"Both sides bear responsibility."
Tsunade tapped her fingers rhythmically against the desk, her gaze sweeping between the two groups before finally settling on Kazahana Koyuki.
"I bear responsibility?" Kazahana Koyuki's voice was piercing. She shot up from her chair and pointed at Shuofang Si, who stood beside her looking perfectly untroubled.
"He kicked me to the ground! My guards are still lying in the hospital! And you're telling me I'm responsible too?"
Tsunade did not answer immediately. She turned her head to look at the Ramen Shop's owner, who stood off to one side.
Teuchi from Ichiraku had been summoned by the Anbu to testify. After all, there were no surveillance cameras in the Ramen Shop, and aside from those involved, he had been the only witness present.
"Tell us what you saw."
Teuchi folded the apron in his hands, set it aside, and gave an honest account.
"When this lady got up to leave, she flicked broth from her chopsticks onto this gentleman's face. She didn't apologize or stop, but kept walking toward the door.
Then this gentleman kicked her and beat up the guards who came up behind her."
The office went quiet for two seconds.
Tonton wriggled free of Shizune's arms and went over to sniff the gold.
For a moment, Kazahana Koyuki did not know what to say. She wanted to argue, but Teuchi's account was straightforward. He had simply recounted exactly what he had seen.
She was furious, but she knew this was the Hokage's Office and restrained herself from lashing out. Only her heaving chest betrayed her anger. With a cold snort, Kazahana Koyuki sat back down and turned her face away, saying nothing more.
Tsunade could only look helplessly at Shuofang Si.
"Mr. Arasaka Si, was it?" Her tone was teasing as she used the name Shuofang Si had registered under when entering the village.
Although he had registered as a merchant, anyone who could easily take down five burly men was probably no ordinary person. Still, she had detected no chakra from him, so he was likely a samurai.
"Oh? What sort of missions do you two want to commission?"
"I want to hire ninja guards," Kazahana Koyuki snapped, anger still written across her face.
Shuofang Si ignored her entirely.
"I'm planning to do business around Wood Sorrel Gold Mine Mountain in the Land of Rivers, but a band of rogue ninja currently occupies the area. Their leader is a rogue ninja from Kirigakure, a former member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist."
He then took a palm-sized piece of gold from inside his clothes and placed it on Tsunade's desk.
The gold sat dazzlingly on the desk, gleaming brilliantly in the sunlight.
Tonton escaped Shizune's embrace, jumped onto the desk to sniff the gold, then leaped back into her arms.
"Raiga Kurosuki. Help me kill him. Money isn't an issue."
Silence fell over the Hokage's Office.
The name Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist carried considerable weight. They were, after all, genuinely formidable fighters.
Although the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist from Kirigakure had suffered devastating losses during the Third Shinobi World War, and the few still alive were now rogue ninja, every one of them was jonin-level.
Tsunade's gaze lingered on the gold for a moment before turning to Asama Sandayu. "And you?"
Sandayu bowed deeply to Tsunade, then began explaining their commission.
He chose his words carefully, making no mention of the civil unrest in the Land of Snow. He merely said that Miss Fujikaze Yukie needed to travel to the Land of Snow for an on-location film shoot. The journey was long, and they needed Konoha ninja to escort them through dangerous areas.
After listening, Tsunade considered the matter, but soon reached a decision.
The mountain of documents piled on her desk made it clear that the village had only just been rebuilt and had little manpower to spare.
"Go get Kakashi," she instructed the Anbu waiting at the door. "And bring the two genin from Team Guy who aren't out on missions."
Before long, the office door opened.
Kakashi entered first, his eyes dull and his manner as listless as ever.
Four people followed him, starting with the blond-haired Naruto Uzumaki.
There was also Sakura Haruno with her pink hair and broad forehead, Neji Hyuga with his aloof expression and pale eyes, and finally Tenten, Konoha's wealthy girl, with her hair in buns.
"Lady Tsunade, you wanted to see me?" Kakashi glanced at the two groups in the office.
Tsunade folded her hands on the desk and briefly explained the situation.
There were two missions. The first was an extermination commission from the merchant Arasaka Si, targeting the former member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, Raiga Kurosuki, and his followers. It was provisionally classified as A-Rank, with payment to be settled according to the results.
The other was an escort commission from Miss Fujikaze Yukie: accompany her to the Land of Snow and ensure her safety throughout the filming schedule. It was provisionally classified as B-Rank.
The routes for the two missions overlapped considerably. The Land of Rivers and the Land of Snow both lay northwest of Konoha, and the first two-thirds of the journey followed essentially the same route.
"Given our current manpower shortage, we intend to carry out these two missions together."
"Elite Jonin Kakashi Hatake will lead a genin squad to complete both.
Kakashi, I'm entrusting both missions to you. You can discuss the remaining details of Mr. Arasaka's commission with him later.
The two genin from Team Guy will also be under your command. Might Guy is away on a mission, and Rock Lee is still recovering, so Neji and Tenten will accompany you this time."
After hearing her out, Kakashi glanced at Neji and Tenten and nodded.
They were both Might Guy's students. Looking after his close friend's students for a while was no trouble.
"What? I have to travel with him?"
Kazahana Koyuki, who had remained silent until now, could no longer contain herself. She looked as though she had seen a ghost.
"How is that acceptable? This guy just kicked me, and now you want me to travel with him?"
"We have no choice, Miss Fujikaze." Tsunade spread her hands. "The village has too many commissions backed up right now. We can't assemble two separate teams on such short notice. There simply aren't more people available."
"Miss Fujikaze Yukie, let it go. We can't afford to wait."
Sandayu hurried to dissuade her, leaning close to Kazahana Koyuki's ear and whispering a few words.
He probably mentioned the filming schedule, the contractual penalties, and the situation in the Land of Snow.
Kazahana Koyuki's expression shifted, her anger gradually giving way to reluctant resignation. After glaring fiercely at Shuofang Si, she turned and headed for the door.
"We agree. Konoha will receive the full payment. We're counting on you." Sandayu bowed to Tsunade, then hurried after her.
The office finally enjoyed a moment of peace.
"Naruto, Sakura, Neji, Tenten." Kakashi closed his dull copy of Icha Icha Paradise, his expression gradually growing serious.
"Meet at the village gate later. Go home and get ready first. This mission involves a long journey, and the round trip should take at least ten days. Remember to bring everything you'll need."
"Yes!"
Before you continue