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Chapter 426 - 426: Agreeing to Reinforcements
"I don't buy it."
Tsunade turned it over in her mind again and again, but it still didn't sit right.
Repaying hatred with kindness?
Not a chance.
That phrase wasn't in her vocabulary.
"Lord Kawakaze makes sense!"
Shōta carefully weighed the pros and cons and found that Kawakaze's reasoning was flawless. To prove he wasn't just a Hokage yes-man, he voiced his support with conviction.
"Why are you shouting?"
Tsunade shot him a look, as if to say, Who the hell are you trying to scare?
As for needing blind agreement—she had no use for that.
"The Uchiha Clan is at your disposal."
Fugaku was even more direct, offering his support without hesitation. No matter what Konoha did now, the blood feud with the Iwa ninja would never be forgotten.
"You're overstating it. You won't be needed for such a small battle."
Kawakaze chuckled, patting Fugaku on the shoulder. He hadn't forgotten who killed the previous Uchiha Clan Head. And regardless of how confident the Uchiha were, Ōnoki wouldn't feel comfortable relying on them.
"What the hell?"
"Does no one care about my feelings?"
"You three idiots, I'm the Hokage!"
Tsunade suddenly felt like she was being ignored. Could no one hear the Lady Hokage expressing dissatisfaction?
"Oh, I see, Lady Hokage."
"I think it's a good idea to send Minato and Nawaki to support them."
"I have no objections."
With just a few words, the three of them had already decided who would lead the support team.
"What do you think, Lady Hokage?"
Perhaps realizing they had overstepped, the three finally turned to look at Tsunade.
"Alas, it seems I should step down and let someone else take over."
She sighed and shook her head, feigning sadness at the scene before her.
Since when had she been sidelined to this extent?
"Who are you pretending for?"
"Just laugh already."
Kawakaze saw right through her. She was probably thrilled.
No one in her generation wanted to take over as Hokage, and the younger generation who did lacked the necessary prestige. The Shinobi World War was the perfect stage for Nawaki and Minato to build their names.
Whichever of them earned the most recognition would be the next Hokage. Everything was falling into place.
"Hahaha~"
"I can finally see a way out of this suffering."
Hearing this, Tsunade dropped the act. Everyone at the table knew her too well—there was no need to keep up appearances.
"A new generation replacing the old... there should be a new Hokage assistant by then, right?"
Shōta thought about it and smiled. He had long grown tired of the job.
"Maybe."
Tsunade's response was vague, but her subconscious thoughts were clear. Shōta immediately felt uneasy.
She could definitely free herself from the position, but Shōta Nara...
Who was that? Did she even know him well?
If she could escape, she would gladly let Shōta be Hokage's assistant for another hundred years.
"What do you mean, maybe?"
Shōta questioned her at once. He knew Tsunade's underhanded nature all too well. Selling him off to the next Hokage would be an easy move for her.
"It means nothing. There will definitely be a new assistant."
Tsunade quickly corrected herself, but her perfunctory tone wasn't convincing in the slightest.
"Okay, okay, don't dwell on the details."
"Let's get down to business."
"Notify Jōnin Nawaki Senju and Minato Namikaze to report for duty."
Seeing that Shōta was about to push the matter further, Tsunade swiftly changed the subject.
"Yes."
A voice from the shadows responded before fading into silence.
"She can find an heir, but you can't?"
"Stubborn as ever."
This was a hole he had dug for himself. In the end, Kawakaze couldn't help but feel a little guilty. Still, his words had struck a nerve, waking someone from their daze.
"You're right. If you want something done, do it yourself."
"I have a nephew named Shikaku—he's close to Nawaki and Minato."
"That brat is sharp. I think he's a great fit."
"Heh heh."
Shōta Nara chuckled slyly. "Don't blame your uncle for being underhanded, Shikaku."
The Nara Clan had yet to produce a Hokage, but holding the position of assistant was a mark of power and prestige.
"That kid is good," Kawakaze agreed. The title of Konoha's smartest was not undeserved.
"I've heard about the new generation's Ino-Shika-Chō."
Fugaku wasn't just saying it to flatter. While the new generation couldn't yet compare to Nawaki or Minato, that didn't mean they lacked potential.
"Sounds like a good idea."
"Let him come for an internship for a while."
Tsunade's plan was crystal clear—she was trying to enjoy early retirement.
The more hands to share the burden, the more freedom she would have.
"You take care of it."
Shōta had barely even thought about how to suggest it, and Tsunade was already trying to hand off responsibilities.
Knock, knock.
The sound interrupted Tsunade's thoughts.
"Enter."
Kawakaze spoke in her place, and no one found it odd.
"Sensei, Sensei's wife (older sister, brother-in-law)."
Without outsiders present, Minato and Nawaki dropped formalities, greeting Fugaku and Shōta with a smile.
"You're here."
"I'm assigning you two a big task." 𝖓𝔬𝔳𝔭𝖚𝖇.𝔠𝔬𝖒
Kawakaze's speech pattern and choice of words had become familiar to them.
"What mission?"
Nawaki and Minato's eyes lit up. Finally, their moment had arrived.
Ever since hearing about Nagato leading the charge in the Land of Earth, they had been more than a little envious.
"After careful deliberation by myself, the Fourth Hokage Tsunade, and Konoha's senior leadership,"
"it has been decided that you two will be sent to the Land of Earth to provide support and work with the Iwa ninja to drive out the invading Kumo and Akatsuki forces."
Tsunade delivered the statement with grand authority, though in reality, only a few people had nodded in agreement.
To be precise, Kawakaze had suggested it, and she had given the final approval. That was about it.
"Huh?"
Nawaki and Minato shared a look of confusion.
Not helping Nagato was one thing, but... was this really the path that led to fighting him?
"You heard me correctly."
"Ōnoki has sent someone to request our aid, and he will lead the way."
"But this support must be handled carefully."
"The Land of Earth cannot be destroyed, but as for the rest—do as you see fit."
Kawakaze only provided the general framework, trusting that the two in front of him would understand the implications.
If they couldn't figure it out, they weren't fit to be Hokage.
"Yes."
Though doubt flickered in their eyes, Nawaki and Minato still gave their affirmation.
They might not fully grasp the reasoning yet, but they trusted that Kawakaze wouldn't make a decision that would harm Konoha.
"This mission was requested by the Iwa ninja—they are begging Konoha for help."
"When you arrive, don't lower your gaze to anyone, and don't disgrace Konoha."
"Got it?"
Tsunade made the stakes crystal clear. If Konoha's forces were humiliated under these circumstances, she would be furious.
"Understood."
Nawaki and Minato straightened their posture, excitement gleaming in their eyes.
This was their first time leading in a war.
"Do a good job—everyone has high expectations for you."
"Don't let us down. Go and make your preparations."
Kawakaze's words of encouragement sent them off, and just like that, Konoha's decision to support the Land of Earth was set in motion.
