Land of Wind, Sunagakure.
Kazekage's Office.
The Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, frowned as he looked at the letter in front of him, feeling a headache coming on.
The sudden announcement from Kumogakure and Kirigakure about their withdrawal from the joint investigation of the Akatsuki left Rasa at a loss.
He had thought that this time, he could rely on the strength of other villages to investigate the Akatsuki and then eliminate this threat.
Unexpectedly, just at the critical moment of reaching an agreement, Kumogakure and Kirigakure suddenly backed out.
"The woman from Kirigakure must know what's going on."
Thinking of the entanglement between Kirigakure and the masked man from the Akatsuki, and then considering Kirigakure's abnormal behavior this time, Rasa was very sure that the Fifth Mizukage, Mei Terumi, must have learned something about the Akatsuki, which led to such an unusual move.
With Kumogakure and Kirigakure withdrawing, the attitude of the Third Tsuchikage from Iwagakure was unclear, and Konoha had yet to make a statement.
It seemed that the joint investigation of the Akatsuki by the Five Great Shinobi Villages now hinged on Konoha's actions.
Rasa sighed inwardly, feeling somewhat helpless.
Sunagakure was the weakest among the Five Great Shinobi Villages. Without the assistance of other villages, fighting the Akatsuki alone would only bring heavy losses to Sunagakure.
"We must find out why Kumogakure and Kirigakure withdrew from the joint investigation."
"Something significant must have happened."
The Fourth Kazekage Rasa looked out of his office window, muttering to himself.
...
Konoha.
At Tsunade's house.
"What? The Third Hokage wants to see me?"
"Are we at the stage where we need to meet the parents?"
Shishou looked at Tsunade, somewhat taken aback.
"He doesn't want to see you; he wants to meet the Flying Thunder God user with a height of 1.8 meters and a full beard."
"And what do you mean by 'meet the parents'!"
"If you dare to take advantage of me again, I'll beat you to death!"
Tsunade threatened Shishou with clenched fists, her small, chubby hands ready to strike.
"Maybe you could have beaten him before, but now… it's hard to say."
Shizune, who was nearby, recalled the terrifying, earth-shattering power Shishou displayed a few days ago, and denied Tsunade's claim.
"Shizune, are you itching for a fight?"
Even though she knew Shizune was right, Tsunade still felt annoyed.
Moreover, she didn't expect Shizune to betray her and take Shishou's side.
Was this still the obedient and cute Shizune she knew?
"Shizune, don't be afraid of her, I've got your back!"
Shishou pulled Shizune behind him and provocatively looked at Tsunade.
As Shishou held her small hand and even gave it a squeeze, Shizune's pretty face turned bright red.
Being held by Shishou in front of Lady Tsunade made Shizune feel embarrassed.
"Wait until I finish learning the Sage Mode from the Shikkotsu Forest. I'll teach you a lesson then!"
Tsunade was instantly furious upon hearing Shishou's words.
This was the first time in years she had felt so helpless due to her lack of strength.
"Ahem."
"Let's not talk about that. When do you plan for me to meet the Third Hokage?"
Seeing Tsunade about to explode, Shishou quickly changed the subject.
"No time like the present. Let's do it now."
"Get ready, and I'll take you to see the old man."
"The sooner we persuade him, the sooner the joint investigation will end."
After speaking, Tsunade glanced at Shizune's small hand-held by Shishou, narrowed her eyes, then glared at Shishou and said angrily:
"How long do you plan to hold hands? Do you think I don't exist?"
This bastard Shishou dared to flirt with Shizune right in front of her.
Once she mastered Sage Mode, she would definitely teach him a lesson.
And not just one lesson, but two, considering how he took advantage of her earlier.
Tsunade thought fiercely to herself.
"I'm going to study Sage Mode."
Shizune, hearing this, quickly pulled her hand out of Shishou's grasp, blushing as she ran off.
"Who told you not to let me hold your hand?"
Watching Shizune run away, Shishou muttered as he looked at Tsunade's small, chubby hand.
In Shishou's eyes, Tsunade's well-proportioned, soft hands were the best.
"What did you say?" Tsunade's forehead vein twitched.
"I'll be right back!"
Seeing Tsunade about to explode, Shishou quickly bolted out of there.
"Hmph, coward!"
Tsunade, seeing Shishou run away, muttered to herself, then went to sit in the pavilion in the courtyard, sulking.
Although she didn't know exactly why she was angry.
Half an hour later.
Shishou, now standing at 1.8 meters tall and sporting a full beard thanks to some makeup, reappeared in front of Tsunade.
Thanks to Mikoto's excellent makeup skills, Shishou now looked noticeably different from both his real self and Mr. Lurigan. The Third Hokage surely wouldn't notice anything.
"Let's go."
Tsunade glanced at Shishou, now accustomed to his changing appearance, said this, and led the way out the door.
Just as they stepped out, they ran into Ino Yamanaka and Hinata Hyuga, who were coming to see Tsunade.
"Lady Tsunade, who is he?"
Ino looked at Shishou, feeling a strange sense of familiarity. Hinata beside her felt the same way.
"His name is Scumbag. Don't worry about him. Shizune is inside, go ahead and find her."
Tsunade mocked Shishou with a smirk, looking at Ino and Hinata.
Shishou: "..."
After that, Tsunade left with a speechless Shishou, heading towards the Hokage office.
Leaving the two puzzled girls standing there, still confused.
...
In the Hokage's office.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, looked at the letters from Kumogakure and Kirigakure about their withdrawal from the joint investigation with a complex expression.
Tsunade had just asked him to withdraw from the joint investigation of the Akatsuki.
Then shortly after, letters from Kumogakure and Kirigakure arrived, informing Konoha that they were also withdrawing from the joint investigation.
The abnormal actions of these two villages made the Third Hokage link the two events, suspecting that the Flying Thunder God user might be behind it.
"Could it be that the Flying Thunder God user has such a good relationship with Kumogakure and Kirigakure?"
"To the extent that he can influence their decisions?"
The Third Hokage muttered to himself in astonishment.
Being able to influence the decisions of two great shinobi villages alone, what a terrifying presence?
No! It should be the ability to influence the decisions of three great shinobi villages.
Thinking of Tsunade's proposal, the Third Hokage corrected his previous thought.
Then, thinking of the rumored romance between the Flying Thunder God user and the Fifth Mizukage, the Third Hokage frowned deeply.
That bastard not only flirted with the Fifth Mizukage but also dared to set his sights on Konoha's princess, Tsunade.
Tsunade was the one Hiruzen Sarutobi had chosen as the next Hokage.
She was supposed to be the Fifth Hokage of Konoha!
How dare that Flying Thunder God user even think about it!
Thinking of this, the Third Hokage's anger flared up, instantly becoming furious.
At first, he thought that the Flying Thunder God user and Tsunade were quite compatible and even considered recruiting him.
But now he realized that the guy was a womanizer!
Not only did he flirt with one Fifth Mizukage, but he also had his eyes on the future Fifth Hokage!
What nerve!
If I meet him, I'll definitely have a word or two with him.
Click!
Suddenly, the door to the Hokage's office opened.
Tsunade entered with Shishou and said to Hiruzen Sarutobi:
"Old man, this is the Flying Thunder God user you wanted to meet."