As twilight fell over Kumogakure, Rei continued her search, her gaze scanning every face in the village, hoping for some clue, some hint of a new ally. She passed by groups of shinobi who were deep in conversation, civilians bustling around in the evening's calm, yet no one seemed to stand out as the potential help she needed. She walked through narrow alleys, crossed busy market streets, and even ventured close to training grounds, her eyes catching every movement but finding only indifferent stares or cautious glances. Desperation tugged at her as she wondered if she had come to the wrong place after all.
Meanwhile, Killer B made his way toward the Raikage's office, his usual carefree rhythm muted as he prepared himself for a different kind of performance. B knew his brother well—knew that A, the Raikage, would need more than just a heartfelt story to consider involving Kumogakure in a foreign affair. But he also knew that the Raikage had his own deeply buried sense of compassion, something B hoped he could reach if he laid things out just right.
He entered the large, imposing office, where the Raikage sat behind his sturdy desk, reviewing stacks of scrolls and mission reports. The broad-shouldered shinobi looked up as B entered, one eyebrow raising slightly at the seriousness on his brother's face. Normally, Killer B would walk in with his rhymes flowing, cracking jokes or showing off his moves. But this time, B's steps were steady and slow, his eyes reflecting a gravity that A hadn't seen in him for a long time.
"What is it, B?" A asked, his voice even, yet there was a hint of curiosity.
B took a breath, his gaze steady on his older brother. "Raikage, I've met someone, a traveler from Enraoi. She's got a story you should hear—a tale that's got lightning, love, and chains that bind."
The Raikage leaned back in his chair, folding his arms across his broad chest, his expression skeptical but attentive. B had his attention, and B knew that now he needed to tell Rei's story in a way that would truly make his brother listen.
"A girl named Rei," B began. "She came here alone, from the other side of the ocean, lookin' for help. Said her love, Yami, is chained underground, locked away for tryin' to protect her from a fate she didn't choose. I know it sounds like drama, like some village squabble, but it's more than that, bro. They've thrown this guy deep down—punished him for somethin' that ain't no crime."
A's brow furrowed as B continued, his gaze becoming sharper, more focused. He knew of the rumors about Enraoi, about its powerful shinobi and the hidden strength within its villages. Though they had never encountered them directly, whispers of their prowess had reached even his ears.
"B, you know how strong those Enraoi shinobi are supposed to be. If we get involved, we're not just talking about a skirmish. This could bring Kumogakure into a full conflict, and for what? A love story gone wrong?" A's tone was stern, though there was a flicker of something else, an unspoken question about why this mattered so much to his brother.
B took a step closer, his expression unusually intense. "Bro, it ain't just that. This guy, Yami, he didn't just save her life—he saved her soul, her future. She's been tossed aside, marked a rogue by her village just for lookin' to set him free. She's got nothin' left, and I don't think anyone else would make a trip like that, risk it all, if there wasn't somethin' real behind it."
A studied his brother for a long moment, his gaze weighing every word, every bit of emotion in B's plea. It was rare to see Killer B serious about anything, and even rarer for him to come forward like this, asking for a favor without any rhyme or bravado.
"B…" The Raikage's voice was softer now, thoughtful. "You really believe this is worth the risk? You're asking me to go against a village we don't know much about, for a stranger we've never met. And if we were to act, if we were to involve ourselves, it could mean more than just pulling a single man out of prison."
"I do, Raikage," B said firmly, his gaze unwavering. "Because even the Eight-Tails sees somethin' in her. It ain't about takin' sides; it's about standin' up when someone's chained for the wrong reasons. Yami's in a place that no one deserves, all for protectin' her. If you ever stood up for me, then maybe you'll know why she's willin' to do the same for him."
There was a heavy silence as A looked down at the papers on his desk, his hand resting on a mission report as he considered his brother's words. The thought of risking Kumogakure's reputation and resources was daunting, especially for a stranger with no ties to their village. But he couldn't deny the sincerity in B's voice, and he couldn't ignore the rare determination that had led his brother to come before him like this.
A let out a deep sigh, his eyes meeting B's with a hard stare. "I'll consider it," he said finally. "But if we do this, it has to be with caution. I'm not risking the village's safety for something that isn't our fight. I'll make a decision after speaking to a few advisors."
B nodded, relief and gratitude in his eyes. "Thank you, Raikage. That's all I ask."
A nodded, still visibly conflicted, but B knew he had done all he could. As he left the office, he couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope.