Land of Fire, Konoha Camp.
Kakashi sat there calmly, sipping tea. He looked completely unconcerned with his surroundings, as if the only thing on his mind was the leisurely enjoyment of his little orange book.
Beside him, Nara Shikaku was playing host to two guests—Darui from Kumogakure and Kurotsuchi from Iwagakure.
While Kakashi luxuriated in his relaxation and Shikaku observed quietly, Kurotsuchi and Darui were anything but at ease. They waited anxiously for Konoha's answer.
"You two don't need to be in such a hurry. The Tsuchikage and Raikage will be just fine in Konoha's care." Shikaku said calmly, exuding confidence.
But Darui and Kurotsuchi could hardly stand it.
If it were your Hokage in our hands, you wouldn't be so calm!
In any shinobi village, the Kage were more than just leaders—they were pillars of strength. Now that both of their Kage had been taken, if word got back to their villages, who knew what chaos might follow.
Even though Onoki had governed Iwa for decades, and Kumogakure was loyal to the Fourth Raikage, being captured like this was a huge blow to their prestige.
"Shikaku-san, could you at least hurry things along? This camp isn't that big—what's taking so long for our Raikage's reply?"
Shikaku offered them a polite smile, about to give another evasive answer, when hurried footsteps sounded outside. A Chunin appeared at the tent's entrance.
"Shikaku-sama, the two guests wanted me to inform you that they're enjoying the food and accommodations here and asked their subordinates to return and wait. They'll be heading back in a few days!"
"WHAT?!" Darui roared, springing to his feet, his killing intent surging toward the Chunin.
"Did you use some kind of trick on our Raikage?! There's no way he'd agree to this!"
Kurotsuchi stood next to him, adding her own pressure.
"That's right! Our Tsuchikage is old—if anything happens to him here, war will be unavoidable!"
"Now, now..."
A lazy voice rang out. But the terrifying killing intent that accompanied it froze Darui and Kurotsuchi in place instantly.
Hatake Kakashi.
"This is Konoha, not Iwagakure or Kumogakure. If you're thinking about attacking our shinobi here, I can't just sit back and watch."
Was this the power of an elite jōnin?
His killing intent was intense, razor-sharp—there one moment, gone the next.
By the time Darui and Kurotsuchi tried to resist, it had already dispersed like a breeze. They hastily suppressed their own chakra that was about to erupt.
The stark contrast made them feel like coughing blood.
Damn Konoha shinobi... They're so underhanded!
"Well, if you're so eager to see them, follow me."
Shikaku stood up and walked out of the tent, ignoring their slightly disheveled expressions.
Kakashi glanced at them once before pulling out his beloved book and returning to his reading.
Following Shikaku, it took less than three minutes for Kurotsuchi and Darui to spot their leaders lounging in chairs, basking in the sun like they hadn't a care in the world.
"Raikage-sama! (Tsuchikage-sama!)"
Both immediately rushed forward. Kurotsuchi checked Ōnoki thoroughly, making sure the elder hadn't suffered any harm before finally relaxing.
As for Darui, he'd barely lifted a hand toward the Raikage's massive pectorals before a glare full of murderous intent forced him to abort any plans to inspect further.
"What are you two doing here? Didn't Konoha already tell you to go back?" The Raikage grumbled at Darui's near intrusion, but given that the silver-haired shinobi was his chosen successor, he let it slide.
Compared to his frosty reception, Ōnoki was much warmer toward Kurotsuchi.
"Kurotsuchi... Has there been any unrest in the camp? Rumors, perhaps?"
"Not yet, Tsuchikage-sama. But many are worried for your safety. If not for my intervention, far more people would've stormed Konoha's camp!"
What she didn't say aloud was that some in Iwa saw this as an opportunity. With Ōnoki aging and clinging to power, certain factions hoped—quietly—that he might never return. That way, they could negotiate peace with Konoha and elect a new Fourth Tsuchikage.
Kumogakure's situation was different.
Kumo lived by the creed of might makes right. With the Raikage's strength second only to Killer B's, no one dared challenge him. Some had advocated for a rescue mission, but the threat of Tsunade's overwhelming power forced even the boldest to hesitate.
"Don't worry about me. The Raikage and I are enjoying a rare moment of peace. Once the Fifth Hokage decides to meet us, she'll come. There's no need to rush."
His words sounded casual, but the implications were far deeper.
The biggest hidden message was that Tsunade hadn't come to see them even once—it was possible she had suffered backlash and was currently recovering from the aftereffects.
Shikaku, standing nearby, gave a dismissive chuckle. Did Ōnoki think he couldn't see through such an obvious ploy?
After Tsunade's return, he'd immediately sent medical-nin to examine her. Aside from her mood being somewhat low, she was perfectly fine. That alone put him at ease.
Still, the past few days had been... eye-opening.
Tsunade, known for her medical jutsu and brute strength, had suddenly unveiled Wood Release—and not just any Wood Release, but a level that put even Yamato to shame.
Though Kurotsuchi maintained her conversation with Ōnoki, her eyes kept flicking toward Shikaku.
When she caught his smirk, her first instinct was suspicion—was he faking it?
But then again... what if Tsunade was fine, and simply making Ōnoki and the Raikage wait on purpose?
Either way, it was something to take back to their strategists.
"Chat as long as you like. Leave whenever you're ready."
Shikaku had no interest in lingering. Seeing them deep in discussion with no sign of departing, he excused himself and walked off.
Kurotsuchi and Darui exchanged glances.
He just left?
Just like that? No guards? No surveillance?
These were the Tsuchikage and Raikage! Couldn't Konoha at least assign some shinobi to keep watch 24/7?
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