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"What do you mean 'caught'? That sounds so harsh! I, Uchiha Kazuki, am not that kind of person. They practically threw themselves at me," Kazuki said, spreading his hands with a helpless expression.
"I was planning to leave directly, but these two clueless kids chased after me, looking for trouble. Then Shisui took them down. I was just worrying about how to deal with Ōnoki, and they handed me the opportunity on a silver platter. So, I put the Grass Ninja Village matter aside and brought them back."
"..."
Ōnoki sure is unlucky. One moment, he's arguing fiercely with you, throwing all sorts of threats and provocations. The next, his disciple and granddaughter fall into your hands.
Tch, tch, tch.
This is going to be interesting.
"But how do you plan to handle this?" Tsunade asked.
This kind of situation could easily spiral out of control, potentially causing Konoha to completely fall out with the Rock Village. In the worst case, it could even spark a war.
"First, we send a message to the Rock Village. We'll deal with the specifics when Ōnoki arrives. However he wants to play this, Konoha will go along with it."
During the Third Great Ninja War, Konoha was nearly stabbed in the back by the Rock Village—a pain felt by everyone in the village. On the surface, the war ended, but in reality, the Rock Village only stopped because they didn't see enough profit in continuing.
If not for Minato's brilliance, unless he could have single-handedly crushed the Rock Village's stronghold, the war wouldn't have ended so quickly.
The post-war negotiations were proof enough. The Rock Village didn't pay a single coin in reparations, didn't offer compensation, and even acted high and mighty when signing the peace treaty.
Konoha had no choice but to compromise, as they were too exhausted to keep fighting.
Then came the Nine-Tails incident, Minato's death, and the Cloud Village taking advantage to deal Konoha another blow.
If not for their fear of the Rock Village potentially intervening, the Cloud Village might have even pushed for all-out war with Konoha.
In the end, Konoha settled the matter in a humiliating way.
As a result, for years, whether in diplomacy or mission execution, Konoha could never hold its head high when facing the Rock or Cloud Villages.
"Since you're confident, I'll leave this matter to you. But if—and I mean if—things go south…" Tsunade said.
She trusted Kazuki and was willing to let him handle it, ready to accept any outcome. But she was also mentally prepared.
"If possible, there's no need to push things toward war with the Rock Village. We've grown stronger, but still…"
"I understand," Kazuki said with a faint smile, grasping Tsunade's meaning. Konoha could handle the worst-case scenario, but if there was room for maneuver, there was no need to actively provoke a war.
"Put your worries aside. Unless the Rock Village starts it, war won't break out easily. There are still unknown enemies in the ninja world. We're cautious, but Ōnoki will be even more so. Old people like them always have too many concerns they can't let go of."
"As long as you understand. By the way, intelligence says Deidara is Ōnoki's prized disciple, and Kurotsuchi's talent is impressive too. What do you think of them?"
"One's a rebellious, loud-mouthed kid. The other's a sharp-tongued girl. Both have great talent. If they grow up, they could potentially take over Ōnoki's position. But I'm more optimistic about Kurotsuchi. Deidara's the type who, if not controlled, is a ticking time bomb—capable of blowing up enemies and himself."
Even with Deidara's talent, he's always a liability. Kurotsuchi, on the other hand, is more grounded, despite her sharp tongue.
Her potential for growth surpasses Deidara's.
Kazuki also mentioned some matters about the Police Department. Tsunade's mouth fell open, staring at him in shock. After a moment, she gave a wry smile and said, "If the old man heard that, he'd die of anger. But you'd better watch what you say. She's still the Tsuchikage's granddaughter."
"I know. I was just scaring the girl, but it didn't work. She knows she's valuable, so I wouldn't actually do anything to her."
Kazuki casually lounged on the sofa. "Running back and forth is exhausting, but now I can sit back and wait for Ōnoki to make the trip. His expression when he arrives is going to be priceless."
Whether Ōnoki's expression will be priceless, I don't know. But I'm sure your expression will be quite the sight soon enough.
"Ahem!!"
"Got something to say? Spit it out. Don't act like those old geezers, coughing every other second."
"You looking for a beating?" Tsunade had been about to bring up the tutoring program, but Kazuki's jab stopped her short. Her forehead veins bulged, and she clenched her fists, itching to pin him to the sofa and pummel him.
"Stop messing around. Serious business."
Serious, my foot!!
