"Is today the last day?"
Tsunade casually tossed Ōnoki's missive aside and looked toward Kawaki, who was sitting on the couch.
"Yeah. The Uchiha are already ready."
"We can depart anytime."
Kawaki stared at his palm blankly as he replied.
He had no intention of giving the Land of Earth any room for negotiation—the three-day ultimatum was just a pretext.
Even if the Land of Earth delivered all its resources to Konoha within those three days, Konoha would still find another excuse to launch a military campaign.
This war—his victory was non-negotiable!
"So ruthless."
"Ōnoki is still waiting for our reply, you know."
Tsunade chuckled lightly, teasing Kawaki.
"Let him wait then."
"He'll be waiting for my Uchiha army from Konoha."
Kawaki lifted his head, speaking with the gentlest tone—but saying the harshest words.
"If things go as expected, Ōnoki will definitely seek peace talks once he sees our forces."
"He neither wants nor dares to fight."
Tsunade could already imagine the expression on Ōnoki's face when he saw Konoha's massive army.
I thought you were just fooling around—turns out you're serious?
"If he asks for peace, do we just agree right away?"
"Then it won't be up to him anymore."
"Whether he likes it or not, he'll have no choice but to fight."
Kawaki spoke firmly, leaving Ōnoki no room for choice.
"Now that's ruthless—I like it."
Tsunade clapped her hands in girlish delight, making Shouta nearly think he was losing his mind.
He rubbed his eyes and stared again. Definitely a hallucination.
There was no way Hokage-sama would ever appear that gentle. But Kawaki's reaction genuinely confused him.
"Oh come on, we're basically an old married couple already. Don't try that act on me."
"Hahaha~"
Kawaki laughed like a total fool—clearly high on something again.
"Back to business."
"Can Fugaku handle this alone?"
Tsunade remained slightly concerned. After all, Iwagakure still possessed considerable strength.
Trying to take on Ōnoki along with jinchūriki Rōshi and Kitsuchi with just Fugaku seemed extremely difficult.
"One-on-one, I have full confidence in Fugaku's abilities."
"But as you said, just the Uchiha might not be enough."
"Who do you think should go with Fugaku?"
Kawaki had already considered this but hadn't decided yet whom to send alongside Fugaku.
It was just that Konoha had too many powerful experts—far too many to choose from.
"Tenzō and Minato would be suitable candidates."
"They only just got back—they deserve some time to recover."
"Orochimaru's been swamped lately—he practically lives in the lab now."
"Jiraiya's also busy. Nawaki could go."
"But if Nawaki goes, he might end up overshadowing Fugaku."
"What about Dai?"
Tsunade thought carefully and recalled the underappreciated jonin instructor.
Leaving Tenten stuck babysitting genin and chasing down stray dogs in the village was such a waste of her talents.
"That works. I'll ask Dai later."
"Just see if he's willing to go."
Kawaki nodded and prepared to consult Dai first.
If Dai wasn't willing to go, Kawaki wouldn't force him.
Anyway, Nawaki and Minato, these two workhorses, are always on standby.
"Alright then, that's settled."
"You go ask. I have work to do."
After finishing official business, Tsunade began showing everyone the door without an ounce of sentimentality.
"Hmm."
Kawaki stood up accordingly but hesitated afterward.
He hadn't even said he needed to leave immediately—since when was it normal for a wife to rush her own husband out like this?
"Can't I stick around a bit longer?"
Kawaki halted his steps and asked sincerely.
"No way. Seeing how idle you are just annoys me."
Tsunade's reply was even more sincere; she didn't even bother lifting her head.
"Pfft~"
Shouta, the only gossip-loving spectator, couldn't hold back and burst into laughter.
Glancing up briefly at Kawaki's intimidating glare, he quickly looked down again—damn my weak sense of humor.
"Fine."
"I'm leaving."
Almost biting out the words through clenched teeth, Kawaki left without looking back.
Leaving the Hokage Building, Kawaki located Might Dai in one of the village's obscure corners.
Dai was currently carrying out a low-level mission with three newly assigned Genin—this time retrieving a lost key from a wealthy merchant.
"What brings you here?"
Upon seeing Kawaki, Dai's eyes lit up. He'd nearly grown sick of this level of boredom!
"I came looking for you specifically."
"Go sit over there first."
Kawaki gestured toward a nearby little tavern, and Dai readily agreed.
Ordering a pot of sake and some snacks, the two men began their conversation.
"The village plans to send Fugaku off to the Land of Earth. You know about this, right?"
Kawaki wasn't sure if Dai had kept updated with village affairs lately—he never was suited for decision-making roles anyway.
"Yeah."
Dai nodded. Though he was merely a Jonin instructor, as one of Konoha's top-tier combatants, core village intelligence was never hidden from him.
"Fugaku is short on people. Would you be willing to assist him?"
Kawaki didn't beat around the bush and got straight to the point.
"That's not even a question."
"Of course."
At those words, Dai's eyes sparkled. He'd almost forgotten what it felt like to clash with someone.
"Thought you wouldn't let me down."
Kawaki clinked their cups together, and both drank in one go.
"I won't hide anything from you either. This mission involves deployment to the Land of Earth."
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Naruto: Starting from Pursuing Tsunade
"One reason is to seize control of that territory, while another is letting Fugaku take revenge."
"You're aware that Rōshi, the Four-Tailed Jinchūriki, killed the former Uchiha clan leader."
"I also promised Fugaku a chance for vengeance."
"This time, your burden might be heavy."
"While Fugaku deals with the Four-Tailed Jinchūriki, you must block Ōnoki."
"There might even be others."
"Do you think you can handle it?"
Kawaki wasn't deliberately trying to pressure Dai—it was just stating facts clearly.
He knew precisely Dai's current combat strength. Once the Seven Gates opened, few could stand against him.
If he risked death to open the Eighth Gate, Ōnoki would likely barely escape with his life.
Even though [Dust Release] is powerful, it's useless if you can't hit your target.
"How can there be a path of Youth without hardship?"
"Just leave it to me."
Dai didn't show even a hint of fear in his eyes—only burning fighting spirit.
"Alright."
"I trust you completely."
"But I still need to say this."
"Safety comes first. It's not shameful if you can't win."
"Konoha may not have much, but we're never short on people."
Kawaki said exactly what he was thinking. If Dai and Fugaku couldn't handle it, he wouldn't mind going all out and leveling the entire Land of Earth.
Still, that would be extreme—it wasn't the outcome he wanted.
"I have two sons waiting at home. I know my limits."
A gentle smile spread across Dai's face as he poured himself another cup of sake.
Once the pot of sake was finished, Kawaki asked Dai to prepare for battle and then took his leave.
Instead of returning to the Hokage Building, Kawaki found himself walking toward the Uchiha clan compound.
Fully armed Uchiha ninja occasionally rushed past—warriors preparing for battle.
Waving to everyone along the way, Kawaki made his way to Fugaku's mansion.
He stopped in front of the closed gates, deep in thought.
He vaguely recalled his first visit here to meet with the former Uchiha clan leader—who was no longer around.
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