Kazashiro learned from the Katsuyu that half a year had passed since he entered the Shikkotsu Forest.
Half a year?
I've unknowingly spent half a year inside Katsuyu?
Seeing Kazashiro's shocked expression, the Katsuyu wiggled its small antennae and said hesitantly, "It should be about half a year, according to your human timeline. But I haven't been to the Shinobi World in a long time, so the time should be roughly right."
"Anyway, Xiao Kazashiro, you should focus on your cultivation first!"
Inside the Katsuyu's body, Kazashiro had already adapted to the Natural Energy. What he needed to do now was to actively absorb this energy for his own use and then activate Sage Mode.
Urged on by the Katsuyu, Kazashiro had no choice but to calm down, dispel the shock brought on by the passage of time, and concentrate on sensing the Natural Energy.
But--
"Gurgle~"
The rumbling of her stomach broke the silence. Kazashiro blushed and looked at the Katsuyu somewhat embarrassedly. "Um, Lord Katsuyu, is there anything to eat here?"
"I just can't do anything with you."
The Katsuyu shook its head and turned to look at its enormous body.
"Puff, puff, puff."
Accompanied by several sounds, the Katsuyu split off from its main body into several smaller Katsuyu, which hopped and skipped to Kazashiro's side.
The alt version of Kazashiro, who had been communicating with him the whole time, pulled out an apron from somewhere, tied it around its neck, and looked at Kazashiro intently.
God knows how Kazashiro could tell he was serious from a Katsuyu, but he swears he definitely saw it.
"So, Xiao Kazashiro, what flavor of me would you like to eat?"
"I'm not hungry anymore, Marseille Private Club!!!"
Konoha.
Sakumo, now the Fourth Hokage, sat in his office with a furrowed brow.
Opposite him, the retired Hiruzen Sarutobi, dressed in casual clothes, was leisurely sipping tea.
"Kumogakure remains unwilling to negotiate peace with us..."
What made Sakumo show such an ugly expression was naturally the intelligence he possessed.
"It seems that the Fourth Raikage, like his father, is a true Martial Faction."
Hiruzen Sarutobi down his teacup and began to evaluate the Fourth Raikage based on the available information.
"Fortunately, the enemy didn't send a large-scale attack, which gave us time to recover and develop. But..." Sakumo replied to Hiruzen, a hint of worry in his voice.
"But?" Hiruzen looked at the other person curiously.
"I have a feeling things aren't that simple." His instincts, honed from years of fighting on the front lines, reminded Sakumo that the Fourth Raikage before him was not as easy to understand as the intelligence reports suggested.
The Kumogakure is definitely brewing a new conspiracy.
But he couldn't make decisions or take action based solely on intuition.
Now that he has become the Hokage, he is responsible for the entire village and can no longer rely on experience and intuition to command his troops as he did on the front lines.
"Don't worry, if needed, this old body of mine is still capable of taking action."
Sensing Sakumo's concerns, Hiruzen offered words of comfort.
He is no longer the Hokage and is now free to operate on the front lines.
It just so happens that my old bones haven't been in battle for a long time.
"You are the Hokage now, Sakumo. Just act according to your own will and don't worry about what I think."
Hiruzen's words gave Sakumo a certain amount of confidence and also gave him some ideas to come up with.
Between villages, there are no eternal enemies, nor eternal friends, only eternal interests.
Even though his own father had nearly wiped out Sunagakure's stronghold, the Fourth Raikage had been unable to conquer Konoha for a long time, still set his sights on the enemy.
He wanted to launch a surprise attack on Konoha together with Sunagakure.
Of course, this was also because the Fourth Raikage had no other choice.
Iwagakure, not wanting to see any benefit before making Konoha move, quickly concluded Ōnoki talks with Konoha after encountering resolute resistance.
The news of the complete annihilation of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Kirigakure's elite fighting force, has Konoha throughout the entire Shinobi World. They are now completely holed up on the island, relying on small forces occasionally sent to the Land of Fire to annoy Konoha.
Therefore, it seems that the only ally that the Kumogakure can choose is the Hidden Sunagakure.
Rasa, who had just succeeded the Fourth Kazekage, was very tempted by the olive branch extended by the Fourth Raikage.
Because the nobles of the Land of Wind do not trust Sunagakure, the Sunagakure's military budget is unusually low, which forces them to adopt a similar elite force policy as Kirigakure.
However, unlike Kirigakure, Sunagakure did not create any so-called Bloody Mist Village, but instead valued Kekkei Genkai ninjas very much.
Regarding military spending, starting from the time of the Third Kazekage, Sunagakure Daimyo's Mansion began mining operations, which somewhat alleviated the predicament caused by insufficient military funds.
This is why the Third Kazekage was so ambitious and wanted to launch a war of revenge against Konoha.
At this time, although Sunagakure had been dealt a blow by Kumogakure, its core strength had not suffered significant losses.
This gave Rasa the idea of regaining the favor of the Daimyo's Mansion through a war.
Illegal mining is always a hidden danger, and if the authorities investigate...
It doesn't seem like a big deal; at most, they'll just cut some more military spending.
"This is a good opportunity. It's time to let the Shinobi World rediscover the fighting strength of Sunagakure." Chiyo, who was determined to take revenge on Konoha, was very concerned.
"But our first priority is to resolve the friction with Kirigakure," a high-ranking official said, expressing Rasa's current concern.
The friction with Kirigakure tied down Sunagakure's already limited fighting force, preventing them from mustering their full strength to launch a powerful attack on Konoha.
Although it's unclear why Kirigakure would clash with Sunagakure despite being so far away, it's an undeniable fact.
The advisors began their discussion, and Chiyo frowned, cursing Kirigakure for being an obstacle.
"Actually..."
Seeing that the atmosphere was sufficiently built, Rasa cleared his throat and took out a scroll. "I have already sent people to contact Kirigakure, and they have agreed to end the conflict with us."
Chiyo and Ebizo an eyebrow, looking at the young Kazekage with stunned Kazekage.
When did this guy...
As the de facto power holders of Sunagakure, they were completely unaware of this matter.
Ebizo quickly recovered, realizing that the young Kazekage before him had grown powerful.
"Since that's the case—"
Just as an advisor was about to speak, Rasa stopped him immediately.
"The Kirigakure has made a request, which is—"
Looking around, Rasa observed the expressions on everyone's faces.
"Hand Pakura over to them."