Glaring at Kazuki, Tsunade unclenched her fists, crossed her arms, and put on a clearly displeased expression. "The old man came to me, wanting the Sarutobi clan ninjas to participate in the tutoring program teacher selection. I agreed, ensuring their clan won't face any special targeting and will have the same fair chance as everyone else."
Kazuki shifted to a more comfortable position on the sofa, closing his eyes contentedly. "For something this minor, just make the call yourself. Why bother telling me? If the Sarutobi clan wants to join the selection, let them. As long as they behave, I can't be bothered to target them. It's pointless. As long as they know their place and stay in line."
"Fine. I'll send someone to inform the old man. The Sarutobi clan's got plenty of troubles right now, and he's been stressing over them."
Think you can get fat in one bite?
Besides the Sarutobi clan, what other family in the ninja world would recklessly expand like that?
It's like smashing their own foot with a rock.
Sure, the clan's grown larger, with more ninjas and greater strength, but their foundation can't keep up.
One small issue, and the whole clan faces a cascade of problems—one wave after another. Old issues get resolved, only for new troubles to arise.
Newly rich clans like theirs don't think things through. All they care about is expansion and getting stronger.
Compared to established clans like the Uchiha, Senju, or Hyuga, the Sarutobi clan's rise to their current status can only be described as that of a nouveau riche family.
The Third Hokage had no choice but to pin his hopes on the tutoring program. After all, the income for tutoring program teachers is no less than that of elite jonin on long-term missions.
And it's safe—where else can you find a gig like that?
Not just the Sarutobi clan—other clans' ninjas are eyeing those limited spots too.
Unfortunately, there are only so many openings. Kazuki has no intention of expanding the tutoring program further, as doing so would genuinely impact the ninja academy's education.
The academy's education is the foundation.
"I've already warned the old man to keep his clan in check," Tsunade said.
"Doesn't matter. Whether they respect me from the heart or just put on a show, I don't care. As long as they don't stir up trouble behind my back, I'm not bothered."
Why sweat the small stuff when you're the village's second-in-command?
If they hadn't practically begged for trouble, Kazuki wouldn't even bother with the Sarutobi clan.
As long as they don't jump out and cause problems, what's there to care about?
He'd rather spend that energy handling more important matters or working on improving his own strength.
"I'm heading back to rest. I'll deal with work tomorrow. Don't forget to send someone to remind Ōnoki that his prized disciple and granddaughter are in my hands. Tell him to hurry up, pack his bags, and come to Konoha to see me."
"And if Ōnoki doesn't come?"
"Even better. I've got plenty of ways to handle Deidara and Kurotsuchi. With their talent, if they grow up, Konoha gains two Kage-level powerhouses. How great is that?"
Whether Ōnoki comes or not, Konoha won't lose.
If he comes, he'll have to swallow his pride.
If he doesn't, we keep them and train them.
Just a loud-mouthed girl and a rebellious kid—handling them is child's play.
Compared to outmaneuvering Ōnoki, Kazuki would prefer if Ōnoki abandoned them. That way, he could train them without restraint.
"I was just saying it offhand. You're actually taking it seriously?" Tsunade said, exasperated.
It was just a casual remark, and you're making a big deal out of it! But if Ōnoki doesn't come, with those two's talent…
Ugh, I kinda want to keep them! Ōnoki, maybe you shouldn't come.
Leave your disciple and granddaughter in Konoha. We absolutely won't mind.
We're not afraid of their loyalty wavering. We'll train them with all we've got.
With the Hokage's assistant personally overseeing their training, that's more than enough respect, right?
"Ugh!!"
Seeing Kazuki turn to leave while ignoring her rant, Tsunade was furious enough to curse.
Just you wait, I'll deal with you tonight.
No, wait—this guy's definitely heading to Kurenai's place tonight. Deal with him, my foot.
Hmph, sooner or later, you'll fall into my hands.
Gritting her teeth, Tsunade reined in her temper and summoned the Anbu, ordering them to make a trip to the Rock Village to deliver a message to Ōnoki.
With the mission assigned, the Anbu prepared and left the village, heading straight for the Rock Village.
Days passed, and Ōnoki still hadn't realized that his prized disciple and granddaughter were already in Konoha, locked up.
His disciple had a smelly sock stuffed in his mouth, while his granddaughter was raging furiously.
"Lord Tsuchikage, this is an invitation letter from Konoha's Hokage office."
Tsunade showed Ōnoki some respect, having the Anbu deliver a formal invitation letter rather than just a verbal message.