Seeing the Third Raikage's expression—a strange mix of scorn and surprise—Reiji knew the guy had misunderstood completely.
Clearing his throat, he quickly explained.
"It's not what you're thinking. I'm heading out on a secret mission, and Kitty... I mean, Matatabi, would be too easily detected by sensory ninja if she came along.
So I figured I'd have her stay at the Temple of Wind and Thunder for a while.
But let me be clear up front!
No Wind and Thunder Chains. Don't restrain her. Just let her stay at the temple.
And if she wants to go out and play, don't stop her either.
I'll have a shadow clone stay with her around the clock."
After hearing this whole spiel, the Third Raikage was utterly speechless.
You're seriously just letting Matatabi go "back to her parents' place," without restraints, without supervision, and with a 24/7 bodyguard?
Since when did Tailed Beasts get this kind of royal treatment?
Any other Tailed Beast would be grinning in their sleep!
Fine, spoil her all you want.
Still, remembering how Reiji had paid 800 million ryō earlier helped ease the Raikage's mind.
After some thought—and just as Reiji was starting to lose his patience—the Third Raikage slowly nodded.
"Don't get too happy! I'm charging fifty million ryō a year for rent!"
Reiji looked at the tough-as-nails Third Raikage standing there with his arms crossed and just nodded, speechless.
Of course. Bandit King Raikage at it again.
You'd skin a bird flying overhead, and if someone dropped a pile of crap on the road, you'd snatch it up for a taste just in case it was useful.
Seeing how easily Reiji agreed, the Raikage's eyes glinted as he suddenly leaned in with a sly grin.
"Reiji, your so-called secret mission... it's not in Kumogakure, is it?
I swear, if you're here to scam me again, I'm taking you down with me!"
Reiji shook his head, not saying a word, and discreetly pointed westward.
The Raikage's eyes lit up, his voice dropping with curiosity.
"Iwagakure, in the Land of Earth?"
"Can't say, can't say."
...
After bidding farewell to the Third Raikage, Reiji left Kumogakure and arrived at the underground space beneath the Temple of Wind and Thunder.
Placing a hand on his stomach, he yanked out the reluctant Kitty who was still hiding inside him.
In a flash, Matatabi appeared in the Fire Sealing Cave below the temple, returning to her full massive form.
The moment she emerged, she flopped to the ground with visible displeasure written all over her adorable feline face.
Reiji quickly stepped up, gently tapped her on the nose, and spoke softly.
"Kitty, just treat this like a vacation. A nice, long vacation."
As he spoke, he clapped his hands. With a puff of white smoke, a shadow clone appeared beside him.
"I'll have a clone with you every single day. Don't worry—I'll be back to pick you up soon!"
"Really?" Matatabi asked, voice full of reluctant hope.
"Really!" He nodded firmly.
...
After saying goodbye to the reluctant Kitty, Reiji headed straight back to Konohagakure and arrived at the Hokage Building.
No matter what, he was still a Konoha jōnin. Taking a leave of absence had to be done properly.
Besides, this was a great excuse to sneak into the archives and browse some Kinjutsu scrolls.
He knocked on the door, and after getting permission, stepped into the all-too-familiar office.
Inside, Hiruzen Sarutobi sat with a serious face, seemingly engrossed in a report.
Though, on closer inspection, the report was upside-down—and the Third Hokage's face had a suspicious blush to it.
Yeah, no doubt about it. The old man was totally using the Telescope Technique to spy on the women's bath again.
Man, I'm jealous.
Pretending not to notice, Reiji walked up to the desk and cleared his throat.
"Lord Hokage, I'm here to apply for leave."
"Oh?" Hiruzen blinked in surprise, thinking, What the hell? You, asking for leave?
Aren't you already basically on permanent vacation? I can't even remember the last time you went on a proper mission!
Unaware of the Hokage's inner thoughts, Reiji continued.
"Lord Hokage, I'm planning a long trip to the Land of Water. I might be gone for a while."
Hiruzen paused in thought before asking, "How long are we talking?"
"Anywhere between three to nine years."
That made Hiruzen's brow shoot up in an instant.
Three to nine years?!
What kind of leave is that? How many three-year or nine-year stretches does a ninja even get in a lifetime?
This guy really had the nerve to take a break that long?!
Hiruzen instinctively shook his head.
"Reiji, it's not that I don't want to approve your leave, but it's just way too long."
Hiruzen took out his pipe, took a slow puff, then continued.
"You need to tell me exactly what you're planning. Only then can I decide whether to approve it."
Reiji nodded calmly, ready with his prepared explanation.
"The Land of Water isn't that big, but it's densely populated. I'm planning to use the Land of Waves as a springboard to expand the pig iron business there.
Also, Kirigakure has been closed off for a long time. I want to get inside and see what's really going on.
If possible, I'd like to start trading with them too.
And, of course, there's a little matter I need to handle in Amegakure."
The office fell into silence.
Hiruzen puffed on his pipe, weighing the pros and cons of letting Reiji leave the village.
There really weren't any downsides.
But the benefits? Plenty.
First, there was the obvious intel Reiji could gather from inside Kirigakure.
Second, it was already Year 28 of the Konoha calendar. He was pushing 38—not the young, vigorous man he used to be. It was about time to start thinking seriously about the Fourth Hokage.
Truth be told, Hiruzen admired Reiji's strength and intellect. But when he thought about the Will of Fire, he couldn't help but feel uneasy. This guy didn't seem trustworthy in that regard.
In a way, it was actually a relief that Reiji was asking for leave. It would keep him out of the running alongside Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and the others.
Still, a quiet anxiety lingered in Hiruzen's chest.
If Reiji ever did rise to power, would he be able to rein him in like he had with Orochimaru and Jiraiya?
The answer was probably not.
That brought to mind his late teacher Tobirama Senju's warning:
"Reiji Sakuhō must never be allowed into Konoha's leadership."
Now, in his older years, Hiruzen finally understood what his teacher had meant.
It wasn't that the kids in the village weren't exceptional—Reiji simply didn't think like a ninja.
His entire mindset was different from the children raised in the village.
Those kids relied on chakra, ninjutsu, and direct combat to solve problems.
Reiji, though, was all about reading people, playing the long game, manipulating outcomes, and striking with words sharper than blades.
After a long pause, Hiruzen finally gave a firm nod and added,
"Reiji, you're still part of this village—still one of our shinobi. Make sure you send any important intel back to us promptly."
Reiji smiled, nodded, then casually asked,
"Old men Hiruzen, I want to head over to the archives. Could you have Sakumo take me?"
At that, Hiruzen waved his hand dismissively.
"Go yourself. Sakumo's out on a mission.
And since you're going to Kirigakure, grab a few Water Release jutsu to study.
Also, there's a technique in the Scroll of Seals—Dead Demon Consuming Seal. Don't mess with it. That kind of jutsu's not something young people should be looking at."
"Oh~" Reiji chuckled, waved him off, and strolled out of the Hokage's office.