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The two men were left speechless, unable to muster a response. Kazuki continued.
"I just sent away an envoy from the Land of Grass. They came seeking an alliance and cooperation, but I refused. The things Grass Shinobi Village has done to our village in the past can't be wiped away with a few apologies. So, I want you to take this mission seriously. Don't disappoint me."
"Of course," Kazuki added, crossing his arms and raising an eyebrow.
"If the Sarutobi and Shimura clans can't handle it, you can leave the scroll here. I'll hand the mission over to the Uchiha and Hyūga instead."
"..."
It was such a cheap provocation—yet the Shimura and Sarutobi clans had no choice but to swallow it.
Because they had to.
Even if they refused, Kazuki would pry their mouths open and force it down their throats.
Then, helpfully shove it further down until it reached their stomachs.
In other words. straight to the gut.
"Understood."
Reluctantly, they had no choice but to accept.
The two clan heads immediately took the scroll to the Third Hokage.
The Third frowned as he read it.
Seeing his prolonged silence, the Shimura clan head grew anxious.
"Lord Third, this mission… doesn't seem appropriate. If Grass Shinobi Village spreads word of it, our reputation—"
"This is a standard clan mission. Prepare accordingly—and make sure it's done cleanly."
After a long silence, the Third sighed, deciding not to interfere.
Since the mission had been issued, they had to carry it out.
Picking a fight with Kazuki over a mission would be pointless—even Tsunade wouldn't back them up.
Other clans handle clan missions all the time. Why should the Shimura and Sarutobi be exempt?
Worried about damaging Konoha's reputation?
What reputation does Konoha even have left?
You're the ones who ruined it!
Besides, Grass Shinobi Village wasn't Konoha's ally. Targeting them was just collecting interest.
Did anyone really expect Kazuki to let the Shimura and Sarutobi clans off the hook just because Tsunade said not to dig up the past?
Absolutely not.
He wouldn't openly crush them—but he'd keep his eyes on them, making sure they suffered.
Only when I decide the debt's been repaid will I stop. Or when your clans are wiped out. Then, I'll let bygones be bygones.
Until then, every dirty, thankless job would be theirs.
And they'd better not complain.
As long as it wasn't blatant targeting, Kazuki wasn't worried about the Shimura and Sarutobi clans kicking up a fuss.
Even if they took it to Tsunade, nothing would change.
In fact, she'd probably just find them annoying.
Other clans carry out missions without a word of complaint. Why do you two always have to make a scene in the Hokage's office?
You're just bored and looking for trouble.
Though they knew Kazuki was setting them up, the Shimura and Sarutobi clans had no choice but to comply.
They dispatched a team of capable shinobi to handle the mission.
Meanwhile, the Land of Grass envoy, having been thoroughly rejected by Konoha, left in frustration—unaware that a sizable squad of shinobi had already set out ahead of them, heading straight for Grass Shinobi Village.
---
"You assigned a mission to the Shimura and Sarutobi clans?"
Tsunade asked curiously.
Shizune hadn't reported it to her—she only learned of it after reading Kazuki's mission file.
"Yeah. Both clans have plenty of shinobi sitting idle in the village, so I picked them. As for Grass Shinobi Village… I think backstabbers like them deserve a lesson."
"Hm. Your call."
Tsunade had no intention of interfering.
As for Kazuki deliberately choosing the Shimura and Sarutobi clans? She didn't care.
If you're assigned a mission, just do it.
It's not like he's sending your clansmen to their deaths. Stop whining.
"Why do you still look so troubled?"
The village's finances weren't as tight as before—Tsunade should've been relieved.
"Don't even ask. The hole's too deep. Can't fill it. Literally can't fill it."
Tsunade sighed. "All I think about now is money. But I don't know where to get more."
The village needed funds.
And so did Tsunade.
Konoha's deficit was massive—but her personal debts weren't small either.
Years as the "Legendary Sucker" hadn't been for nothing.
Thankfully, she was skilled at making money on the side—even while buried in Hokage paperwork, she still found time to perform surgeries at the hospital for extra income.
Most of her debts were paid off through side gigs.
If she'd relied solely on her salary, her creditors would've died of frustration.
"Got any ideas?"
She looked at Kazuki with hopeful eyes.
He rolled his own.
"Don't look at me like that. I can't print money. And I can't just conjure up a fortune—wait. Actually, there might be a way…"
"Go on."
At the mention of money, Tsunade perked up instantly.
Kazuki pointed toward the Land of Lightning.
"The squad I sent to the Land of Rain sent back intel. Cloud Shinobi Village has dispatched several more teams into Rain. And in Cloud, the frequency of Raikage's office window repairs has increased. That means his temper's flaring again. That guy's got a short fuse. If Cloud suffers heavy losses with nothing to show for it, he won't let it slide."
Just as Cloud planted spies in Konoha, Konoha could do the same.
Like Ōnoki, Kazuki didn't need his informants in high positions—just close enough to monitor the Raikage's office for small details.
The Raikage's personality was flawed. hot-tempered and unwilling to swallow losses quietly.
That meant Cloud would be the first to lash out against Rain.
"You think Cloud's about to make a move? But… how does that help us make money?"
"How doesn't it?"
Kazuki wagged a finger.
"The Raikage's got a temper, but he's not stupid. He knows the Akatsuki isn't an easy foe. He won't charge in blindly—he'll rope other villages into it. That's when we name our price. We don't care about intel on the Akatsuki. Or their so-called 'Sage's Eyes.'"
"If they want Konoha's help? Fine. Pay up, and we'll join the fight against the Akatsuki."
"No money? Then forget about it."