Your Belt Looks Nice

Your Belt Looks Nice

The two rival gambling dens faced each other across the sea, so naturally, they didn't coexist peacefully.

Kumogakure was more straightforward in its dealings, while Iwagakure preferred to scheme in the shadows. They thought Kumogakure hadn't noticed, but its leaders knew exactly what was going on.

If Kumogakure suffered a major blow, that bastard Ōnoki would definitely "lend a hand."

As for Konoha, Dodai didn't believe what Hoshino Maki had said was true. Sunagakure's intelligence network couldn't possibly be capable of finding that out, could it?

Still, he couldn't deny that the situation Maki described could become reality.

On the map, the Land of Lightning and the Land of Fire were separated by two countries, so the distance wasn't short. But traveling by sea was much faster, and the Land of Hot Springs lay right between the two countries' sea routes.

Besides, Yugakure was on good terms with Konoha. If Konoha decided to attack Kumogakure, it could easily hide its forces in the Land of Hot Springs first, then launch a surprise attack on Kumogakure within a day!

But if Dodai retreated just like that, he couldn't shoulder the responsibility for defeat.

Yet if he didn't retreat, he'd be even less able to bear responsibility for the annihilation of his entire army.

After speaking, Hoshino Maki simply sipped his tea, leisurely taking in the room.

Judging by its style, it was the home of a wealthy family. As for the original owner, their corpse was probably long since cold.

After all, the way of the ninja had always been to take whatever they wanted for free.

At that thought, Hoshino Maki felt much better. He was simply delivering heaven's justice!

"What do you want?"

Dodai was growing impatient. This guy had been pressuring him ever since he walked in. He wasn't forthright like a ninja at all; instead, he was like those damned retainers who surrounded the daimyo.

Hoshino Maki leisurely held up two fingers. "I heard the Third Raikage's son has a Fighting Belt. I'd like to borrow it and play around with it for a few days. As for the release of the prisoners, Kumogakure must designate me as Sunagakure's representative."

Dodai smiled knowingly. "Designate you? Aren't you afraid Sunagakure will suspect you of being a spy? Or are you a spy for another country, and that's why you informed us that the ambush force had failed?"

Hoshino Maki paid no heed to the probing and mockery in Dodai's words. "We simply have different ideas about the village's development. Besides, from Kumogakure's perspective, someone like me is more useful to you, isn't that right?"

After speaking, Hoshino Maki glanced out the window. "Take your time to think it over. But Pakura's forces will be here soon, and I won't be able to stop her then."

Dodai fell silent for a moment. "I need some time to consider. Mamorou, take him to rest."

Hoshino Maki stood up, glanced at the side door, then silently followed Mamorou out.

A few seconds later, the side door opened, and a tall, burly figure emerged. He had dark skin and pale-yellow hair combed neatly back, with a short goatee on his chin. Nearly two meters tall, he had to duck as he came out. In the candlelight, the shuriken tattoo on his upper arm was clearly visible.

"Lord A."

Dodai lowered his head respectfully.

Every Raikage was called "A." Though the man before him, the future Fourth Raikage, had yet to take the position, the villagers already called him "A"—a testament to his strength and prestige.

"Dodai, what do you think?"

A didn't sit down. He folded his arms across his chest and leaned against the wall.

"The other side's demands aren't high. In fact, they're so modest that I'm a little surprised."

In truth, Dodai had nearly lost all hope halfway through reading Pashira's scroll. If he hadn't read to the end, he would've already plunged his tanto into his belly and prepared to die for his country.

If there was really a chance to ransom Pashira, he'd make sure to tell him with his fists: put the conclusion first when it's urgent!

A didn't speak. After a long silence, he slowly asked, "Do you think he knows I'm here?"

A was currently unsure what to do. If the other man really knew, that would mean Kumogakure was at a disadvantage in intelligence, too.

His whereabouts were Kumogakure's trump card.

Though the AB Combo hadn't yet made a name for themselves in the shinobi world, everyone in Kumogakure knew the two were never apart. Their spies would surely pass that information along.

So Kumogakure had done the opposite: it sent people disguised as A and Killer B to appear in the village, while secretly dispatching A to the front lines.

When the two sides were locked in fierce combat, the arrival of a Kage Level fighter would be enough to turn the tide.

But the ambush squad's failure had sent events spiraling beyond Kumogakure's control. The enemy's Reinforcement Unit had arrived, and their numerical disadvantage was no longer something A could overcome.

Though A had no Ninjutsu for sensing Chakra, he could tell that the boy was very strong. If he and Pakura joined forces, A wasn't sure he could get away unscathed on his own.

Dodai thought for a moment, then shook his head. "He probably didn't know beforehand, but he glanced at the side door on his way out. He may have noticed. Do you want to summon him?"

A shook his head. Since he hadn't shown himself at first, it wouldn't be appropriate to meet the man now.

He removed the armor draped over his shoulders, then took off the heavy Tiger Head Belt and placed it on the table.

"If he wants it, give it to him. I don't know what he's really after, but he was right about one thing: this is the best choice Kumogakure can make right now."

A knew Dodai had deliberately avoided mentioning the belt to preserve his dignity, hoping to bargain with the other man later and get that demand dropped.

But as the next Raikage, A bore the weight of all Kumogakure on his shoulders. What was one beloved belt compared to the village?

"It's our incompetence!"

Dodai dropped to one knee in shame.

A reached out with a powerful hand and helped him up. "Sunagakure is one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages. It's only natural for it to produce a few geniuses. Once Killer B and the others have grown stronger, Kumogakure will repay them twice over!"

"Lord Killer B is already very talented. If he'd been at the front lines, we—"

"Don't bring up the past. Hurry up and retreat."

A cut Dodai off, then turned and left the room.

Watching A disappear, Dodai sat back down and composed himself. He took a sip of tea. "Bring that Sunagakure ninja here."

Meanwhile, Sunagakure's Reinforcement Unit had also reached the front lines. Junping entered the command room and immediately dropped to one knee. "Lord Pakura, the Reinforcement Unit has arrived!"

"Why did it take so long?"

Pakura stood with her back to Junping, her gaze sweeping over the map.

Her close-fitting light armor did nothing to hide her figure. If anything, it accentuated her curves. But none of the ninjas present dared act out in front of her; they either stared at the map or kept their heads down.

This wasn't Junping's first time serving under Pakura. Hearing the flatness in her voice, he knew she was already angry, so he quickly explained the whole situation.

Smash—!

When she heard that Hoshino Maki had said he'd handle the war by himself, Pakura turned around, grabbed a teacup from the table, and smashed it to pieces. Panting, she roared, "Who does he think he is?! Hashirama Senju?! Damn it, I knew he wouldn't stay out of trouble!"

"Everyone, assemble!"