Do You Want to Use the VIP Lane?

After Kojima left with a sealed scroll and part of the force to escort the prisoners, Hoshino Maki finally had time to consider his own affairs.

The outcome of this war had essentially been decided. Now he needed to think about how to maximize his own gains.

If he wanted to become Kazekage, most of the people in the Reinforcement Unit would surely support him, if not all of them.

After all, he had saved their lives and earned them all this military credit. Their ties were close.

More importantly, many of them were heirs to Great Clans. Their support might not mean much just yet, but they could bring his name to the attention of the Great Clans. That would give him a chance to escape the deadlock of relying on Chiyo alone, and give him more leverage in the contest for the Kazekage seat.

If, as Kojima had said, the Frontline Troops had a poor impression of him because of Pakura, then persuading the Cloud Ninja to withdraw after joining up with the main force would be difficult.

After all, he held the highest position in the Reinforcement Unit, but things would be different at the front. He would be under Pakura's command.

He didn't know much about Pakura, and the anime hadn't given her much screen time. But after sounding people out over the past few days, Hoshino Maki had decided she was probably a member of the Hawk Faction. Once she learned they'd gained a major advantage over the Cloud Ninja, she would surely throw everything she had into trying to wipe out their main force. Given the Cloud Ninja's strength, even if the Sand Ninja won, their casualties would likely be heavy.

Setting aside whether it was worth it for the village, what about him? If Pakura won a great victory on the front lines, wouldn't all his careful planning end up benefiting her?

After about the time it took to drink a cup of tea, Hoshino Maki had made up his mind.

"Junping, take the troops and join up with Lady Pakura. Tell her to wait for me at Thunderstorm Gap in an hour."

"But, sir—"

The Jonin named Junping couldn't help speaking up.

Hoshino Maki glanced at him, and Junping swallowed the rest of his words.

"I'm going to end this war."

With that, Hoshino Maki flickered a few times and vanished into the woods.

After Hoshino Maki left, everyone else turned their eyes to Junping. Junping hadn't expected their commander to leave the main force just like that, and his mind blanked.

But on second thought, they had to join up with the main force whether Hoshino Maki was there or not. So he led everyone onward at a faster pace, hoping to report the situation to Lady Pakura as soon as possible.

Whoosh!

A kunai whistled through the air and struck the ground three paces in front of Hoshino Maki.

If Hoshino Maki hadn't strolled over with a scroll held up in plain sight, that attack would have been aimed straight at his chest.

Four dark figures landed around Hoshino Maki in a flash. The cold gleam of their kunai pointed at him, blocking every route of escape.

"I'm Hoshino Maki, commander of the Sand Ninja Medical Corps. I want to see Dodai."

"Honestly!" The Cloud Ninja in front of him laughed disdainfully. "You think you can see Lord Dodai just because you want to?"

Hoshino Maki tilted his head and thought for a moment. "Are you Moku's older brother?"

The Cloud Ninja's expression froze. "How did you—"

Before he could finish, his face changed. He stepped forward, reaching to grab Hoshino Maki by the collar.

"If you take one more step, you can use the VIP lane when they come to collect your body."

Hoshino Maki's gallows humor made no one laugh. The Cloud Ninja present went pale. The one who'd wanted to teach Hoshino Maki a lesson had his hand just inches from his collar, but it only trembled; he didn't dare move it any closer.

The shinobi assigned to perimeter security were all experienced. They understood exactly what Hoshino Maki meant.

The sound of someone swallowing was suddenly crystal clear.

"So, can I see Dodai now?"

Hoshino Maki smiled.

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

"You want to use the VIP lane too?"

The man was at a loss for words. He snorted and started to leap away.

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

With that, Hoshino Maki held out the scroll.

The masked man's face turned livid. He snatched it and vanished in an instant.

Before long, another Cloud Ninja Jonin arrived. "Lord Dodai will see him."

The encirclement parted to make a path. Several Cloud Ninja surrounded Hoshino Maki and "escorted" him to their base.

"No need to search him."

The Jonin waved them off and led Hoshino Maki to a building.

"Go in."

Hoshino Maki entered the room and casually looked around.

It was small and undecorated. Beneath the flickering candlelight, a shinobi wearing a single eyepatch marked with the character for "thunder" sat kneeling on the floor, his face calm as water as he stared at Hoshino Maki.

Hoshino Maki walked over as if nothing were amiss and sat down across from him. Then he calmly began making tea.

He scalded the teapot, warmed the cups, and added the tea leaves.

Dodai didn't look down on the young man in front of him at all. He'd already learned what had happened from the scroll.

Youth was a disadvantage, but when paired with sufficient strength and a sharp mind, it could make a person all the more intimidating.

If he ever got the chance to meet this guy on the battlefield, he would kill him.

Unfortunately, he wouldn't get that chance this time.

"What do you want?"

Dodai could no longer afford to let the stalemate continue.

"I'm here to help you."

Dodai didn't reply, but he made no effort to hide the suspicion in his eyes.

As the Third Raikage's trusted subordinate, he knew all of Sunagakure's spies, and this man wasn't one of them. Besides, someone in Hoshino Maki's position wouldn't defect easily.

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

"Believe it or not, I'm the only one who can keep the captured Cloud Ninja alive. After all, I don't believe Sunagakure and Kumogakure should be enemies."

Hoshino Maki shrugged, his tone casual.

"If that's the case, then for the sake of friendship between our villages, surely you can send our shinobi back as soon as possible?"

"Of course. It's just that the Sand Ninja are poor. Your village's shinobi have been treated very warmly while in our village, and Sunagakure is short on funds right now. I'm sure your village wouldn't want to leave a brother village out of pocket."

Dodai fell silent for a moment. "This matter needs to be decided by Lord Raikage."

He couldn't make a decision about being fleeced like this, especially since it looked like Hoshino Maki was asking for a hefty sum.

"Of course." Hoshino Maki glanced out the window. "If your troops don't leave soon, you might not be able to leave at all."

Dodai sneered. "You underestimate the Cloud Ninja's combat strength. We Cloud Ninja aren't afraid to die."

Hoshino Maki didn't argue. He simply nodded and said, "I'm not underestimating the Cloud Ninja. But the Sand Ninja aren't afraid of threats, either. If both sides suffer heavy losses, Sunagakure has no need to fear other enemies. But what about Kumogakure? I doubt you'd enjoy facing Ōnoki across the sea."

"I've also heard that some Leaf Ninja have appeared in the Land of Hot Springs. Hmm, perhaps they're just there on vacation. Maybe I'm overthinking it."

With that, Hoshino Maki picked up his teacup and took a sip.

Dodai's expression didn't change, but his heart grew heavier.