Hey guys, here is the new chapter hope you will liked and read thru everything.
What do you think will happen? Will Kirigakure play fair in the exchange, or will something happen that turns things aggressive?
If we hit 200 PW I post a extra chapter you been hitting all the goals to get more chapters
Don't forget to leave your power stones along with your comment if you have any ideas or opinions that could help me, as well as a review to continue showing your support.
Enjoy the chapter!
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A full week had passed since the forests of Kanzaki had opened their arms to welcome Karinna Uzumaki.
In those seven days, the city had grown not only in infrastructure but in an atmosphere of electric anticipation that could be felt in every corner of the command tower.
Daigo was hunched over a large-scale map, marking potential supply routes from the Land of Tea with a black ink brush.
His Seismic Sense was active, as always. However, even with his perception pushed to the limit, he failed to detect the presence that materialized right behind his chair, as if the very air had suddenly thickened.
"It looks like that Kazekage seat is squeezing your backside more than you expected, eh, BROTHER?!"
The voice wasn't just loud; it was a noise Daigo hadn't anticipated in his deep concentration. He startled, spinning on his heels with a crystal kunai already in hand by pure ninja instinct, only to find a towering figure completely blocking the sunlight streaming through the glass window.
He was a massive man, a mountain of muscle that looked carved from ancient granite. A distinctive scar crossed his face, giving him the air of an indomable warrior who had seen a thousand battles and survived them all. His eyes didn't transmit hostility, but rather a nearly maniacal intensity charged with deep affection and overflowing vitality.
"Todo-sensei!" Daigo exclaimed, lowering his weapon and letting out a long sigh of relief that quickly turned into a genuine smile.
"Damn it! You nearly gave me a heart attack. When did you get here? And what are you doing here? I thought you'd be at your seaside, waiting for me to finish building those hot springs I promised you back in Sunagakure."
Todo let out a booming laugh at Daigo's words as he stepped forward, lifting the Kazekage off the ground in a bear hug so powerful Daigo heard his own vertebrae creak under the pressure.
"I came for a visit, brother!" Todo said, finally releasing him with a slap on the back that sent him stumbling three steps forward.
"I've come because I have something of maximum importance to do, and if you were to look for me later, I wouldn't be in my usual spot. I didn't want you wasting time tracking me down on the coast when destiny calls me elsewhere. But before leaving, I had to see with my own eyes how my star pupil is doing. I've heard the rumors, the victories, how you humiliated the Mist and put those arrogant Konoha fools in their place. That's the spirit of a conqueror! That's my brother!"
Daigo recovered, straightening his Kazekage robes which were now a bit wrinkled.
"It's good to see you, sensei. I really needed a distraction from this sea of paperwork. Kanzaki is growing faster than supplies allow, and managing these new lands is becoming a real headache."
As Todo nodded, Daigo caught him up on everything the Kage Summit, the battle against Konoha, and the news that Baji had finally woken up from his coma. Todo, in turn, shared stories of his own.
The conversation continued, charged with Todo's vibrant energy, but it was interrupted by the soft, rhythmic sound of the door opening.
Pakura entered with her usual elegance, holding a scroll sealed with dark blue wax the unmistakable symbol of the Hidden Mist Village.
Upon seeing Todo in the office, she stopped dead in her tracks, showing a level of respect she rarely granted anyone outside of Daigo.
"Todo-sama..." Pakura said, bowing her head with impeccable formality. "We didn't know you were visiting Kanzaki. Had I known, I would have prepared a suitable place for your stay," she said, looking at him, though her gaze quickly shifted to Daigo as if asking why he hadn't mentioned Todo was coming.
Daigo simply shook his head, knowing Pakura was incredibly organized and that these spontaneous visits were something he could never control.
"No need, Pakura! I see time has only made you bloom further!" Todo responded with an exaggerated wink and a white-toothed grin.
"I've come to see my brother and make sure the weight of that hat hasn't softened his muscles or his brain."
Pakura nodded in agreement with Todo's remark.
Daigo took the scroll from Pakura's hands. His expression shifted instantly; the warmth of the reunion evaporated, replaced by the analytical coldness of a national leader. He broke the wax seal with a sharp motion and read the lines written in elegant, precise calligraphy.
"It's the official message from the Mist," Daigo announced, his voice now devoid of emotion. "It's about the deal we were waiting for. It's about time," he said, placing the scroll on the desk.
Todo looked at him curiously, and Daigo knew exactly what he was waiting for.
"That's right, sensei. I don't know if you remember, but we currently have the Samehada and the Kabutowari in our hands, and Mangetsu who has become the new Mizukage wants them back," Daigo explained.
Todo crossed his arms at the mention of the swords. "And are you just going to give them back for free, or is there something else at stake?"
"At first, he wanted them back for nothing, but I told him I'd need something of equal power to those blades. He refused at the Kage Summit, but eventually, he accepted the deal. He's going to hand over the Seven-Tails in exchange for the swords."
Todo nodded slowly, processing the magnitude of the political move.
"Do you think Mangetsu will play fair, brother? The ninjas of the Mist aren't known for their honor, but for their stabs in the back."
"They're desperate, sensei," Daigo replied confidently. "After losing almost all their swordsmen, they need to recover those weapons to maintain their status as a Great Nation before the world. I'll go prepared for anything, but I doubt they'll try anything stupid in their current state."
WHAM!
A descending strike, executed with a speed Daigo didn't see coming, slammed directly into his crown. The Kazekage let out a genuine cry of pain, doubling over on his knees while clutching his head.
"Damn it, Todo-sensei! What was that for?!" Daigo shouted, sparks of pain dancing in his vision.
