The debate, which had left the Kumogakure envoys in a tight spot, was finally interrupted by the sudden entrance of three old geezers. Upon receiving the information and bursting into the Hokage's office, they all shouted in unison:
"Tsunade! What are you doing?! Have you lost your mind?!"
Especially Danzo, who entered with Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, was red in the face, trembling with rage.
"Tsunade has truly gone mad!"
Even I, Danzo, as insidious as I might be, would never gamble with the entire village of Konoha and the Fire Country!
Hiruzen, you chose the wrong person! This woman not only has poor luck in gambling but also loves to gamble with the entire Fire Country!
Watching the three old geezers berate her one after another, Tsunade signaled everyone else to leave the office. She leaned back in her chair, ignoring their furious ranting.
Of course, Tsunade wasn't someone who would tolerate being insulted or criticized. As the three elders became more intense, she calmly said, "Am I the Hokage, or are you?"
Even without power, old foxes remain old foxes. The three exchanged glances, understanding each other's thoughts.
Danzo would play the bad cop!
Koharu would act impartial and fair!
Homura would be the mediator, playing the role of a peacemaker!
They divided the roles clearly: one to threaten, one to discuss the matter fairly, and one to mediate. It was a calculated performance of shamelessness and thick-skinned cooperation!
However, Tsunade didn't indulge them. She stood up, shrugged her shoulders, and announced she would quit if they thought their authority surpassed the Hokage's.
The sudden offer caught Danzo off guard. He was ready to step up, thinking it was a great opportunity! But before he could speak, Koharu and Homura, sensing danger, quickly changed their stance, siding with Tsunade.
"We didn't mean that!"
"We just think the Hokage should be more cautious!"
"As the village leader, you must think twice before acting!"
Seeing his partners suddenly desert him, Danzo felt betrayed. They had planned to suppress Tsunade's temper together, but now they were siding with her!
Disgusted, Danzo stormed out, leaning on his cane. He felt frustrated under Tsunade's leadership, and with the Will of Fire invading even his Root, he could do nothing but be irritated by Hiruzen daily.
"Life has no hope left. Let everything perish."
Just then, Hiruzen Sarutobi, timing his entrance perfectly, appeared at the door with a set of commemorative mahjong tiles made to celebrate the newfound peace.
"Look what I've got! Commemorative mahjong for celebrating peace! Let's play a few rounds!"
"Such a leisurely retirement life, playing mahjong. I envy you all. I wonder when I'll be able to retire like you," Tsunade sighed, her words breaking the elders' resolve again.
With Hiruzen's support and Tsunade's biting remarks, the elders were outmaneuvered. That night, Koharu was bitter, Homura resigned, Danzo's luck was terrible, and Hiruzen won big. It was a night of "Retirement Entertainment!"
The next day, Tsunade asked the elderly advisors if they needed a raise in their pensions. If so, they could submit an application for her immediate approval.
Koharu and Homura: "..."
…
The Kumogakure envoy couldn't decide whether to tear up the ceasefire agreement. So, upon receiving an urgent message from their envoy, the Fourth Raikage A smashed his desk in rage again.
Their argument matched that of the envoy.
"Hokage, you've gone too far!"
Ignoring their own kidnapping and backstabbing, Kumogakure felt no guilt in trying to snatch valuable things. It was a tradition!
"If you want to fight, let's fight! Who's afraid?!" Roared the Fourth Raikage, sending letters to Sunagakure, Kirigakure, and Iwagakure.
"Want to gang up on Konoha?"
The first to reply was Onoki, writing: "Of course! Raikage-sama's bravery matches the Third Raikage's. If you need help attacking Konoha, just let us know. We're ready!"
Reading Onoki's reply, the Raikage nearly spat blood. Onoki not only insulted him as a brute but also suggested he attack first!
You bastard! If I attack first, will you fight Konoha or stab me in the back, like you did to my father in the Third War?
Sunagakure's reply was next, expressing their hatred for Konoha. If given the chance, they wouldn't miss it!
However, many of their ninjas were starving, so they hoped the Raikage could support them first with a small loan of 10 million ryo and 100,000 kilograms of food, promising to repay double after conquering Konoha. They assured no betrayal!
After reading Sunagakure's reply, the Raikage's office turned to ruins from his rage.
In the mist-covered Kirigakure, Obito, upon seeing the letter, wondered what madness had struck the Raikage.
Ignore him. Busy avenging Kirigakure, he had no time for this! Besides, retaliating against Konoha needed careful planning, not this petty nonsense.
So, controlling the Fourth Mizukage Yagura, Obito wrote back: "Fight if you must. Stop whining like a child. If you're just bluffing, go away!"
Thus, the Raikage, working from home due to office repairs, lost his house in a fit of rage...
Amidst the ruins, covered in dust, the Raikage read the three replies and felt that the other great nations needed a good beating!
When I rise, I'll crush all of you!
"Tell the envoys to return. The ceasefire agreement is signed. Staying there only makes us a laughing stock. Tell them to come back and help rebuild my house!"
"Yes, I'll notify them immediately!"
The little secretary, not daring to complain, rushed to carry out the orders.
…
Under the tearful farewells of Konoha's citizens, the Kumogakure envoys left with dark faces. They gained nothing and lost one of their own!
Someone in the crowd tearfully shouted, "Come back soon!" This broke the envoys' composure, and the crowd, seeing this, started shouting similar farewells, speeding up the envoys' departure.
"We should avoid this place in the future!"
Tsunade, watching this, burst into laughter, feeling elated. Shikaku also chuckled softly.
It was indeed refreshing!
Konoha hadn't felt such pride in years. Although the village seemed harmonious on the surface, there was always a subtle, inexplicable gloom.
This Hokage, in just two years, had swept away that gloom!
The happiest, however, was Chloe in the orphanage, having gained the most prestige points this time!
Most points came from Tsunade and Hiashi, but his fearless stance for the village was widely recognized, earning him 2500 points!
Chloe didn't let the sudden windfall get to his head. He pondered how to gain prestige points steadily and abundantly.
First, he needed to maintain a good persona.
Prestige, after all, was about being looked up to by others. Chloe was glad he had never left a bad impression in Konoha.
Following his established persona would work well. Even Indra's reincarnation was becoming closer to him under his sugar-coated bullets. With proper nurturing, Chloe believed he could turn him into a partner of justice!
As for Asura's reincarnation, it was a bit regretful he hadn't met him yet. Probably because he was being secretly raised by Konoha's higher-ups. According to the system, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki was Asura's reincarnation!
That's... killing two birds with one stone!
First, he needed to meet him, then train him. Knowing Asura's character, if you treated him well, he would reciprocate!
Naive and gullible!
The future looked bright!
"Chloe! The Hyuga clan sent a lot of meat and vegetables yesterday. Come help us cook!"
"I'm coming!"