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'What should we do? It seems like Konoha might be a tough sell.'
'Don't look at me—I don't know either. We'll just have to wait!'
Samui and Mabui exchanged glances before patiently awaiting Kazuki's response.
Besides, the Fifth Hokage of Konoha doesn't even know about this yet!
Even if Kazuki refuses, the Fifth Hokage might not necessarily reject the proposal.
"I'm sorry."
The two women heard the words they least wanted to hear.
Kazuki placed the invitation letter on the table and said regretfully:
"Although the village also despises the Akatsuki and would love to eradicate them, we're currently overwhelmed with our own affairs and lack the resources to spare for such an operation. Therefore, on behalf of the village, I must decline the Raikage's invitation."
"Oh, and one more thing—currently, I handle all of Konoha's external affairs. I represent the village, and I also represent the Hokage."
So don't bother trying your luck with Tsunade!
If I refuse, it means Tsunade refuses too.
Konoha simply doesn't have the capacity to participate in this matter right now, so you'll have to figure something else out, Kumogakure.
This was far from good news.
Samui and Mabui exchanged another glance before Mabui stepped forward and said sincerely:
"While Konoha has indeed suffered some unfortunate incidents recently, surely the situation hasn't deteriorated to the point where you can't spare any personnel for this operation, right?"
Not long ago, Konoha had been rocked by an internal upheaval, and the entire shinobi world had watched with amusement, munching on snacks and sipping drinks as if enjoying a show.
Konoha had only just stabilized. If you said the losses were severe, we'd believe it—after all, things did get pretty chaotic.
But to claim you can't even send a single person? That doesn't add up.
You're still one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages! Surely you can scrape together something if you try.
Why reject us so quickly?
"No, you misunderstand."
Kazuki's expression turned slightly awkward, as if he were struggling to find the right words.
"Konoha's shinobi losses weren't that severe. Even after purging those who harmed the village's interests, we're still one of the Five Great Villages—our foundation is solid. We're hardly at the point of being short on manpower."
What I mean is, the village is strapped for cash.
We don't have the funds to support a military operation like this.
Short on people?
Are you kidding me?
Konoha might not have the largest shinobi force among the Five Great Villages, but it's not far behind Kumogakure or Iwagakure.
In fact, Tsunade has been agonizing over how to find work for all the unemployed shinobi and how to ensure they can make a living.
What we lack isn't people—it's money!
Money!
You get it?
No money? Then no military operation!
"Uh…"
Samui and Mabui had considered all sorts of possibilities, but this was not one of them.
The corners of their mouths twitched slightly, unable to believe that Konoha's financial situation was this dire.
Seeing their doubtful expressions, Kazuki sighed and threw up his hands in resignation.
"I know it's embarrassing, but I'll be honest—our Hokage spends every day worrying about money. The village has a large number of shinobi to support, but our finances are… tight. So, regarding this matter, your village will have to find another solution. Konoha simply can't help."
"We…"
"Ladies, do you really think Konoha would've sold off intel about the Akatsuki? Or information about the Sage's Eyes, if we weren't desperate for funds? Your village is interested in the Sage's Eyes—so are we. But alas…"
"..."
By the time Samui and Mabui were escorted out of the Hokage's office building, they were still in a daze.
Before coming, they had prepared themselves for all kinds of obstacles—yet none of those had materialized.
Instead, they had been met with Kazuki's relentless complaints about Konoha's poverty!
Konoha is too poor to join any military operations, so we'll have to sit this one out.
Hiring themselves out as mercenaries and bluntly demanding payment?
That would be beneath Konoha's dignity.
As one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages, if they wanted money, they had to do it with finesse.
They couldn't just ask for it outright.
No—I, Uchiha Kazuki, will make Kumogakure beg to hand over the money, straight into my pockets.
"We should inform the Raikage first."
Mabui sighed. Given the situation, they had no idea how to proceed. The only option was to relay the message back to Kumogakure and let the Raikage decide.
Should they abandon Konoha as an ally? Or lend them a helping hand?
These weren't decisions two ordinary jōnin could make.
Not long ago, Konoha had captured several of Kumogakure's spies.
To avoid misunderstandings, Samui and Mabui didn't wander around.
They obediently stayed in the lodgings arranged by Konoha, resting while awaiting further instructions from their village.
———
"How did it go?"
Not long after Kazuki saw Mabui and Samui off, Tsunade arrived with Shizune in tow.
"Pretty well, I'd say. Now it's up to whether the Raikage is willing to cooperate—and how determined he is."
If the Raikage is dead set on targeting the Akatsuki, if he's dead set on rallying the other villages to act together…
Then he'll obediently deliver the money straight into our hands.
He might even negotiate with us to keep this arrangement secret.
Kazuki had precisely gauged A's temperament.
Want revenge?
Want benefits?
Want the Sage's Eyes?
Then pay up!
Hand over the money, and Konoha will back you. We'll stand with Kumogakure.
No money? Then figure it out yourself.
"Cough—!!"
Watching Kazuki's smug expression, Tsunade choked, a vein throbbing on her forehead.
"You really think the Raikage is that stupid? That he'd let himself be fleeced like some fattened sheep?"
"No, no. The Raikage isn't stupid—you are. You've got all sorts of money-making opportunities, yet you're still agonizing over finances."
Kazuki provocatively raised an eyebrow at Tsunade and wagged a finger.
"Come massage my shoulders, and I'll give you some advice."
Are you trying to die?!
Tsunade's jaw dropped in disbelief.
Since when did you get so bold as to tease me like this?!
Shizune burst into laughter.
She found Kazuki more and more amusing—daring to provoke even the Hokage!
And yet, he held just the right leverage to keep her from exploding in anger.
Seeing Tsunade on the verge of erupting, Kazuki quickly backtracked.
"If the Raikage is truly determined to go after the Akatsuki, if he really wants the Five Great Villages to unite against them… then he will pay. And he'll even sign a confidentiality agreement with us, demanding that Konoha never reveal this arrangement."
Kazuki stated this with absolute certainty.
Konoha is short on funds.
So is Sunagakure.
So is Kirigakure.
Hell, even Iwagakure might jump in to demand a cut!
Kumogakure may be wealthy, but they're not fools—they'll insist on Konoha keeping this quiet.
That way, they secure Konoha's support, making it easier to persuade the other villages.
If this were out in the open, the moment other villages saw Konoha getting paid, they'd all extend their hands and demand:
Pay up!