Chapter 150: Tsunade’s Request, Yagyu Learns a Lesson, and the Plot Spirals Out of Control

"Elder Genshī, it's an honor to meet you."

Led by Mei Terumī, Yagyu quickly found himself face-to-face with Genshī, whose authority in Kirigakure equaled that of a Mizukage. Yagyu greeted him with a polite bow.

Each of the Five Great Shinobi Villages has its own council of elders, but only in the Mist Village does the elder hold the same power as the Mizukage. This alone conveyed how respected Genshī was in Kirigakure—someone even beyond the position once held by Sunagakure's Chiyo in her advisory role.

"Lord Yagyu, I've heard many stories about you,"

Elder Genshī said with a genial smile, half-lidded eyes.

"Our Mizukage isn't here at present, so I'm left to entertain you. I trust you understand."

"No trouble at all—it's my pleasure."

Yagyu exchanged a few polite remarks with Genshī, then again produced an envelope.

"Lady Hokage instructed me to deliver this invitation to the Mizukage personally. Since the Mizukage isn't here, could I trouble you to pass it along for me?"

"Certainly, certainly…"

Genshī nodded, gesturing for Mei to take the letter. Mei checked it briefly and handed it to Genshī with respectful care. Accepting it, he opened it and read, though his calm expression never wavered. Unlike Mifune, Ōnoki, or the Fourth Raikage—who all showed clear changes in expression upon reading—Genshī simply set the letter down afterward and gave Yagyu a slight nod.

"On behalf of the Mizukage, I accept this invitation. I'll make sure to inform him at once, so he can go to the Land of Iron."

"I appreciate it."

Yagyu bowed slightly in thanks.

"This must be your first time in the Mist, right? I'm old and can't show you around, so I'll have Mei Terumī handle your visit."

Genshī offered courteously.

"No need. I still have other villages to deliver invitations to, so I'll refrain from imposing. Perhaps next time."

With that, Yagyu vanished without warning once again.

It was Mei's first time witnessing the Flying Thunder God in person. Her pupils contracted slightly. Then she turned to Genshī:

"Elder Genshī, is Konoha about to convene a Five Kage Summit?"

From his words, she had deduced that it wasn't a normal diplomatic mission like a Chūnin Exam invitation—rather, they'd requested the Mizukage travel to the neutral Land of Iron. To Mei, it hinted at a long-lost tradition: the Five Kage Summit.

"Ah… This era is about to spiral out of control," Genshī murmured, handing Mei the letter.

"Read it yourself."

"Understood."

Acting more or less like an interim Mizukage, Mei took the paper and skimmed it. Her expression shifted drastically.

"The Rinnegan…? Are you telling me the legendary pinnacle among the Three Great Dōjutsu truly exists?"

Mei said in disbelief.

"That's the Sage of Six Paths' eye! If the Rinnegan is real, it means the Sage's legend wasn't all fiction—so even the origins of Ninshū might be true?"

"Konoha wouldn't joke about the deaths of its own people,"

Genshī replied softly.

"Information Jiraiya gathered at the cost of his own life must be genuine."

"First we get the reemergence of Wood Release after so many years, and now the legendary Rinnegan appears. I don't recognize this world anymore…"

Mei felt immense pressure. She herself might seem special for possessing two kekkei genkai, but she knew her true strength didn't match the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura, who was a perfect Jinchūriki and wielded the Water Mirror Technique. If that mysterious person hadn't specifically exploited Yagura's weaknesses, he could never have plunged the Mist into the "Bloody Mist" era.

And if someone could so easily take control of a powerhouse like Yagura, what hope did she have in a world inhabited by Wood Release and the Rinnegan? If war came to Kirigakure, with their current debilitated forces, they wouldn't stand a chance.

"Elder Genshī, will you personally attend the Five Kage Summit?"

"No," he replied, shaking his head with a smile.

"I'm too old to journey to the Land of Iron. These past years, you've governed the village superbly. Originally, I hoped to guide you a bit longer—until the Mist recovered enough elite manpower that we could begin revealing the truth of the Mizukage's death and formally install you as the Fifth Mizukage."

"But this Five Kage Summit came up so abruptly, and with the Akatsuki and the Rinnegan now looming as threats, even if the other villages discover our situation, they won't move on us before dealing with Akatsuki."

"Hence, it's time to place Kirigakure's authority in your hands."

Then he added,

"Choose two subordinates you trust. Have them act as your guards, and travel with you to the Land of Iron."

"Understood."

Mei's expression was resolute, devoid of any joy in "officially taking over," burdened only by the gravity of her new responsibilities.

...

"Yagyu-kun, You Came to See Me!"

"Mm, I'm here to visit you again, Temari."

Having visited the Land of Iron, Iwagakure, Kumogakure, and Kirigakure, Yagyu made his final stop at Sunagakure. Unlike his formal entries through the main gates at other locations, he arrived via teleportation next to Temari—Suna's ally, with whom he had grown quite close.

Temari had been cooking at home when Yagyu popped in beside her. Delighted, she threw herself into his arms:

She was so thrilled she couldn't hide her excitement, while Yagyu embraced her just as intimately. Their conversation made it clear this was hardly his first visit. Ever since the incident where Gaara was captured, Yagyu had responded to Temari's confession by giving her a kunai inscribed with his Flying Thunder God formula. He thus reciprocated her feelings. From that day on—much like his occasional visits to Shion in the Land of Demons—Yagyu would show up from time to time to foster his relationship with Temari.

