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"We in Konoha are short on funds. We can't afford to take action."
It's not like we're going to jump into battle just to answer Kumogakure's call to arms.
Either pay up, or forget it. You can handle this on your own.
And even if it raises suspicions of us being mercenaries—so what?
Getting the money first is what really matters.
"Take your time to think it over. I'm heading back first."
With that, Kazuki made his exit, leaving these troublesome matters for Tsunade to deal with.
Tsunade was so deep in thought that she even forgot about the flick she'd gotten on her forehead earlier, her brows furrowed in contemplation.
While Konoha had its eyes on Kumogakure's wallet, Kumogakure itself was anything but calm.
Their Raikage had once again flown into a rage.
The latest team sent to the Land of Rain had vanished without a trace, like droplets disappearing into the ocean.
Every time their operatives approached Amegakure's borders, they lost contact—proof that they were gone for good.
The staggering losses were beginning to wear even the Raikage, A, down.
To gather more intel on the so-called "Eye of Six Paths," he had been dispatching elite squads from the village.
But with team after team disappearing, anyone would feel the sting.
Even a major village like Kumogakure couldn't sustain such losses.
"Damn it!!!"
The thought of the elite squads lost in recent missions made A's heart bleed.
Several waves of reconnaissance—all wiped out.
"What about the other villages? Any news?"
"Konoha seems inactive. Iwagakure, Kirigakure, and Sunagakure have all sent operatives to investigate, but their results are no better than ours."
So apart from Konoha, which had already suffered losses earlier, the other villages were also taking hits in Amegakure?
Hearing this, A's fury subsided slightly.
If Kumogakure wasn't the only one suffering, the situation was at least somewhat bearable.
Bearable? Like hell!
Since A had become Raikage, Kumogakure had never suffered such heavy losses. He couldn't swallow this humiliation.
Mabui frowned.
"Lord Raikage, the Akatsuki's strength is formidable. Even our elite squads vanish without a trace. At this point, we have two options: send even stronger forces or declare war on Amegakure."
If squads composed of elite jōnin were being annihilated, who else could they send?
The Raikage himself?
Or let the ever-restless Killer B run loose?
Konoha had explicitly warned them—Akatsuki possessed the power to control jinchūriki and tailed beasts, and they were secretly targeting each village's tailed beasts.
Sending Killer B out would be like delivering the Eight-Tails straight into enemy hands.
"It seems the Akatsuki truly is a major threat."
A calmed himself, deep in thought. He needed to carefully consider his next move.
Should he personally go to Amegakure?
The idea had crossed his mind, but he dismissed it immediately.
A was certain that if he announced his intention to head to Amegakure, the village elders would vehemently oppose it.
Since going himself wasn't an option, he had to consider alternatives.
Like declaring war—though a small-scale one. Amegakure wasn't worth a full-scale mobilization.
"What if we rally the other villages to jointly pressure Amegakure?"
If the Five Great Shinobi Villages united, they could collectively condemn Amegakure and the Akatsuki, then launch a combined assault.
This way, they'd avoid reputational damage and minimize risks and losses.
A refused to believe the Akatsuki could stand against all five villages at once.
Of course, involving the other villages meant any benefits or intel would have to be shared rather than monopolized.
But if Kumogakure acted alone, the losses could be catastrophic.
A had a temper, but he wasn't stupid.
The fact that the Akatsuki could make elite squads from every village disappear proved their terrifying strength.
Kumogakure going solo against them would be a disaster.
The most logical approach was to invite the other villages to join forces.
As for the spoils?
They'd compete fairly. A was confident in his ability to outmaneuver the others.
"Send word to the other villages. The Akatsuki's threat has endangered the peace of the Five Great Shinobi Villages. It's time for us to unite."
There were plenty of ready-made justifications—whether it was the Akatsuki targeting tailed beasts and jinchūriki, or their involvement in assassinating key figures across nations.
Any of these were grounds for the Five Great Villages to act.
Besides, with all five united, no nation or village would dare speak up for the Akatsuki, even if the pretext was flimsy.
Kumogakure was never one to hesitate.
That same day, several squads departed for Konohagakure, Kirigakure, Sunagakure, and Iwagakure.
Given the gravity of the situation, they didn't rely on messenger hawks—instead, they sent their own shinobi to deliver the invitations.
---
Konoha.
For once, Kazuki had a day off and was lazing in bed, unwilling to move.
Standing by the door in her sleepwear, Kurenai sighed at the sight of him buried under the blankets.
"No work today? Will the Hokage's office manage without you?"
"Leave me alone. Let me sleep. I'm just the Hokage's aide, not the Hokage herself."
Normally, the workload wasn't this heavy, but Tsunade kept pushing external affairs onto him, keeping him busy.
Just look at Danzō—when he was Hokage's aide, he had nothing to do, leisurely strolling around with his cane all day.
But now that it was Kazuki's turn, he was worked to the bone.
"I left food in the fridge. Heat it up when you get up. I need to head to the mission desk with my team—we've rested long enough. It's time for a mission."
Only then did Kazuki pull the covers down.
"I thought you agreed to leave the team?"
He had hoped Kurenai would stay in the village rather than roam the world with her squad.
But Kurenai was career-driven—she'd go stir-crazy if she stayed idle.
"Later. Once my jonin-sensei certification comes through."
"Fine. Just be careful. And pick missions wisely."
Since Kurenai had her own priorities, Kazuki didn't force the issue.
As for the jonin-sensei certification? He'd just have Tsunade stamp it later.
Review process?
That was only for outsiders.
For insiders, who cared about formalities?
If necessary, Kazuki had no problem pulling strings.
What was the point of being the Hokage's aide if he couldn't even bend a few rules?
Its not like it will bring harm to the village