This was the ceiling of Magnet Release—and of Rasa's own talent.
"We lost some face, but I'd say it was worth it. Just keep the village's shinobi in check for a while."
Chiyo chuckled dryly:
"Let Iwagakure and Kumogakure be the ones losing sleep."
"No need to suck up to Konoha either. Maintain a neutral stance—not too close, not too distant."
What a shame the village had no genius of its own. If they did, Sunagakure wouldn't be in this pathetic position.
Truly, this was a village's tragedy.
Soon, an official announcement was posted from the Kazekage's office.
It stated that due to border disputes, Kazekage Rasa had negotiated with Konoha's Uchiha Yan. The result? Both sides agreed to exercise restraint—no more harassing merchant caravans or making unreasonable demands.
And absolutely no unauthorized incursions into each other's territory.
Even after the humiliation, the announcement had to save some face.
At least this way, it *looked* like a standard diplomatic resolution.
As for how villagers would react when the truth spread? Rasa couldn't care less now.
Meanwhile, in Konoha...
The Third Hokage received a summons to the Hokage's office.
He changed into formal robes and went to meet Tsunade.
"Old man, don't say anything yet. Read this first."
Before he could speak, Tsunade tossed him the intelligence scroll Nara Shikaku had sent from the border.
"???"
I didn't even open my mouth.
The Third caught it reflexively, unrolling it to read.
"IMPOSSIBLE!!!"
Seconds later, his face paled as the scroll slipped from his hands.
Stunned, he scrambled to pick it up, rereading it to check if his eyes were failing him.
Again and again, he scanned the words, unable to believe them.
Tsunade didn't rush him, leaning against her desk in silence. Nearby, Shizune pitied the old man.
Just as Hokage-sama predicted—Third Hokage-sama would... react strongly.
"Tsunade... your judgment was better than mine."
Finally, the Third let out a bitter laugh. Once, Yan had just been another Uchiha to monitor—a potential troublemaker.
Back then, the boy was just some kid eating snacks outside the academy, warranting surveillance.
Every Uchiha except Sasuke was kept away from Naruto.
That was when Yan first caught his attention.
Otherwise, with so many Uchiha in the village, the Third Hokage couldn't possibly have noticed one random kid.
Who would've thought that bold, cheeky brat—the one he'd dismissed as just a little too clever for his own good—would turn out to be this monstrous?
In just a few years, he'd grown into this.
Now, Konoha had a second Uchiha Madara... but no second Hashirama Senju to keep him in check.
...Wait, why was his first instinct control?
The Third Hokage froze at his own thought.
Ahem.
Unaware of his internal crisis, Tsunade smirked, arms crossed as if to say:
Damn right. You think I'd back just anyone? My judgment's flawless.
Too bad she was wasting her gloating.
The Third didn't even notice her preening—too busy wrestling with his own realization.
When he stayed silent, frowning, Tsunade assumed he agreed with her.
"After this, Sunagakure won't dare poke us for a long time."
"Yan was right—some things don't hurt much, but they're annoying as hell. What was that phrase again?"
"Hokage-sama, it's like a toad on your foot—doesn't bite, but disgusts you to death," Shizune supplied helpfully.
Tsunade snapped her fingers. "Yes! That's the one."
"…Why do I feel like you're talking about me?"
Jiraiya, who'd just perched on the windowsill, scowled. His gossip-happy expression crumpled into offense.
He'd been on his way to treat Naruto to dinner after training when he spotted the Third heading to the Hokage Tower. Curious, he'd followed—only to hear that the moment he arrived.
Naturally, he assumed Tsunade was taking shots at him.
Since when am I some disgusting foot-toad?!
I'm not that bad!
Shizune shook her head frantically—not my words!
Tsunade couldn't be bothered to explain:
"Since you're here, read the old man's scroll. Stop assuming everything's about you, Toad Sage."
"..."
Screw you.
You're the disgusting one.
Shooting her a glare, Jiraiya snatched the scroll from the Third's hands.
"Hell yeah!!"
Within seconds, he slapped his thigh, grinning.
"Yan's gotten even stronger, huh? A second Madara?
Thank god he's not as batshit as the original."
He burst out laughing at his own joke.
Too bad nobody laughed. The other three in the office stared at him like he'd lost his mind.
*Ahem!!*
Realizing his blunder, Jiraiya coughed awkwardly and set the scroll down, forcing a grin:
"Well, at least we won't have to worry about Sunagakure's sneaky tricks for a long time. But now that Yan's shown his power, Iwagakure and Kumogakure will definitely put us under a microscope."
"If we're strong enough, why fear their attention?"
Tsunade couldn't care less.
Even *without* Yan's display, Iwa and Kumo had already been watching Konoha like hawks.
The village's rapid growth these past few years—plus Jiraiya and Orochimaru's return, plus Yan's schemes—had already put them on high alert.
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