The luxury vehicle came to a stop, the faint crunch of someone chewing rice crackers coming from inside.
Meanwhile, the atmosphere in the Hokage's office grew increasingly tense.
The two advisers had just left.
An Anbu squad leader wearing a cat mask appeared silently before the Third Hokage's desk.
He knelt on one knee and presented an intelligence scroll stamped top secret with both hands.
"Lord Hokage, this is the latest and most detailed investigation report on the Iron Fist Chamber of Commerce and the Iron Fist Emperor in the Land of Waves."
The Anbu squad leader kept his voice very low, as though afraid of disturbing something.
The Third Hokage's brow was tightly furrowed.
He took the scroll and spread it open on his desk.
As his eyes moved over the intelligence, his already wrinkled old face gradually drained of color.
Although he had appeared helpless before the advisers earlier, he had still clung to a shred of hope.
He had thought that even if Kenya had made some money overseas, he was merely a nouveau riche.
But this intelligence was like a resounding slap, shattering his illusions completely.
"Over eighty percent of the Land of Waves' ports, merchant ships, and economic lifelines have already been taken over by the Iron Fist Chamber of Commerce."
"The local daimyo holds his position in name only, with actual power resting entirely in the hands of the chamber's chief steward, Kato Yosuke."
"The chamber has even begun issuing an internal currency bearing the 'Iron Fist' emblem, which circulates widely through the underground black markets of the Land of Fire and the Land of Water."
"That brat..."
The Third Hokage sucked in a sharp breath.
How was this doing business?
He had clearly established a completely independent nation within a nation on the Land of Waves' territory, outside the jurisdiction of any great nation!
Moreover.
This "Land of Iron Fist" possessed far greater financial resources than even some smaller hidden villages.
But this was not what gave the Third Hokage the worst headache.
He continued reading, his gaze suddenly stopping on a line halfway down the scroll.
"According to footage transmitted at the risk of their lives by spies embedded in the Land of Waves."
"In addition to Zabuza Momochi, formerly one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, who has been confirmed to serve the Iron Fist Chamber of Commerce as its chief of security."
"A blonde woman has also been spotted among the highest-ranking commanders at the deserted island base."
"After extensive cross-checking, this woman has been confirmed to be..."
"Tsunade, one of the legendary Sannin."
Crack!
There was a sharp snap.
The Third Hokage had actually bitten clean through the wooden pipe in his mouth!
Tobacco fell onto his desk, burning a small scorch mark into it.
But he did not notice at all.
His eyes widened as he stared fixedly at the name on the intelligence scroll, as though he had seen a ghost.
"Tsunade?!"
"How did she end up in the Land of Waves? And mixed up with Kenya, at that?"
Turmoil surged through the Third Hokage's heart.
She had once been the student he was proudest of.
Ever since Nawaki and Dan had died, Tsunade had suffered from severe hemophobia, lost all hope in Konoha, and wandered the Shinobi World gambling.
He had sent people to find her countless times, all without any results.
Now she had actually appeared in the camp of that Senju orphan whom Konoha had driven away!
Moreover, the intelligence said she was among the highest-ranking commanders.
What did that mean?
It meant Tsunade had completely sided with Kenya, and might even be helping him manage that overseas empire!
An Iron Fist madman with terrifying Taijutsu and limitless wealth.
Plus a Super Kage Level powerhouse with top-tier Medical Ninjutsu and immense prestige.
With an entire overseas nation under their complete control backing them.
This force.
If it truly intended to act against Konoha.
Even the Five Great Nations together would probably have to think very carefully!
"Foolish... utterly foolish!"
The Third Hokage slumped in his chair, rubbing his temples in anguish.
Regret gnawed at his heart like a venomous snake.
Only now did he finally realize what a foolish, fatal mistake it had been to allow Danzo to pressure Kenya back then!
If only he had stood firmer back then and protected Kenya under his wing.
Then now.
Konoha would not only have a pinnacle Taijutsu combatant capable of deterring the Shinobi World.
Even Tsunade might have returned to the village because of it.
But now, it was all too late.
The Senju Clan, that towering tree which had once nurtured Konoha.
They had uprooted it with their own hands.
Moreover.
That great tree had taken root overseas and grown into a monster even larger and more uncontrollable than Konoha!
"Lord Hokage..."
Seeing the Third Hokage's dispirited state, the Anbu squad leader called softly, somewhat worried.
"With the Chunin Ninja Exams imminent, if we don't take some precautions."
"What if people from the Iron Fist Chamber of Commerce take the opportunity to infiltrate Konoha..."
The Third Hokage gave a bitter laugh.
Precautions?
What precautions could they take?
They could now crush even Kumogakure's elite squads without effort.
Apart from Jiraiya, that wanderer who was still roaming around outside.
Who else in Konoha could stop this aunt and nephew working together?
Besides, Kenya now controlled the supply of black iron wood building materials that Konoha needed most.
If they rashly fell out with him, even the daimyo would be difficult to answer to.
"Keep a close watch on movements along the border."
The Third Hokage took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down.
"Tighten security during the Chunin Ninja Exams."
"But remember, without my orders, no one is to provoke anyone from the Iron Fist Chamber of Commerce!"
Just as the Third Hokage finished issuing his orders.
Suddenly.
Bang!
Someone shoved the door to the Hokage's office open.
The force was so great that the door struck the wall with a thunderous echo.
A Chunin assigned to guard the gate scrambled inside, stumbling over himself.
His face was filled with terror, his breathing rapid, as though he had seen something utterly horrifying.
"L-Lord Hokage!"
The Chunin dropped to his knees with a thud, his voice turning shrill and cracking from sheer panic.
"Senju Kenya... Senju Kenya, he..."
"He's appeared outside the Konoha Gate with a huge group of people!"