Naruto: Wooing Tsunade from Day One!-Chapter 462: Yagura Karatachi

"Lord Third Raikage, Hideo Ishikawa has returned."

In an unnamed valley within the Land of Earth, the Kumo forces had set up camp.

Inside a large tent, the Third Raikage sat with a heavy expression.

The prolonged war in the Land of Earth showed no signs of ending, and with both his son and Killer Bee still recovering from their injuries, the situation was becoming increasingly uncertain.

The bold confidence he had felt before the war had all but vanished, leaving behind only confusion about what lay ahead.

Deep down, he had lost count of how many times he had cursed both Konoha and Akatsuki.

"Send him in."

The Third Raikage rubbed his temples, already having a bad feeling.

If there had been good news, Hideo Ishikawa would not have come to report it on his own.

"Yes, sir."

A Kumo ninja outside the tent responded before stepping away.

Before long, the sound of two sets of footsteps approached.

"Lord Raikage, I have returned."

Hideo Ishikawa called out from outside, not daring to enter without permission.

"Come in and speak."

The Third Raikage's voice carried unmistakable authority.

"Yes, sir."

Hideo stepped inside but kept his head lowered, avoiding the Raikage's gaze.

"Tell me, what was the result of your meeting with the Akatsukikage?"

The Third Raikage rose to his feet, stamping the ground lightly.

"His attitude was terrible."

"He said failing to take the Land of Earth was our own problem."

"He even claimed that not demanding military funding from us was already a courtesy to you."

"As for support? He made it clear that's not happening."

Hideo worded it diplomatically, but Yahiko had been blunt and dismissive.

"Greedy bastard."

Hearing this, the Third Raikage's anger flared.

With Kumo preoccupied, Akatsuki had seized the opportunity to expand its territory first. A clever move, no doubt, but an infuriating one.

"He also said that if we have any further issues, you should go speak to him in person."

Hideo added, hoping the Third Raikage would take action to reclaim some authority.

"Heh..."

"He knows we can't spare the manpower to deal with him."

"He's getting cocky."

The Third Raikage let out a sharp laugh, more angered than amused.

He had underestimated these Akatsuki brats. Their ambition was vast, and their ruthlessness even greater.

But what could he do now?

If he openly turned against Akatsuki and Nagato withdrew his forces, Kumo might not even be able to hold its position in the Land of Earth.

"What if... what if..."

Hideo hesitated, opening his mouth but failing to continue.

"If you've got something to say, say it."

The Third Raikage's patience was wearing thin. He had no tolerance for indecisiveness among his men.

"What if we withdraw?"

"We can return home, renegotiate with Akatsuki, and reassess our strategy."

Summoning his courage, Hideo voiced his suggestion, sweat forming on his brow.

He couldn't believe Yahiko would still act so arrogantly if Kumo forces pulled out of the Land of Earth.

"Easier said than done."

"We've already invested too much manpower and resources into this war."

"Do you think we can just walk away that easily?"

The Third Raikage rejected the idea immediately. The losses they had already suffered were too great to justify retreating.

If Nawaki hadn't intervened and spared Fourth A and Killer Bee, he might have withdrawn without hesitation.

But right now, there was still a sliver of hope, and he wasn't willing to abandon it.

"...I overstepped."

Hideo quickly wiped the sweat from his forehead and fell silent, not daring to push further.

"Enough. Dismissed."

The Third Raikage waved him off, though his frustration lingered.

As he sat back down, he took a few deep breaths, forcing himself to calm down.

The air inside the tent grew heavier as he analyzed the situation in his mind.

Akatsuki's recent actions had not only put Kumo on the defensive but had also unsettled other powers in the ninja world...

...

The Land of Water, Kirigakure.

Though it was late at night, the lights in the Mizukage's conference room remained brightly lit.

"Lord Mizukage, what exactly are your plans?"

Though only a dozen people were present in the meeting room, each was a high-ranking member of Kirigakure.

The one speaking was a middle-aged kunoichi with striking features and a rather fiery temperament.

"Yūsa, don't be so impatient."

"I just wanted to hear everyone's opinions first."

Seated at the head of the room was a man with green hair and violet eyes, a scar resembling a stitched wound running beneath his left eye. His youthful face made it difficult to determine his true age.

This was Karatachi Yagura, the Fourth Mizukage of Kirigakure.

"After all this back-and-forth, no one wants to back down."

"How can I not be impatient?"

Yūsa Aisaki's frustration was written all over her face.

"Right now, there are only two stances—either we continue to observe or we take the initiative."

"I understand your concerns."

"In these past years, under Lord Mizukage's leadership, Kirigakure has developed significantly."

"Lord Mizukage controls the Three-Tails, and the Six-Tails Jinchūriki has also become combat-ready."

"The lingering problems left by the Third Mizukage have largely been dealt with."

"But the downsides of rapid growth are just as apparent."

"Our village remains divided, and internal power struggles are rampant."

"Remaining on standby has its advantages, but so does making the first move."

"Lord Mizukage sees everything you do."

"So let's be honest today—no need to hold anything back."

Genji, the Great Elder of Kirigakure and a figure with real power, spoke with measured calm. His priority had always been the well-being of the village.

"I advise against war."

"The current state of the ninja world is unclear, with multiple factions clashing in the Land of Earth."

"Konoha is just stirring things up—it's nowhere near a full-scale operation."

"Sunagakure has been silent. Now is not the right time to step in."

"We can handle our internal conflicts on our own."

"And let me make this clear—I'm willing to relinquish some of my authority."

The man speaking had a keen understanding of the bigger picture. He was also one of the leading figures in the ongoing internal power struggle.

"That won't solve the root problem."

"I believe war is the better choice."

"If we shift our internal conflicts outward, I have no doubt that with Kirigakure's current strength, we can secure significant gains."

"Are we really inferior to that small village in the Land of Rain?"

Another voice opposed the idea of waiting, and while his argument wasn't baseless, it carried a dangerous level of arrogance.

He underestimated Akatsuki and overestimated Kirigakure's strength.

The power of two Jinchūriki was formidable, but they were far from invincible.

As soon as the debate reignited, the room descended into another chaotic argument.

"Enough."

Yagura opened his eyes, irritation flickering in his gaze. The constant noise was giving him a headache.

Despite his youthful appearance, his authority as Mizukage was undeniable. At his command, the room fell silent.

"I understand all of your perspectives."

"But there's something I haven't told you yet."

"The Daimyō has sent me a letter."

"He didn't hand over all that money for nothing—now he wants to see if it was worth the investment."

At these words, everyone in the room realized the discussion was over.

The Daimyō of the Land of Water had grown restless. The Land of Rain's sudden expansion had made him uneasy.

"So... that means we're going to war?"

Genji's tone was unreadable as he looked at Yagura and spoke slowly.

"Yes."

"Prepare accordingly."

Yagura gave a small nod. The decision had already been made—Kirigakure would march to war.

"Understood, Lord Mizukage."

Some left with excitement, others with unease. As they exited the room, each carried their own emotions.

"Stay clear of Konoha."

Genji was the last to leave. Before stepping out, he gave Yagura a final word of caution.

He would never forget how Kawakaze had subdued the Three-Tails. That was not an enemy he wanted to provoke.

"I know what I'm doing."

Yagura responded with a small smile, not taking Genji's warning as an insult to his own strength.

"I'll hold down the fort for you."

After Genji departed, the meeting room fell silent.

Yagura remained seated for a long time, deep in thought.