The Konoha was filled with the sweet scent of sandalwood in the office of the new Hokage Konoha.
Tsunade, with her wide-sleeved divine robe rolled up, was gritting her teeth as she stamped heavy building material purchase orders.
The post-war reconstruction efforts were too large, even with the Iron Fist Chamber of Commerce providing a continuous influx of funds.
The newly appointed Fifth Hokage is still driven crazy by the endless stream of approval documents every day.
"Squeak--"
The heavy, carved wooden door was kicked open.
Senju Kenya, shirtless, wearing large floral shorts and swaying back and forth, strolled in with a white jade pipe dangling from his mouth.
"Auntie, are you busy?"
Kenya, without any hesitation, pulled out a swivel chair and plopped down, propping his legs up on the desk. He then grabbed a chilled sweet pear from Tsunade's desk and took a big bite.
"Just wanted to say hello. I'm planning to take a few days of paid leave and go on a long trip."
Tsunade's brush, which was used to approve official documents, suddenly stopped.
She abruptly raised her head, her beautiful eyes filled with wariness and suspicion, scrutinizing her unruly nephew from head to toe:
"Going out? Where to? You just ransacked the Bounty Station's main vault the day before yesterday, where are you planning to smash up the gate today?!"
"Look at what you're saying. I've always been a peace-loving, law-abiding businessman."
Kenya grinned and casually pulled the blood-stained deep-sea bamboo scroll from the pocket of his floral shorts.
With a "thud," it was tossed right in the middle of a pile of official documents.
Tsunade picked up the bamboo scroll with a puzzled look, and as soon as she unfolded it and glanced at it, she suddenly stood up from her chair!
" The Kirigakure of the Land of Water?! Mei Terumi's blood-written plea for help?!"
Tsunade gasped, her expression instantly turning extremely serious.
" The Fourth Mizukage, Karatachi Yagura, has completely gone berserk... An extermination massacre is underway in the Bloody Mist Village?!"
" Mei Terumi is actually asking our Senju Clan for help in the name of the future Fifth Mizukage?!"
As one of the legendary Shinobi World, Sannin Tsunade all too well what this meant.
The Land of Water is located on an isolated island overseas and has always been closed off from the world, maintaining no contact with the other four great nations.
If we rashly intervene in other countries' internal strife, it could very well trigger a new round of transnational war!
Thinking of this, Tsunade subconsciously clutched her official seal tightly, glaring warily at Kenya:
"Let me make this clear first! There's a huge construction boom happening all over the village right now, with factories being built everywhere!"
"The cross-sea expedition is extremely costly; don't even think about approving a single penny of travel allowance for you from Konoha's public funds!"
"Tsk, look at you, so petty."
Kenya rolled his Byakugan dramatically and disdainfully pulled out a thick wad of silver notes bearing the royal seal of the Land of Fire, totaling a million taels.
"Slap! Slap! Slap!"
It was slammed onto the table with a deafening roar.
"Do you think I need your pittance?!"
"Fully self-funded! Exclusively and fully funded by the Chamber of Commerce!"
Kenya exhaled a puff of green smoke, a smirk of roguish Haki playing on his lips.
"Once I take over all the seaports and trade privileges of the Land of Water, the profits I bring back will be enough for you to cover the entire Hokage Building in gold leaf!"
Upon hearing "fully self-funded" plus "huge bonuses," Tsunade's eyes widened instantly.
His previously tense expression melted into a radiant smile with astonishing speed.
"Oh dear, look at you! Why are you being so formal with your aunt? Be careful on the road!"
Having completed the official entry and exit procedures for the Hokage, Kenya swaggered back to the Senju family mansion.
Kenya had already meticulously planned out the list of accompanying personnel.
Zabuza Momochi, a former elite member Anbu the Kirigakure Anbu and Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist of the Mist, was intimately familiar with the ocean currents, reefs, and defenses of the Land of Water, making him the best guide.
Haku is not only a surviving member of the Yuki Clan from the Land of Water, but also an indispensable top chef in the Iron Fist team.
As for the third candidate...
Tsunade Shizune on handing over Shizune, who was carrying the account book and a small medicine box, ostensibly as the "medical representative accompanying the team," but in reality, she wanted to help Konoha keep a close eye on the accounts during the post-war profit sharing.
