Whoosh—

  "Advisojo, there's intel you might want to see."

  A Root ninja, a gray-white uniform and an animal mask, materialized within the press tent.

  Gin, uanding the situation, ushered his fellow reporters out, leaving Gojo Kaigetsu in privacy.

  Gojo Kaigetsu accepted the intel report. It was from the underground exge.

  Orochimaru's Root operatives were undeniably effit.

  In just a day, the bounty on Kazuma and his two subordinates had been cimed…

  "What?! That much?!" Gojo Kaigetsu's eyes widened in surprise.

  He hadn't expected the bounty to be so high.

  They were just mid-level Jonin; their value stemmed primarily from their association with the Guardian Ninja Twelve. He'd estimated their bined bounty to be roughly equivalent to Asuma Sarutobi's.

  Asuma's bounty was what? Thirty-five million ryō for a Konoha elite Jonin, the son of the Third Hokage.

  And Kazuma, Fudo, and Fuyo's bined bounty? A staggering three hundred million!

  Nearly ten times Asuma's bounty, practically equivalent to the initial funding for the "Four Nations Invasion Pn."

  Something was off. Very off. Gojo Kaigetsu frowned. "This… doesn't make sehe bounty is too high. What's going on?"

  "After… exteerrogation, the Land of Rice Paddies underground exge revealed that the existing bounty on the Guardian Ninja Twelve was retively low, around ten million ryō."

  "But retly, a mysterious beor issued a sed bounty."

  "Targeting all Konoha ninja. Practically everyone on the bounty list received a… bonus."

  "The exact amount is unknown, but it seems Konoha ninja have bee prime targets for bounty hunters. The risks of uaking missions have increased signifitly."

  Gojo Kaigetsu uood.

  Like a twisted iive program, on top of existing bounties, someone was bonus rewards for assassinating Konoha ninja.

  His eyes narrowed. That Kumogakure Elder Advisor ying a dangerous game.

  Whoosh—

  An Anbu operative appeared, kneeling befojo Kaigetsu. "Advisojo, the Raikage of Kumogakure has sent a secret emissary, requesting a meeting with you. She's waiting in the Hokage Tower meeting room."

  Gojo Kaigetsu, fnked by a Root and an Anbu operative kneeling before him, felt a surge of… satisfa.

  Simultaneously holding authority over Root and Anbu… his power as a Konoha elder and Hokage Advisor had reached its peak.

  "You're dismissed. I'll head to the Hokage Tower now."

  "Yes, Advisojo!"

  …

  …

  Mabui, her signature dark attire, sat in the meeting room, a nervous energy thrumming within her.

  This mission to Konoha carried immense weight.

  It was also meant to be a surprise for Samui, a ce for her to finally return home. She hadn't even told Samui, wanting to avoid any potential leaks through the Heart-to-Heart unication Jutsu.

  'The Raikage's orders…'

  "You must be Mabui-san~" Gojo Kaigetsu's pyful voice pulled her from her thoughts.

  She looked up.

  'So tall, s, so handsome…'

  'This is Samui's… tact…'

  The Fourth Raikage was also tall and muscur, but his aura was different. A exuded raw, untamed power, while Gojo Kaigetsu's strength was more… refined, elegant.

  A perfect clothes hanger.

  Handsome looks often made a good first impression.

  She recalled the tless sleepless nights, alone in her room, enduring the… sensations transmitted through the Heart-to-Heart unication Jutsu.

  Those… intimate moments.

  Mabui blushed, her gaze dropping. She couldn't meet Gojo Kaigetsu's eyes.

  "Greetings, Advisojo." She extended a hand, their handshake brief and formal.

  "I'm here on behalf of the Raikage to… iate a deal."

  "A deal?" Gojo Kaigetsu stretched nguidly. "I'm listening."

  "You already know that Samui is a Kumogakure agent, don't you?"

  "Indeed."

  Though she'd expected this, hearing it firmed still surprised her. He knew… a he tio… with Samui. It was… unbelievable.

  "When… did you find out?"

  "That information isn't part of the Raikage's deal, is it?" Gojo Kaigetsu smirked. "Of course, if it's a personal request from Mabui-san, I wouldn't mind discussing such… private matters."

