After receiving the mission, Shikaku immediately dragged Kakashi away.
There was no way he was going to let himself be the only one thrown into this pit.
After all, Kakashi still held the title of "advisor". Such a convenient title—why let it go to waste?
"Hey, Shikaku, why're you dragging me along?"
After walking for a while, Kakashi finally realized he was being led straight into trouble.
Shikaku quietly gestured behind them. "Didn't you see Tsunade-sama smiling so ominously? If you stay there, do you have a death wish?"
Kakashi didn't need to turn his head. Relying on pure male instinct, he could already sense the foreboding aura looming behind him.
"It's not that I want to die, but I've still got things to do. I'm outta here. Later!"
Just as Kakashi pushed away Shikaku's left hand, Shikaku grabbed him with his right.
"Uh, I don't swing that way!" Kakashi said seriously, looking at Shikaku.
"Get lost!"
Shikaku rolled his eyes in annoyance. "What could you possibly have to do? I'm the one handling all the work around here. Unless you're planning to go back and secretly read Holy Light-sensei's works?"
"Don't slander me! That's called studying! And when have I ever secretly read such things?" Kakashi defended himself with righteous indignation.
"Yeah, yeah, you always read them openly and honorably."
"Stop dragging me! If you keep pulling, I'm going to get mad!"
"No worries. I'll find you a lady to cool you off later."
"Really? Ahem, I mean, I'm not that kind of guy!... Is she pretty?"
---
"You're quite bold, brat!"
Tsunade strolled up behind Kamizuki Hikari with a sly smile, her right hand gently resting on his lower back.
If anyone dared to call this an intimate gesture, Hikari would surely invite them to try it themselves. Right now, Tsunade's hand was pressing against his kidney. If she lost control of her strength, Hikari's future "enjoyment" might be gone for good.
"No, no, no! In this world, who could possibly be bolder than you, Tsunade-sama?" Hikari's tone couldn't have been more flattering.
"Hmm...?" Tsunade let out a displeased sound.
"Alright, alright, my bad! Just tell me what you want!" Hikari quickly begged for mercy.
[One day, I'll make you realize just how important these kidneys of mine are to you!]
Hearing Hikari's inner complaint, Tsunade almost lost control of her chakra right then and there.
Pulling her hand back, Tsunade straightened her clothes.
"Let's go. We're going to check on Tsuchikage and Raikage!"
Hikari glanced around, taking in the camp's layout, then headed toward the area where Ōnoki and A were being held.
Don't ask him how he knew.
As someone who had participated in the Third Great Ninja War, Hikari was very familiar with how camps were organized.
What looked like chaos actually followed strict logic.
Depending on numbers, identity, and rank, the arrangement varied.
For prisoners like the Raikage and Tsuchikage, their accommodations were naturally different from common captives.
"Pretty bold, huh? Not even a sealing barrier on these two."
Seeing the pair basking in the sun in the courtyard, Hikari let out a sigh and then looked at Tsunade.
"What're you standing around for? Move it!" Tsunade urged, striding toward Raikage A and Ōnoki.
"Well, well, how're you two doing? Settling in okay? Food to your liking?" Tsunade asked.
Looking at the two who had been acting high and mighty in front of her before but were now her prisoners, Tsunade felt immense satisfaction.
She almost wanted to throw back her head and laugh aloud to express her delight.
"It's not bad. Good food, good drinks. Just missing the sound of wind and sand blowing... feels a bit strange without it." Ōnoki said as he sat up. Seeing Tsunade approach, he didn't bother with much formality.
That was normal. Even as a prisoner, his identity as Tsuchikage put him on the same level as Tsunade.
"No problem. If the Tsuchikage enjoys the sound of blowing sand, I can have someone use Wind Release here to recreate the environment of Iwagakure." Tsunade said generously as the victor.
"Thanks, but no need," Ōnoki said, glancing around. "I'm getting old. Don't sleep much anymore, so no need to trouble yourselves."
Tsunade nodded, then turned to Raikage. "A, considering our relationship, if you want the sound of thunder, I can always send Kakashi over."
"Forget it."
Raikage A rolled his eyes. "If I sense his strength, I might not be able to stop myself from fighting."
"No worries," Tsunade said with a grin. "If you rough him up, you can just pay for the damages. As long as you don't kill him, my medical skills can handle the rest."
The Raikage snorted dismissively and stayed silent. He wasn't an idiot. Tsunade's visit clearly meant she'd already decided how to handle them.
Whether they were ransomed back, or directly released, neither option sat comfortably with him.
"Since you two are doing fine, then just stay here and make yourselves at home. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask. After all, Konoha isn't stingy." With that, Tsunade prepared to leave.
Ōnoki and A exchanged glances. In the end, it was the Raikage who caved.
"Hokage, you've held us here for two days already. You should at least give us some idea of what you plan to do with us."
"Don't worry. I've already sent Shikaku to prepare the paperwork. We'll start negotiations with your villages tomorrow. As for the outcome... well, that depends on how sincere your offers are!"
Tsunade's smile was gentle, but in her eyes, Ōnoki and A looked like two giant gold bars.
No—that wasn't right. Even gold didn't compare to their worth.
"In that case, we can relax a little." Ōnoki said with a chuckle. "It's just that Iwagakure has suffered greatly... I hope Hokage-sama will show some mercy."
Since capture was unavoidable, Ōnoki no longer dreamed of getting away scot-free.
The most important thing now was to minimize losses.
As the Third Tsuchikage, unless a rebellion in his village ousted him, the ransom was inevitable.
Even if the village elders stripped him of his title, repairing relations with Tsunade would still cost a fortune—possibly even more.
As long as his people weren't shortsighted, he'd make it back home.
"Of course, of course. I'll be sure to let Shikaku know the Tsuchikage's thoughts." Tsunade's expression was that of someone who usually dumped all actual work on Shikaku, the perfect scapegoat.
It left Ōnoki fuming—those were the very words he'd always said to others.
Now, with tables turned, hearing Tsunade say it to him filled him with rage.
"Konoha has always been a peace-loving village. That's been our creed since the First Hokage, and we've upheld it carefully for generations. Yet, the Tsuchikage and Raikade attacked us like this. It truly saddens me. Anyway, I have work to attend to. You two rest here for now. I'm sure tomorrow's negotiations will be... most pleasant."
Watching Tsunade leave in triumph, Ōnoki glanced at A, then sighed helplessly.
"*Sigh*..."
That long sigh said it all.
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