light pierced the darkness.
That was when his consciousness returned.
After brushing Bee aside, Raikage looked up—and saw another familiar face.
"Tch… Naruto, you're here too?"
Naruto gave a small smile. "It's been a while, Lord Raikage."
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