Kirigakure's Destruction

In the lavish living room, Jiraiya, Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Shiraishi Yoshijo sat together drinking.

Half drunk, Jiraiya slurred, "Shiraishi Yoshijo, do you really plan to be emperor forever?"

"What the hell does that have to do with you?"

Shiraishi Yoshijo said irritably, "You came all the way to Peach Country with nothing better to do and insisted on giving me a hard time. I've already shown you enough old friendship by not having you arrested. Now I'm treating you to fine wine and food—what the hell more do you want?"

"That's not what I mean. I just think you're getting on in years. Don't you have any thoughts of retiring?"

With a wistful look, Jiraiya said, "This era no longer belongs to us. Naruto, Sasuke, Geng Hua, Gaara, Ōnoki's granddaughter Kurotsuchi—even Kirigakure has begun choosing a new Mizukage."

Shiraishi Yoshijo sneered. "What new era? In the eyes of rulers like us, ninjas and ordinary people alike are all just chives!"

"Cut down one crop, and another soon grows back. There's no need for us to agonize over chives. Forget it—an idiot like you will never understand. Don't force your outdated ideas onto me. Disgusting."

Jiraiya glanced at him. "The Land of Fire's Daimyo is preparing to abdicate."

"Hm?"

That news did surprise Shiraishi Yoshijo.

That man had murdered his own father to seize the throne. A ruthless bastard like that was actually stepping down now?

"The new Daimyo of the Land of Fire will most likely be Shixiu, the man who married your daughter. The relationship between the Land of Fire and Peach Country may become closer than ever before. Do you intend to stand as equals with your own son-in-law?"

Shiraishi Yoshijo twitched his lips. "Don't give me that nonsense. There are tens of thousands of women in my