CHAPTER 139: CHAPTER 139: UNDERCURRENTS

After settling the three Sunagakure shinobi, Kamizuki Hikari regained his freedom.

Now, he was lounging in a corner of the Hokage’s office. If only he had a reclining chair, he’d be even more comfortable.

*BANG!*

A loud crash echoed as the desk shattered. Hikari jolted upright from his chair and witnessed the true meaning of the phrase "hair standing on end in fury".

Tsunade’s usually smooth golden ponytail was now flying upward due to her chakra flaring in anger.

[Wonder how it feels to grab it...]

Before Hikari could entertain that thought further, Tsunade’s murderous gaze locked onto him.

Shut up, or die.

Faced with the woman’s fury, Hikari wisely chose silence.

"What’s wrong?"

[Who pissed Tsunade off this badly? Did Jiraiya sneak into the women’s baths again? Seriously, the guy’s loaded—he could just go to the pleasure district if he wanted to have fun. I’ll never understand his fetish.]

Hikari truly couldn’t comprehend Jiraiya’s bizarre habits.

As one of the wealthiest shinobi, Jiraiya had enough savings to live lavishly for years, even after bailing Tsunade out of her debts. And it wasn’t like he’d stopped writing—so why insist on peeping in women’s baths for kicks?

Could it be... he can’t perform?

"These are the replies from Iwagakure and Kumogakure. Both villages have doubts about me becoming Hokage. Worse yet, reports say they’ve sealed their borders, refusing to let Konoha shinobi carry out escort missions!"

Hikari’s face twisted in confusion. He didn’t recall this happening in the series. Maybe it was just a minor conflict?

"Those bastards are practically squatting over my head and taking a dump! If they want a fight, fine—let’s see who’s scared of who!" As Hokage, Tsunade had never been overly ambitious.

Unifying the shinobi world, waging war—these were Danzō’s ambitions. All she wanted was to lead Konoha peacefully for a few years, then hand the title of Sixth Hokage to someone reputable so she could retire and enjoy life.

Even if the Hokage’s duties weren’t as heavy now, Tsunade refused to be cooped up in this office forever.

That’d be no different from being a caged canary.

"Calm down, calm down. Since this is such a big deal, why not call Kakashi and Shikaku-senpai for their input?" Hikari suggested.

Kakashi was one of Konoha’s most talented shinobi, renowned for his battlefield analysis.

As for Nara Shikaku, his strategic mind and broad perspective made him an invaluable advisor.

*Knock, knock, knock.*

At the sound of knocking, Tsunade didn’t turn. "Come in. Also, ANBU, seal off the Hokage’s office. No word of this leaves the room!"

Hikari briefly considered making an excuse to slip away, but Tsunade’s glare pinned him in place.

[Fine, fine. I’ll stay and listen.]

Kakashi and Shikaku entered, their expressions grim.

Noticing ANBU sealing the room, Kakashi’s right eye twitched slightly but he made no other movement.

"Hokage-sama, there’s something fishy about this situation." Shikaku began, sounding every bit the seasoned strategist.

"Explain." Tsunade had no patience for vague remarks—she wanted concrete insights.

After a brief pause, Shikaku organized his thoughts. "According to Intelligence, Iwa and Kumo’s relations have been strained for years. When Ōnoki led Iwa’s forces to kill the Third Raikage, it devastated their manpower. And since the Third Raikage was the Fourth’s father... well, that’s not the kind of grudge one forgets easily."

Sure, the shinobi world preached that great leaders overlook petty grudges, but that was just talk for the masses. For those in power, believing it made you a fool.

The Third Raikage had died holding off Iwa’s forces for three days and nights to ensure Kumo’s retreat.

Sure, there might’ve been some exaggeration in the tales, but the fact remained—he died by Iwa’s hands.

Under normal circumstances, the Fourth Raikage wouldn’t actively attack Iwa. But if Iwa and Konoha went to war, logic dictated he’d target Iwa, not Konoha.

This behavior didn’t align with his character.

"I agree something’s off. But Iwa and Kumo blocking our shinobi from entering their lands for missions? That’s a massive blow to Konoha."

The Land of Fire had the most merchants among the five great nations.

Merchants traveled far and wide, trading goods—and for safety, they hired shinobi escorts. When operating in another nation’s territory, they needed that country’s approval or had to rely on local shinobi.

This was standard practice during peacetime, fostering mutual cooperation.

Only during conflicts would borders be sealed to minimize espionage risks.

"Wait, are Iwagakure and Kumogakure stationing their forces in the same area?" Kakashi asked, flipping through the intel.

"That’s... hold on!" Tsunade was about to dismiss it, but she caught herself.

She and Shikaku pored over the intel again.

Documents passed between the three for nearly half an hour before they finally exhaled in relief.

"According to this, Iwa and Kumo’s forces are stationed at their respective borders with the Land of Fire. That means they aren’t allied!" The realization lifted a weight off Tsunade’s shoulders.

"Still, the situation is suspicious. If Iwa and Kumo are both pressuring us from the borders, one misstep could spark a full-blown war." Shikaku’s caution dampened the momentary optimism.

The enemy’s movements meant war was still a possibility.

At his words, Tsunade’s and Kakashi’s expressions sobered.

Only those who had lived through war understood its true horror.

They were veterans who had lost loved ones to it.

To them, war was nothing but cruelty.

*SLAM!*

Tsunade slammed her palm on the desk.

"Konoha doesn’t seek war, but we don’t fear it either. If Iwa and Kumo, after years of peace, want a fight—we’ll give them one!"

After that rallying cry, she smirked.

"Of course, it’d be best if we don’t fight."

"Shikaku, since there’s clearly something fishy going on, take a team and investigate. Kakashi, draft formal inquiries to the Tsuchikage and Raikage—demand to know why they’re jeopardizing peace."

"Yes!" With that, Shikaku and Kakashi exited as Tsunade lifted the lockdown.

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