A special thank you to all my patrons.
The List of My "Wandering Reader":
-[ ]
-Lord_Clamiral
-Cain
-Shahzaam
-Goha21
-Splendid
-Jacob Mooe
-Varun Madhu
-sean collins
-Mp Gaming
-Paul Panzer
You can read 30 chapters ahead of everyone on p@treon.
P@TREON - [email protected]/lessaservantofcosmos
(just replace the "@" with "a")
ps: Please support me on P@treon. I can really use your help!
-------------------------------------------------------------
"Although the war has long ended, some of the things Kusagakure did during the war cannot simply be brushed aside."
"Huh?"
This wasn't following the script!
In the past, didn't they always just apologize with smiles, say a bunch of nice words, and lower their position to highlight Konoha's strength and benevolence as a major village? Wasn't that enough to gain favor?
Why wasn't it working this time?
The envoy from the Land of Grass stood frozen in place.
He felt that Kazuki wasn't playing by the usual rules—instead, he was stubbornly bringing up Kusagakure's past misdeeds.
"If you want an alliance with Konoha, fine. Show us the sincerity of your country and your village. Otherwise, you may leave. You're welcome to seek an alliance with Iwagakure or Sunagakure instead. Konoha has no need for two-faced, untrustworthy allies."
Kusagakure would love to ally with Iwagakure or Sunagakure.
But those two villages wouldn't give them the time of day—at most, they'd offer empty promises. Want benefits? Not a chance.
If they weren't demanding benefits from you, that was already a blessing—and yet you still expected them to give you benefits? Dream on.
The only place they could squeeze any advantages from was Konoha!
That was why, every time after stabbing Konoha in the back, the people of the Land of Grass would come crawling back, begging for forgiveness.
Unfortunately for them, they weren't dealing with the Third Hokage or the former honor-obsessed council elders—they were dealing with Uchiha Kazuki.
The sole remaining council elder no longer held any real power, having been transferred from the Logistics Division to the Education Division to oversee schooling.
Now, all major village affairs were handled by Kazuki and Tsunade.
Kazuki was a pragmatist—he had no patience for empty formalities.
Honor? How much was that worth?
He'd rather have something tangible.
Tsunade was even more extreme. At this stage, she was fully in "money-making mode," her mind preoccupied with figuring out how to fill the village's financial holes. She had no time to spare for Kusagakure's survival.
Honor?
That was the last thing on her mind!
As long as they were strong enough, what did honor even matter?
Just look at Kumogakure—did it have a good reputation?
Frankly, no!
But who dared to look down on Kumogakure? Who dared to provoke them?
That was the most obvious example.
"Uh..."
After standing dumbfounded for a few seconds, the Land of Grass's envoy finally asked in confusion, "M-may I ask what kind of sincerity you are looking for, sir?"
What I want is a lot—the question is whether Kusagakure can even provide it.
"In the past, your country and village have done much to harm Konoha's interests. My demand is simple: compensate us for our losses. If you do, Konoha will become Kusagakure's staunch ally. If not, please return to where you came from."
An alliance?
Kazuki had never even considered entertaining Kusagakure.
An alliance was out of the question!
Konoha wanted no such allies. They could scram right now—before he lost his temper.
"W-what? This..."
Now the envoy was completely baffled.
Because Kazuki's condition was essentially an impossible demand—one that neither the Land of Grass nor Kusagakure could meet.
Only if they compensated for past damages would there be room for negotiation?
Even if they were willing, they couldn't afford it.
Just their betrayal during the war, siding with Iwagakure and causing losses to Konoha, would amount to an astronomical sum—one that not even selling off Kusagakure could cover.
Now do you feel Konoha's sincerity?
Drop your schemes and get lost. Stop dreaming. Thinking you can keep exploiting Konoha?
Not a chance.
"Shizune, see our guest out. Also, notify the clan heads of the Sarutobi and Shimura clans—tell them to report to my office."
Without another word, Kazuki stood and left, no longer paying the envoy any attention.
"...Understood."
Shizune knew Kazuki had a poor impression of the Land of Grass, but she hadn't expected it to be this bad.
He didn't even treat them as worth his time.
But considering all the things the Land of Grass had done in the past, she could understand why Kazuki despised them so much.
With things having reached this point, the envoy had no choice but to leave in frustration—Konoha simply refused to negotiate.
After escorting the envoy out, Shizune sent ANBU operatives to summon the Sarutobi and Shimura clan heads to the Hokage's office.
"What? The Hokage's Advisor wants to see me?"
Upon receiving the notice, the newly appointed Shimura clan leader felt his stomach drop, his nerves tightening.
He was convinced this was Kazuki's long-awaited retaliation—and now the time had come.
What do I do?
What the hell do I do?!
Meanwhile, the Sarutobi clan leader was equally unsettled and immediately sought out the Third Hokage.
"It's probably official business. Just go. Lady Tsunade has already guaranteed that past grievances won't be revisited. As long as he isn't deliberately targeting you, there's no need for conflict."
Though unsure of Kazuki's intentions, the Third Hokage advised his clansman—now the acting clan head—to avoid provoking a confrontation.
"And the Shimura clan head...?"
The Third shook his head. "I won't see him. Just relay my words to him."
Ever since Danzō's death, the Third had paid little attention to the Shimura clan.
The Shimura just hadn't realized it yet.
They still assumed that if trouble arose, the Third would help them.
Little did they know—the Third could barely manage his own clan's affairs. When had he ever had time to worry about the Shimura?
On the way to the Hokage's office, the Shimura clan leader fretted anxiously.
"Sigh... Back then, Lord Danzō's persecution of the Uchiha went too far, and now... sigh."
"..."
Too late.
"Relax. With Lady Tsunade here, even if Uchiha Kazuki dislikes us, he wouldn't openly target us. This must be about village affairs."
"I hope so..."
With uneasy hearts, the two arrived at Kazuki's office.
"Lord Advisor."
Once, they had looked down on Kazuki from a position of superiority. Now, they could only tuck their tails between their legs and obediently play the role of subordinates.
Their nervousness was palpable.
Without expression, Kazuki tossed them a scroll and said:
"This is a newly assigned clan mission. Both your clans must send personnel to carry it out. I expect it to be completed swiftly and flawlessly."
You used to love making trouble for me—now it's my turn to give you a taste of your own medicine.
A newly assigned clan mission?
The two clan leaders hurriedly unsealed the scroll to read its contents.
Almost immediately, their faces paled.
"Lord Advisor, Kusagakure has always been Konoha's cooperative partner. Wouldn't this be... inappropriate?"
Kazuki's expression turned icy. "Since when has Kusagakure ever treated Konoha as a partner or ally? This is news to me."
"..."
"If you insist they're our partners, then give me one example of Kusagakure ever doing something beneficial for Konoha. Go ahead—I'm curious."
Example? What example could there possibly be?!
Kusagakure had been screwing Konoha over at every turn—what kind of example could they possibly give?