Konoha: Tsunade, I am the Hokage

In Amegakure, endless raindrops pound on the restless lake.

Outside the Amegakure Building, Yahiko closed his eyes and stretched his hand out into the air, where the raindrops began to fall.

"This country is still the same as before."

"Oh? What's your impression of the Land of Rain?"

Behind him, a voice that surprised him came.

Yahiko opened his eyes, turned his head, and a fleeting look of surprise crossed his eyes.

He bowed his head and said, "Lord Hanzo!"

"Don't be shy. I'm glad you and Xiao Nan are back to help, and I see even more potential in you two..."

Hanzo chuckled softly. "So, would you mind talking?"

"Of course I don't mind, but where should I begin?"

Yahiko looked down and pondered for a moment before speaking, "Rain is determined by the environment, which is difficult for people to change, but war brings endless suffering to the people of this country..."

"However, to this day, we still haven't found a solution."

Yahiko let out a low sigh.

Peace is easier said than done.

Especially after returning to Amegakure, the affairs of this period left him with a deep sense of powerlessness.

A terrible war is inevitable between Sunagakure, Konoha, and Iwagakure, and Amegakure will once again become the center of the war.

He foresaw the future evolution.

but.

As high-ranking members of Amegakure, neither Hanzo nor he could resolve the conflict or find a suitable way to help Amegakure avoid war.

Upon hearing this, Hanzo fell silent.

Then he smiled and said, "In the past, Amegakure certainly had no choice, but that may not be the case for your generation."

"You mean Konoha?"

Hanzo must know about their relationship with Kyohiko, so Yahiko had no need to hide it and directly started chatting.

He thought about it.

indeed!

If Kyohiko and Konoha can maintain their current status, the ninja world may face a situation similar to that of Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha during their lifetimes.

The powerful Konoha Village suppressed all other ninja villages, forcing them to obediently comply with Konoha's rules.

"So, what you value is my relationship with Kyohiko-kun?"

"No."

Hanzo shook his head.

He said calmly, "This is only a small part; what I believe in is your talent."

"Yahiko, you were able to recruit a group of people and establish a sizable ninja village in the Land of Birds, which shows that you have extraordinary abilities."

"I believe that under your leadership, Amegakure will gradually become better!"

Hanzang's tone was sincere.

"Lord Hanzo, when I returned to the village, I realized that my abilities were far from sufficient, and I had absolutely not reached the level you described."

Yahiko's face showed emotion and excitement, but deep down he didn't quite believe it.

Perhaps Hanzo truly admires himself, but it's still difficult to discern how much sincerity was in his last sentence.

Hanzo chuckled to himself.

Then, he looked at Yahiko and said, "Your teacher is almost at Amegakure, probably worried about your safety."

"Teacher, is it Jiraiya-sensei?"

A look of surprise appeared on Yahiko's face, followed by a genuine feeling of being moved.

Jiraiya-sensei must have heard about what happened to them, which is why he rushed over.

While the visit was ostensibly to Amegakure, there was also an element of it being to bolster one's own position.

but.

He quickly realized that he could not agree immediately.

Yahiko said, "Jiraiya-sensei's trip here is probably not for personal matters. I'll wait until he finishes his official business before we meet..."

"You think it's because of the Hidden Takigakure village?"

Beneath the mask, Hanzo's expression was unreadable.

Yahiko nodded.

"Yes, Lord Hanzo. The relationship between Konoha and the other five great ninja villages is very delicate right now, especially with the three villages including Iwagakure."

At this point, he revealed the information about "absolute".

"This group is said to belong to Madara. According to the information my subordinates have obtained so far, they not only attacked the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki and took him away, but also attacked Shukaku of Sunagakure."

"Is that so?"

Hanzo raised an eyebrow.

Yahiko nodded: "Our intelligence network is still being rebuilt, so the news is a bit delayed. Other ninja villages should have known about the situation long ago."

As he spoke, he handed over the intelligence scroll.

Hanzo remained silent.

In recent years, Amegakure's intelligence network has indeed weakened several times compared to the Second Shinobi World War.

It wasn't that he was lazy, but rather...

The number of ninjas in Amegakure has decreased significantly, and the resources available are also limited, making it impossible to train as many qualified intelligence ninjas.

He finished reading the scroll and nodded slightly.

"Thanks a lot."

"I was just doing my duty. Also, should we increase our training of ninjas and improve our intelligence network?"

