Endless Subspace.
The three-person group chat had been renamed: Konoha Subspace Division.
Since the last incident, Yoriichi Tsugikuni had refused Konoha's list of offers.
He had already seen the ending. Since victory was assured, why meddle with history?
"And what have you been reading lately?" Hiruzen Sarutobi messaged idly in the group, seeing that Yoriichi had no interest in helping.
"I'm reading One Hundred Years of Solitude."
Of course. Only a true literary soul would choose such a book.
Ace immediately suggested he read more Demon Slayer fanfiction and fewer classics.
Hiruzen replied with a dry chuckle: "If we could turn back time, Danzo would've already served thirty years in prison by now."
These days, time was tight and work even tighter.
Hiruzen no longer lingered in chat. After dropping a chapter of Navy King: Total Conquest, he returned to his duties.
Consciousness returned.
Hokage's Office.
Hiruzen began his day reviewing the paperwork on his desk.
The first scroll came from that old stubborn Ōnoki. He was once again requesting to hold a Five Kage Summit in the Land of Iron to discuss countermeasures against the Akatsuki.
Clearly, the destruction of the Hidden Cloud had shaken him.
But why the Land of Iron? What if Hiruzen encountered Pain en route? What if too many guards left the village and someone snuck in?
It was unreasonable. If there was going to be a summit, it should be held in Konoha.
Besides, could it even be called a "Five Kage Summit" anymore? There were barely three Kage left.
Hiruzen immediately drew a big red X on the document and scribbled a comment beneath.
"Convene the summit if necessary, but the location must be reconsidered. Konoha would be ideal."
Knock knock.
"Come in."
Shikaku Nara entered the room.
"Lord Hokage. The Eight-Tails Jinchuriki's team has reached the outskirts of Konoha. Should we let them in?"
A perfect Jinchuriki inside the village could be dangerous.
"These savages... at least this time they remembered to knock," Hiruzen muttered, frowning. "Let them in. The Eight-Tails alone can no longer stir any trouble in today's Konoha. Rent them a building. Let them form a provisional government-in-exile."
"A government-in-exile?" Shikaku asked with a raised brow.
Hiruzen nodded.
"There are still many Cloud shinobi scattered on missions. Without a new central command, they'll fall into chaos."
"Also, inform the mission office to begin preparations. Soon, we'll allocate a portion of our mission volume to them."
Shinobi, no matter how strong, still needed to eat. Without leadership and a sense of purpose, these exiled ninja would end up as mercenaries or criminals.
And that would only bring further instability to the world. As a responsible leader of a great nation, Hiruzen could not turn a blind eye.
Besides, if they lived in Konoha, worked in Konoha, and raised their children in Konoha, it would become harder to say whether they were still Cloud shinobi at all.
Hiruzen continued, "Afterward, send a few Konoha advisors to help them select a new Raikage."
This was the crux of the matter. Shikaku immediately asked, "The Fifth Raikage had designated Killer Bee as his successor. Do we support this?"
How could a Raikage be casually handpicked? What did they think this was, Tobirama's era?
Absolutely not. Especially not a Jinchuriki.
It's not the title of Raikage that earns recognition. It's recognition that makes a true Raikage.
And that rapper he would never gain the people's support. The conclusion was clear.
Hiruzen puffed on his pipe.
"That candidate is unacceptable."
Shikaku nodded in agreement.
"I think Mabui would be a good choice. Go and ask her if she's willing to become the new Raikage. She has my support."
Shikaku immediately praised the Hokage's wisdom and benevolence.
...
Shikaku gently knocked on the door.
Mabui sat by the window. The steam in her teacup had long since dissipated. Her eyes were fixed on the view outside a bustling commercial street in Konoha, so different from the cliffs of the Hidden Cloud etched in her memory.
They were seated in a tea house in Konoha's business district.
After some thought, Shikaku had decided that persuading her to accept the Raikage position was better done in private.
"Miss Mabui." He placed a file on the low table but didn't open it. "This is about the reconstruction of the Hidden Cloud..."
To Mabui, the world had become utterly absurd. The very same "Sleeping Dragon of Konoha" who had been merciless during negotiations was now suddenly so much more cooperative after learning of the Cloud's destruction.
Was this sympathy? Or something more sinister?
"Our village is gone. There's nothing left to rebuild," Mabui replied coldly, pressing her advantage.
The Hidden Cloud had been completely annihilated. Even if the Daimyō of the Land of Lightning had once been close to them, it was impossible to say what his thoughts were now.
"We can help. Financial aid. A building for your temporary headquarters. Early access to some of Konoha's mission pool. And we'll work to convince the Daimyō of Fire to encourage continued cooperation from the Lightning Daimyō."
Such overt generosity only made Mabui more wary.
"What's Konoha's price?"
Shikaku calmly poured her a fresh cup of tea. The rising steam shimmered between them.
"Precisely because the Cloud is in crisis, someone must rise to lead."
Mabui frowned slightly.
Shikaku looked up and met her gaze.
"You are the only one who can make the exiled shinobi hear the thunder once more."
Children's laughter drifted in from outside, stark against the silence in the room.
Mabui let out a bitter laugh.
"What a clever ploy by Konoha. You want me to be a puppet Raikage, so you can control the remnants of the Cloud more easily."
Shikaku shook his head at once.
He explained that if the Cloud lacked a central authority, its ninja might devolve into dangerous, scattered elements. That was why Konoha was offering this support not out of manipulation, but concern.
To Mabui, however, something still felt off.
Because
"The next Raikage has already been chosen. It's Lord Killer Bee."
"That's a choice Konoha cannot accept," Shikaku replied firmly.
"Konoha will never recognize a Raikage who harbors hatred and recklessness."
Mabui fell silent.
"Those revenge raps against Konoha's white-haired ninja... even I've heard a few of them," Shikaku added calmly.
"You can't seek Konoha's protection while plotting revenge, can you?"
Eventually, Mabui changed the subject.
"The Akatsuki's next target is Konoha. Whatever we say here means nothing if your village falls."
She clearly meant: if Konoha couldn't hold the line, it would soon follow the Cloud's fate.
At the mention of "Sleeping Dragon," Shikaku thought of his ever-increasing bounty and grew visibly uncomfortable.
"Konoha has a vast army
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