051 Reborn as the Third Kazekage

In Sunagakure, a hotpot restaurant was bustling with activity, its business booming. The restaurant was renowned for its copper pot hotpot, featuring a rich and flavorful broth, tender lamb slices, carefully crafted dipping sauces, and an innovative dining experience—all at a fair price. It had become a favorite among the villagers.

The restaurant already had branches in the Lake Tsuki New District and the Land of Rain, and rumors suggested it was planning to expand to Konohagakure next!

This business was a private venture of Arashi's, managed by a group of injured, retired shinobi. The working conditions were excellent, and the retired ninja were more than happy to serve under Arashi's leadership.

One of these shinobi, known for his incredible knife skills, was giving a live demonstration. With a flash of his blade, a chunk of lamb weighing over a pound was effortlessly sliced into more than a hundred paper-thin pieces in the blink of an eye. The display was both mesmerizing and mouthwatering, earning applause from the delighted patrons.

At one table, Hidan and Daichi had completely abandoned any semblance of decorum. They were practically tossing plate after plate of meat into the hotpot, scooping it out once it turned a perfect shade of pink, dipping it into sauce, and devouring it ravenously. After all, today's training had taken a toll on them, and they were in dire need of replenishing their energy.

Suzuya and Akasuna Hideki, however, were eating with a bit more refinement. They dipped and ate each slice meticulously, but their chopsticks never seemed to stop moving.

When the trio finally began to slow down, Hideki set his chopsticks down and spoke.

"Take your time eating. I have something to say."

The three turned their attention to their teacher, though their chopsticks kept moving.

"The Kazekage has announced that, in three months, a joint military exercise with Konoha will take place in the Land of Rivers. The operation is codenamed 'Wind and Fire.'"

The three froze at the news, looking at Hideki in unison.

"Though it's officially a military exercise, there will be real combat elements involved. The plan is to clear out several secret Kirigakure military outposts in the Land of Rivers. Normally, newly-formed shinobi squads wouldn't participate.

"But I see this as a rare opportunity. It's a chance for you all to gain real-world combat experience and refine your tactics. It will be invaluable for strengthening your skills. I'm planning to submit a request to include us in the exercise. What do you all think?"

"Of course, we're in!" Hidan declared without hesitation.

"No objections here!" Daichi's eyes sparkled with excitement.

"I agree as well," Suzuya said firmly.

"Then I'll submit the report tomorrow. I doubt it'll be an issue. I'll pave the way for you, but you'd better give it your all!"

"Yes!" The trio responded in unison.

"Good. Objectively, your individual combat abilities are impressive. However, you still lack coordination as a team—unsurprising, given you're still getting to know each other. Over the next three months, our focus will be on addressing this weakness.

"I have some ideas. Let's discuss them using today's flag-capturing exercise as an example..." Hideki picked up his chopsticks and began illustrating his points to the group.

...

"What's on your mind? You've been quiet for ages."

Tsunade, dressed in a loose purple robe that barely concealed her curves, was toweling off her freshly washed hair. Her teasing tone snapped Arashi out of his thoughts. Reclining lazily in a chair, he couldn't help but admire the alluring sight before him. Unable to resist, he reached out and pulled her into his arms.

"I was just wondering how I'd fare in a fight against Madara," he said, his voice thoughtful.

Tsunade slapped his wandering hand away.

"That's hard to say. Madara was the pinnacle of his era. Even now, despite his age, his strength is unfathomable. Who knows what tricks he might still have up his sleeve? Even White Zetsu, his subordinate, was extraordinarily powerful. If Hokuto hadn't been there, I doubt I could've detained him."

"Exactly. Who knows what kind of trump cards he's hiding?" Arashi said with a sigh, staring at the ceiling.

Arashi had contemplated taking Madara down for good multiple times in that cave. But every time, the sight of those mesmerizing, sinister Sharingan eyes held him back.

The Sharingan was, without a doubt, one of the most formidable abilities in this world. Techniques like Susanoo were devastating. And if Madara were to unleash the forbidden Izanagi or Izanami, Arashi knew he'd stand no chance. His Iron Sand techniques and half-baked Sage Mode simply weren't enough.

Not to mention Black Zetsu, who was lurking, always waiting for an opportunity. And with the Gedo Statue harboring thousands of White Zetsu clones, an all-out attack would be overwhelming.

No, it wasn't worth the risk. He had worked too hard to build his life in this world, to rise to the rank of village leader, and to savor the fruits of his labor. Dying in some desolate cave would be utterly pointless.

He believed that even Madara wouldn't act rashly. After all, if his genjutsu failed, he probably didn't have absolute confidence in defeating Arashi either. Leaving that cryptic poem in iron sand on the stone bench had been part intimidation, part mischief. At the very least, Arashi was certain that Madara wouldn't make any moves against Sunagakure for the next decade.

That would give Arashi time—time to consolidate his resources, strengthen his abilities, and disrupt Black Zetsu's schemes at every turn. And if push came to shove, he could always stick to the original timeline's trajectory. As long as he played his cards right, life in Sunagakure could be pretty good.

"Should I inform Hiruzen-sensei? Regardless of whether that old man is real or not, we should deal with him first," Tsunade suggested.

"The Third Hokage, huh..." Arashi weighed his options. At his current prime, Hiruzen Sarutobi was a force to be reckoned with. As the disciple of the First and Second Hokage, teaming up with him might actually make the mission feasible.

But Arashi shook his head.

"Unfortunately, I miscalculated. The old fox probably fled the moment we stirred the waters. Think about it—why else would he hide for so long? To avoid trouble with Konoha, of course."

Tsunade poked his forehead, annoyed.

"And you didn't think to tell me this sooner?"

"How? If White Zetsu hadn't shown up in the underground lab, you'd probably still think I was making it all up."

"Fair point. Speaking of which, what do you plan to do with White Zetsu?"

"Leave him to starve for a few days. He needs to learn not to mess with us," Arashi said with a sly grin. "But let's put that aside for now. I've got something else to take care of... starting with you!"

With that, he pulled Tsunade close, his intentions clear.

"Take a bath first! You reek!" she scolded, pushing him away.