Naruto: Lost to Hinata on Purpose, and Now Everything's a Mess

The Fourth Raikage was quiet for a moment, deep in thought. He trusted Yugito Nii's judgment.

She was undoubtedly a Kage-level powerhouse. Alongside Killer Bee, she was one of the few Jinchūriki in the Hidden Cloud Village who could perfectly control a Tailed Beast. And while she was prideful, her loyalty to the village was unquestionable.

So the Fourth Raikage was now considering the implications of Riku—someone allegedly stronger than Hashirama Senju—potentially becoming a threat to the Hidden Cloud.

After a long silence, the Raikage turned to Samui and asked, "Samui, you haven't spoken since your return. You've met Riku twice now. What do you think of him?"

Samui froze for a moment, then glanced at Yugito before replying, "I don't think he's our enemy. His ideology seems to align with that of Konoha's Fifth Hokage. He values peace."

"Still, his strength is undeniable. Back in the Land of Water, he was able to suppress the Three-Tails using ordinary ninjutsu. I don't think we should provoke him. As for the information he provided—we can verify its accuracy ourselves."

"That intel is extremely valuable to us."

The Fourth Raikage nodded at her words. "You're right. Mabui, have the Intelligence Division investigate and confirm whether that information checks out."

Standing at his side, Mabui gave a silent nod.

The Raikage then added, "If you ever encounter this guy again, be cautious. Don't provoke him unnecessarily. If he really is as strong as Yugito claims, the safest option is to avoid confrontation."

He thought back to how the First Raikage once dealt with the First Hokage. Ideally, someone would exist in this era who could rival Riku.

When Uchiha Madara was alive, Hashirama Senju was there to counterbalance him.

But now, in this age where Riku exists, there's no one in the world who can stand against him.

Avoiding conflict is the only logical move.

Still, the Raikage couldn't understand why Riku had shared such important information with Yugito and Samui, especially given that it was their first meeting.

He looked toward Samui, but her face was as impassive as ever—cold and unreadable.

Despite his temper, the Fourth Raikage was no fool. He was perceptive in ways most underestimated.

"Akatsuki is after the Tailed Beasts. Sooner or later, they'll come for ours. For now, Yugito, you and Bee are to remain in the Valley of Clouds and Lightning. You two are the village's greatest assets. Under no circumstances are you to fall into Akatsuki's hands."

Killer Bee's isolation in the Valley had always been driven by the Raikage's concern.

Since the Third Raikage died in battle, the Fourth Raikage couldn't bear the thought of losing his kin. He had Bee remain in the valley to train his Tailed Beast Bomb, so if enemies ever attacked, he could strike from a distance—eliminating the need for direct combat.

The real reason was to keep Bee contained.

Now, with Akatsuki actively hunting Jinchūriki, there was no chance he'd allow Bee or Yugito to go on missions outside the village.

But his orders caused the two Jinchūriki to frown.

"Lord Raikage, I—"

Yugito began to protest, but the Raikage silenced her with a glare. "That's an order. You're to stay in the Valley. If you see any member of Akatsuki, use the Tailed Beast Bomb from a distance and immediately contact the village for reinforcements."

Yugito wanted to say she wasn't afraid of those enemies. But with the Raikage's order issued so directly, she had no choice but to comply.

After Samui and Yugito left the office, the Raikage muttered, frowning, "Tsunade… you really found yourself a good bodyguard."

He knew Riku was serving as Tsunade's personal bodyguard.

A shinobi with super-Kage-level power at only sixteen? That kind of strength would only grow with time. Ninja typically hit their prime between the ages of thirty and fifty.

And Riku hadn't even reached his prime yet, but already he had the power to suppress the entire ninja world.

The Fourth Raikage and Tsunade weren't close, but they had interacted in the past. He had once gone to her for medical treatment for one of his subordinates.

He had always respected her—a woman who surpassed even him in raw power.

Now, with her hemophobia cured and her strength restored to Sannin-level, she was more formidable than ever.

Knowing that Riku was aligned with Tsunade eased his concerns.

He understood Tsunade's character. She had a fiery temper, but she genuinely valued peace.

To the Raikage, Riku revealing that information to Samui and Yugito was a sign of goodwill.

The Raikage exhaled in relief. "Good thing he's more like Hashirama than Madara."

Outside, both Yugito and Samui looked visibly displeased.

Yugito didn't want to be sent back to the Valley of Clouds and Lightning. She wasn't afraid of Akatsuki or any other shinobi.

In truth, she simply disliked being around Killer Bee.

Despite being seven years older than her, Bee and Yugito had clashing personalities since childhood.

They were well-acquainted—close, even—and Bee had expressed his interest in her more than once. Each time, she had turned him down.

It wasn't that Bee didn't like women—he just preferred mature women with good figures, and Yugito, despite her youth, was a cold beauty who matched his tastes.

The two of them walked down the corridor, still grim-faced.

Samui walked beside her. The two had once been classmates.

Yugito had been chosen as the second Jinchūriki because of her rare physique and exceptional talent.

Though they had become Jōnin, and differences had grown between them, their friendship remained intact.

Their near-argument the last time had only happened because Yugito didn't want Samui doing anything that could harm the Hidden Cloud.

Falling in love with a ninja from another village, for instance… that would only end in heartbreak.

Yugito wasn't blind—she knew what Riku had said to her hinted at more than simple diplomacy. But she also understood her place. As a Jinchūriki of the Hidden Cloud, she couldn't allow herself to grow close to someone like Riku.

In truth, though, Yugito was overthinking.

Riku did admire her, yes—but that was all.

Just like he admired Tsunade, Yugao, Anko, Neji, and Lee—people he respected and appreciated.

He had shared the intel with Samui and Yugito because he respected them, not because he had any romantic feelings.

Especially not when Tsunade was already in his life.

Tsunade was famously known as the most beautiful woman in the ninja world.

And now, with the elixir Riku had created for her—one that kept her youthful without needing chakra—she would remain young and beautiful for life.

Age no longer mattered to Tsunade. Even in death, she would be untouched by time.

While Riku did find Samui and Yugito attractive, both in appearance and personality, admiration didn't mean he planned to act on it.

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