  "…Let's focus on official business," Mabui said, shaking her head. "Samui's intel mentioned Konoha's Avengers Initiative, created to eliminate bounty ninja and their employers, correct?"

  "Yes."

  "Su endeavor requires more than just Konoha's participation to be effective," Mabui stated, pointing out a crucial fw.

  Eliminating the underground ninja works was simple enough. Just dispatbu squads to raid the exge offices.

  Konoha had already purged the Land of Fire, making it a no-go zone for bounty ninja.

  But the exge offices were merely intermediaries. tless bounty ninja and employers ducted anonymous transas through them.

  Even if the exges were eliminated, anizations would emerge, like weeds.

  It was a temporary fix, not a perma solution.

  To truly eradicate the threat, they had tet the financiers and the ninja themselves.

  This required intel, meticulous iigation, and trag.

  But that raised the usual dilemma. They couldn't iigate everyone, could they?

  The ninja world was small. The wealthy patrons were well-known. What if they uncovered something… unfortable?

  What if… the ones funding the terrorism were the same ones fighting against it?

  Konoha's attempt to create a trans-vilge anization to police the ninja world would face signifit resistance.

  While Konoha's influence was undeniable, they weren't yet a global power, a ninja world police force. Such a move could even uher vilges against them.

  In the end, the Avengers Initiative would likely be limited to operating within Konoha's borders, eliminating minor threats.

  But…

  "Kumogakure is willing to join the Avengers Initiative," Mabui decred, revealing the core of their proposal.

  The current ninja world order could be described as "one superpower, two major powers, two minor powers, and others."

  If viewed as a bance scale, with Konoha on one side and the bined might of the other four oher… the oute was clear.

  But with Konoha and Kumogakure on one side, and the others oher… the scales tipped dramatically in their favor, especially with the Kumogakure Co-Prosperity Sphere bag them.

  With Kumogakure's participation, the Avengers' jurisdi would cover a signifit portion of the ninja world. Sunagakure and Kirigakure, already bound to Konoha, weren't likely to switch sides…

  The fight against underworld terrorism would be practically won.

  And Iwagakure, the only vilge not participating… wouldn't they appear uncooperative? Such a stance would lead to isotion. Even for appearances' sake, they'd have to join.

  That the Raikage would propose such a deal… it aligned with his personality.

  pared to the underhaactics of assassination, the Raikage preferred direct frontation, eling his Lightning Release chakra and crushing his oppos head-on.

  He'd rather ihe vast sums spent on bounties into Kumogakure's military.

  Underground exges? Bounty ninja? Financiers? To the Raikage, they were all superfluous.

  His leadership style was the por opposite of ōnoki's.

  "That's a… tempting ojo Kaigetsu said, nodding slowly. "And the price?"

  Mabui breathed a sigh of relief. So far, the iations were proceeding as phe Raikage's instrus seemed feasible.

  "Returwo-Tails Jinchuriki, Yugito Nii, and Samui, to Kumogakure."

  "The Raikage wants Elder Advisor dead. He will lure the Elder Advisor to a suitable location, and the assassination will be handled by Konoha's Avengers… The Raikage guarantees aliation against Konoha. He will personally remain in the Raikage Tower and offer no support to Elder Advisor."

  "Once Elder Advisor is elimihe Raikage will officially announce Kumogakure's participation in the Avengers Initiative, assisting Konoha in purging the underworld. He guarantees no repercussions against the Konoha Avengers."

  "Eliminating terrorism and Elder Advisor could be the first step towards peace between our vilges. Let's see… each other's siy."

  Mabui tinued, her voiow ced with a subtle persuasiveness. "Samui has told me everything. You suspect Elder Advisor of issuing the bounty and want him eliminated. But he's always within the vilge, beyond your reach. We lure him out, giving Konoha a ce for revenge."

  "The price is simply returning Yugito Nii and Samui. What do you say, Advisojo? Do we have a deal? Before Elder Advisor's influence spreads to Konoha, let's unite and eliminate him."

