Sunagakure simply did not have the strength to wage war—this, the Fourth Kazekage Rasa understood clearly.
So even at the cost of offending Lady Chiyo, he could only prioritize the bigger picture.
Rasa had only recently taken office. Of course he wanted to win a war and establish his authority.
But Sunagakure's reality was plain.
It wasn't that he didn't want to fight.
It was that they couldn't afford to.
What if they lost to Konoha again?
Wouldn't that utterly destroy his prestige as Kazekage?
He already lacked strong standing. Another defeat might force him to step down altogether.
Rasa was an ambitious politician. Having just risen to power, he had no intention of surrendering it so easily.
Chiyo was old.
His road was still long.
For the sake of the bigger picture, it was best not to get dragged into war right now.
Besides, if the Tsuchikage Ōnoki could sit on the sidelines—
Why couldn't Rasa wait and fish in troubled waters as well?
Even if Sunagakure couldn't win outright, extorting concessions from either Konoha or Kumogakure was still an option.
By avoiding direct involvement, they could sidestep major risks.
You might strike it rich—
But I will never lose.
That was the goal.
Land of Hot Water — A Street in Yugakure
Inside a hot spring inn.
Jiraiya and Tsunade sat across from each other, drinking in silence.
Neither spoke. Both appeared weighed down by unspoken thoughts.
After a long while, Tsunade looked up.
"Jiraiya, aren't you going back?"
"The old man must've looked for you."
Though she drowned herself in gambling and wine, Tsunade was still aware that Konoha and Kumogakure were at war.
Jiraiya smiled faintly.
"If you know Konoha's in trouble, why aren't you going back?"
A self-mocking smile tugged at Tsunade's lips.
"Heh. What would I accomplish by returning?"
"Konoha doesn't need me anymore."
Jiraiya fell silent.
He could hear the disappointment in her voice.
He had originally come to this hot spring inn for "field research."
Instead, he'd been caught red-handed by Tsunade.
Old comrades meeting inevitably stirred old memories.
During Hiruzen's tenure, Tsunade had lost both her lover, Katō Dan, and her younger brother Nawaki.
Jiraiya had lost his beloved student, Namikaze Minato.
Though neither said it aloud, both harbored resentment toward Hiruzen.
With the village in the hands of those old men, it had grown increasingly rotten.
Was such a village still worth risking one's life for?
After a long silence, Jiraiya forced a smile.
"Enough about that. Drink."
Truthfully, Jiraiya had come to the Land of Hot Water because he couldn't quite let go of Konoha.
The Land of Hot Water bordered the Land of Frost—news from the front would travel quickly.
His refusal to return was also deliberate.
He didn't want to interfere in the struggle between Konoha's leadership and the Uchiha.
He had once heard Minato speak of "Flame Demon" Akihito.
Minato had spoken highly of the young man.
And Jiraiya trusted his student's judgment.
With such rising talent holding the front, why should he return and risk offending the Uchiha?
Unlike the higher-ups, Jiraiya held no prejudice against them.
He certainly had no intention of becoming someone else's blade.
He had no ambition to be Hokage, nor to involve himself in power struggles.
Wasn't traveling the world and peeking at bathhouses far better?
Being Hokage was exhausting.
Jiraiya, in truth, was one of the rare clear-headed ones.
No one who became Hokage lived an easy life.
He had already decided—
Unless Konoha truly faced destruction—
He would not return.
Tsunade watched him, a hint of ridicule in her gaze.
She could tell he hadn't completely given up on the village.
But since it didn't directly concern him, he preferred to stay aloof.
Suddenly, Tsunade looked at him expectantly.
"Oh right—do you have any money?"
"Lend me some. I'll pay you back after I win."
Jiraiya's face instantly turned pale.
"Ah… I just remembered I have something to do."
"I'll be going now."
"See you, see you!"
He moved like a startled rabbit, leaping straight out the window.
Lend Tsunade money?
Impossible. Not in this lifetime.
Who didn't know she was nicknamed the "Legendary Sucker"?
Even a mountain of gold wouldn't survive her gambling.
Outside, Jiraiya gazed at the passing legs on the street and immediately brightened.
"The Land of Hot Water really is wonderful."
"The girls here are top quality."
"Enough talk. Time for research!"
Back inside, Tsunade stood stunned for several seconds before reacting.
"Wait, Jiraiya!"
"Go pay the bill first!"
"I didn't bring any money!"
Land of Lightning — Kumogakure Council Chamber
The Fourth Raikage sat high above, surveying the room.
"What's the situation? Who commands the Konoha allied forces?"
The Eight-Tails' jinchūriki, Killer B, sat beside him.
Unlike the Raikage, several noticeable bumps decorated his forehead.
Clearly, he had just been introduced to his brother's Iron Fist of Love.
To be fair, one could hardly blame the Raikage.
War with Konoha loomed—and Killer B had been rapping nonstop in his ear.
Given the Raikage's temper, not slamming him into the ground already counted as restraint.
At the question, secretary Mabui promptly presented a report from forward scouts.
"Konoha has assembled over three thousand shinobi. The commander is the current Uchiha Clan Head—Uchiha Akihito."
The Fourth Raikage's lips curled with disdain.
"Uchiha Akihito? That brat who calls himself 'Flame Demon'?"
"A wet-behind-the-ears boy dares come courting death?"
"So what if he carries Uchiha blood?"
"He's not worth my personal attention."
Still, a doubt lingered.
Hadn't Konoha's leadership always clashed with the Uchiha?
Why appoint an Uchiha as supreme commander now?
Mabui's next words answered him.
"Our spies report that Konoha's leadership intends to use Kumogakure's strength to weaken the Uchiha."
The Raikage snorted.
"Even now, they scheme against each other."
"Hiruzen Sarutobi grows more pathetic with age."
"Konoha's internal strife will be its downfall."
"And Kumogakure will one day dominate the shinobi world."
…
With a decisive wave of his hand, the Raikage made his call.
"A mere 'Flame Demon' doesn't require the Raikage."
"Send the Two-Tails' jinchūriki, Yugito Nii, to test him."
"With Yugito there, that brat won't stir much trouble."
He lifted his chin confidently.
The "Flame Demon" specialized in Fire Release?
Then let him face a tailed beast that commands flames.
A fire-wielding ninja trying to harm the Two-Tails?
Don't make me laugh.
In the Raikage's mind, Yugito was the perfect counter to Uchiha Akihito.
Uchiha Fire Release was strong?
Stronger than a tailed beast?
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