The Raikage had originally intended to return to Kumogakure, but Kakashi's words were like a bucket of ice water poured over his head, chilling him to the bone.
Now that you've come to the Leaf, don't think about leaving.
Until this matter was resolved, the Raikage would have to remain within the walls of Konohagakure!
Or rather...
Kakashi had no intention of letting the Raikage leave at all!
"I... understand."
The Raikage spoke with great difficulty. He was now fully aware of his predicament. Although he had anticipated this possibility before arriving in Konoha, the reality of it still left him feeling cold.
His only strategy now was to stall...
Stall until the Kazekage arrived!
Konoha clearly had no intention of negotiating in good faith. Even if Kumogakure had exceeded the ten-thousand-shinobi limit, was Konoha entirely blameless? Setting aside the fact that Kumogakure had once actively sought to steal the Byakugan, did Konoha not share some fault in the current tension?
The Raikage had already abandoned all hope regarding the shinobi limit negotiations. Now, he simply needed to wait for the Kazekage to arrive and join forces with him to pressure Konoha into backing down.
Though the combined strength of their two villages might still struggle against Konoha, Rasa, the Fourth Kazekage, was the Raikage's only lifeline. It was precisely because he knew he might be imprisoned or detained that the Raikage had only brought five Genin squads with him—and those five squads consisted of the most mediocre Genin in the village.
If he could have, the Raikage would have preferred to come to Konoha entirely alone.
Watching the Raikage's retreating back as he was escorted to the radio communications department to contact his village, a faint smile played on Kakashi's lips. It seemed the Raikage finally understood the gravity of his situation.
As expected, even knowing this trip was a brush with death, a Kage is still a Kage. As long as there is a glimmer of hope, they will never let it go.
"Hokage-sama, is it wise to pressure the Raikage this much?" Hiashi Hyūga asked, sounding somewhat hesitant.
"There is no need for concern. Once a decision is made, why hesitate?"
Kakashi spoke with a light chuckle as he slowly stood up. Though his voice was soft, his words carried the weight of a mountain, pressing down on everyone's hearts.
Years had passed, and while the fierce, sharp-edged youth from the Jōnin Council meetings appeared to have smoothed his rough edges, his inner nature had never changed. Now, he intended to use even firmer methods to realize the blueprint he had long ago designed.
As the white-haired man turned to leave the dim meeting room, the flame embroidery on his Hokage cloak seemed to flicker and burn with a life of its own. Hiashi Hyūga stared at those leaping flames, and his wavering heart instantly became as firm as stone.
The Hokage was right.
Once a decision is made, why hesitate? To waver is to invite disaster.
The news of the Raikage's arrival in Konoha reached not only Orochimaru but also Rasa, who had not yet departed.
"The Raikage has arrived. Without further delay, I shall set out as well," Rasa declared in a deep voice, looking at the core members of Sunagakure gathered in the Kazekage office.
"Since the Kazekage-sama has made up his mind, then so be it," an elderly woman beside him said calmly.
This was Chiyo, a senior elder of Sunagakure who had lived through the First, Second, and Third Shinobi World Wars.
"Good. Immediately notify Orochimaru's Hidden Sound Village to depart at the same time."
Seeing no opposition, Rasa waved his hand and issued the order. For this journey, he would be accompanied by his three children: Temari, Kankuro, and Gaara. These three were the elite of Suna, and Gaara, in particular, was the village's One-Tails Jinchūriki. Additionally, Baki, the Jōnin Commander, would also be accompanying Rasa.
To weaken Konoha, Sunagakure was essentially playing most of its hand. If Rasa could convince the Raikage to join them, then between Rasa, Orochimaru, and the Raikage, they would have three Kage-level figures on their side.
Combined with Orochimaru's specialized ambush planned for the Hokage and their own Jinchūriki, Rasa felt as though victory was already within his grasp.
This journey was bound to be a success!
Time flew by. Just as the Kazekage was approaching Konoha, Hayama Shirakumo returned from the Land of Waves with Team 7.
They brought back the Kubikiribōchō, one of the seven legendary blades of the Mist. Evidently, in the confrontation with Zabuza Momochi, Hayama Shirakumo had shown no mercy to the rogue ninja and had killed him personally.
"Kakashi-sensei!"
"We were super awesome this time!"
"That guy with the giant sword got a real beating from me, Sakura, and Sasuke!"
As Kakashi sat in the Hokage's chair, flipping through the mission report written by Hayama, Naruto bragged about their exploits with unbridled excitement. Even though Naruto had become more composed over the years, he couldn't suppress the urge to show off after his first real mission abroad.
