Your Belt is Nice

Chapter 15: Your Belt Looks Nice

The two dog-betting families, separated by the sea, naturally wouldn't coexist peacefully.

The Cloud Ninja acted straightforwardly, while the Stone Ninja resorted to underhanded tactics. They thought the Cloud Ninja were unaware, but the high command of the Cloud Ninja knew everything.

Once the Hidden Cloud Village suffered a heavy blow, that bastard Ōnoki would surely "lend a helping hand."

As for Konoha, Dodai didn't believe Hoshino Maki's words. The Sand Ninja's intelligence network couldn't possibly know that.

But he couldn't deny that what the other party described might become reality.

Looking at the map, the Land of Lightning and the Land of Fire were separated by two countries, not a short distance. However, traveling by sea was very fast. The Land of Hot Springs happened to be located between the sea routes of the Land of Fire and the Land of Lightning.

Moreover, the Hidden Hot Springs Village was on good terms with Konoha. If Konoha prepared to attack the Hidden Cloud Village, they could completely ambush people in the Land of Hot Springs. Within a day, they could launch a surprise attack on the Hidden Cloud Village!

However, he couldn't bear the responsibility of defeat if they retreated now.

But if they didn't retreat, he couldn't bear the responsibility of annihilation.

After Hoshino Maki finished speaking, he simply drank his tea and leisurely observed the house.

Judging by the style, it should be the residence of a wealthy family. As for the original owner of the house, their corpse was probably already cold.

After all, the way ninja operated had always been "free shopping."

Thinking this, Hoshino Maki felt much better. He was clearly acting on behalf of heaven!

"What do you want?"

Dodai was already impatient. This guy had been pressuring him since he entered, not at all like a straightforward ninja. Instead, he was like those damned retainers around the daimyo.

Hoshino Maki slowly extended two fingers: "I heard the Third Raikage's son has a Fighting Belt. I'd like to borrow it for a few days. Regarding the release of prisoners, the Hidden Cloud Village designates me as the representative for the Hidden Sand Village."

Dodai smiled playfully upon hearing this: "Designates you? Aren't you afraid the Hidden Sand Village will suspect you're a spy? Or perhaps you yourself are a spy from another country, the one who informed us of the ambush unit's failure?"

Hoshino Maki was completely unfazed by the probing and mockery in the other party's words. He said calmly, "It's just a difference in ideas about the village's development. Besides, from the Hidden Cloud Village's perspective, someone like me is more beneficial to you, aren't I?"

After Hoshino Maki finished speaking, he glanced out the window: "You can think about it carefully. But Pakura's unit is coming soon. I won't be able to stop her then."

Dodai was silent for a moment: "I need to consider it. Mamorou, take him to rest."

Hoshino Maki stood up, glanced at the side door, and silently followed him out.

After a few seconds, the side door opened, and a tall, burly figure emerged. He had dark skin, light yellow hair meticulously combed back, and a goatee on his chin. His nearly two-meter height required him to bend down as he exited. In the candlelight, the shuriken tattoo on his upper arm was clearly visible.

"Lord A."

Dodai respectfully lowered his head.

The Raikage of past generations were all called "A." This future Fourth Raikage, before even succeeding to the title, was already addressed as "A" by the people of the village, which showed his strength and prestige.

"Dodai, what do you think?"

A did not sit down but crossed his arms and leaned against the wall.

"The demands he made are not high, even surprisingly low."

In fact, Dodai's heart had turned cold halfway through reading Pashira's scroll. If he hadn't seen the end, he would have already plunged his wakizashi into his abdomen, ready to die for his country.

If there was a chance to redeem Pashira, he would definitely tell the other party with his fists to write the result first!

A did not speak. After a long silence, he slowly said, "Do you think he knows I'm here?"

A was hesitant at this moment. If the other party truly knew, it would mean the Hidden Cloud Village was at a disadvantage in terms of intelligence.

His whereabouts were the Hidden Cloud Village's trump card.

Although the AB Combo had not yet become famous in the ninja world, the people of the Hidden Cloud Village knew that the AB Combo never separated. Those spies would definitely transmit this information.

Therefore, the Hidden Cloud Village acted contrary to expectations, sending people to impersonate A and Killer B in the Hidden Cloud Village, while secretly dispatching A to the front lines.

When both sides were locked in fierce battle, the addition of a Kage-level powerhouse could turn the tide of the war.

But the failure of the ambush squad caused the situation to tilt in a direction beyond the Cloud Ninja's control. The enemy reinforcements arrived, and the numerical disadvantage was no longer something A could turn around.

Moreover, although A did not possess chakra-sensing ninjutsu, he could feel that this young man's strength was formidable. If he and Pakura joined forces, he might not be able to retreat unscathed by himself.

Dodai thought for a moment, then shook his head: "He probably didn't know beforehand, but he glanced at the side door when he left. Perhaps he discovered something. Do you want to summon him?"

A shook his head. Since he hadn't appeared at the beginning, it was no longer appropriate to meet now.

He unbuckled the armor draped over his body and placed the heavy Tiger Head Belt on the table.

"If he likes it, give it to him. Although I don't know what he's plotting, he's right about one thing: this is the best option for the Hidden Cloud Village right now."

He knew Dodai had deliberately not mentioned this matter earlier to save his face, intending to negotiate with the other party later to waive this condition.

But as the next Raikage, he bore the heavy responsibility for the entire Hidden Cloud Village. What was a beloved belt compared to the village?

"It is our incompetence!"

Dodai knelt on one knee in shame.

A extended his powerful hand and helped him up: "As one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages, it's normal for the Hidden Sand Village to produce a few prodigies. Once Killer B and the others grow up, the Hidden Cloud Village will definitely return it tenfold!"

"Lord Killer B is already very outstanding. If he were also on the front lines, we..."

"Don't mention past events. Hurry up and retreat."

A interrupted Dodai's words, turned, and left the room.

Dodai watched A's retreating back disappear, then sat back down, adjusted his mindset, and took a sip of tea. "Bring that Sunagakure ninja over."

Meanwhile, the Sand Ninja reinforcement unit had also arrived at the front line. Junpei entered the operations room and immediately knelt on one knee. "Lord Pakura, the reinforcement troops have arrived!"

"Why so slow."

Pakura, with her back to Junpei, scanned the map.

Her form-fitting light armor didn't conceal her good figure; instead, it accentuated her curves. However, no ninja present dared to act presumptuously in front of her. They either looked at the map or kept their heads down, staring at the ground.

This wasn't Junpei's first time working under Pakura. Hearing her calm words, he knew she was already angry and quickly explained the entire situation.

Smash--!

Upon hearing that Hoshino Maki intended to end this war alone, Pakura turned around, picked up a teacup from the table, and shattered it. She panted heavily and roared, "Who does he think he is?! Hashirama Senju?! Damn it, I knew he wouldn't stay put!"

"Assemble the entire army!"