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They really don't understand how hard it is for an old-timer.
Unfortunately, old man Black Zetsu could only keep his grievances to himself, unable to complain to anyone.
Unless the day came when his mission was complete, he would choose to reveal everything then.
Until then, on the surface, he was a subordinate.
In reality, Nagato, Obito, even Madara—they were all pawns in his hand.
You treat me like a subordinate, but really, you're the pawn in my hand. It's as simple as that.
Whether he could find Obito's eye, Black Zetsu couldn't guarantee.
He could only try his best to find leads and relevant information.
As for uncovering Kazuki's secret, that was even more ridiculous.
Black Zetsu couldn't even get too close to Kazuki without risking discovery.
Under Ōnoki's gnashing, furious glare, Konoha's elite forces successfully withdrew from the Land of Earth, following the route through the Land of Rain back to the border camp.
The camp erupted in cheers. Fugaku and Hiashi, holding down the camp, also breathed sighs of relief.
These past days, they had been on tenterhooks, fearing bad news. Fortunately, their worries didn't materialize.
The village's elite forces had successfully withdrawn.
Besides negligible losses, this operation was a huge win for Konoha.
Not to mention the resources plundered from the Land of Earth. And then there was Orochimaru—that guy's ruthlessness was something else.
He had forcibly snatched a huge sum of money from the Land of Earth.
Although he could only keep a portion of it, for someone as destitute as he was, it was still a considerable asset.
Enough to fund his research lab for a long time, at least.
Recently, Orochimaru had been researching all sorts of bizarre things. Even Kazuki didn't know exactly what. But he adhered to Kazuki's bottom line.
If you stay in the village, you behave.
If you want to mess with strange things, leave Konoha, leave the Land of Fire, and go do it outside.
Once outside, you, Orochimaru, could cause all the chaos you wanted, and Kazuki wouldn't care.
But doing it in Konoha, in the Land of Fire—that's not allowed.
Abide by this bottom line, and everything's good for everyone. If not, you'll get what's coming to you.
"This mission went smoother than expected. The village's losses are minimal."
Fugaku appeared somewhat pleased. Even Hiashi, who was used to keeping a stern face, showed a faint smile.
"....."
I really don't know what you're happy about. Wasn't this the inevitable result?
Orochimaru silently drank his tea, too lazy to respond.
He and Fugaku and Hiashi weren't on the same wavelength. There was nothing to discuss.
"Yes."
A faint smile on his face, Hiashi agreed.
"The fierce counterattack we imagined from Iwagakure didn't materialize. Their persistent harassment tactics and small-scale engagements only increased their losses."
"That's because Iwagakure's main forces are bogged down on the Land of Waterfalls battlefield, plus Kazuki's deterrence. That's why Iwagakure hasn't launched a major counterattack."
Unable to bear it any longer, Orochimaru spoke. Setting down his teacup, he shook his head in exasperation.
"Never underestimate Ōnoki. He's terrifying—far more terrifying than we imagine."
"Iwagakure is not a village afraid of sacrifice. If their main forces weren't tied down, and if Kazuki's deterrence wasn't so great, our village's losses would likely have been much heavier."
Having personally experienced the Third Great Shinobi War, Orochimaru knew just how troublesome Ōnoki was and how terrifying Iwagakure's war potential could be.
Unfortunately, Fugaku and Hiashi didn't fully grasp this. They hadn't experienced it firsthand.
During the Third Great Shinobi War, Hiashi hadn't even left the village.
Fugaku had led Uchiha ninja in the war against Kirigakure.
But the war between Konoha and Kirigakure was mainly small-scale engagements.
Iwagakure, on the other hand, had fully demonstrated the terrifying power of a ninja army.
The sight of dozens, hundreds, even thousands of Earth Release ninja concentrating and unleashing combined Earth Release jutsu—that was truly frightening.
Don't be fooled by Konoha's records depicting fierce back-and-forth battles.
The reality back then was that Konoha was being suppressed and chased by Iwagakure.
With little power to retaliate.
They could only use various means to keep maneuvering, relying on sheer numbers to drag the war out.
Then Minato rose, and Konoha finally got some breathing room.
Plus the Third Raikage's death threw Kumogakure into a fury, poised for war at any moment.
Facing the threat of Kumogakure, Ōnoki had to hastily end the war with Konoha.
"In short, you don't want to see Iwagakure's ninja army in action."
Orochimaru's enigmatic smile left Fugaku and Hiashi unsure of his intent—was he warning them, or mocking them?
Orochimaru's words were like a bucket of cold water, dousing Fugaku and Hiashi's excitement and joy.
What made them both speechless and uncomfortable was that after dousing them with cold water, Orochimaru threw them a sweetener.
He smiled, stood up, and walked outside.
"Actually, you don't need to worry too much. The current Konoha is not the same as during the Third Great Shinobi War."
"Setting everything else aside, Kazuki-kun's existence alone is enough to deter Iwagakure, preventing them from easily launching a large-scale war. The Sharingan... such terrifying power."
Recalling that mountain-like Susanoo burning with golden flames in the night, Orochimaru admitted he was intrigued.
He couldn't help but recall the carrot Kazuki had dangled before him.
According to Kazuki's promises, Sasuke would one day reach this level too, possessing power equal to Kazuki's.
"I'm actually looking forward to it."
"Is this guy okay?"
Fugaku and Hiashi exchanged glances. Both felt Orochimaru was becoming increasingly neurotic, muttering to himself about who knows what.
"Forget it. It's none of our business. Send word to the village."
What kind of person Orochimaru became wasn't their concern. Rather than worrying about Orochimaru's personal situation, it was better to focus on their own duties.
Now that the elite forces had returned to the camp, they still needed to await the village's instructions.
That night, Kazuki handed the processed documents and scrolls to Izumi, who was already starting to doze off. He could finally call it a day.
"Izum-"
Kazuki was just thinking about wrapping everything up and go home.
Judging by the pace, the person seemed somewhat urgent.
This guy Shikaku, still not asleep in the middle of the night?
No wonder your wife always has a bad temper and likes to hit you first for no reason. With this kind of late-night behavior, how could your wife be happy?
Kazuki, who had already stood up, could only sit back down and wait for Shikaku's arrival.
A few seconds later, the Hokage's office door opened.
An anxious Shikaku rushed in without even knocking.
"Lord Advisor! News from the front-line camp. The elite forces have successfully returned to the camp. The Uchiha and Hyūga clan leaders have sent word, asking about the village's next steps."
Though working late into the night, Shikaku was full of energy.
Because good news had come from the front-line camp.
"It's so late, and you're still not home resting. Won't your wife blame you?" Kazuki took the scroll Shikaku handed him and teased him.
"???"
What are you talking about?
Shikaku paused, then straightened his back with bravado.
"How could my wife blame me? I'm working on official business. Besides, at home, what I say goes!"
"Yes, yes, yes. You're the greatest. You almost had me convinced." Kazuki couldn't help but laugh.
If he didn't know that Nara Shikaku often got hit by his wife, he might almost believe this nonsense.
"Pfft~~~"
Izumi, who had finished organizing the documents and scrolls, couldn't help but laugh.
She also knew Shikaku's family status, so this bold declaration successfully amused her.
"What? Is what I say not trustworthy?"
When push came to shove, regardless of actual family status, at least one had to put up a brave front.
So Shikaku remained defiant.
Kazuki smiled and opened the scroll, reading its contents while speaking.
"That's perfect. Someone previously suggested finding you an additional wife. I even have a suitable candidate now. How about I pass the message along, and we find a time to make it happen?"