Of course, he never teleported right on top of her without care. He would jump to a point outside the village, sense where she was, and see if she was busy. If she seemed free, he popped up at her side; if not, he kept his distance. Since last year, when Temari confessed her feelings, and this year, when she received Yagyu's acknowledgment, she—like a more outgoing version of Ino—no longer felt shy about physical affection. She was a woman of bold passions, very much a spirited "heroine" akin to Tsunade. Hugs were no big deal; they'd done far more intimate things together. Were it not for fear of causing an international scandal, Yagyu might already have "taken" her completely.

Yagyu and Temari lingered in the kitchen for a while, and at Temari's request, he stood behind her, arms around her waist, guiding her through some culinary techniques. Whether it was Ino and the other girls, or Temari and Shion, they all loved Yagyu's cooking. Having grown accustomed to typical "Japanese-style" ninja meals, the Chinese-influenced cuisine he introduced was a novelty they found delightful.

"Temari, this is an invitation from Lady Hokage for Gaara."

After they'd fed each other in the dining area and cuddled in the living room, Yagyu remembered his duty, pulling out an envelope and placing it in Temari's arms—slyly copping a feel through her clothes:

"The Akatsuki's been moving aggressively, so Tsunade is inviting the Five Kage to gather at the Land of Iron for a summit."

"A Five Kage Summit?"

Temari's cheeks still bore a blush from his touch, and she paused a moment before remarking:

"Since the start of the First Shinobi World War, the major nations began to hold grudges against each other. We haven't had a Five Kage Summit in many, many years."

"Don't worry. Once Akatsuki is destroyed, peace should last for a long time."

Yagyu grinned with confidence:

"As long as I'm around, there won't be any war."

"Yagyu-kun…"

Temari gazed at him with admiration, her eyes going misty. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she drew closer. Soon enough, the bob of her short "pigtails," reminiscent of Android 18 in Dragon Ball, descended slowly over Yagyu's head—and began bobbing up and down.

...

"Lady Tsunade, I've Delivered All the Invitations"

Not staying overnight in Sunagakure, Yagyu used energy from the Grail Stone to bolster Temari's stamina, then teleported back to Konoha. By then it was late, and Tsunade was off duty. He found her in her mansion: drunk, depressed, tearstains still visible. Clearly, Jiraiya's death weighed heavily.

Just as Kurenai had felt complex emotions over Asuma, so Tsunade—while she'd rejected Jiraiya's romantic pursuits—had grown up with him and Orochimaru, forming a bond akin to the current Team 7's. He was undeniably her oldest friend and comrade. Now he was gone, leaving her as heartbroken as when Nawaki and Dan died. The formidable, spirited kunoichi privately revealed her vulnerability.

"G-good job, Yagyu…"

Seeing Yagyu's silhouette blurring before her drunken eyes, Tsunade's voice came out rough as she waved her bottle unsteadily:

"Come… come drink with your big sis!"

"Sure."

This time, Yagyu didn't refuse. He sat beside her, sipping from his own cup. After just a few rounds, Tsunade slumped forward on the table as though asleep. Yagyu set down his drink and prepared to carry her to her room.

But as soon as he tried to pick her up, Tsunade's hands gripped the front of his robe. He glanced down—she was clutching his chest, weeping. Her tears soon soaked through his clothes. Yagyu moved to pat her back comfortingly, but Tsunade abruptly raised her reddened eyes to his, her hoarse voice pleading:

"Yagyu… can I ask you something? Please, promise me something…"

"Of course, Sis," he said, assuming she'd ask him to avenge Jiraiya by killing Pain. But instead, Tsunade laid her head against his chest and choked out:

"Don't die… Promise me—you won't die before I do!"

"…"

Yagyu froze, moved by her words. He hadn't expected Tsunade to say that. To her, his life was evidently more precious than even Jiraiya's—someone who had grown up with her, survived countless battles at her side. Her tears spoke not just of sorrow but underlying terror. Jiraiya's death had dredged up those old nightmares—Nawaki's and Dan's demise—rekindling the fear that once gave her hemophobia. She was terrified of losing someone dear yet again.

Gently pulling her into a tighter embrace, Yagyu murmured:

"I promise, Sis… I won't die."

Tsunade quietly wept in his arms, eventually crying herself to sleep. Yagyu carried her to her room, set a glass of water by the bedside, and teleported to the Hokage Rock. Standing atop the First Hokage's stone visage, he surveyed the village ablaze with light.

Having wiped out four major clans, large swathes of Konoha now lay dark; four significant sections were missing their usual glow. But once Konoha's leadership and the other clans absorbed those resources, the village would soon rebuild. Yagyu formed a single-handed seal and relayed fresh instructions to his scattered Wood Clones across the ninja world, telling them to intensify their surveillance of Amegakure.

Jiraiya's death had blindsided him. Now Yagyu had learned a painful lesson. Though he might know this world's secrets—even more than the Sage of Six Paths—and be aware of certain individuals like the Otsutsuki or certain hidden dangers, events might still veer off from the "original storyline." He had naively assumed Jiraiya would inform Tsunade before heading to the Rain Village. Then Yagyu would know and intervene. He had no need for Jiraiya's death to spur Naruto's growth, nor did he require Naruto to become the "Child of Prophecy."

But Jiraiya had died regardless, playing his canonical role as a stepping stone for Naruto's destiny. That forced Yagyu to realize that aside from certain key characters or pieces of intel, the original plot was no longer reliable. His own butterfly effect had changed too many things. If that was the case, there was no need to wait any longer:

He might as well let the story fully spin out of control.

...

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