059 Reborn as the Third Kazekage

The military operation targeting the Kirigakure stronghold in the Land of Rivers had been under constant surveillance by spies from various nations. Summoned creatures carrying intelligence darted back and forth, while many hidden operatives embedded within the forces began to surface.

Yet, both Hiruzen Sarutobi and Arashi chose to turn a blind eye to these matters. Instead, it was Rasa and Danzo who found themselves drowning in paperwork, unable to spare even a moment's rest.

After all, the two weren't just commanders of this military exercise—they also spearheaded intelligence operations for their respective villages. For now, they needed these "planted informants" to relay information, serving as a deterrent to Iwagakure and Kumogakure. Once the exercises concluded, it would be time to round up the traitors.

The mission at Mount Yosawa was a resounding success. Of the 268 rogue Kirigakure shinobi, not a single one escaped, they were either eliminated or captured. Their leader, the Kirigakure rogue shinobi Shimizu Reno, was slain, while the allied forces suffered fewer than thirty casualties—an undeniable victory.

The day after the operation, the Kazekage and Hokage personally visited the wounded shinobi and publicly fulfilled their promise. The Sunagakure squad led by Hideki, which had taken down Shimizu Reno, was awarded a bounty of 400,000 ryo. The reward stirred envy among the allied shinobi.

Arashi, the Third Kazekage, then made a grand gesture: to boost morale, he personally pledged an additional 2,000,000 ryo in future battle incentives, encouraging his comrades to fight bravely and achieve further glory.

Not to be outdone, Hiruzen Sarutobi gritted his teeth and declared,

"Whatever Arashi-san puts up, Konohagakure will match!"

A wave of cheers erupted among the shinobi, and suddenly, the sight of decapitated Kirigakure heads seemed far less disturbing.

On that note, the underground bounty exchange had placed a high price on Shimizu Reno's head.

"Arashi-san, since Konoha covered half of that reward, shouldn't we also get a share of his head?"

Hiruzen seized an opportunity while Danzo and the strategists were busy drafting the next phase of operations to approach Arashi.

"I never took you for someone with a taste for collecting severed heads, Hokage-sama. Which half would you like? The left or the right? The top or the bottom?"

"Come on, Arashi, I'm not into anything that morbid. I'm talking about the bounty."

Hiruzen's face darkened slightly. He was making his point bluntly—he wanted the money.

Arashi chuckled. "Hiruzen, my dear friend, I think you're forgetting how things work. Shimizu Reno was taken down by Sunagakure shinobi. That means his head—and his bounty—belong to us. If it had been a Konoha shinobi, I wouldn't even be bringing this up."

Hiruzen flushed. By the old rules, Arashi was technically right—his request was unreasonable.

"Hmph," Arashi scoffed. "I personally shelled out that two million ryo. You, on the other hand, are dipping into Konoha's treasury. If you're looking for personal profit, you've got the wrong guy."

However, an idea suddenly formed in Arashi's mind. Hmm… there might be another way to play this.

"That being said… you do make a fair point. Konoha shinobi did contribute quite a bit…"

"Oh?" Hiruzen perked up, sensing an opening.

"The bounty for Shimizu Reno is set at 16 million ryo in the underground exchange," Arashi stated matter-of-factly.

"Mhm."

"If Hokage-sama agrees to a small favor, I'll split it with you—8 million ryo, right away! Not only that, but for any future bounties, we'll go fifty-fifty."

Hiruzen's face stiffened. He scoffed, "Arashi, do you take me for a man who would sell out Konoha's interests for a pile of dirty money?"

"And what exactly are 'Konoha's interests'?" Arashi mused. "Can you eat them?"

"Eh? What?" Hiruzen looked bewildered.

"Relax, Hokage-sama, it's nothing complicated. My request is simple—let me choose the location for the next Five Kage Summit."

"…That's it?" Hiruzen still looked perplexed. He couldn't see the connection between this request and the bounty money.

Arashi grinned. "There really isn't one."

"Truth be told, we've developed a new resort area on the Yuxi Peninsula, near Sunagakure's border in the Land of Rivers. It won't be ready for another two years, but a high-profile event like the Five Kage Summit would be great for publicity."

Hiruzen squinted. There was something off about this—Arashi's plans always seemed haphazard, but in reality, they were masterfully orchestrated. Dealing with him often felt like walking into a carefully laid trap.

Sensing Hiruzen's hesitation, Arashi sweetened the deal.

"To show my sincerity, Sunagakure will cover the lodging and meals for all five delegations if the summit is held in Yuxi Peninsula."

"And what do you get out of this?" Hiruzen asked suspiciously.

"Didn't I just say? Exposure! No one knows about the place right now. But if we host the summit there, it'll gain recognition. That's all."

Hiruzen mulled it over. After a long pause, he nodded. "Fine. You have a deal."

Between suspicion and 8 million ryo, he chose the latter. Besides, he couldn't see how this would harm Konoha.

"Excellent! You're a man of decisiveness, Hokage-sama! Here, have some tea—this is the freshest batch from this year."

Arashi lifted his cup with a broad smile.

Now that you've stepped into my game, we'll see if you even have your underwear left by the time I'm done. And as for that 8 million ryo… well, I might just win it all back over a few rounds of cards.

—

While the two Kage struck their "shady" deal, the war effort continued. With Shimizu Reno's death, the remaining Kirigakure remnants in the Land of Rivers were like frightened birds, scrambling in all directions. Some fled to other nations, while others attempted to return to Kirigakure.

Danzo and Rasa, however, pressed forward relentlessly, treating their enemies like cattle for the slaughter. A campaign initially planned to last three months was all but wrapped up in less than two. It was unlikely that rogue Kirigakure shinobi would dare stir up trouble again anytime soon.

The ruthless efficiency of the operation sent shockwaves through Iwagakure and Kumogakure. Even after Konoha and Sunagakure withdrew, neither village dared to make a move for three whole months.

Only after confirming that Konoha and Sunagakure had no intention of intervening in their war did they muster the courage to resume hostilities.

Back in their home villages, Konoha's Anbu and Sunagakure's intelligence division launched sweeping crackdowns on embedded spies, uncovering and eliminating numerous long-hidden agents. It was an unexpected but welcome victory.

Arashi, however, had one more personal triumph—after persistent effort, he had secured Tsunade's official appointment as "liaison officer" in Sunagakure. While Konoha didn't grant her an official position, they tacitly acknowledged her relationship with Arashi.

Of course, there was a condition—Tsunade couldn't hold any formal office in Sunagakure.

Not a problem. Arashi simply slapped "Honorary" in front of her titles—"Honorary Deputy Head of the Medical Division" and "Honorary Hospital Director." Her authority and perks remained unchanged, and Tsunade couldn't care less about titles. Besides, with Arashi's deep pockets, he could more than afford to support her.

"Oh, by the way, what are you planning to do with White Zetsu? It's been sitting in the lab for months now."

On the way back to Sunagakure, Tsunade suddenly brought up the subject.

"Ah!"

Arashi smacked his forehead.

"Damn! I completely forgot about that!"