"Hmm, are we sending an invitation to Otogakure?"
Looking at the list of villages that had participated in the previous Chūnin Exams, Kiyosuke asked.
Kakashi replied, "This time, I don't think the Sound will participate. Same for Amegakure."
The last Konoha Collapse Plan had been instigated by those two villages. Konoha hadn't suffered too much of a loss, but for the sake of safety, they weren't about to invite either of them.
"In that case, we'll send the invitations to the other villages that had taken part in the Chūnin Exams," Shizune said as she flipped through the documents.
Tsunade nodded.
"Forget Otogakure. As for Amegakure… let's put that aside for now. But remember—use the Sixth Kazekage's public debut as a reason to send invitations to all the villages of the Five Great Nations."
"That way we'll see how the other villages react," Kakashi understood Tsunade's true intent.
"Exactly. Drawing out Akatsuki is another goal," Tsunade said to Kakashi. "And Amegakure is a special case. We still need to send them an invitation."
"Why?" Kakashi asked, puzzled.
"I want to see what's really going on with that old salamander Hanzō. Based on Jiraiya's intel, Amegakure seems to have some problems. Take an invitation with you, Kakashi. Go to Amegakure and see if you can gather some information."
"Alright, understood."
Kakashi didn't refuse, accepting the reconnaissance mission without complaint.
Kiyosuke, however, already knew what had happened in Amegakure. Hanzō had long since been killed by Pain. Now, the ones ruling Amegakure were Pain and Konan. Even if Hanzō's name was still used on the surface, he was nothing more than a disposable puppet.
But Kiyosuke didn't stop Kakashi. Nothing would happen to him on this trip.
When Jiraiya eventually went there… that would be another story.
"Also…" Tsunade turned to Kiyosuke. "Originally, I was going to have the ANBU deliver the invitations, but now, I'll leave it to you."
"Eh?"
Delivering invitations?
Why me?
"The one for Kirigakure—I'm entrusting it to you." She pulled out an envelope and handed it to Kiyosuke.
Kiyosuke took it with a bitter smile.
"Tsunade-sama, if I go to Kirigakure, won't they gang up and kill me? Their Third Mizukage died at my hands, after all."
"That's exactly why I'm not worried," Tsunade said with a laugh. "Because they know your strength, they won't dare act recklessly. You might even uncover some valuable information."
Kakashi chuckled from the side, clearly enjoying himself.
"Who knows, you might even come back with a wife."
That guy was definitely still holding a grudge about Hanare being left with him.
Ever since Hanare had been staying at Kakashi's place, he hadn't been buying tissues nearly as often. Back then, he used to go through entire packs of them. If this kept up, in a few years, the Hatake household might be filled with little brats running around.
"Hmm?" Tsunade caught on to something and teased, "If that really happens, I wouldn't mind. You're not getting any younger. Spending all day with Kakashi and Guy is a little pathetic. Asuma's already pulled ahead of you, you know."
Kiyosuke snorted.
"That guy's busy serving the little princess at home. He doesn't have time to drink with us anymore."
Asuma's child was already two years old, an energetic handful. Between taking care of his wife and child, Asuma had his hands full. The woes of a married man were becoming more and more apparent. On the rare occasions he could sneak out to drink, he had to do it behind Kurenai's back.
Though, to be fair, Kurenai enjoyed drinking herself.
By the way, Sarutobi Mirai had been doted on as soon as she was born. In the male-heavy Sarutobi clan, she was the long-awaited little princess. The elders adored her, especially the Third Hokage, who spoiled her beyond belief. She even pulled out his beard once, and he didn't complain.
"Anyway, hurry up and settle your own marriage already," Tsunade pressed on, switching into nagging matchmaker mode.
"Someone from Kirigakure isn't out of the question. If not, I've noticed the Fifth Kazekage seems to have a certain look in her eyes when she sees you. She's beautiful too—you could consider it."
Kiyosuke's lips twitched. He stuffed the invitation into his clothes.
"Fine, fine. I'll go. But if I really bring someone back, Kirigakure will definitely go to war with Konoha."
"Wait, wait—who's this girl from Kirigakure?" Kakashi asked curiously.
For someone whose marriage could trigger a war, her identity couldn't be simple.
Kiyosuke covered his face.
"The Fifth Mizukage."
Tsunade: ⊙ω⊙
Shizune: Σ(っ °Д °;)っ
Kakashi: ∑（?〇О●）
"Y-you're kidding!?" Kakashi stared at Kiyosuke in shock. "Don't tell me… the girl you protected on the battlefield back then was… the current Fifth Mizukage!?"
"Something like that."
"Ahem… forget I said anything. How about considering one of the girls in the village instead? Shizune would be a good match," Tsunade coughed, quickly trying to change the subject.
"Tsunade-sama! Don't joke about me like that!!!"
Shizune protested angrily.
"Hey, is it really that funny to joke about me?" Kiyosuke grumbled. "Well, whatever. I'll see her anyway. It's about time I made a choice."
A choice of fate.
And if that choice ultimately led to death… then at least he would make it without regret.
"You've really decided?" Kakashi asked.
"More or less. It's worth going," Kiyosuke said. "Speaking of which—should I bring Sasuke back? He's already qualified for the Chūnin Exams."
Kakashi shook his head.
"Even if you bring Sasuke back, we still need Naruto. And who knows where he is now."
The Exams required teams of three. Sakura and Sasuke alone wouldn't be enough. They'd need a third member. But the two of them probably wouldn't accept anyone else.
"I'll send a shadow clone to track them down. We can't let them stay genin forever, can we?" Kiyosuke said with a laugh.
Jiraiya must have taken Naruto somewhere for training. Whether they'd make it back in time for the Exams was another story. Sure, Konoha had the strongest genin, but they still needed to climb the ranks eventually.
"That works," Kakashi nodded. "Then I'll leave it to you."
"No problem."
Kiyosuke split off two shadow clones.
One headed for Otogakure in the Land of Rice Fields.
The other set out to track down Jiraiya and Naruto, to bring Naruto back for the Exams.
As for Kiyosuke himself, he departed for the Land of Water—to deliver an invitation to Terumī Mei of Kirigakure.
Traveling to the Land of Water was nothing new for him.
Crossing the great bridge named after Naruto, he entered the Land of Waves. From there, he passed through its territory, crossed the sea, and stepped onto the soil of the Land of Water.
...
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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