Yahiko asked cautiously.

Hanzo paused for a moment, then said, "We have limited resources. If we can cultivate them with those limited resources..."

"Understood."

Yahiko understands.

Hanzo quietly exhaled and chuckled, "Go and meet Jiraiya. Don't let him think that Amegakure doesn't know how to treat guests."

As he spoke, he tossed a scroll over.

This is where he is now.

"yes!"

……

In the town outside Amegakure, Jiraiya sat joking with a waitress and casually inquired about the recent situation in Amegakure.

"Sir, stop asking questions, why don't you have a drink?"

"Great, hahaha!"

Jiraiya also drank a cup with great gusto.

The next second, he suddenly looked into the distance, his eyes fixed on it.

then.

He drank it down in one gulp.

"Thanks!"

After saying that, Jiraiya walked towards the blonde beauty in the distance.

He walked to the side and chuckled.

"Beautiful lady, if you don't mind..."

Jiraiya approached to chat, but suddenly sensed something was off. "Huh, something feels off? It's you, brat!"

He slammed his wine glass on the table, looking annoyed.

The blonde beauty in front of him instantly changed her appearance back to Yahiko, and then burst into laughter.

"Teacher, after all these years, you still can't resist blonde hair!"

"You brat, watch out or I'll beat you up!"

Jiraiya cursed angrily.

Then, a smile instantly appeared on his face.

"Where's Xiao Nan?"

"She doesn't like these kinds of occasions when she's out, and she also has to be wary of her surroundings."

Yahiko said in a low voice.

Jiraiya glanced at it and said, "You like it?"

"I only come to places like this to gather intelligence, because these are the places with the most information..."

Yahiko replied helplessly.

In this special tavern, there are merchants from all over the world, and you can get news from all corners of the globe.

As the head of intelligence for the ninja village, he had to take charge of this work.

Upon hearing this, Jiraiya winked and chuckled, "I understand! I understand everything!"

"Don't bother trying to understand, teacher. Let's go outside and talk."

Yahiko looked around.

The people here are a mixed bunch, not suitable for exchanging confidential information.

Jiraiya nodded.

He put down his wine glass and followed them out the door.

Soon, at a proper izakaya on the corner, Minami had already ordered a table full of food and sake and had been waiting for a long time.

"Teacher, I knew you'd gone to that kind of place again!"

Xiao Nan pouted.

Jiraiya chuckled dryly, then naturally sat down in his seat and said with a smile, "I didn't expect Hanzo to send you. It seems you're doing well in Amegakure. That way, I can explain to Nagato."

"Thank you, teacher."

Yahiko bowed his head and thanked him.

Jiraiya waved his hand and laughed, "Just passing by, just passing by!"

Konan's heart skipped a beat, and she asked, "You've come because of the Takigakure incident?"

"Yes, although Shukaku was saved, Madara's goal of controlling the tailed beasts and unifying the power of the ninja world is beyond doubt, so Amegakure's attitude is very important."

Jiraiya took a sip of sake, his meaning clear.

Yahiko and Konan looked at each other and remained silent for a moment.

The teacher's purpose was as they had anticipated. Their thoughts weren't on how to answer Jiraiya, but rather on how to reply to Hanzo. Besides…

What stance should Amegakure take?

They were Jiraiya's students, but more importantly, they were ninjas from the Land of Rain and Amegakure, and would inevitably act in the interests of Amegakure.

Is the cooperation between Amegakure and Konoha a good thing or a bad thing?

……

A few hours later.

"Hanzo, it's been a few years. I didn't expect you to be doing so well."

"Thanks to Konoha, we're doing pretty well now."

Hanzo chuckled softly.

The current ninja world has changed from the five great villages to the super-powerful Konoha Village, plus four large ninja villages of varying strengths, and numerous smaller ninja villages.

Under these circumstances, Amegakure's life is much better than before. Not only Konoha and Iwagakure want to win them over, but Madara and Kumogakure also want to make them allies.

Previously, he could never have imagined that he had such a high status.

"That's the delicate nature of balance, but unfortunately, such balance cannot last and will be broken one day. In fact, Madara and his group have already started to break it."

Jiraiya sat down, his expression serious.

"Their target is definitely not just the Jinchuriki of the Tailed Beasts from Sunagakure and Takigakure, but possibly all the Tailed Beasts, and... the entire ninja world!"

