Do You Want to Take the VIP Channel?

After Kojima finished sealing the scroll and left with some of his men to escort the prisoners, Hoshino Maki finally had time to consider his own affairs.

The outcome of this war was already decided. Now, he needed to focus on maximizing his own interests.

If he wanted to become the Kazekage, the reinforcements wouldn't necessarily all support him, but the majority certainly would.

After all, he had essentially saved their lives and also brought them significant military achievements. Their relationship was already very close.

More importantly, many of these people were heirs of prominent clans. While their current leanings might not have much immediate impact, they could bring his name to the attention of the major clans. This would give him a chance to break free from being solely reliant on Chiyo and provide him with more leverage in the race for the Kazekage seat.

If, as Kojima had suggested, the front-line troops had a poor impression of him because of Pakura, then his plan to make the Cloud Ninja retreat after rejoining the main force would be difficult to achieve.

He held the highest position among the reinforcements, but once he reached the front lines, it would be different. He would be under Pakura's command.

Hoshino Maki didn't know Pakura well, and the anime didn't dedicate much screen time to her. However, based on his eavesdropping during this period, he judged her to be a hawk. If she learned that their side had a significant advantage over the Cloud Ninja, she would undoubtedly launch a full-scale assault to annihilate the Cloud Ninja's main force. Given the Cloud Ninja's strength, even if the Sand Ninja won, their casualties would likely be substantial.

Setting aside whether it was worth it from the village's perspective, from his own standpoint, if Pakura achieved a great victory on the main battlefield, wouldn't all his careful planning have been for nothing but to pave the way for her success?

After about the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, Hoshino Maki had a plan.

"Junping, take the troops to rendezvous with Lord Pakura. Tell her to wait for me at Thunderstorm Ravine in one hour."

"But, Lord..."

The Jonin named Junping couldn't help but interject.

Hoshino Maki glanced at him, and Junping swallowed the words he was about to say.

"I'm going to end this war."

Hoshino Maki declared, and with a few flashes of movement, he disappeared into the forest.

After Hoshino Maki left, the others turned their attention to Junping. Junping hadn't expected the commander to leave the main force like this, and his mind went blank for a moment.

But upon further thought, whether Hoshino Maki was there or not, they still had to rendezvous with the main force. He led the others forward at an accelerated pace, wanting to report the situation to Lord Pakura as soon as possible.

Whoosh--!

A kunai whistled through the air and embedded itself in the ground three steps in front of Hoshino Maki.

If Hoshino Maki hadn't been walking over so brazenly, holding the scroll, that sword would have been aimed directly at his chest.

Four dark figures suddenly appeared around Hoshino Maki, their kunai pointed at him, blocking all his escape routes.

"I am Hoshino Maki, commander of the Sand Ninja Medical Department. I wish to see Dodai."

"Tch!" The Cloud Ninja in front of him sneered, "Do you think you can just see Lord Dodai whenever you want?"

Hoshino Maki tilted his head, pondered for a moment, and asked, "Are you Moku's older brother?"

The Cloud Ninja's expression faltered, "How did you know..."

Before he could finish speaking, his expression changed drastically. He stepped forward, intending to grab Hoshino Maki's collar.

"If you take one more step forward, you can use the VIP channel when collecting your corpse."

Hoshino Maki's dark humor didn't amuse anyone. The Cloud Ninja present turned pale. The Cloud Ninja who had intended to teach Hoshino Maki a lesson had his hand outstretched, only a palm's distance from Hoshino Maki's collar, but his hand trembled, daring not to move any closer.

Only experienced ninjas were assigned to outer perimeter duty. They naturally understood what Hoshino Maki's words meant.

The sound of swallowing could be heard clearly at that moment.

"Now, can I see Dodai?"

Hoshino Maki smiled.

Several Cloud Ninja exchanged glances. One of them, wearing a half-mask, nodded, "Search him."

"Do you want to use the VIP channel too?"

The masked man was rendered speechless by the retort. He snorted and was about to leap away.

"Wait, you'd better take this with you."

Saying that, he handed the scroll in his hand forward.

The masked man's face turned ashen. He snatched the scroll and instantly disappeared.

A moment later, another Jonin from the Cloud Ninja arrived, "Lord Dodai said to let him through."

The encirclement opened a path, and several Cloud Ninja surrounded Hoshino Maki, 'escorting' him to the Cloud Ninja base.

"No need to search him."

The Jonin waved his hand and led Hoshino Maki to a house.

"Go in."

Hoshino Maki entered the room and casually surveyed his surroundings.

The room was small and undecorated. Under the flickering candlelight, a ninja wearing an eyepatch with the character 'Lightning' on it knelt on the floor, his expression calm. He looked directly at Hoshino Maki as he entered.

Hoshino Maki walked to the opposite side of him as if nothing had happened, sat down casually, and began to make tea with composure.

Heating the pot, warming the cups, preparing the tea...

Dodai looked at the young man before him without any trace of contempt, for having read the scroll, he already knew what had happened.

Youth is a disadvantage, but combined with sufficient strength and a powerful mind, it can instead put immense pressure on others.

If he had the chance to meet this guy on the battlefield, he would definitely kill him.

Unfortunately, there was no chance this time.

"What do you want."

The situation forced Dodai to stop his stalemate.

"I'm here to help you."

Dodai didn't speak, but the suspicion in his eyes was unconcealed.

As a confidant of the Third Raikage, he knew all the spies from Sunagakure. There was no one like the person in front of him, and their position wouldn't allow for such an easy betrayal.

At the very least, Kumogakure couldn't offer such a high price.

"Whether you believe it or not, only I can save the captured Cloud Ninja right now. After all, in my heart, Sunagakure and Kumogakure shouldn't be enemies."

Hoshino Maki shrugged, his tone very relaxed.

"Since that's the case, for the sake of our two villages' friendship, it shouldn't be a problem for our ninjas to return quickly, right?"

"Of course. It's just that Sunagakure is poor. Your village's ninjas were warmly welcomed in our village. Now that Sunagakure is short on funds, I assume your village won't let your brother village suffer a loss."

Dodai was silent for a moment: "This matter needs the Raikage-sama's decision."

He couldn't make the decision on something that felt like being fleeced, and judging by the other party's demeanor, the amount they were asking for wouldn't be small.

"Naturally." Hoshino Maki glanced out the window: "If your army doesn't leave soon, you might not be able to."

Dodai sneered: "Your Excellency underestimates the combat power of Cloud Ninja a bit. We Cloud Ninja are not afraid of death."

Hoshino Maki didn't refute, but nodded and said: "I don't mean to underestimate Cloud Ninja, but Sand Ninja are not afraid of threats either. If it's a mutual destruction, Sunagakure doesn't worry about outside enemies. However, for the Cloud Ninja side... facing Ōnoki across the sea probably isn't a pleasant prospect, is it?"

"I also heard that some Leaf Ninja have appeared in the Land of Hot Springs. Hmm, perhaps they were just traveling. I might be overthinking it."

After speaking, Hoshino Maki picked up his teacup and took a sip.

Dodai's expression remained unchanged, but his heart grew heavier.