  Not just the Raikage, but Mabui also believed that Yugito Nii's defe was merely an act, coerced by Gojo Kaigetsu.

  Once Elder Advisor was gohe Raikage would likely reinstate Yugito, trusting in her loyalty to Kumogakure.

  As for Samui, even if her body had… strayed, her spirit remained pure.

  Gojo Kaigetsu, however, didn't immediately respond. He feigned a look of indignation. "Setting aside the fact that Yugito and Samui are utterly devoted to me…"

  "It seems you're unaware that your Elder Advisor has already extended his influeo Konoha."

  "What are you talking about?"

  Sp—

  Gojo Kaigetsu tossed photos of Kazuma's corpse and an intel report onto the table. "You might not know this yet, but three of the Land of Fire's Guardian Ninja Twelve, loyal to the Daimyo, have been assassinated by bounty ninjas."

  "And their bouotaling three hundred million ryō, have already been cimed."

  "Including those three, fourteen Land of Fire ninja, fourteen Konoha ninja, have died because of Elder Advisor's bounties. Eae ae shinobi…"

  "Furthermore, acc to our intel, Eguchi has issued long-term bounties on Konoha ninja. This means every Konoha ninja on a mission is now a target."

  "We will have our revenge! We will make Kumogakure suffer!" Gojo Kaigetsu's voice was cold and menag. "Tell your Raikage, tell Eguchi, they live in fear."

  Mabui stared at the photos and the report, dumbfounded.

  A bounty on all of Konoha? Where did Elder Adviset the funds?

  As the Raikage's secretary, she mentally reviewed the vilge's ret financial activity. The southerories, stantly at odds with the elders, had retly received a rge sum from the Raikage.

  'Could it be…?' Mabui's face paled.

  If true, this wasn't just embezzlement. It was an act of treason, the first shot in a Kumogakure civil war, the beginning of the Co-Prosperity Sphere's colpse.

  'How could he? Does he even care about the vilge?'

  Seeing Mabui's rea, Gojo Kaigetsu's suspis were firmed.

  "I'm curious," he tinued, his tone sharp. "A mere vilge elder, even with bag, shouldn't be that wealthy. Where did he get the funds to issue bounties on Konoha ninja?"

  "Has the Fourth Raikage been… sidelined? Is the vilge's budget being… misappropriated?"

  "Even if Konoha were to adopt a ruthless approach, sacrifig a few high-value ninja to deplete Elder Advisor's funds…"

  "Who do you think will crumble first? Konoha, uhe threat of assassins? Or Kumogakure, torn apart by internal flict? Will we o intervene, or will your own internal strife deliver Eguchi to the executioner?"

  Gojo Kaigetsu's words hit their mark.

  Mabui felt her world tilting. Even Kumogakure's misappropriated funds had been discovered by another vilge. This intelligence gap… The s' trol over the Anbu had turhe Raikage into a blind, deaf fool.

  She could already imagihe southern ninjas' rea when they discovered their funding had been drastically reduced, or even pletely cut.

  The seeds of dissent, sown during the Kirigakure operation, were about to sprout.

  Not even a god-like Konoha could withstand suternal sabotage.

  While iating with Konoha, their own vilge was imploding.

  Mabui felt a growing sense of despair. How could she save a vilge like this?

  "I believe… you uand now, Mabui-san." Gojo Kaigetsu cleared his throat. "Now, let's discuss Konoha's terms."

  "We are sincerely itted to eradig the growing threat of terrorism in the ninja world. Such practices could lead to unimaginable disasters. Even without Kumogakure's official participation in the Avengers Initiative, Konoha will tihis endeavor. Don't think you use this as leverage against us."

  "We will not be maniputed."

  Gojo Kaigetsu's words shattered Mabui's hopes.

  "As fito and Samui… I won't interfere. Ask them yourselves if they wish to return to Kumogakure."

  "Konoha's Avengers won't set foot in your vilge to help the Raikage eliminate Elder Advisor. If you want him dead, find your own way."

  "However… we coordih the Raikage's as. After Elder Advisor's elimination, we feign an atta Kumogakure."

  "That would… alleviate some of the pressure on the Raikage, wouldn't it?"

