Protective Husband Mode: ACTIVATED
"You've got some nerve."
Jinghang's voice dropped. Cold. Dangerous.
"My wife." He stepped forward. "I don't even let dust touch her. And you—" His chakra flared. "—you beat her until she's bleeding."
"So here's what's going to happen." Jinghang's smile was vicious. "You're going to tell me which hand hit her. Then you're going to chop it off. And we'll call it even."
"Or—" Sand began swirling around Jinghang's feet. "—I bury you. Right here. Right now."
His voice boomed across the desert.
Everyone stared.
Kakashi: (He's... actually serious.)
Rin: (Lady Tsunade's husband is terrifying—)
Pain: (This is the man who sealed Black Zetsu. And he's throwing a tantrum over his wife.)
Utakata slowly stood. His face was pale.
"Lord Kazekage... surely you're not going to interfere in—"
Jinghang's palm slammed across Utakata's face.
The Kiri jonin staggered. Hit the sand. Again.
"I asked—" Jinghang grabbed his collar. "—which hand?"
Tsunade's Master Class
Tsunade's voice was soft. Gentle.
She placed a hand on Jinghang's arm.
"It's okay. He was just following orders." Her eyes were kind. "He's just a kid."
"A kid?!" Jinghang's voice was still furious. "He's a jonin! He knows better!"
"I know, I know." Tsunade stroked his arm. "But I'm fine. See?" She gestured at herself. "The blood's already healing. It's not a big deal."
"Not a big deal?!" Jinghang turned to her. "If I let this slide, what's next? Everyone thinks they can touch you? Where does that leave me?"
"You're right." Tsunade nodded seriously. "Your reputation is important."
"But... Rin's injuries are serious. We need to get her to a hospital. And standing here arguing with him—" She glanced at Utakata. "—wastes time we don't have."
Jinghang's jaw clenched.
(She's... she's doing it again. The thing where she agrees with me but makes me do what she wants anyway—)
Utakata stood. Slowly. His face was red where Jinghang had hit him.
His eyes burned with humiliation.
(I'm a jonin. A commander. And he slapped me like a child—)
But he wasn't stupid.
Tsunade Senju—legendary Sannin, medical genius, wife of the Kazekage—had nearly killed him.
And Jinghang was the strongest ninja alive.
Fighting here = death.
"Fine." Utakata's voice was tight. "We admit defeat. But—" He straightened. "—Lord Kazekage owes us an explanation. Otherwise, when my men report back, this won't end."
"An explanation?" Jinghang's chakra spiked again. "You want an explanation?! Go ask your boss if he dares demand one from me! I could've blown him up at Coin Harbor—he's lucky I didn't! You want to settle accounts? I'll bury your entire—"
Tsunade pushed him. Gently.
"Don't scare the poor boy. He's what, sixteen? And you're... well." She smiled. "Wouldn't it be embarrassing if people heard the Kazekage was bullying teenagers?"
Jinghang's eye twitched.
"He wants an explanation. Just give him one." Her voice was sweet. "Then we can go home."
(Dammit. She's right. Again.)
Jinghang exhaled. Slowly.
The sand settled.
"Fine." He reached into his coat. Pulled out a scroll. Tossed it to Utakata. "For your wife's sake, I'll let this go."
Utakata caught it.
"I was going to send an envoy. But since you're here—" Jinghang's smile returned. Sharp. "—you can deliver it yourself."
Utakata unrolled the scroll.
His eyes widened.
"This is... a peace declaration?"
"Signed by me, the Third Raikage, the Third Hokage, the Third Takikage, and Pain." Jinghang gestured casually. "We're holding a seven-village summit. In Kirigakure."
"You can discuss your jinchūriki problem with Sarutobi there. Face to face."
Utakata stared at the scroll.
(A summit. In our village. That means... revenue. Trade. Prestige.)
"Why Kirigakure?" His voice was cautious. "Why not a neutral location?"
"Because I'm doing Yagura a favor." Jinghang's tone was light. "Sunagakure and Kirigakure don't have beef. We get along fine. But you guys keep sticking your nose in my business with Konoha."
He stepped closer.
"So here's the deal. I'm giving your village a chance to profit from this summit. Host fees. Trade agreements. Political leverage." His smile was sharp. "Consider it a gift. For our friendship."
(The real reason: Madara's in Kirigakure. I need an excuse to go there. Publicly. With backup.)
Utakata's confusion faded.
The explanation was... plausible. Forced, but plausible.
"I'll report this to Lord Mizukage immediately." He bowed stiffly. "We'll await your arrival."
He turned to his men. "Let's go."
The Iron-Blooded Youth Corps vanished into the desert.
Tsunade leaned against Jinghang. Smiling.
"So. 'Fury for a beauty.' That's going to be your new nickname."
"Good." Jinghang grinned. "Let people know—you touch my family, you die."
"Very romantic."
"I thought so."
He walked over to Obito.
The Uchiha was still on the ground. Staring at nothing.
Jinghang crouched. Looked at his eyes.
"Congratulations."
"You awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan." Jinghang's voice was cheerful. "First one in your generation. That's impressive."
Obito's eyes went wide.
"Yep." Jinghang stood. "Unfortunately—" He patted Obito's shoulder. "—you're also one step closer to going blind. Every time you use it, your vision degrades. Eventually—" He made a poof gesture. "—lights out."
Obito's brain short-circuited.
Kakashi: (He just... casually dropped that information—)
Rin: (Obito's eyes are going to—)
Pain: (This man has no filter.)
Iwagakure Village
Tsuchikage's Office
Kitsuchi set down the scroll.
Looked at his advisors.
Akatsuchi, Mahiru, Ōishi, Sumashi, Okubo—all the senior jonin—exchanged glances.
Finally, Kitsuba—the chief strategist—spoke.
"We should attend."
"Three." Kitsuba held up fingers. "First: this summit marks the end of the Third Great Ninja War. Iwagakure didn't fight directly, but we're still part of the shinobi world. We can't isolate ourselves."
Kitsuchi nodded.
"Trade opportunities. A seven-village summit means deals. Resources. Alliances." Kitsuba's eyes gleamed. "We can negotiate from a position of strength—Iwa didn't lose anything in this war."
Kitsuba's expression turned serious.
"Intelligence. If all the major villages are gathering in one place—" He tapped the scroll. "—we need to know why. What's Jinghang planning? What's the real agenda?"
Kitsuchi stroked his beard.
"You think there's more to this than peace talks?"
"I think—" Kitsuba smiled. "—that the man who just sealed an ancient evil and slapped a Kiri jonin twice in front of witnesses doesn't do anything without three backup plans."
Then Kitsuchi laughed.
"Alright. We'll attend." He looked at his men. "Prepare a delegation. And someone get me everything we have on this 'Black Zetsu' creature."
"Yes, Lord Tsuchikage!"
[Character Mastery: Jinghang = theatrical protector (genuine rage + political theater). Tsunade = puppet master (manipulates husband into doing what she wants while making him think it's his idea). Utakata = humiliated but pragmatic (slapped twice, forced to accept "gift" as apology). Pain = silent observer (watching domestic manipulation with fascination).]
[Political Layers: Seven-village summit = official end of Third War (all major powers attending). Location in Kirigakure = "favor" to Yagura (real reason: Madara's there). Peace declaration = Jinghang's reputation management (can't look weak after wife got hurt). Iwagakure's caution = recognizing hidden agenda (Kitsuba sees through surface explanation).]
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