"Kazuyama, what are you smiling at?"
"Did I smile? Minato, you must be mistaken."
Kazuyama quickly hid his grin. It wasn't his fault—Minato was just too amusing.
"In the current situation, I still believe we should take the initiative. Once Iwa attacks the Land of Rice Fields—"
"The moment Iwa makes a move there, Kumo will be forced into a defensive position. This is the perfect chance to crush Kumo and keep them from making another move in this war."
Shirakumo firmly stood by his stance, earning a glance from Kazuyama.
However, he had clearly overestimated him. Shirakumo was simply a warmonger.
"Let's wait a bit longer. Send spies to the Land of Rice Fields. If Iwa moves, we'll respond accordingly."
Tsunade remained cautious—any misstep in this war could have serious consequences.
"Kazuyama, what's your take on this?"
Hearing Tsunade's question, Kazuyama casually shrugged.
"I'm just an intelligence officer. Combat decisions aren't my responsibility."
"I'm not particularly interested in fighting, but considering the situation, I think we should keep an eye on Kirigakure."
"If Kumo suffers heavy losses, Kiri might seize the opportunity to claim a share of the spoils."
His words stunned the room into silence.
Torifu's eyes widened as he stared at Kazuyama.
"No way. Ever since the Third Mizukage took power and turned their village into the Bloody Mist, they've been trapped in endless internal strife. How could they have the resources to join this war?"
"No, Kazuyama has a point. In the beginning, Kiri wouldn't have dared to get involved. But if Iwa manages to defeat Kumo at the Land of Rice Fields, the entire war will shift. At that point, Kiri might take action."
Tsunade's expression grew serious. She was already thinking several steps ahead.
"Uncle Torifu, send someone back to the village immediately to report this to the Hokage."
"The village needs to start preparing for the possibility of Mist's involvement."
"Kazuyama, head to the Land of Rice Fields and keep an eye on Iwa's movements. Report back the moment you notice anything."
"Shirakumo, gather everyone at once. If the Land of Rice Fields erupts, we'll strike immediately."
At that moment, Tsunade fully embodied her role as commander-in-chief, her presence undeniable. Even Kazuyama couldn't help but be impressed.
No wonder she would one day become the Fifth Hokage—this kind of authority was in her very nature.
"Understood. But... who's covering my expenses?"
"I've been away for a month. I can't afford to pay for everything myself."
The previously serious atmosphere in the room instantly shattered.
Tsunade sighed, pressing her hand to her forehead.
Minato's face turned a deep shade of red.
Shirakumo shot him a sharp glare.
Torifu, on the other hand, burst into laughter.
"Get out! You bastard! You want reimbursement? Go report back to the village yourself! Leave me alone!"
"Hurry up and get the hell out of the Land of Rice Fields! Don't let me see you again!"
Tsunade strode forward, grabbed Kazuyama by the collar, and hurled him out of the meeting room.
The force sent him flying several dozen meters through the air.
"Hey, hey, hey! No reimbursement and resorting to violence? That's inhumane!"
"Pfft! When I get back to the village, I'm definitely reporting you!"
Kazuyama landed smoothly after a backflip, completely unfazed. Instead, he smirked mischievously.
Intelligence missions were reimbursed separately, and as an ANBU, he also received additional mission rewards. Complaining about it was entirely unnecessary.
However, the spectacle had drawn the attention of the surrounding Konoha shinobi. Fınd the newest release on 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭·𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮·𝙣𝙚𝙩
"A-la-la, don't stare at me, everyone. Bye-bye."
With the activation of the Flying Thunder God Technique, Kazuyama vanished from the base.
He set off once again, unburdened by hesitation, instead feeling intrigued by the war about to erupt in the Land of Rice Fields.
Border of the Land of Earth.
A frail-looking old man hovered in the air, while four shinobi stood before him.
"Kakkō, Taiseki, Mahiru."
"I expect you not to disappoint me on this mission."
"Take 10,000 men and reclaim the Land of Rice Fields for Iwa."
"Rōshi and Han, remain stationed. Shibito Azuma, you'll be in charge of defending the Land of Grass and keeping an eye on Konoha."
Shibito nodded, unfazed by being left out of the direct battle.
This was Iwagakure—a village of unwavering unity, where every shinobi followed the orders of the Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, without question.
However, upon hearing Rōshi's name, Shibito furrowed his brows.
After a brief moment of thought, he finally spoke.
"Lord Tsuchikage, regarding Rōshi…"
"He's complained about you multiple times at the garrison. Even as a Jinchūriki of the Four-Tails, his attitude is excessive."
"Are you sure you don't want to send him back to the village?"
Ōnoki sighed, shaking his head.
"We'll deal with Rōshi later. For now, his power is invaluable on the battlefield."
"Keeping him stationed in the Land of Grass is enough to deter Konoha."
"And with Han there, we can keep him under control."
Seeing that the Tsuchikage had made his decision, Shibito dropped the subject.
Instead, Ōnoki shifted the conversation.
"Kakkō, you did well this time. I saw Toroi's corpse. The cost was high, but the result was worth it."
"Kakuzu, though… That man is something else, infiltrating Kumo at a time . Even I have to admire him."
Kakkō recalled his brief encounter with Kakuzu in the forest and couldn't help but sigh.
"Alright, prepare to move out. Secure the Land of Rice Fields as quickly as possible!"
"Yes, Lord Tsuchikage!"
Ōnoki's personal presence at the frontlines sent a surge of morale through Iwa's forces.
10,000 Iwa shinobi, led by their three commanders, set off toward the Land of Rice Fields.
Kumo Base, Land of Rice Fields
"Damn it! Why haven't the supplies arrived yet?!"
"What the hell is Toroi doing?!"
The Third Raikage's voice boomed through the command tent as he impatiently awaited news of their supply convoy.
"Lord Raikage, something's not right."
"Toroi was transporting supplies from the Land of Lightning. If they still haven't arrived, something must have happened to them."
A nearby Jōnin spoke cautiously.
The Third Raikage's expression darkened, his fury barely contained.
Just then, several Kumo shinobi burst into the room, panting heavily.
"Lord Raikage, bad news!"
"A massive Iwa force is advancing from the Land of Grass toward the Land of Rice Fields!"
"Their numbers are impossible to estimate, but they are overwhelming!"
The Third Raikage's eyes flashed with anger, and a suffocating aura erupted from him.
"Damn you, Ōnoki! I'm 100% certain Iwa is behind what happened to Toroi!"
"Everyone, prepare to retreat! Withdraw to the Land of Lightning!"
"Send word to our forces in the Land of Hot Water—order them to retreat as well! Move quickly!"
With the Third Raikage's swift orders, the situation for Kumo took a dire turn.
p@treon com / PinkSnake