  Without external pressure, Kumogakure, g the unifying force of a true "Will of Lightning," was a colle of squabbling s. The Raikage, having threateheir power, would be targeted.

  But with Konoha's forces seemingly at their doorstep, the Raikage, whose approval rating had plummeted, would gain a "wartime leader" buff.

  He could use this to solidate his power…

  After all, cooperating with the Raikage could lead to death, or perhaps a ce to retain their power. But if Konoha ihe elders' authority would be pletely stripped away.

  The ninja world didn't reward surrender or colboration.

  While Bushido might be dead, the Ninja Way remained.

  Ninjas, like ered beasts, would either fight to the death or turn on their oppressors. There were no ninjas eager to sell out their vilge, to be humiliated and stripped of their power.

  "Ohe Raikage has solidated his authority, Konoha will, as agreed, withdraw its forces."

  This… seemed like the best possible oute.

  Before her departure, the Raikage had given her a single instru: eliminate Elder Advisor without risking open flict with Konoha. If possible, secure additional bes for Kumogakure.

  This… carried some risk, but it seemed manageable.

  "Of course, Kumogakure's elders aren't fools. A simple decration of war from Konoha won't scare them."

  "We o make it… ving. We'll unch symbolic attainor vilges within the Co-Prosperity Sphere, or perhaps insignifit border towns. Nothing that would truly threaten Kumogakure…"

  "Of course, mobilizing troops costs money. Konoha expects… pensation."

  Mabui's head spun.

  It all seemed… logical, yet somethi off.

  Minor vilges within the Co-Prosperity Sphere? Insignifit border towns? That… actually seemed reasonable.

  As long as Kumogakure's core is weren't threatened, a few minor cessions were acceptable.

  Mabui rationalized, though she cked the authority to make such decisions. "I 't agree to this immediately. I o sult with the Raikage. We'll… discuss it further then. If the elders don't believe a war is immi, we'll proceed with your pn."

  Excellent.

  Gojo Kaigetsu grihese ninja world folks were so easily swayed. They didn't uand the cept of "every inch of nd is sacred."

  He'd have Minato send a few friendly letters to the Raikage, f a sense of camaraderie. And then… Operation: Kumogakure Subjugation, activate!

  pletely quering Kumogakure at this stage was unrealistic. But the definition of "insignifit border town" wasn't up to them, it to Konoha! He'd apply pressure, then offer a reprieve, maniputing the situation to his advantage.

  He hadn't even begun, and he'd already outmaneuvered the Raikage.

  Today's victory beloo superior intellect!

  "What… pensation do you expect?" Mabui asked.

  Was it mohat would be easy.

  She khose elders were always pining about being broke, despite their hiddeh.

  Ohe Raikage had solidated his power, he could simply fiscate their assets.

  But Gojo Kaigetsu's pns were never shtforward.

  "The secrets of the Lightning Release Chakra Mode."

  "Impossible!"

  Mabui shot to her feet. Realizing her outburst, she quickly sat back down. "That's… noiable. The Lightning Release Chakra Mode is Kumogakure's most prized secret teique. Besides, only someoh the Raikage's physique even learn it. It would be useless to you."

  Gojo Kaigetsu, unfazed by her refusal, had anticipated this.

  "Then… we'd like access to the Falls of Truth for the ails Jinchuriki. Either now, or iure."

  What?!

  Konoha knew about Kumogakure's most closely guarded secret?!

  Mabui stared at him, stunned. Sutel… Konoha's intelligence division couldn't have obtai. This meaher Yugito or Samui had leaked it…

  One of them had betrayed Kumogakure.

  Setting aside the betrayal for now, the request itself… it was far more reasohan the Lightning Release Chakra Mode.

  Theoretically, allowing a ails Jinchuriki to bee a perfect Jinchuriki posed a greater threat than a taijutsu specialist mastering the Lightning Release Chakra Mode.

  But theory was ohing; reality was another.

  The more tails a Tailed Beast possessed, the more difficult it was for a jinchuriki to achieve perfect harmony.

  Even Killer B, the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, had struggled, nearly dying before finally succeeding.

