A special thank you to my patrons:
—Cain, Shahzaam, Varun Madhu, Mp Gaming, Gonzalo Sumalavia, kevin Williams, Jose Carrillo, ZaberZ, Jose Sierra, Salim, Silver, ManyEB, Александр Радняный, John Doe, Kyle Bates, Acedia.
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!
—————————————————————
In the end, it was still his own task to handle.
Kazuki was carrying Tsunade, intending to take her home to rest. But not long after leaving the barbecue restaurant, an ANBU operative appeared.
"Lord Advisor, an envoy from Kumogakure has secretly visited the village and wishes to see you."
"An envoy from Kumogakure, visiting secretly?"
For Kumogakure to send someone to Konoha at such a sensitive time, and to come sneaking around no less... it seemed Kumogakure was planning to stir up some trouble.
Seems the situation is starting to get interesting.
"Take them to my office. I'll be there shortly."
With guests arriving, Kazuki changed direction immediately. Watching Tsunade return to the Hokage office building, he dropped her off in her personal bedroom to sleep soundly before going to meet the people from Kumogakure.
It was a pity there wasn't enough time; otherwise, Kazuki would have liked to take a bath and change clothes first.
He straightened his clothes. As for the smell of alcohol and barbecue on him, Kazuki couldn't be bothered with it now.
"Long time no see, you two."
Opening the door, Kazuki saw two familiar figures. What a coincidence.
He really didn't know what Raikage A was thinking. Most others sent mature and steady types as envoys. Only he, every time he sent people to Konoha, dispatched two women—and the two most presentable women from Kumogakure at that. Was this some kind of test for him?
Since when does Kumogakure operate like this?
"Long time no see."
Mabui bowed slightly, responding with a smile. Samui gave a slight nod but didn't speak.
Looking at Samui's indifferent expression, Kazuki deliberately asked with a hint of suspicion:
"Samui, you could say we are old acquaintances. Are you really that unhappy to see me?"
"..."
Damn your 'old acquaintances'!
Samui nearly laughed in anger. Her calm expression couldn't hold any longer, directly broken through by Kazuki's remark.
Mabui turned her head away and chuckled to herself. She was curious how her good friend would react.
"It has been a long time... sir." Suppressing the urge to bite someone, Samui forced a smile and greeted him.
Knowing when to stop, Kazuki didn't continue teasing her. Instead, he asked Mabui:
"The Raikage sent you two to secretly visit Konoha and see me. May I ask what this is about?"
"Sir."
Mabui composed her smile, making her expression serious and earnest. "The Raikage sent the two of us to visit secretly. He hopes to meet with you at the border of the Land of Fire five days from now."
As for anything else... don't ask, because even I wouldn't know how to answer.
'Just as I thought. The Raikage wants to stir things up.'
Kumogakure wouldn't just sit idly by forever. When it was time to act, A wouldn't hesitate. Kazuki just hadn't expected A to start making moves this early. More importantly, he wanted to rope Konoha in together.
This indirectly indicated that Kumogakure also didn't want to provoke Konoha. Setting Konoha aside, the only remaining target was Iwagakure.
It seems A hasn't let go of the hatred for his father's death.
He never made a big deal of it before simply because he hadn't found a suitable opportunity.
Now, with Iwagakure potentially about to blow up at any moment, A saw this as a perfect chance for revenge.
Although he wanted to guard against the Akatsuki organization and was reluctant to start a war recklessly, if an opportunity presented itself, A wouldn't mind getting involved—like taking revenge on Iwagakure and plundering the Land of Earth.
The Land of Earth was barren, but even within its impoverished environment, there were hidden resources, like mines. In fact, the Third Raikage's death was inextricably linked to mines.
You, the Raikage, ran into someone else's mining area in the Land of Earth to rob it, stealing things that belonged to Iwagakure. Do you think Ōnoki wouldn't be furious?
It'd be strange if he didn't send people to surround and attack you. However, the Third Raikage never expected Ōnoki to have such guts.
After discovering he was surrounded, he immediately let his guards leave first while he covered the rear, and was subsequently worn down and killed by tens of thousands of ninja within the Land of Earth.
Covering the retreat for a few guards...
Just who was protecting whom, damn it?
Were the Raikage guards just for show?
When Tobirama Senju covered the retreat, at least it was for his own students. But you, Third Raikage, that's a bit hard to justify. Getting yourself killed in the Land of Earth for the sake of a few Raikage guards...
Resources and revenge—I'm afraid A values the latter more. Kumogakure wasn't lacking those few resources, but he probably wanted to teach Ōnoki a lesson.
Kazuki's fingers tapped irregularly on the desk as he pondered.
Mabui and Samui didn't dare disturb him. They stood quietly in the office, silently waiting for Kazuki's reply.
This wave could be worth riding, but Konoha can't be the vanguard, nor can it take the lead. We can only follow Kumogakure's lead and scavenge for benefits.
Having made up his mind, Kazuki spoke: "Agreed. Leave the location details. I will personally go to meet the Raikage five days from now. I hope your village can maintain secrecy. As for Konoha..."
Before Kazuki could finish, Mabui proactively said:
"Please arrange accommodation for us, sir. We hope it can be somewhat discreet. The Raikage said you would definitely agree to go, so we don't need to risk returning to the village. We can just accompany you to the border."
"..."
Holy crap!
Is the Raikage that confident?
What if I had refused?
"Don't worry, someone will arrange it for you. You'll just have to bear with it for these two days."
Kazuki wouldn't head straight for the border immediately; he needed to wait until the time was closer. Moreover, he needed to discuss this with Tsunade first.
He had the ANBU arrange accommodation for Mabui and Samui, and prepare some food.
*****
The next day, Tsunade was woken by Shizune. Waking up groggily, she knew she had drunk too much again last night. But how did I end up sleeping in here?
Don't tell me that little rascal Kazuki...
Oh no!
Tsunade suddenly sat up straight. Shizune, who had just finished preparing the honey water, was taken aback.
Based on past experience, after she prepared the honey water, Tsunade would laze in bed for a long time before getting up. Sometimes she even skipped work entirely to sleep in, ignoring everything.
But today, she sat up as soon as the honey water was ready. This was a bit unusual.
"Phew~~ Thank goodness."
Sitting up abruptly in her panic, Tsunade found her clothes were still properly on. She let out a sigh of relief. This proved that after being brought here last night, she had gone straight to sleep without anything else happening.
"Ouch! My head."
The aftereffects of drinking too much arrived. Tsunade patted her head. Shizune hurriedly handed the water over.
After gulping down the honey water, Tsunade felt the nearly exploding headache ease up considerably.
"Where did that brat sleep last night?"
Why would he just dump me in his room?
Something doesn't seem right.
Hearing this, Shizune quickly replied:
"Lord Hokage, the ANBU ninja said that after Kazuki brought you here, he left directly. Oh, and he also had the ANBU relay a message, saying that if you woke up, you should go to his office."
"He left? Good."
Now Tsunade was completely reassured. She let out a long yawn and, with Shizune's help, changed into clean clothes.