The sudden intrusion shattered the moment between Uchiha Gen and Mabui.
Gen himself was unbothered; after all, it wasn't his face on display, but the Raikage's. The real embarrassment fell entirely on Mabui.
Flustered, she leapt from his lap, hastily straightened her disheveled collar, and bowed, her healthy dark skin flushed crimson. Her voice trembled as she greeted the newcomer.
"L–Lord Bee…"
Gen narrowed his eyes at Killer B, his expression dark as still water.
This idiot!
If not for B barging in, their first moment might not have gone all the way in the Raikage's office but at least hands and lips would have been satisfied.
Instead, the chance was ruined.
Killer B saw the glare of "Big Brother" and felt the chill of his anger. He didn't dare rap a rhyme, only scratched his head with a sheepish grin.
"Big Bro… would you believe me if I said it wasn't on purpose?"
"Bee, that isn't your brother," a low voice rumbled in B's mind. It was Gyūki, the Eight-Tails, speaking from within the seal. "That's a Transformation Technique. Well executed, but fake nonetheless."
B stiffened. His eyes sharpened. He began studying the imposter closely and sure enough, the flaws appeared. Chakra flow wasn't quite right. Even the posture in the Raikage's chair felt wrong.
Gen noticed the subtle shift in B's demeanor. His perception was razor-sharp; even without his Sharingan, he knew he'd been seen through.
So… I've been found out. No matter. I'm not afraid.
He leaned back slightly, voice steady. "Of course I know your temperament, so I'll overlook it this time. But remember to knock."
"Go on, Bee. Step outside. Come see me later, Mabui and I haven't finished our discussion."
Mabui's heart skipped. Still wants to continue…? Shame burned in her chest, her gaze dropping to her toes.
But B wasn't fooled. He smiled disarmingly, though his words carried an edge. "Big Bro, the reason I rushed in was because someone urgently needed Mabui. How about letting her go handle it first, and we two brothers can catch up?"
Even when he acted silly, B's instincts worked in critical moments. He'd tried to slip Mabui free, but Gen's cold hand caught hers. Her skin was dark, yes, but smooth and soft. He pulled her back into his lap, expression unreadable.
"Do you not understand what I just said?" His tone dropped lower, more menacing. "Or are the Raikage's words meaningless now?"
The strange coldness in "Raikage-sama's" tone jolted Mabui. The bond between A and Bee was close, so why did these words sound like they were between strangers?
B's eyes hardened. There was no point pretending anymore.
He clenched his fists. This fraud won't touch Mabui. And I won't let him walk out of here alive.
"Damn impostor! How long are you going to play this game?" B barked, pointing directly at him. "Show your true face!"
Gen chuckled. "Heh. Exposed at last."
Mabui gasped. Her instincts screamed danger.
She tried to struggle free but Gen's arm coiled around her waist, locking her in place. His other hand pinned both of hers. She couldn't move an inch.
"But ugly?" Gen smirked. "No. I'm far more handsome than your Raikage."
With a soft poof, smoke burst from his body. The disguise peeled away, revealing the face of Uchiha Gen.
"You look… familiar," B muttered, frowning. He had trained in Cloud Gorge during the recent battles and hadn't been present. Though he'd seen Gen's face on reports, he couldn't place it at once.
"Uchiha Gen!" Mabui blurted, recognition striking instantly.
"That's right." Gen's lips curved. "Miss Mabui, you've lost nothing."
Mabui's shame turned to fury. "Pah! For the proud head of the Uchiha clan, one of the strongest shinobi in the world, to stoop to such… such disgraceful tricks…" Her words trembled, elegant even in anger. She didn't spit like a commoner, but her contempt was clear.
Gen chuckled. "If I hadn't distracted you, what then? You'd have spotted my forged signature and forced me to silence you. This way was kinder, don't you think?"
Mabui froze. The logic twisted, yet disturbingly sound.
"And what right does Kumogakure have to sneer at me?" Gen's eyes narrowed. "Your lot cheats in combat trials, sending Chūnin disguised as Genin. You seal fragments of Tailed Beast chakra into Jōnin. You whisper off-field instructions during matches. You set ambushes on three sides of the gorge. Trick after trick. Compared to you, I'm practically honorable."
Mabui faltered. She had been present at those meetings. The accusations weren't wrong.
B, however, was lost. "What the hell are you even talking about?"
"Release her now," B snapped, unsheathing two short swords with a clang. "Or you won't leave this village alive."
Gen only sneered. "Alive? You should worry less about me and more about your Raikage."
He leaned forward, his words laced with malice. "I stand here unharmed, slipping into your heart without effort. What do you think happened to him and his entourage?"
Both Mabui and B stiffened. A dark chill coiled through their hearts. But they forced the thought away.
"Big Bro is unstoppable," B shot back. "Even if you're strong, you can't touch him."
"Exactly," Mabui added quickly. "Lord Raikage isn't alone. Lady Yugito, nine elite shinobi, and over a hundred Chūnin guard him. Even if your whole clan ambushed them, you'd gain nothing, certainly not wipe them out."
Gen's smile deepened. "Two frogs croaking at the bottom of a well. Soon you'll see."
"I'm not here for slaughter. The Raikage lost a wager and failed to pay me my due. I've come to collect. If you want to fight—fine. I'll break what I must and kill who I must. But I won't leave without what I came for."
His eyes bled crimson, the tomoe twisting into the eternal pinwheel of the Mangekyō Sharingan.
B's sunglasses did nothing. Their gazes met and in an instant, he fell into Gen's Genjutsu.
"Bee!" Gyūki roared inside his mind. With a surge of chakra, the beast broke the illusion and yanked him back to reality.
"Those eyes… dangerous," Gyūki warned. "Don't be reckless."
B gritted his teeth. He wanted to strike now—but a battle here, in the heart of the Raikage Building, would devastate the village. Civilians, shinobi, children—too many lives at risk.
He needed to stall. Evacuate the building. Empty the streets. Bring in the elders. Wait until Ay and the others returned. Then they could strike together.
B slid his swords back into their sheaths with a calm clack. His voice lowered. "Fine. Since you insist on staying, we'll wait for my brother. But hear me, don't harm Mabui. If you do, you'll never leave Cloud alive."
With that, he turned toward the door.
"Close it, bastard!" Gen barked sharply.
B froze, fists tightening. Rage boiled in his chest. But for the village's sake, he swallowed it. He backed out, unable to look inside again, and shut the door with the push of his foot.
Mabui… forgive me. His thoughts hardened. I'll make sure my brother knows what you endured today. Your sacrifice won't be forgotten.