Tsunade exhaled deeply, irritation flickering in her eyes. "Retaliate…?" she murmured. To be frank, she had no desire to start a war with Kirigakure.
"But isn't the Hyūga clan's princess currently in the Hidden Mist?" one advisor asked cautiously. "If we act rashly…"
"Lady Tsunade, the situation has already escalated beyond that," Shikaku interjected, his voice steady.
He understood well why Tsunade hesitated. Kirigakure had indeed killed Danzo, one of Konoha's advisors—yet in doing so, they had indirectly helped Konoha. But that was a truth no one could say aloud.
As compensation, Shigure had taken Hinata to Kirigakure, and Konoha had silently accepted it.
But now the issue involved Sunagakure.
Konoha's past conflict with the Hidden Sand remained unresolved, and Sunagakure choosing to seek Mist's help instead of Konoha was a clear signal—they had abandoned the Leaf entirely.
If Konoha remained passive, it would be no different from admitting irrelevance on the world stage.
"The Hidden Sand's invasion of Konoha was never properly addressed," Shikaku continued. "Now they've aligned themselves with the Hidden Mist. Even if we attempt negotiations, Kirigakure will undoubtedly interfere."
His expression hardened.
"So conflict with the Hidden Mist is unavoidable."
Shikaku stepped to the other side of Tsunade's desk and leaned forward, voice low but firm.
"Hokage-sama, even if you're reluctant to oppose Kirigakure, this is no longer something we can avoid. In fact, we should take the initiative. If we do, it may deter both Iwagakure and Kumogakure."
If Iwa and Kumo moved against Konoha now, the consequences would be catastrophic. It wouldn't be a dispute with one village—but the beginning of conflict with all four great villages simultaneously.
Tsunade drummed her fingers on the desk. "Tell me. What exactly do you propose?"
Since Shikaku pushed this far, he surely had a strategy ready.
"Send a squad to intercept the Mist's negotiation team before they reach the Hidden Sand," Shikaku said. "Then demand that Sunagakure properly explain and compensate for their invasion of Konoha."
Tsunade blinked. "The Hidden Mist sent a negotiation team to the Sand?"
"Most likely, yes."
"But Sunagakure doesn't even have a Kazekage right now…"
Shikamaru answered, brows knitted. "Based on the intel I gathered, the Fourth Kazekage's son—Gaara—captured this time as the One-Tail Jinchūriki, is expected to take the position."
"The Fifth Kazekage…" Tsunade muttered, genuinely surprised.
Sunagakure was bold—appointing a boy barely reaching adulthood. Gaara was talented, yes, but his strength wasn't quite at Kage-level yet.
Still… he wasn't far off.
"Then send the squad."
Yet Tsunade hesitated again. "But who should we send…?"
Sending too large a force would spark outright war. And the Mist might interpret it as provocation.
"There must be absolute strength," Shikaku said. "Enough to simultaneously intercept both the Hidden Mist and Hidden Sand squads. If we fail—and the two villages meet and conclude an agreement—Konoha will have no leverage left."
They needed overwhelming, unquestionable force.
More than a single Jōnin.
"Summon Hatake Kakashi, Might Guy, and Yūhi Kurenai," Tsunade ordered.
"And also Hyūga Neji, Rock Lee, and Tenten of Team Gai."
Three Jōnin, three young elites. It should be sufficient.
Shikaku blinked. Kakashi and Guy made sense—but Kurenai?
"Lady Tsunade… why Kurenai? Is it because—"
"This mission is different," Tsunade replied. "Without a skilled genjutsu specialist, unexpected variables could become fatal."
Shikaku paused. In his mind, the ideal choice had been Sarutobi Asuma.
But then he understood her decision.
At a time when skirmishes could erupt into open conflict at any moment, Asuma Sarutobi's safety could not be risked. Hiruzen Sarutobi had only recently died; if something happened to Asuma—the brightest hope of the Sarutobi clan—the fallout would be disastrous.
Not just a clan uproar.
But a political crisis Konoha could not endure.
Rumors had already begun to circulate throughout Konoha.
Many were eager to completely topple the Third Hokage's faction.
For Tsunade—who had risen to the Hokage position only after countless struggles—this was a direct threat. If anything happened to Asuma Sarutobi now, those political flames would ignite instantly.
She absolutely could not allow that.
"Understood. I'll call them over immediately!"
At the same time, the negotiation team dispatched by Shigure from Kirigakure had already set out.
This mission marked the first official assignment for the new generation of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.
"You are responsible for protecting the negotiation team," Shigure ordered. "Zabuza Momochi, Kisame Hoshigaki, Oshiro Mumei—if anything happens to them, the three of you will bear the responsibility."
Mumei lowered his head sharply. "Lord Shigure, rest assured—no accidents will occur. Not unless I fall first!"
A solid answer.
This was the first time the Seven Ninja Swordsmen had been entrusted with a mission of such weight. They symbolized the future of the Mist, carrying the expectations of the entire village.
After watching them depart, Shigure returned to the Mizukage's office.
An Elder of Kirigakure was already waiting for him.
"In such a short time, the Hidden Mist has undergone earth-shaking changes," the Elder said, his expression full of satisfaction.
Under Shigure's leadership, the Mist would undoubtedly grow stronger. It wasn't only the Elder who believed this—many shinobi across the village now placed their hopes on him.
"It's time we set a date," the Elder continued.
"For your official inauguration."
"Our Sixth Mizukage of the Hidden Mist."
The moment they had all anticipated had arrived. Yet, for Shigure, the excitement he expected to feel never fully came.
"What about Mei Terumī?" he asked.
"After you become Mizukage," the Elder replied, "she will also assume important responsibilities. The final arrangement will be yours to decide, Lord Mizukage."
Shigure paused.
The Elder clearly understood the relationship between him and Mei Terumī—and was intentionally leaving the decision in his hands.
Mei possessed Kage-level strength and exceptional administrative ability. There was no reason for her to remain idle. She could serve as his chief assistant.
Currently, Ringo held that position, but her power was not yet on par with the task. She needed time—time to train, time to grow.
After all, she was a prodigy of the Yuki Clan, a true genius of Lightning Release.
(End of Chapter)
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