  And the ails? Mabui didn't believe Konoha's jinchuriki could trol it. If they did… it would be a miracle, a twist of fate.

  "I agree to that on behalf of the Raikage. However, training at the Falls of Truth is not guarao succeed. If the jinchuriki fails, the Tailed Beast will go berserk. The jinchuriki will die, and the training grounds will be destroyed. Kumogakure will not be responsible for taining the ails. If Konoha wishes to proceed, you'll have to provide your own prote."

  "Naturally." Gojo Kaigetsu nodded.

  He wouldn't send Kushina into Kumogakure's territory alone. Minato would kill him.

  ails rampage aside, sending a jinchuriki into eerritory was far too risky.

  With Kumogakure's current strength, the A-B bo could easily subdue the ails and reseal it within a Kumogakure ninja.

  Who would he assign to protect Kushina?

  Perhaps… have Kushina give birth to Naruto within the Falls of Truth?

  While taming the ails, he could seal half of its chakra within Naruto… a natural-born perfect jinchuriki.

  As for Kushina's ces of success…

  Gojo Kaigetsu already had a pn. He'd simply say, "Kurama, you wouldn't want to be forced into Heavy Particle Mode, would you?"

  Even the ails couldn't resist his Talk no Jutsu.

  Seeing Gojo Kaigetsu's silence, Mabui pressed, "Then… allow me to see Yugito and Samui."

  "By all means."

  Whoosh—

  Another Anbu operative appeared, whispering something in Gojo Kaigetsu's ear. "What? Really? Excellent!" He was clearly excited. He turo the operative. "Escort this dy to Yugito and then… to my residence."

  "Me? Yes, Advisojo!" The Anbu operative, uo tain his curiosity, stole a g Mabui. Advisojo's charm with women was truly…

  Mabui's expression turned plex. Two of Kumogakure's elite kunoichi… living with Gojo Kaigetsu.

  No wohey'd been corrupted, revealing the secrets of the Falls of Truth.

  Gojo Kaigetsu left the meeting room and headed for the Hokage's office.

  Before he eveered, he overheard the versation inside.

  "What? So soon?! Tomorrow?"

  "Yes… Momohime has been feeling anxious. Mikoto agreed, so we've set the date for tomorrow."

  "It won't be a grand affair. Just the heads and their families, along with department leaders from the Hokage Tower. A small, private ceremony."

  "Fugaku, this is a joyous occasion! How we keep it small?"

  Gojo Kaigetsu entered. Fugaku Uchiha, his face beaming, stood before Minato's desk.

  Indeed… setting aside their current alliahe marriage of the Konoha Military Police Force Chief and a member of the newly re-established Uzumaki was a matter that required the Hokage's approval.

  The Anbu operative's message had been simple: Uchiha Fugaku was taking a sed wife!

  Gojo Kaigetsu's matchmaking scheme had succeeded.

  Thanks to Mikoto's generosity, Kushina's persuasion, and Momohime's… unique personality, everything had fallen into pce.

  Itachi Uchiha, returning from Summer Camp, had been shocked to find a red-haired woman and her daughter sitting at the diable. Had his home been robbed while he was away?

  Havihhly indoated by Gojo Kaigetsu, Itachi, a true believer in familial love, was initially ed. How could his father do this, especially with a new baby brother on the way?!

  He'd assumed his father had abahem, his Sharingan practically bzing… until Mikoto expined. Itachi finally accepted Momohime, averting a domestic crisis.

  The first marriage between an Uchiha and an Uzumaki!

  A union of two of the most powerful bloodlines!

  The implications were… Gojo Kaigetsu felt a thrill of excitement. He had made history.

  It was a bit unfair to Mikoto, though. He'd have to sole her ter, perhaps by badmouthing Fugaku.

  "Eh?" Minato and Fugaku exged gnces. "Kaigetsu-kun, do you have another… pn?" Minato asked.

  "I must criticize you, Minato. Kushina is an Uzumaki, practically Momohime's family. How such a joyous occasion be kept small?"

  "We should celebrate!"

  "Is that so?" Minato scratched his head, fused. How was Kushina sidered family?

  "We need a dowry! A massive dowry!"

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