Hatake Sakumo's face was cold and stern as Kitsuchi brought him to the Tsuchikage's office. The Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, was about to greet him when Sakumo shot him a cold glance.
Ōnoki frowned. What was going on? He looked at Kitsuchi, who gave a bitter smile and whispered a few words into Ōnoki's ear.
Ōnoki's pupils dilated, and he cursed inwardly, 'Damn it, Daimyo of the Land of Earth, you raised a fine son.' He then looked at Sakumo again, feeling a shock in his heart and a twitch at the corner of his mouth.
"That..." Ōnoki wanted to explain on behalf of the Daimyo, but Sakumo raised his hand, signaling him to stop. Then, Sakumo stated his purpose for coming.
"By order of the Hokage, I am here to deliver a message to the Tsuchikage. If you persist in your stubbornness and aid the evildoer, do not blame us for eliminating the Daimyo of the Land of Earth and, incidentally, destroying Iwagakure as well." Sakumo spoke as if it were a very ordinary matter.
"Assassinating a Daimyo? Are you mad? They are the actual rulers of the country, the ones who hire shinobi and provide funds. Aren't you afraid this will make the Daimyo of the Land of Fire wary of you?" Tsuchikage Ōnoki narrowed his eyes.
Admittedly, he did not want to provoke Ryun Uchiha. But at the same time, he did not want the Daimyo of the Land of Earth, who employed him, to be killed. If word got out, how could he remain in his position?
"That is no concern of the Tsuchikage. My message has been delivered. Your attitude, whether you declare it or not, is irrelevant. If you interfere in this matter, then do not blame us for showing no mercy on the battlefield." After saying this, Sakumo turned to leave.
Ōnoki stared at his back, his gaze heavy, carefully considering the matter. Just as Sakumo reached the door,
Ōnoki spoke up, "Sakumo, please wait."
Sakumo turned around and looked at Ōnoki. "Does the Tsuchikage have something else?" His eyes were indifferent, as if looking at a dead man.
Ōnoki opened his mouth, then finally gritted his teeth and made a decision. "Sakumo, Iwagakure chooses non involvement in both matters. When the time comes, I ask for your leniency."
"I will deliver your message." Sakumo nodded, then left the office, heading in the direction of Konoha Village.
Ōnoki's eyes were gloomy and uncertain. Non involvement was the biggest concession he could make. If he were to participate with the Hokage in dealing with the Daimyo of the Land of Earth, then he, Ōnoki, would be a disgrace among Kage.
Kitsuchi reminded him from the side, "Father, the escort envoy..." He made a gesture, asking Ōnoki if they should eliminate him.
Ōnoki closed his eyes and nodded slightly. "Go. Leave no trace of this matter. Additionally, mobilize troops for an eastern campaign now, and inform Konoha of the route. You know what to say."
Kitsuchi nodded. After discussing the marching route with Ōnoki, he personally went to find the envoy.
The envoy was fondling a beautiful woman. The woman appeared respectful on the surface, but inwardly she cursed him for being useless; she found earning money from his three second performance annoying.
Just then, his door was thrown open. A shinobi wearing a Konoha forehead protector appeared, grabbed the envoy by the throat.
The envoy tried to speak, but heard a crunch from his throat. His eyes widened immediately, and he vomited blood before dying. The woman was about to speak.
The shinobi removed his mask. The woman was stunned. "Brother in law, it's you!"
"Shh! Act as if this never happened. In half an hour, scream that a Konoha shinobi crushed the envoy's throat and ran away." The shinobi said flatly.
"Okay!" The woman nodded, looking at her brother in law with serious eyes. "Be careful out there."
The shinobi was silent for a moment, then said calmly, "You too." and left.
A flash of worry appeared in the woman's eyes as she watched her brother in law's retreating back. She took a deep breath.
Then she adjusted her attitude, glanced at the envoy with disgust, and kicked him. "I don't know who you offended, but making my brother in law stain his hands with blood is your fault!"
After half an hour passed, the woman suddenly screamed, "Ahhhhhhhhh! Someone's dead!"
The innkeeper and staff rushed to the room. "What happened?"
"Konoha... a Konoha shinobi attacked! Killed the Honorable Envoy and ran outside!" The woman sobbed.
Then, the woman's brother in law entered upon hearing the noise. "How can you be sure it was someone from Konoha?"
The woman looked up, stammering, "Wah... that shinobi wore a Konoha forehead protector, had his face covered, and ran outside!"
The brother in law nodded. "Innkeeper, I understand the situation. His expenses will be reimbursed by the Tsuchikage's office. Please do not speak of this until the culprit is found."
The innkeeper hurriedly nodded. "Yes, shinobi sir. The staff and I will take this to our graves."
Everyone nodded. The brother in law then turned, took the woman away, saying she needed to be questioned.
When he brought her outside the village, he said, "Go quickly. Here are my savings, enough for you to live comfortably for life. Head east, to Konoha. Don't do this kind of work anymore."
But the woman grabbed his hand. "Brother in law, I won't go unless you come with me. I can't be without you." Her eyes were red and swollen.
The man's expression was complicated. "Be good, go to Konoha first. I... I will probably come in a while." He forced a smile.
He knew clearly that someone would have to take the blame for this. Either he would be investigated for failing to catch the "real culprit," or he would be made the scapegoat. He feared he couldn't escape punishment.
"Really? You'll come in a while! How long?" the woman asked expectantly.
"Maybe a week, maybe two..." the man said with a laugh.
"Okay, you must tell me when you come!" the woman smiled.
"Mm, I will." The man waved his hand, thinking, "If I survive."
Then, the man asked a friend to escort the woman to Konoha. Afterward, he turned and walked back towards the village.
Kitsuchi was at the village entrance. "Is it done?"
"Yes, done. Perfectly." the man smiled.
"Well done. But I'm curious. You sent your sister in law away. Do you not trust me, or do you not trust the Tsuchikage?" Kitsuchi's gaze held a probing look.
The Anbu man was silent...
However, Kitsuchi didn't say much more. He patted the man's shoulder. "You shouldn't have come back. If you had left, I would have issued a bounty, labeling you a missing nin. Then, you would have been fine."
The Anbu man was stunned. He looked at Kitsuchi. "What do you mean, sir!"
"I'm giving you a chance. Go. After all, this matter is no small thing. Everyone knows you have feelings for your sister in law. Go catch up with her, before it's too late!" Kitsuchi turned and walked towards the Tsuchikage's office.
The Anbu man rushed off in the direction of Konoha. On the way, he saw his sister in law. "Sister in law, I'm here! Let's go to Konoha together!"
"Mm! And, stop calling me sister in law. Your brother has been dead for so many years." The woman's face flushed red. The friend beside them felt a bit awkward. "Ahem, I'll leave you to talk. I need to return and report. I hope we don't meet on the battlefield in the future!"
The Anbu man nodded. "From now on, I plan to do some business."
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