"FOR BEING ARROGANT, BROTHER!" Todo roared, pointing a finger as thick as a log at him.
"Have you learned nothing from losing Shizuka and Yashamaru?! The moment you think you have total control is the exact moment destiny kicks your teeth in! Never, ever trust the word of an enemy. I thought that lesson was engraved in your mind!"
Daigo fell into absolute silence. The physical pain began to dissipate, replaced by the cold realization that his master was right.
The memory of Shizuka and Yashamaru's death was a scar that would never fully heal. He took a deep breath and lowered his head.
"You're right... I got overconfident. I'm sorry, sensei."
Todo nodded with brutal satisfaction, his mood flipping back to vibrant in a heartbeat.
"That's what I like to hear! Stay alert! I was going to ask you to join me on my journey, but I see you have matters to settle and also you are the kazekage now."
Daigo, recomposing himself, looked at his master. "Actually, I was going to ask if you could come with us for the exchange. Your presence would ensure no one tries anything."
Todo shook his head immediately. "I can't, brother. I've secured the exact location of Tsunade, and I plan to go see her. It's that matter of maximum importance I told you about. There are things only she can resolve, and I can't lose the trail now."
Daigo gave in, understanding his master's journey was vital. He turned to Pakura, who was waiting for orders.
"Prepare ten of our best ninjas. Elite only. You're coming with me. Sasori, Rasa, and Arata will stay here to secure everything and continue the fortification tasks I assigned. We depart for the Land of Tea at dawn."
With the travel preparations underway, Daigo took advantage of the last moments of privacy with his master.
They walked through the tower corridors, where Daigo lowered his voice, ensuring Pakura was out of earshot.
"Hey, Todo-sensei... about Pakura. We're finally together. Officially. Although... well, we haven't moved on to anything more intimate yet. Things have been going very well around here."
Todo stopped in his tracks and gave Daigo a slap on the back that nearly sent him through the wall.
"Congratulations, brother! I knew you'd pull it off! That's the spirit! Don't worry about the speed; what matters is the connection. If you're lucky, maybe I'll find the same on my journey! Love is what makes muscles grow stronger!"
Changing the subject, Daigo led Todo toward the residential area.
"I need you to see someone. Her name is Karinna. She's one of the few survivors of the Uzumaki clan we rescued recently. I need your help with her."
They arrived at Karinna's house, a modern and comfortable structure. Upon entering, they found the red-haired woman sitting at a table filled with scrolls. Sasori was there, and both were busy deciphering a complex sealing technique.
"Good morning. It looks like you two are busy," Daigo said, glancing at them. Karinna was startled to see Daigo.
Rising quickly, she bowed her head to show respect, but he stopped her. "There's no need for that. I want you to meet someone."
He introduced Todo to the house.
"Karinna, this is my Sensei, Todo," Daigo presented. "Sensei, this is Karinna. I want you to look at her marks... see if you can do something."
Karinna took a step back, intimidated by the thought of showing her marks. Every time she saw them, they brought back memories she despised.
She looked at Sasori, who nodded in support. With trembling hands, Karinna lowered the collar of her robe and pushed up her sleeves, revealing the dozens of bite marks that covered her skin.
The atmosphere in the room changed in a microsecond. Todo's aura became heavy and cold. "Who..." Todo's voice came out as a low roar. "...who did this to a woman?"
Todo approached Karinna with terrifying intensity, wanting to know who had committed such an atrocity. "Tell me who it was!"
"Wait, sensei! Don't do anything reckless," Daigo intervened, stepping in between. "It was Kusagakure, but that's over now. She's safe here, right Karinna?"
Karinna, seeing Todo's genuine concern, whispered, "It doesn't matter anymore... I'm happy here for the first time in my life. Please, don't be angry."
Todo forced himself to calm down, sighing as he observed the scars with expert eyes. Daigo seized the moment.
"Can you heal them, sensei? I don't want her to have to carry those memories on her skin."
Todo moved into a thinking pose, analyzing the tissue and residual chakra. "It won't be a problem, especially with her being an Uzumaki. It will take a few days of constant treatment, but I will erase that trace of filth from her skin. Not a single mark will remain."
Hearing Todo's words, Karinna burst into tears of joy, thanking him over and over again.
"Alright, now that that's settled... Karinna, Sasori, do you have what I asked for? The priority item?" Daigo asked, looking at both of them.
Sasori stood up and walked toward one of the rooms, returning with a black clay jar covered in intricate seals. Placing it on the ground, Daigo observed it closely before looking back at Karinna.
"Do you believe this can contain the Seven-Tails for a while?" Daigo asked.
"By using ancient seals alongside the ones used to seal the One-Tail, Sasori and I discovered a way to improve it. This is the result, though there is a risk it could escape due to the sheer force of its chakra," Karinna said.
"It should work, but if you feel the chakra becoming too aggressive, use your Crystal Release to fortify it. That's what will keep it locked in," Sasori added.
"Sounds good. So, how does it work?" Daigo asked, though this only made Sasori and Karinna look at him as if he'd asked the worst question in the world.
"Daigo, we both have to go with you so we can seal it," Karinna said.
"Well, I'll have to change the plans. Sensei, you better head out on your search. When you're done, come back to help Karinna. And you two, get ready tomorrow at first light, we meet at the gates. We're moving out."
Daigo said his goodbyes to Todo, who did the same, each walking toward their own destiny.
The Following Day.
As the sun began to rise, all the ninjas who would accompany Karinna and Sasori were ready to depart. Daigo appeared alongside Pakura, nodding at the sight of everyone before giving the order.
"Move out," Daigo commanded.
The group vanished in a blur of speed, moving like imperceptible shadows through the forest toward the Land of Tea.
End of Chapter