However, just as the group packed their bags and prepared to set off...
Suddenly, two panting, frantic running sounds came from the street outside the Senju Courtyard!
"Uncle! Wait for me, uncle!!"
Covered in sweat and bound with two heavy black iron weights weighing over a hundred pounds, Naruto Uzumaki tumbled and crawled into the yard like a little yellow duck.
And a few steps behind Naruto.
Sasuke Uchiha, who had just awakened his Three-Tomoe Sharingan, stepped across the threshold, slightly out of breath, his hands tightly tucked into his pockets.
"Uncle! You're going to fight in the Land of Water across the ocean, right?!"
Naruto clung to Kenya's leg, his eyes gleaming with an insatiable, fervent light of adventure.
"Take me with you! I can throw five truck-sized Shuriken in one go! I can definitely be a big help!"
Although Sasuke didn't plead, his scarlet Mitsudomoe eyes were also filled with a desire for a breakthrough in actual combat.
Looking at these two eager followers who were practically begging to be carried along...
A slight smile played on Kenya's lips.
Then.
Under the expectant gazes of Naruto and Sasuke.
Kenya raised the white jade pipe in his hand.
Thump! Thump!
Two crisp, resounding dunks landed squarely on the foreheads of both men!
"Ouch--!!"
Both boys clutched their foreheads at the same time, jumping up and down in pain, their heads visibly swelling up with two large pink lumps!
"Where are you going? You're barely grown up and you already want to come on a government-funded international trip with me?!"
Kenya looked down at them and snapped, then casually threw two thick training schedules in their faces:
"You better stay put in the village and behave yourself!"
"A 20,000-meter weighted mountain run every day! A thousand squats! I'll flatten that entire stone forest on the back mountain with my giant Shuriken!"
Kenya grinned, revealing his big white teeth:
"I've already spoken to Kakashi; he'll be in charge of supervising with the whip."
"If I find out you guys missed a single push-up when I get back from my vacation overseas, I'll personally whip your asses into eight pieces with the sole of my shoe!"
A physical crackdown completely shattered the two boys' dreams of becoming his followers.
Naruto and Sasuke could only watch the old man leave, tears welling in their eyes as they clutched their training schedules, their faces filled with grief and indignation.
Several hours later.
Royal deep-water naval port of the Land of Waves.
The sea was as blue as a mirror, the sea breeze was strong, and countless snow-white seagulls circled happily in the sky.
And at the most prominent deep-water berth in the very center of the harbor.
A colossal warship, over 100 meters long and 30 meters wide, entirely constructed from the highest density solid Black Iron Wood.
It stands proudly amidst the waves!
This is the " Iron Fist," the overseas flagship that the Iron Fist Chamber of Commerce has poured all its efforts into building!
Its entire body was as black as ink, gleaming with a cold and austere light of dark iron. Its heavy hull was strong enough to withstand the frenzied impact of a giant sea monster from the deep sea!
And directly ahead of the bow of the warship.
Standing prominently is a massive black fist statue, several meters tall, like an invincible hammer that pierces the ocean!
Dozens of sailors from the Chamber of Commerce, dressed in black suits and wearing sunglasses, were neatly loading hundreds of boxes of top-quality cured seafood, boxes of chilled juice, and premium cigars onto the ship.
The most spacious upper observation deck.
A large parasol is set up, along with a full set of soft and comfortable beach chairs and a small coffee table.
Kenya was wearing a flashy beach shirt with a sea theme, floral shorts, flip-flops, and brown sunglasses.
He slowly and deliberately stepped onto the deck using the gangplank.
Facing the vast, boundless blue sea, I took a deep breath of the moist sea breeze, which carried a salty, fishy smell.
He stretched out a huge, comfortable yawn, his bones cracking like popping beans.
Zabuza his heavy black iron sword, weighing several tons, into the bow of the ship, standing like an immovable gatekeeper.
Bai changed into a crisp, clean white sailor chef's uniform and deftly started a fire in front of the outdoor barbecue grill.
Meanwhile, Shizune sat on the deck chair, clutching her ledger and parasol, looking both helpless and curious.
The ship's horn blared, and the waves surged.