Chapter 200: Kumogakure's Backbone Cannot Be Broken!
The Fourth Raikage, who was usually known for his explosive temper, actually agreed so readily this time. He looked at Oborotsuki calmly and asked that question.
This surprised Oborotsuki a little.
"Of course I'm serious. I brought Samui here specifically to discuss this matter with you."
"Since you've agreed, Samui will be part of Kirigakure from now on."
"There's no need for her to follow your orders anymore. Samui, let's go."
"I'll take you home."
With that, Oborotsuki turned to leave with Samui.
The Fourth Raikage watched him turn away. His expression darkened slightly, and he subconsciously clenched his fists.
If he didn't have to consider the kid's overwhelming strength—something he couldn't possibly defeat—he would have already taught this rude brat a lesson!
However, the Fourth Raikage remained silent. On the other hand, Dodai could no longer stay calm.
"Wait!"
Dodai called out to Oborotsuki and Samui.
Oborotsuki stopped and turned back to look at him.
Samui's heart also tightened, feeling uneasy.
"Samui is a ninja of Kumogakure. She cannot marry into Kirigakure!"
"Lord Fourth Raikage, this is a matter of principle. For so many years, the Land of Lightning and Kumogakure have never had a precedent of marrying into an enemy village!"
"If we set this precedent today, the entire Kumogakure will fall into chaos!"
Dodai was a senior retainer who had served multiple generations of Raikage.
His words carried considerable weight not only within Kumogakure but even across the Land of Lightning.
Although Dodai was usually mature, steady, rational, and clear-headed, people like him were often the most conservative—or even stubborn.
So at this moment, his stepping forward to oppose Samui marrying Oborotsuki was both unexpected and entirely in character.
Hearing Dodai's words, the Fourth Raikage's face darkened. He didn't respond immediately.
Oborotsuki, however, showed a playful expression.
"Oh?"
"Lord Fourth Raikage, does Kumogakure really have such a tradition?"
He looked at the Fourth Raikage with a teasing smile.
The Raikage remained silent, his heart burning with irritation.
Was Dodai deliberately trying to make him look bad?
He had already agreed earlier to let Samui be with Oborotsuki. Now Dodai was openly undermining him—this was putting him in a difficult position!
Most importantly, offending Oborotsuki now would likely make life very difficult for everyone in Kumogakure.
Yet the Fourth Raikage had to admit that what Dodai said made a lot of sense.
Just as he was hesitating, not knowing how to respond to Oborotsuki, the surrounding Kumogakure ninja began speaking up one after another.
"Lord Fourth Raikage, we cannot set this precedent!"
"That's right, this is completely unacceptable. We are currently at war with Kirigakure—how can Samui marry this man?!"
"Even though we are captives right now, this is still too humiliating!"
"Lord Fourth Raikage, I do not agree with this marriage!"
"…"
These elite Kumogakure ninja all chimed in.
One sentence after another, they kept pressuring the Fourth Raikage.
The Fourth Raikage had originally chosen to compromise and yield to Oborotsuki precisely to protect them and prevent everyone from suffering together.
Now, seeing that everyone opposed Samui marrying Oborotsuki, the Fourth Raikage suddenly wavered as well.
He raised his eyes and looked seriously at Samui.
"Hmm…"
The Fourth Raikage let out another low, bull-like grunt.
Dodai, seeing the Raikage wavering, immediately continued:
"Moreover, Samui is one of the top beauties in our Kumogakure—a truly outstanding ninja!"
"Yet if she marries into Kirigakure, she can only become this man's concubine? That is simply outrageous!"
"He clearly doesn't take us seriously at all…"
Dodai spoke with righteous indignation. After finishing, he turned to look at Samui.
"Samui, you absolutely cannot marry this man!"
After saying that, he subconsciously glanced at Oborotsuki, but only for a moment—then he quickly looked away, not daring to meet Oborotsuki's eyes.
At this moment, Oborotsuki was calmly watching these people without saying a word.
He wanted to see what choice Samui would make.
Samui was now caught in a dilemma. She lowered her head and bit her lip tightly, remaining silent.
On one side was the village where she was born and raised.
On the other was the man she had fallen in love with at first sight.
Giving up either side was extremely difficult for Samui right now.
After a long moment of silent thought, Samui finally spoke in a low voice.
"Everyone… can you please stop being so stubborn and rigid? I have already decided to marry Oborotsuki…"
"I hope you will not interfere with our happiness."
"Also, Lord Fourth Raikage, this is my own decision. I do not want it to involve Kirigakure and Kumogakure…"
To protect Kumogakure, Samui could only choose to separate the matter from the villages.
At the same time, she didn't want the people of Kumogakure to continue provoking Oborotsuki, lest the situation spiral out of even her control.
"Samui, how can you say such things! This is completely unacceptable! Don't forget—you are a ninja of Kumogakure!"
"Now you dare to speak up for an outsider. Have you been put under genjutsu??"
Dodai spoke with righteous indignation, questioning Samui.
His words immediately received support from the other Kumogakure ninja.
These people all began pressuring the Fourth Raikage again, trying to make him change Samui's decision and stop Oborotsuki from marrying her as a concubine.
"Samui, everyone is right."
"You are a ninja of Kumogakure. Right now, Kumogakure and Kirigakure are still in a state of war. You two…"
Faced with the strong opposition from his subordinates, the Fourth Raikage finally chose to change his stance.
He took a deep breath here: "You two… cannot get married!"
Today, the Fourth Raikage had decided to go all out.
Since everyone unanimously opposed Samui marrying Oborotsuki, even if it meant completely offending Oborotsuki and suffering his retaliation, he was willing to bear the consequences together with everyone.
Kumogakure's dignity could not be lost.
Its backbone could not be broken!
Thinking back, he felt ashamed.
As the Fourth Raikage, he had almost compromised with the enemy for the sake of protecting his people.
He had nearly thrown away the dignity of Kumogakure and all previous Raikage!
With that thought, the Fourth Raikage's gaze became even more resolute.
Meanwhile, the smile on Oborotsuki's face had quietly disappeared.
After listening to the Fourth Raikage's words, Oborotsuki gave a cold laugh:
"Samui has already said she is willing to marry me."
"You people are chattering nonstop here—how annoying is that?"
"Since you're so hung up on the relationship between Kumogakure and Kirigakure and refuse to let it go, that's actually easy to solve."
Oborotsuki said with another cold laugh: "I have a solution. Listen carefully."
He looked at the Fourth Raikage and emphasized.