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The former's expression seemed off, her deep skin tone beginning to flush red.
The latter had already lowered her head, not daring to raise her completely reddened face, afraid that Kazuki might see.
Embarrassing. Humiliating!!
They had thought Kazuki was deliberately targeting them because of the previous assessment, only to realize it was a huge misunderstanding.
Nothing could be more awkward than this.
What made it worse was that their visit was related to the cooperation between their two villages. Mabui and Samui were immensely grateful they hadn't lost their temper and lashed out on the spot.
If they had thrown a fit, only to later discover the truth… the embarrassment would have been absolutely unbearable.
Seeing the two unconsciously staring at their toes—well, Mabui could at least see hers.
Samui? Yeah, let's not even go there—she couldn't see hers at all.
"If you feel my apology isn't sincere enough, how about I treat you both to dinner after we finalize the cooperation? Consider it my way of making amends."
After all, they were guests.
Kazuki didn't want the misunderstanding to escalate any further. Otherwise, people who didn't know the truth might assume that Uchiha Kazuki had nothing better to do than bully female ninjas from others village.
If word got out, it would absolutely ruin his reputation.
"Sorry!"
Clutching the scroll tightly, Mabui turned and ran off. Samui, still with her head lowered, hurried after her.
Weird.
"Weren't people from Kumogakure supposed to be straightforward and bold? This doesn't seem like it. Is it because of their age?"
Shaking his head, Kazuki didn't dwell on it. He sat back down and continued handling official documents.
---
"Knock, knock, knock!"
"Come in."
Hearing the knock, Tsunade set down the file she was reading and rubbed her tired eyes.
'Huh? Wasn't Kazuki supposed to be the one hosting the two of them?'
Seeing Mabui and Samui from Kumogakure walk in, Tsunade was puzzled.
Why did they come to me?
And is it really that hot outside?
Why are their faces so red?
Mabui wasn't as noticeable due to her darker skin tone.
But Samui, with her fair, milky complexion, had a face redder than a monkey's backside.
"Lady Hokage, it was Assistant Kazuki who sent us to you. This is what the Raikage entrusted us to deliver. Please take a look."
Mabui stepped forward and placed the scroll on the desk.
Tsunade unrolled it and skimmed through it, her faint smile immediately fading.
Because she really didn't want to deal with this kind of cooperation.
Originally, regarding the investigation of the Akatsuki, both she and Kazuki had agreed to take a more casual approach—just going through the motions would've been enough.
But for some reason, the Raikage had a sudden change of heart and was now pushing for a joint operation.
If the two villages collaborated, it meant Konoha couldn't slack off anymore—they'd have to take this seriously.
This is just asking for trouble.
The biggest issue was that Kumogakure was actively seeking cooperation. A flat-out refusal would come off as disrespectful.
After some thought, Tsunade addressed the two:
"This matter requires careful consideration. The Akatsuki's strength is formidable, and those sent to investigate and gather intelligence must be capable of ensuring their own safety. There are some issues with personnel selection. For now, please rest at the accommodations arranged for you in the village. I'll give you a proper answer by tomorrow."
"Understood. Then we'll trouble you, Lady Hokage."
Mabui and Samui bowed respectfully before leaving the Hokage's office.
Though the Hokage wasn't their direct superior, she was still the leader of one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages.
Basic courtesy couldn't be neglected—otherwise, people might think Kumo-nin didn't even understand basic manners.
They were already often labeled as "mountain barbarians" by Iwagakure. If they messed up on etiquette too, other villages would definitely mock them.
After having someone escort the guests out, Tsunade took the scroll straight to Kazuki's office.
"Kumogakure wants to collaborate. What should we do? Reject them?"
"I thought we agreed you'd handle this?"
Damn, Tsunade was getting lazier by the day.
"Handle it? How? The Raikage sent people here in good faith. A direct refusal would make him lose face."
The Raikage might seem hot-tempered and shameless—willing to endure any insult when he chose to be thick-skinned.
But when he did care about his reputation, he took it more seriously than anyone else—a contradictory and complicated man.
"Then just cooperate. It's not a big deal. Don't tell me the village can't even scrounge up a few suitable candidates."
The village wasn't some idle organization. If Kumogakure wanted to collaborate, then so be it.
Just pick a few suitable people, toss them into the mission, and let them take their sweet time investigating.
It wasn't like they'd find much useful intel anyway.
"If you're really that worried, send Jiraiya. That should be enough to give Kumogakure face, right?"
If even one of the Legendary Sannin wasn't enough for them, then Kumogakure could go jump off a cliff.
In the original story, Jiraiya had investigated the Akatsuki and died horribly—though that was during his infiltration of Amegakure.
Right now, the Akatsuki was lying low. Even if Jiraiya went digging, he wouldn't find much.
No need to worry about him accidentally running into the Six Paths of Pain and getting slaughtered.
Honestly, Jiraiya's death had been pure plot convenience—a forced sacrifice just to make Naruto grow up.
Otherwise, during that battle in Amegakure, he could've easily used the Reverse Summoning Technique to escape to Mount Myōboku. There was no reason for him to die at the hands of Pain.
But he did—all for the sake of leaving behind some measly clues.
"Fine."
After some self-reflection, Tsunade decided this made sense.
If they weren't going to cooperate, they might as well put on a show.
But since they were discussing cooperation, they might as well play along properly.
Sending Jiraiya out would also keep him from lazing around, shamelessly hanging out in places full of women, drinking and fooling around.
What's worse, whenever he got too carried away, he'd forget to go home—and by extension, forget about Naruto too.
The kid often ended up coming to the Hokage's office looking for his "Grandpa Jiraiya."
Every time that happened, Tsunade felt the urge to stomp Jiraiya to death.
"Just go die in a woman's bed already."
---
"Where are we eating later?"
Pausing at the door, Tsunade glanced back.
Still focused on his documents, Kazuki answered without looking up:
"Tonight, I'm treating our two guests from Kumogakure to dinner. There was a small misunderstanding earlier, so I'm using this chance to make it up to them."
"Just a simple meal?"
Tsunade stared at him with deep skepticism.
"What else? Trying to pick them up?"
Kazuki gave her an exasperated look.
What kind of expression is that?
"Exactly. You, Uchiha Kazuki, have a habit of picking up women over meals. I know exactly what happened between you and Yūhi Kurenai."
"..."
*
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