Once Shikaku left, Kurotsuchi immediately began inspecting the surroundings. After confirming there were no seals or barriers, she looked at Ōnoki, puzzled.
"Grandpa, how did you end up trapped here?"
With Ōnoki's strength, even Tsunade wouldn't be able to hold him so easily.
His Light-Weight Rock Technique allowed him to freely control the weight of rocks, enabling him to fly. Even without that, just by mustering his resolve, a single Dust Release could reduce the shinobi here to atoms, allowing him to escape easily.
"It's not barriers or seals that hold us... but our hearts."
Ōnoki looked at his granddaughter and shook his head helplessly. "After Tsunade defeated us, before negotiations take place, we aren't going anywhere."
"But we could go back to Iwa!" Kurotsuchi said with innocent naivety.
"Silly child!"
Ōnoki patted Kurotsuchi's head, his face full of affection. "We were the ones who initiated this war. Now that Tsunade has defeated us, sure, we could attempt a sneak attack... but who can guarantee it would hit her? As long as she remains unharmed, we cannot return, nor should we."
"So naive!" Raikage A interjected with a hint of exasperation. "There may be no seals or barriers here, but the Hyūga's Byakugan is watching us constantly. The moment we show even the slightest intent to use ninjutsu, alarms will be raised!"
So that's how it is...
Kurotsuchi's eyes widened as realization dawned. Thanks to the Raikage's explanation, she now understood the terror of Konoha.
With the Hyūga's Byakugan, Konoha could rotate guards to keep the Raikage and Tsuchikage under constant watch. This invisible restraint was more oppressive than any physical prison or sealing technique.
"Then... when will Tsunade-sama come to see us? Are we just supposed to wait like this?" Kurotsuchi questioned again.
Ōnoki only smiled and shook his head, leaving the question unanswered.
A waved his hand, signaling Darui to stay quiet and not ask any questions.
Darui scratched his head awkwardly and keep his mouth shut.
Even though they were in Konoha's camp, Darui knew better than to oppose the Raikage. Crossing him meant gambling with your life.
"Let's just wait. We could use some rest anyway. Besides, your Iwa village is strong enough to survive without this old geezer for a while, isn't it?" Raikage A retorted sharply before lazily lying down.
Seeing Kurotsuchi about to speak again, Ōnoki waved his hand to cut her off.
"Kurotsuchi, return to the Iwa camp. I won't go back, so you'll act in my stead. Go now."
Kurotsuchi bit her lip. Looking at her grandfather's firm resolve, she knew no persuasion would change his mind. She took a deep breath.
"Tsuchikage-sama, then I'll return first!"
"Alright, you get out too. Just seeing you annoys me!" The Raikage preempted Darui, cutting off his farewell. Faced with such a domineering Raikage, Darui could only retreat helplessly.
Watching the two leave, Ōnoki turned to the Raikage, who was lounging comfortably in a chair.
"You're not worried about your village?"
"Worried? Why should I be?" The Raikage looked at Ōnoki puzzled. "As long as I'm alive, I'm still the Raikage. Without me, it would take a while for the village to select a suitable successor."
Ōnoki raised an eyebrow. "That Darui... isn't he the one you favor as your successor?"
Ōnoki expected the Raikage to deny it or remain silent. What he didn't expect was for A to actually answer.
"Yes, after training him for a few more years, I can relax!"
Seeing Ōnoki's surprise, A smirked. "You old geezer, don't act like you're any different. Isn't your granddaughter your chosen successor? I've met that Kitsuchi of yours. His strength aside, his personality isn't suited to lead Iwagakure."
Since A had already admitted it, Ōnoki didn't bother hiding the truth. "You're right. But a smooth life can't forge a true Kage. My time here in Konoha's camp is good training for her."
Raikage sighed. "I never thought you old coot would have the same idea as me!"
Ōnoki glared at him irritably. "Show some respect to your elders, will you?"
Raikage really wanted to tell him that he felt like slapping him right now, respect be damned.
However, since they were both under the same roof now, letting their relationship deteriorate too much wouldn't be good.
"Enough nonsense. I need a good rest. Anyway, the shinobi world won't fall into chaos without the two of us. What's there to fear!"
---
At Konoha's camp, inside the Hokage's tent.
Tsunade sat there with a sake bottle in one hand and a mirror in the other. Staring at her reflection, she snapped, "Didn't you say you'd disappear after this battle? Why are you still here?"
The Tsunade in the mirror looked completely different from her real self—wearing a sly, shameless grin.
"I don't know either! I thought I'd vanish earlier, but here I am. Maybe... you just couldn't bear to let me go? Can't blame you. A handsome guy like me tends to attract women."
"Get lost!" Tsunade glared at her reflection, her face full of indignation. "With you staying inside my body now, I don't even dare take a bath, you know that?"
The mirror Tsunade grinned. "Taking a bath is great! We're basically the same person, aren't we? And with me here, what are you afraid of? If that Ōnoki dares use Dust Release, I'll wipe him out in seconds."
The real Tsunade glared. "I'm worried because of you! Just knowing someone's peeking at me, I can't even sleep peacefully. You're not... secretly doing anything to my body when I'm asleep, are you?"
The thought alone made her shudder.
"Relax, I wouldn't do something so tasteless. Besides, touching you feels the same as touching myself. Aside from indulging a bit of fantasy, there's no real loss. And besides, you've been single for so long; I don't believe you've never used your hand..."
*Smash!*
Tsunade slammed the mirror to the ground, shattering it with one blow. Not satisfied, she stomped on the shards until they were ground into dust.
"That bastard! If I ever see him again, I'll pound him into meat paste!" she roared, thinking of Kamizuki Hikari with nothing but rage.
It was all because of that guy. He helped her awaken Wood Release and left a fragment of his spirit inside her body.
The very thought that he'd seen her bathing this whole time made her feel this world was beyond saving.
Just let it all burn!
This hopeless world!
-----
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