Consolidating power may resemble feudal rule, but this is the Naruto world—a brutal place where no one knows whether they'll live or die tomorrow.
The higher-ups in Konoha, who lived comfortably within the village, could never grasp how terrifying the real world beyond its walls truly was.
Shen had only ever left the village once, yet he clearly saw that Konoha was nothing more than an illusory paradise—one war would be enough to shatter it completely.
"Everyone, quiet down and listen to an old man's advice," said the Third Hokage, slightly rising from his seat. He gently placed his Kage hat on the conference table, staring directly into the eyes of those officials.
A few seconds later, after glaring at them until they lowered their proud heads, the Third Hokage issued a command: "As the Hokage of Konoha, I hereby decide to support the Hot Water Country and resist Kumogakure's invasion."
Then he turned his head toward Shen, his expression instantly turning serious: "I hereby announce that Konoha will formally enter a state of war from this moment onward. All departments must prepare immediately and be ready to face the arrival of war."
"!!!" Except for a few high-ranking officials, everyone else in the conference room was visibly startled by this unilateral decision.
This meant Konoha's political direction had shifted—from peaceful development to protecting allied interests.
Although the Hot Water Country wasn't large in territory, it was a renowned resort region in the shinobi world, generating economic value nearly equivalent to the trade from the Land of Wind.
These officials prioritized short-term gains and were reluctant to abandon their hard-won peace over something uncertain in the future.
Yet, a portion of the leadership—including both the Third Hokage and Shen—understood that standing still meant stagnation and eventual ruin.
"Meeting adjourned!" Without leaving time for discussion, the Third Hokage walked straight out of the conference room.
Shen knew his chance had come. Instantly, he intercepted those officials who had just spoken out and raised his burning index finger: "Come on, I'll take you all on—with just one finger!"
Ten minutes later outside the Hokage Tower, more than a dozen people lay scattered on the ground—beaten up and clad in tattered clothes.
At this moment, they didn't even look as neat as beggars.
Before long, another month had passed.
The personnel sent to support the Hot Water Country had gathered at the east gate, preparing to officially set off.
"Snake Uncle, rest assured. I'll properly take care of those two little cuties," Shen solemnly accepted the mission of babysitting the white lab mice.
Orochimaru nodded, seemingly trusting his assurance.
"Sister, rest assured. I won't slack off on my training!" Nawaki—who had narrowly escaped death's grip—made a vow to Tsunade before her departure.
Jiraiya timely appeared between the two: "Nawaki, don't worry. As long as I'm alive, no one can harm Tsunade!"
"Uncle Jiraiya looks pretty cool today!" Shen gave him a thumbs-up without hesitation.
Upon hearing these words, Tsunade lifted her fist slightly: "Kid Shen, don't get too cocky. Once I come back, I'll win back every penny I lost to you—with interest!"
Looking up at the sky, Shen calmly mused to himself that growing from two hundred thousand to two hundred million wouldn't be a problem at all.
"Ah well, Tsunade, it's time to get going."
"Well, if we're late, the teacher will be really mad."
Jiraiya and Orochimaru both blocked Tsunade, who was about to rush forward and attack someone.
"Hurry up and let me go! It's just a mission supporting the Hot Water Country, not an actual war!" Tsunade, wanting to teach Shen a lesson, immediately set up a flag.
"Goodbye, Onee-chan!" Before leaving, Shen casually flipped his thumb downward.
"That brat!" After watching the tiny black figure gradually walk further away, Tsunade finally broke free from her two teammates' restraint.
Orochimaru, whose emotional intelligence had recently improved significantly, kindly advised: "Shen probably doesn't want us leaving with tense feelings. It's nice being relaxed like this."
"Onee-chan, that guy's just naturally annoying. Not worth getting angry over," Nawaki, on the verge of escaping his usual fate, surprisingly held back from badmouthing the other guy.
"I know all that already! I'm not some dumb kid like you!" Though Tsunade said this, she never actually released her tightly clenched fist.
She turned around and looked at Jiraiya, who had changed into clean, bright traveling clothes, and gently called out: "Jiraiya, come here for a second."
