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"Hiruzen…where is the Eight-Tails?!"
Danzō stormed into the Hokage's chamber, seething. Just moments ago, he'd found out that Hiruzen had returned the Eight-Tails to Kumo without telling him. Danzō felt so furious he nearly had a stroke.
"I had my own plans for the One-Tail and the Eight-Tails," Danzō snarled. "I even approached you about letting me handle them personally. Yet you've just…handed the Eight-Tails back to Kumo, behind my back?"
Hiruzen, expecting this outburst, merely sighed.
"Calm down, Danzō. Using the Eight-Tails to have Kumo withdraw was the best strategic move for Konoha. We can't fight four villages at once."
Suna, Iwa, Kumo, plus Ame—Konoha was stretched dangerously thin. Another wave of frustration flashed across Hiruzen's face.
If Uzumaki Shin hadn't left Konoha, none of this would've been a concern. Then again, Shin's departure had also stabilized Hiruzen's own position. Gains and losses, he told himself.
But Danzō refused to relent:
"Then why did you not consult me first? We could have used that beast! It was a perfect tool for—"
"Danzō, I'm the Hokage. I don't need your approval to make decisions." Hiruzen cut him off.
Danzō's eye twitched, and he stormed away.
He had planned to seize the Eight-Tails for himself—turn it into his personal weapon. Now that was impossible. Maybe the One-Tail was still around, but it was hardly as appealing. Nevertheless, Danzō would still try to obtain it.
Yet he was delusional if he thought Hiruzen would hand over the One-Tail. The creature was considered a strategic super-weapon, no less.
The Iwa forces found themselves under sudden attack by Hatake Sakumo and the Konoha forces.
While that battle flared, a messenger breathlessly reported to Ōnoki:
"Lord Tsuchikage! Kumo's army…they're invading Iwagakure!"
"What?! That bastard, the Third Raikage—I'll kill him!"
Ōnoki nearly lost it. His face turned purple with anger. Seeing him about to fly into a rage, his son Kitsuchi quickly tried to calm him.
"Tsuchikage-sama, your injuries haven't fully healed. You shouldn't—"
Ōnoki trembled with suppressed fury.
"I'm not that badly hurt. But if we lose Iwagakure, we're finished! And to think I actually trusted the Raikage. This is my punishment for being a fool."
He gritted his teeth.
"Kitsuchi, gather our forces immediately. We're pulling out from the front and heading back to the village. Leave a hundred men behind to stall Konoha's army—everyone else withdraw!"
Kitsuchi's brow furrowed.
"But if we leave so abruptly, Konoha might chase us down. Our losses could be high—"
Ōnoki clenched his fists, voice shaking with anger.
"I don't have a choice. I must ensure the village remains safe. If Iwagakure falls, we lose everything."
Thus, he left one hundred Iwa-nin to hold off Hatake Sakumo's battalion while he led the bulk of their force back to the Land of Earth.
They no longer cared about fighting Konoha; they had to protect their home from Kumo's backstab.
With Iwa pulling back, only Suna and Ame remained on the field. Facing them would be comparatively simpler for Konoha. Even if not exactly a cakewalk, Konoha was favored to win.
When Hiruzen heard the news of Iwa's retreat, he exhaled in relief. The "handsome reward" had indeed been worth it.
Meanwhile, Shin himself—though no longer in Konoha—still kept an ear out for updates on the war. His own mission hinged on Konoha's victory, after all.
Sure, Shin was annoyed with Konoha. But for the sake of his 'mission', he didn't want to see them lose.
And from the recent reports, Konoha's victory was only a matter of time.
"Hey, Shin, what do you think? Does this kimono look good on me?"
Kushina spun around, adjusting the bright fabric.
They were currently at an inn, away from the chaos of the war. Kushina had bought this kimono during a shopping trip the previous day.
Shin gave her an appraising look.
"Not bad. Actually, I think it's really pretty. But compared to Mikoto…"
He trailed off with a playful smirk, glancing at Mikoto, who was also in a kimono—a shade more elegant, perhaps.
Mikoto flushed slightly at the compliment, smiling without meaning to.
Kushina, on the other hand, bristled:
"So you're saying Mikoto looks better than I do?"
Her eye twitched dangerously as she clenched her fists.
Shin shot her a mischievous grin.
"That's not exactly what I said. I just think Mikoto's style suits a kimono a bit more, is all."
Kushina grumbled, glaring at her reflection.
"Fine. If I'm second-rate, guess I'll just toss this thing out."
"Where's Konan?" Shin asked, trying to pivot the conversation.
"Still refining her chakra—She's very diligent," Mikoto said with an approving nod.
"By the way, we didn't become Missing-nin after leaving Konoha," Mikoto said, her expression thoughtful.
"No surprise. Sarutobi Hiruzen can't handle us if we were labeled Missing-nin, plus that might stir up more trouble. He'd rather just ignore it. Our strength is too much for him to risk it."
Shin wasn't surprised. Strength was everything.
A few moment later, Kushina reappeared—having removed her kimono entirely.
"Argh, I changed out of that outfit. Satisfied now?"
Shin chuckled softly.
"Actually, I was just going to say you looked nice in it, You didn't have to—"
Kushina cut him off with a huff:
"Hmph! Doesn't matter, apparently. I'm not the unstoppable beauty Mikoto is, right?"
Rolling his eyes at her theatrics, Shin lightly pinched her cheek.
"No need to get so worked up—"
"Gah! Then let me pinch your face, Shin! Fair's fair!"
She lunged forward to grab him, but Shin neatly dodged, stepping out of the inn room in one smooth motion.
"I'll go check on Konan's progress, yeah? Bye!"
"You get back here!" Kushina hollered, stomping after him, determined to even the score.
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