"Don't worry, Father. I understand both of them well enough to handle the situation. There won't be a problem."
Yoruha smiled.
Some people had the nerve to say he didn't understand Naruto.
What a joke.
Who could possibly know him better?
"By the way, Yoruha, why did you bring Shimura Danzo along?" Nara Kazusa asked with a meaningful look in his eyes. "Aren't you worried he'll join forces with Ōnoki and the Raikage and turn against you?"
Although Shimura Danzo was getting old, he was still a dangerous figure. Especially with those secretive and insidious tendencies of his.
That's what worried Kazusa most.
He wasn't sure Yoruha and his group could keep Danzo under control.
"Relax," Yoruha said with a shrug. "I brought Danzo along on purpose. If he dares make any move, I'll kill him as a warning to Ōnoki and the Raikage."
Sure, he planned to teach the Raikage and Tsuchikage a lesson.
But with the next ninja world war approaching, it wasn't like he could actually eliminate them.
That would only benefit Uchiha Obito in the end.
So Yoruha's real plan was to treat Shimura Danzo like a sacrificial pawn—to kill him in front of the Raikage and Tsuchikage to show them they'd better not overstep.
As for Sasuke…
If things got out of hand, Yoruha could always come up with another plan.
"I see," Kazusa said. "Still, it's a risky move—like dancing with a tiger. Just be careful." He turned to his son. "Shikamaru, make sure to assist Yoruha. Don't let anything go wrong. Most of all, don't do anything that could start a war!"
Thankfully, Shikamaru was going along.
With his mind and Yoruha's strength, they should be fine.
"Yeah, yeah… don't worry, Dad, we'll be careful," Shikamaru muttered with a helpless shrug.
This was such a pain.
How had he ended up in a potential world war?
Why did he have to be born with such a high IQ?
Wouldn't life be better if he were just some rich clan heir with nothing to do but coast through life?
"Uncle Lujiu, Father, you really don't need to worry," Yoruha laughed. "The Raikage and Tsuchikage didn't dare send troops even after the Third Hokage died. Now Konoha's at least five times stronger than it was back then. Do you really think they'd dare make a move now?"
Over the years, Yoruha had influenced many of Tsunade's decisions.
Not only had Konoha's economy improved, but its combat strength had grown tremendously.
The gap between Konoha and villages like Kumogakure and Iwagakure only continued to widen.
Not to mention, Kirigakure was under new leadership.
Terumi Mei wasn't the kind of woman to go blindly following the Raikage's lead.
And as for Sunagakure—
They were practically in Konoha's pocket by now. People even joked that they were "Sand Iron" now, melted and molded by the Leaf.
"Alright, maybe we are a little too sensitive about the war…" Kazusa sighed. "Anyway, we're counting on you this time."
After some more final words from the elders, the group finally left the Hokage's office.
On the way back to Yoruha's house, Shikamaru looked completely disinterested.
"Man… I don't get it. It's just a meeting in the Land of Iron. Was it really necessary for us all to stay over at Yoruha's place tonight? There's nothing left to discuss. And I always get insomnia in a new bed…"
He sighed again as he followed Yoruha and the others toward the house.
Once they arrived, Yoruha's household servant, Sam, came out to greet them. She quickly set up a large table full of delicious food and prepared three rooms for them to stay in.
"Sam, come eat with us. You don't have to keep working," Yoruha said, glancing at her.
"Yes, Master."
Sam obediently sat beside him.
The three of them chatted about the upcoming trip to the Land of Iron.
Midway through the conversation, Sam quietly interrupted.
"Master... is Kirabi... really dead?"
Her voice was soft, calm, emotionless on the surface.
But Yoruha could feel her inner turmoil clearly. Their spirits were linked—he could sense every ripple beneath the still waters.
"Don't worry. I've fought Kirabi before. That guy's an expert at slipping away. I bet he faked his capture and took the chance to sneak off somewhere."
Kirabi was undeniably powerful.
Even with Sasuke cheating by using Karin, he shouldn't have been able to beat Kirabi at full strength.
But Kirabi's mind worked in strange ways.
He might've just run off to find someone to freestyle rap with.
Rappers really do have bigger hearts than most.
"I believe you, Master," Sam said softly. "If you say he's fine, then he must be fine."
Then, after a short pause, she asked,
"Master, can I go with you to the Land of Iron this time? I haven't seen the outside world in so long."
Her words stirred something in the room.
Hinata and the others all quietly sighed.
"Alright," Yoruha smiled. "Come with us. Once this war is over, I'll take you on a journey across the entire ninja world. You deserve to see it."
Sam wasn't just a servant.
She was someone special to him.
"Finally!" Ino beamed. "I've wanted to leave the village and travel the world forever."
She was born to cut through the world with her teammates—like a sisterhood of blades.
"You? No way," Yoruha said, shaking his head. "I meant Hinata and Sam. You're going to inherit the Pig-Deer-Butterfly mantle and lead the Yamanaka clan."
He was planning to have some fun out there.
Ino had to stay behind and hold the fort.
If she didn't, his father would probably drag her back by the hair.
"What? Why?! Why is my fate so tragic?! Am I not your real sister or something?!"
"...That's such a scary way of thinking. You really need to rein yourself in..."
And so, surrounded by laughter and conversation, they finished their meal.
As the night deepened, a soft knock came at Yoruha's door.
"Yoruha... I can't sleep..."
Hinata's cheeks were slightly red. This was the first time she'd stayed with him this late.
"Can't sleep? You worried about the Iron Country?"
Yoruha walked over with a smile and gently pulled her into his arms.
"Mm... maybe. I just can't fall asleep."
Hinata rested her head against his chest.
She could feel the warmth of his body, and her heart began to race.
That sudden closeness made it hard for Yoruha to hold back.
After all...
Konoha had beautiful mountains and breathtaking waves.
And at this moment—
Yoruha thought...
Maybe...
Some things...
Didn't need to wait another two years.