"Oh no...it's starting!" Imagining a 100,000-word romance novella in his head, Jiraiya confidently and calmly walked toward her, his eyes filled with affection. "Tsunade, I'm here."
Just as he raised his hand to gently stroke her hair, suddenly a sharp pain shot through his abdomen.
"Ahh! Much better!" Tsunade rubbed her relaxed right hand.
Ever since childhood, Jiraiya had often been punched by Tsunade. You know the saying—'When you care, even hits are love. Even scolding means affection.' Getting both means you've really got it bad!
Like hell there was any love in that! Jiraiya swore every punch over the years hurt just as much as the last.
Tsunade? She was just a total bully!
Every night when it got quiet, Jiraiya would hide under the covers and curse his luck endlessly.
"Tsunade, I'm fine." So, he acted like nothing happened.
"Um...Orochimaru, let's get going!" Avoiding eye contact, Tsunade directly pulled him forward without hesitation.
Confused, Nawaki patted Jiraiya's shoulder: "Come on, Uncle Jiraiya! My future depends on you!"
"Mm-hmm!" Clutching his stomach tightly while grimacing in pain, Jiraiya watched Tsunade walk away.
Why did Nawaki switch sides? It's just that the other side knows how to treat people better—and offers more rewards!
Quickly recovering, Jiraiya said goodbye and lifted his foot toward the Assembly Point where approximately forty or fifty black buses stood ready.
Coincidentally, when he arrived, the Third Hokage had just finished giving an extensive list of instructions.
Under his teacher's fierce stare, Jiraiya nervously approached one of the buses.
If he didn't leave quickly, his teacher might scold him severely for being late.
"Jiraiya, this kind of attitude leads nowhere!"
"Don't tell anyone outside Konoha that you're my—Hiruzen Sarutobi's—disciple!"
"Go back right now and write me a self-critique, make it 100,000 words long!"
Just thinking about those past punishments gave him the chills.
"What's wrong with you, Jiraiya?"
Jiraiya glanced sideways at the silver-haired man greeting him. "Who else would it be, Sakumo?"
Sakumo Hatake, a man whose current strength surpassed even the Third Hokage and his three disciples combined, was actually heading to reinforce the Hot Water Country.
"I didn't see you gathering earlier," Sakumo teased directly. "I thought you weren't coming on this mission."
Jiraiya chuckled instead of getting angry. "Aren't you newly married, Sakumo? Already going off to war?"
"Cough cough... Actually, I'm fleeing from something."
"What happened?"
"Just some marital problems!" Sakumo gave a knowing smile that all men understood.
Immediately getting the hint, Jiraiya patted his shoulder sympathetically. "Tough life, Sakumo."
"No need to comfort me. Seriously, I've never regretted marrying her for a moment."
"Don't worry. Tomorrow will be better."
Sakumo Hatake, who created Konoha's Taijutsu Ultimate Art [One Thousand Years of Death], was actually quite reserved in daily life.
Don't be fooled by his usually serious demeanor—when with friends, he reveals his true, more innocent side, like a pure-hearted boy.
After all, every man has his moments.
Especially since Sakumo noticed that recently, Jiraiya had upgraded his games from those low-level pranks to their mutual level, they gradually became such close friends that they shared everything.
His wife came from the Inuzuka clan and had the ability to sense the scent of anyone Sakumo had met that day from a great distance.
(The author's speculation, please be gentle.)
And so, Sakumo Hatake entered married life and said goodbye to his old, carefree bachelor days.
<><><><><><><><>
Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** this weekend!
<><><><><><><><>
Want to read the subsequent content in advance?
Please follow my Patreon:patreon/Tansnovel
Tans Novel - The Fastest-Updating Naruto Fanfiction Account
Read 100+ chapters in advance, with at least 3 new chapters updated every day! More free chapters! 20+ Naruto fanfictions!
Just three steps:
1. Download and open the "Patreon" app
2. Search for "Tans Novel"
3. Click on the collection and enjoy to your heart's content
<><><><><><><><>