Kakashi nodded slightly as he read the report, which detailed how Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke had worked together to subdue Zabuza before Hayama delivered the final blow. Clearly, Kakashi's expectations for the three of them over the past few years had not been in vain.
"You did well."
"As a reward, I'll arrange for someone to melt down this Executioner's Blade and reforge it into three individual ninja tools, one for each of you."
The Hidden Mist had special scrolls to summon the Seven Ninja Swords back. Kakashi had no interest in letting the Mist reclaim it, so he opted to recycle the blade into something new.
"Huh?" Naruto raised a question at just the right moment. "But that's already our trophy, isn't it?"
Kakashi tilted his head slightly. He actually has a point.
"In that case, in addition to that, I will reward each of you with a new ninjutsu scroll."
"Thank you, Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto and Sakura thanked him immediately, while Sasuke remained silent.
Kakashi didn't say much. He already had specific goals in mind for the techniques best suited for them.
For Naruto, he could utilize his massive chakra reserves. Kakashi planned to give him the Hurricane Vortex Technique that Jiraiya had once taught him. Though it was only a C-rank jutsu, its power was formidable if fueled by enough chakra, and it could be used in combination with Sasuke's techniques.
Sakura's strength lay in fine chakra control. The Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique and the Giant Shuriken Technique, combined with the Monstrous Strength training she received under Tsunade's guidance, would compensate for her lack of long-range options. Her style would focus on "overwhelming power through simple means."
As for Sasuke...
Kakashi placed a prepared scroll on the desk.
"What gives? Why do Sasuke and I only get one scroll, but Sakura gets two?" Naruto complained when he saw the names on the scrolls.
"Because the Shuriken Shadow Clone and Giant Shuriken are a combination set..."
"What matters is what suits you best, not the quantity of jutsu," Hayama Shirakumo interjected from the side. "Hokage-sama is a genius who has mastered hundreds of techniques, yet he only uses a handful of them in actual combat. Don't be greedy, Naruto."
"Exactly," Kakashi agreed.
Naruto didn't argue further and nodded obediently. Sasuke silently opened his scroll, and his eyes trembled slightly at the two words written there.
S-rank Ninjutsu: Raikiri.
The signature technique of the Fifth Hokage!
"Sasuke's jutsu is S-rank?!" Naruto exclaimed.
"Don't forget what I just said," Hayama said softly, looking at Naruto.
"Oh..."
During the mission in the Land of Waves, Hayama had clearly established a significant level of authority in Naruto's heart, which was why Naruto was listening so well.
"Thank you... Kakashi-sensei..."
Even though the man before him was nominally the one responsible for the death of his parents, Sasuke had to suppress the emptiness in his heart and offer his thanks.
"We are teacher and student, are we not?"
Kakashi leaned back in his chair and nodded slightly at Sasuke's thanks. He then instructed Hayama to spend the coming period ensuring the three kids mastered these techniques. Finally, he pulled an application form from his drawer.
"This is the application for the Chūnin Exams. I have already signed you up."
"Don't let me down."
The three of them, who were still reveling in their new ninjutsu, looked at Kakashi in confusion.
What Chūnin Exams?
"In a month and a half, the Chūnin Exams will be held here. All three of you will participate."
Hearing Kakashi's explanation, Sakura looked surprised. "But we just graduated from the Academy... isn't this a bit too soon, Kakashi-sensei?"
"Do not doubt your own abilities. I believe you can do it," Kakashi said. "You already have the strength to take down Zabuza Momochi as a team. I believe the Chūnin Exams will not be a problem for you."
Hearing this, Sakura stopped questioning. Hayama Shirakumo, however, was lost in thought.
He had already been assigned by Kakashi to maintain order during the exams. Now that Kakashi was specifically sending these three fresh graduates into the fray, it was clear he intended to test them. It showed just how high Kakashi's expectations were for these children.
"We're ready," Naruto said, nodding seriously.
"Good. Go and practice your new jutsu."
Kakashi nodded as the four departed. He then summoned Hayate Gekkō and told him to take the Executioner's Blade to Itachi Uchiha. Itachi was to take it to the Ninja Cats to have it reforged based on the specific traits of Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura.
With that, the arrangements for Team 7 were temporarily settled.
Kakashi glanced out the window at the street below, watching Hayama lead the three away. He turned his thoughts back to the horizon.
Next, he just had to wait for the Kazekage, Rasa, to show up.
He hoped the man wouldn't disappoint him.
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