Returning to Konoha, Jie sent the three kids back to rest.
He stayed behind in the Hokage's office, flipping through records of recently accumulated B-rank missions...Yes, Jie intended for the trio to start directly with B-rank missions.
Compared to D-rank, C-rank missions merely took a bit longer, paid slightly more, and required leaving the village.
For the three kids, a month of grueling D-rank missions had made them sufficiently proficient in standard mission procedures.
Doing C-rank missions now would only drag out their training time without offering much benefit. Taking on B-rank missions to fight other ninja was the absolute best way to foster their growth.
Just as Jie was browsing the files for a suitable assignment, Izumi entered the Hokage's office with Tsunade in tow.
"Well, if it isn't our Lord Hokage. What a rare guest!" Tsunade said sarcastically the moment she saw him.
"Didn't Lord Hokage go off to be an instructor? No need to babysit those three brats today? You actually had the time to visit the Hokage building?"
Jie wasn't angry. He had dealt with her attitude for five years. One more time wouldn't hurt.
"Didn't I just miss you, Auntie Tsunade? I was afraid you were feeling lonely and cold, so I came specifically to comfort you," Jie retorted coolly, not backing down.
"Is that so?" The veins on Tsunade's forehead throbbed violently at the word 'Auntie'.
"The sun must have risen from the west if Lord Hokage actually cares about us lonely old folks." She maintained a smile, but her teeth were clenched so tightly that even Jie felt a momentary chill.
"Then surely Lord Hokage can't bear to see this lonely old woman continue working in the Hokage building. Why don't Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and I just retire? You can hire someone better."
What made Jie instantly surrender was that threat.
Previously, she had only ever threatened to resign herself. Now, she was threatening to take Orochimaru and Jiraiya with her.
Even knowing she was just arguing, he couldn't guarantee this temperamental woman wouldn't actually drag the other two away and pull a disappearing act.
If he lost those two capable pawns too, he really wouldn't know where to find replacements.
Konoha hadn't had enough time to fully develop yet. While talented people were emerging, they needed time to mature.
At least until the next generation of rookies came into their own, he needed Tsunade to honestly do her duty. What was a little surrender in exchange for laziness and freedom?
Jie stiffly changed the subject. "Did anything urgent happen in Konoha recently?"
Seeing him deflect, Tsunade looked like a victorious rooster, a hint of smugness flashing across her face.
"Nothing major, just that the results of the Chunin Exams are out."
"I heard you, the Hokage, were around, so I brought the roster to let you see what new talents Konoha has." Knowing when to stop since Jie had yielded, she played along with his change of topic.
"The Chunin Exams?" A flash of surprise crossed Jie's face.
What exactly had happened in Konoha during the month he was taking the trio on missions? Was he still the Hokage? How did he not know about something as big as the Chunin Exams?
However, catching Izumi's slightly bewildered gaze, Jie suddenly recalled that Tsunade had actually mentioned the exams to him.
But that was a month ago, and he hadn't taken it to heart. No wonder he had absolutely no memory of it.
He kept his face completely blank, preventing Tsunade from realizing her Hokage was entirely clueless, sparing himself another round of bickering.
He opened the roster of promoted Chunin and scanned it.
Only a few familiar names. The result was obvious... the promoted Chunin this year were just average.
Casually flipping through the rest of the list, he signed his name on the authorization forms and asked offhandedly, "Anything else besides the Chunin Exams?"
He originally just meant to be polite and rush her back to the secretarial office, but Tsunade actually had something else to report.
"The Anbu sent word that Kumogakure, Iwagakure, and Suna were preparing to hold a joint Chunin Exam. The location is in Kumogakure," Tsunade said, looking at him seriously.
"Moreover, according to reliable intelligence, these three ninja villages might want to use this joint exam to forge an alliance agreement."
"An alliance agreement?" Jie sneered disdainfully. "...An alliance to oppose Konoha? In their dreams."
'Couldn't these three villages just honestly serve as tools to help Konoha prosper? Why did they always have to cause trouble?'
Ignoring his comment, Tsunade continued, "Also, according to the intel, even Kirigakure, who didn't receive an invitation, would participate."
"As for their purpose, it hadn't been ascertained yet. However, we couldn't rule out that they were taking precautions and wanted to join the alliance against Konoha." She recited the Anbu's report, adding her and Shikaku Nara's own deductions.
"Even Kirigakure was getting involved?" Hearing that Kirigakure was joining the mix, Jie finally felt a hint of interest.
He could understand Kumo, Iwa, and Suna forming an alliance. After all, they were just a bunch of pawns. Establishing a 'victim's alliance' was harmless enough.
But Jie had never actually struck against Kirigakure.
Back when he was fighting Kumo and Iwa, Kirigakure had just ended the Blood Mist era, and Mei Terumi had just ascended to the position of Fifth Mizukage. The village obediently stayed in the Land of Water, working hard to restore their ecosystem.
Furthermore, Jie hadn't wanted to lead troops across mountains and seas just to attack Kirigakure for petty gains. The Land of Fire and the Land of Water were separated by a vast ocean, making military marches highly inconvenient.
Besides, Kirigakure had already been thoroughly messed up by Obito Uchiha. The benefits of attacking them were appallingly low. So, Jie had generously given the law-abiding Kirigakure a way out.
But now that Kirigakure was biting the hand that fed them, wanting to join those victims against Konoha, Jie felt he needed to have a good talk with Mei Terumi.
And an alliance agreement? Without Konoha's permission, without his permission ...any so-called alliance was just a pile of scrap paper.
A bold idea formed in Jie's mind.
"Since Kirigakure could go without an invitation, it would be rude for Konoha not to send anyone over," Jie said, a meaningful smile playing on his lips.
"How could it be called a joint Chunin Exam without Konoha ninja participating?"
Up to 40 chapters ahead on patreon :-
patreon.com/Vristikk