Sunagakure was currently incapable of going to war—this was something the Fourth Kazekage understood very clearly.
So even if it meant offending Granny Chiyo, he could only choose to prioritize the bigger picture.
Kazekage Rasa had only recently taken office. How could he not want to win a war to establish his authority?
But Sunagakure's situation was right there in front of him.
It wasn't that he didn't want to fight—it was that he simply didn't have the strength to do so.
What would happen if he lost to Konoha again?
Wouldn't that completely destroy his authority as Kazekage?
He already lacked prestige. If he lost another war, wouldn't he be forced to step down immediately?
The Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, was also an ambitious politician. Having just taken power, he naturally didn't want to lose it so easily.
Granny Chiyo was old—but his road was still long.
For the sake of the greater good, it was better not to get involved in the war at this moment.
Speaking of which, Tsuchikage Ōnoki could choose to sit on the sidelines.
Likewise, Kazekage Rasa could wait for an opportunity to muddy the waters.
Even if he couldn't win a war, squeezing some benefits out of both Konoha and Kumogakure wouldn't be a bad choice either.
By not directly entering the war, many risks could be avoided—there was no chance of losing everything while trying to be clever.
You might make a killing.
But I will never lose.
That was exactly the effect he wanted.
Land of Hot Water.
A certain street.
Inside a hot spring inn.
Jiraiya and Tsunade sat facing each other, drinking in the room.
The two silently drank, each seemingly burdened with their own thoughts.
After a long while, Tsunade suddenly raised her head.
"Jiraiya, aren't you going back to take a look?"
"The old man should have contacted you already, right?"
Although she spent her days indulging in pleasure and excess, Tsunade was still aware of a major event like Konoha going to war with Kumogakure.
Jiraiya smiled.
"Since you know Konoha's in trouble, why don't you go back?"
A trace of self-mockery appeared at the corner of Tsunade's mouth.
"Heh. What would I even do if I went back?"
"Konoha doesn't need me anymore."
Jiraiya fell silent, clearly hearing the disappointment Tsunade felt toward the village.
He had originally come to this hot spring inn to "gather material," but had been caught red-handed by Tsunade.
Old acquaintances meeting inevitably brought up old memories.
During the Third Hokage's administration, Tsunade lost her lover Kato Dan and her younger brother Nawaki.
Jiraiya likewise lost his beloved disciple, Minato Namikaze.
Though they never said it outright, both harbored some resentment toward Hiruzen Sarutobi.
With Konoha in the hands of those old men, the village had long since become rotten to the core.
Was such a village really worth risking one's life to protect?
After a long silence, Jiraiya forced out a smile.
"Let's not talk about such annoying things. Drink."
The real reason Jiraiya had come to the Land of Hot Water was that he was still somewhat worried about Konoha.
The Land of Hot Water bordered the Land of Frost, allowing him to receive frontline intelligence at any time.
His refusal to return was also because he didn't want to interfere in the struggle between Konoha's higher-ups and the Uchiha.
He had heard Minato speak of "Flame Demon" Yusuke before, and Minato had spoken extremely highly of the young man.
Jiraiya trusted his disciple's judgment.
With such a rising star holding the line, why should he go back and offend the Uchiha?
Jiraiya wasn't like Konoha's higher-ups. He had no prejudice against the Uchiha, and naturally wouldn't return just to be used as someone else's blade.
He had no intention of becoming Hokage, nor any desire to be dragged into power struggles.
Wasn't traveling around and peeping far more enjoyable?
Being Hokage was exhausting—what was so good about that?
It had to be said—Jiraiya was one of the rare truly clear-headed individuals.
No one who became Hokage ever had an easy life.
Jiraiya had already made up his mind.
Unless Konoha truly reached a life-or-death crisis, he would not return to help.
Tsunade looked at Jiraiya's expression and curled her lips mockingly.
She could naturally tell—Jiraiya hadn't completely given up on the village.
But when it didn't concern oneself, it was easy to stay aloof.
Tsunade looked at Jiraiya expectantly.
"By the way—do you have any money?"
"Lend me some first. I'll pay you back once I win it all back!"
Jiraiya's face instantly turned ashen.
"Well… uh… I've got something to do."
"I'll be going now!"
"See you, see you!"
Jiraiya bolted like a rabbit, jumping straight out the window.
Lending Tsunade money?
Impossible. Absolutely impossible in this lifetime!
Who didn't know this woman was nicknamed "The Legendary Sucker"? Even a mountain of gold wouldn't survive her gambling!
Once outside the tavern, Jiraiya looked at the street full of pale, long legs moving back and forth, instantly cheering up.
"The Land of Hot Water really is a great place."
"The quality of the ladies is top-tier!"
"Enough talk—time to gather material!"
Tsunade stood there in a daze for quite a while before reacting.
"Wait, Jiraiya!"
"Go pay the bill first!"
"I didn't bring any money with me!"
...
Land of Lightning.
Kumogakure – Council Chamber.
The Fourth Raikage sat high above, looking down at the others as he asked:
"How's the situation? Who's commanding the Konoha allied forces?"
The Eight-Tails Jinchūriki, Killer B, sat beside the Raikage. Unlike him, several noticeable bumps were visible on B's forehead.
Clearly, he had just been disciplined by his big brother's "fist of love."
To be fair, it wasn't entirely the Raikage's fault.
With war against Konoha imminent, Killer B had been rapping nonstop beside him.
Given the Fourth Raikage's temper, not slamming him into the ground was already an act of mercy.
At the Raikage's question, his secretary Mabui immediately presented a report from the forward observation posts.
"The Konoha allied shinobi force numbers over three thousand. Their commander is the current head of the Uchiha clan—Uchiha Yusuke."
The Fourth Raikage sneered.
"Uchiha Yusuke? That kid called 'Flame Demon,' right?"
"A brat still wet behind the ears, daring to come and die?"
"So what if he has Uchiha blood?"
"Trash like that isn't worth my personal attention."
However, the Raikage still had some doubts.
Hadn't Konoha's higher-ups always been at odds with the Uchiha?
Why would they assign an Uchiha as supreme commander this time?
Mabui's next report answered his question.
"According to intelligence from our spies, Konoha's leadership seems to be using our Kumogakure to weaken the Uchiha's strength."
The Fourth Raikage's expression grew even more disdainful.
"Still scheming against each other at a time like this."
"Hiruzen Sarutobi has truly regressed with age."
"With internal strife unending, Konoha is destined to fall sooner or later."
"And Kumogakure will one day dominate the shinobi world."
...
The Fourth Raikage waved his hand and made a direct decision.
"A mere 'Flame Demon' doesn't warrant my involvement."
"Send the Two-Tails, Yugito Nii, to meet him first."
"With Yugito around, that little brat won't be able to stir up any waves."
The Fourth Raikage lifted his chin, his words brimming with confidence.
Isn't 'Flame Demon' good at Fire Release?
Then I'll send someone who controls flames to play with you.
A fire-using shinobi wanting to hurt the Two-Tails?
Don't dream.
In the Fourth Raikage's eyes, Yugito facing Uchiha Yusuke was a perfect counter.
The Uchiha's Fire Release is strong?
Stronger than a tailed beast?
Impossible.
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