"Collect all the tailed beasts?"

Hanzo frowned.

Then, he fell silent.

The three great ninja villages, plus the Seven-Tails stolen by Kakuzu, that group of people already possessed seven tailed beasts...

Only two tailed beasts remain.

In other words.

Once Konoha is defeated, the other side will obtain all the Tailed Beasts...

All the tailed beasts.

He took a deep breath and was pondering when Jiraiya dropped another bombshell.

"Madara's abilities are terrifying. He not only controlled the Mizukage, but also the Nine-Tails. Moreover, this ability can be passed down. Currently, Obito Uchiha has mastered the method to control the Nine-Tails."

"You think you can scare me with that kind of intimidation?"

Hanzo sneered, clearly not believing it.

"Some chaos broke out in the Uchiha clan, and they released the Nine-Tails. Fortunately, Kyohiko arrived in time to stop it. It seems your intelligence was lacking."

"..."

Hanzo was unwilling to believe it, but Jiraiya didn't seem to be faking it either.

If that's true, then it would be terrifying if Madara got his hands on all the tailed beasts.

This will be an enemy even more terrifying than Hashirama Senju or Kyohiko Yoshimine!

Seeing this, Jiraiya sneered, "You only think about how powerful and terrifying Konoha is now, but you don't consider what Madara, who has obtained so many tailed beasts, can do."

Hanzo leaned back in his chair.

"Then, what about Kyohiko? Apart from Madara, he can almost be considered to have no rivals. Without Madara, who can keep him in check? That kid is not a peaceful person."

If it were the old Jiraiya, there might be nothing to say, since Kyohiko's goal was also to unify the ninja world.

But now.

He is no longer the Jiraiya of the past.

Dialogue and mutual understanding—such peace is almost impossible to find in the ninja world.

Jiraiya didn't know how to achieve complete peace, but he did know—

"Is this the kind of continuous chaos and war you want to see? Do you think Amegakure can survive this infighting, or even become stronger by playing both sides?"

A full-scale, protracted war is definitely wrong!

Jiraiya spoke calmly.

"If you believe this is the outcome Amegakure (the village of Rain Village) desired, then..."

"Konoha does not crave war, but it also does not fear it!"

He stood up, nodded slightly, and said, "I will still be in Amegakure for the next two days. Please consider this carefully, Chief Hanzo." He then bowed and left.

Hanzo remained silent.

He was naturally aware of the current situation in Amegakure and knew that it was impossible for him to side with Iwagakure.

Originally, he thought that Jiraiya was more inclined to be a dove and might be easier to talk to, so he might be able to get more benefits and guarantees from Jiraiya.

To everyone's surprise, Jiraiya gave that answer.

"Lord Hanzo..."

"Ha, Yahiko, I truly underestimated your teacher!"

Hanzo sighed.

Yahiko is puzzled——

He wasn't listening in, so he didn't know what the two were saying.

Hanzo repeated it once more.

Yahiko pondered for a moment and said, "For Amegakure, wavering between the two sides is indeed not a suitable choice. They should either help Onoki or help Konoha."

"So which option do you think is better?"

"Konoha, because we only border Iwagakure on one side, but also Sunagakure and Konoha. If war breaks out, Konoha and Sunagakure will wipe us out directly."

Yahiko lowered his head. "In my humble opinion, Amegakure has no other choice at the moment."

Hanzo sighed, "You're right. I'm glad you can think rationally and from the perspective of Amegakure."

"I agree with you. We should strive for our own interests in the cooperation, because if we side with the alliance between Konoha and Sunagakure, the other side will also target us."

Yahiko answered rationally.

Half-hidden fingers tapped lightly.

Immediately, he looked up at Yahiko.

"Go to Konoha. I trust your stance and your thoughts."

In the past, Hanzo would have had some doubts about Yahiko, but now he believes that Yahiko will consider the interests of Amegakure.

because--

The other party has a heart that loves Amegakure.

He believed that Yahiko would not betray the village!

Yahiko's eyes widened, revealing an expression of disbelief.

"Let me...let me negotiate?"

"Yes."

Hanzo nodded, then sighed, "I know you have doubts about me, which is normal. After all, you have your own power, and it's hard not to be wary of you coming to my side..."

"But I'm old now."

Hanzo leaned back in his chair, his face full of exhaustion.

Over the years, he had to admit that he had truly grown old and would only fall further behind. (End of Chapter)