Chapter 129: Arranged Childhood Engagement

Land of Rain, Konoha camp.

Tsunade and her group finally reunited with Sakumo after a long and arduous journey. The sky was beginning to clear, but the sunlight remained cold and unwelcoming. Puddles of water dotted the area, remnants of the persistent rain.

Sakumo had meticulously prepared the campsite, ensuring the large group could settle in immediately without needing to set up their own tents. For a time, the camp bustled with activity. Clan leaders worked hard to keep their people restrained, avoiding any unnecessary conflicts. Kawakaze's repeated reminders over the past few days, both overt and subtle, had left everyone wary. The killer's reputation loomed large, silencing even the boldest among them.

At the heart of the camp stood the largest earthen structure, a deliberation hall constructed under Sakumo's direction. Its size reflected the number of attendees it needed to accommodate for the upcoming meetings. Despite their arrival, Tsunade chose not to convene the meeting immediately. Rest was necessary for everyone, and with no critical information yet in hand, Konoha already held the advantage, allowing a temporary sense of ease.

A small group of friends gathered in Sakumo's tent, which offered a quieter space compared to the rest of the camp. Most people lacked a close relationship with Sakumo and refrained from visiting.

"Big Brother, your conditions here aren't great," Kawakaze remarked casually as he settled down, noting the simple setup despite the prepared food. His words made Sakumo's eye twitch. This is the front line—does he think this is a town or home?

"It's good to have food," Tsunade retorted, giving Kawakaze a light slap before sitting beside him. Kawakaze was the type who couldn't go a day without stirring up trouble.

"Sit down, don't be polite," Kawakaze said, gesturing for everyone to take a seat. To him, his brother's territory was as good as his own.

"Sakumo," Duy greeted, feigning formality before quickly crossing his arms as he sat. Everyone understood that a Taijutsu ninja like him needed plenty of food.

"Finally good, but don't get hurt again," Sakumo said, clearly pleased to see Duy. His smile widened, broader even than when he greeted his own brother. Sakumo had always felt more comfortable dealing with straightforward people like Duy.

Once everyone was seated, the conversation naturally shifted to the war.

"Iwa should be making a move soon—just waiting for confirmation," Sakumo remarked, he told Hayato to keep an eye on Iwagakure. By all indications, it wouldn't take long.

"I heard Sunagakure has been sticking to the border with the Land of Wind and hasn't dared to advance?" Kawakaze asked with a slight smile. Sunagakure's cautious behavior spoke volumes.

"Yes, it seems they're scared," Sakumo replied. "Their Daimyō's lack of support wasn't for nothing." He chuckled lightly, noting how the death of a village's Kage in combat could deal a crushing blow to morale.

"Still, Shukaku needs to be watched carefully," Tsunade cautioned. She had faced the One-Tailed Beast before and knew how few could handle such a challenge.

"Leave it to me," Duy declared confidently. Having fought the Five-Tailed Jinchūriki before, he was brimming with self-assurance.

"Bunpuku is a perfect Jinchūriki," Kawakaze interjected quietly, glancing at Duy. "His strength surpasses that of the Five-Tailed. Your current abilities aren't enough to face Shukaku alone."

"Well then, I'll go with Big Brother Sakumo," Duy said, undeterred. While straightforward, he wasn't foolish. If he couldn't win alone, he would call for reinforcements—no problem!

"Have you lost your youthful passion?" Sakumo teased, grinning at the idea of joining the battle against a Tailed Beast.

"How could I? I need my comrades on this road to youth!" Duy quipped, swallowing a mouthful of food and smiling innocently, his bright eyes brimming with enthusiasm.

"Haha, Duy, you've even learned to joke!" Shinku Yūhi chimed in for the first time, his tone light. He had no plans to join such a high-stakes battle himself. While his Genjutsu could influence a Tailed Beast, reaching a level capable of controlling one was another matter entirely.

He had only heard of Madara Uchiha, who could subdue the Nine-Tails with a single glance. That was a hall-of-fame mastery of Genjutsu, far beyond what he could ever hope to achieve without those legendary eyes.

"This is called being able to adapt to changing circumstances," Duy said, prompting everyone to laugh.

"Then I'll leave Iwagakure to us," Kawakaze remarked casually, taking on the Iwa Ninjas without hesitation. To him, Ōnoki was nothing more than a defeated ninja from a past encounter.

"I don't think Ōnoki will bring out the Five-Tailed Jinchūriki," Tsunade speculated. A Jinchūriki prone to losing control was an obvious liability on the battlefield.

"The Fourth Tail, Son Gokū, is more powerful than the Fifth Tail," Kawakaze noted. He understood Rōshi's strength but believed Tsunade could handle him now. If it had been the earlier version of Tsunade, though, she might not have stood a chance against Rōshi at this stage.

"I'll take it seriously," Tsunade said firmly.

"Chōmei brags about how he's better than everyone," she muttered, recalling the Seven-Tails' incessant chatter. Though the beast had a good temper, he was undeniably weak.

"Haha, no way. Teach him a few moves," Sakumo said, clearly amused. Chōmei's endless boasting had long been a source of Tsunade's irritation. She had rushed into the seal many times just to shut him up—though it usually only bought her half a day of peace.

"I didn't think about it that much at the time," Kawakaze admitted, scratching his head awkwardly. Despite this, those wings were undeniably impressive.

"It should have been sealed inside you," Tsunade said, shooting him a sharp look. A thought crossed her mind, making her suspicious. Had this been his plan all along? It wouldn't have surprised her if he'd gotten her drunk on purpose to set things in motion. The idea made her flush with embarrassment as she silently resolved to hold it against Kawakaze in the future.

"If we don't eat now, Duy will finish everything," Sakumo interjected, drawing attention to Duy, who was devouring his meal with enthusiasm. That was Duy for you—simple in action, even when it came to eating rice.

"Duy, eat slowly and save some meat," Kawakaze said, glancing at the table, noting how everyone was focusing solely on the meat.

"I'm sorry, I'm still recovering from my injuries," Duy replied, not looking the least bit embarrassed. His honest smile made it hard to fault him.

"I give up. I'll go get some more meat," Sakumo sighed, getting up to head out the door. Spoiling his best friend was just part of the deal.

When Sakumo returned with the meat, everyone enjoyed a hearty meal. The conversation turned to family matters, and the atmosphere became much warmer and more relaxed.

Taking advantage of the mood, Kawakaze brought up the idea of arranging a marriage between Kurenai and Kakashi. Shinku Yūhi, while doting on his daughter, didn't outright refuse. Instead, he mentioned needing to check with his wife for her thoughts.

Sakumo, listening to the conversation, suddenly realized how Kawakaze had outpaced him.

Damn, Kakashi hasn't even learned to walk yet, and Kawakaze's already picking out a wife for him.

From what he'd heard about Kurenai's looks, it was safe to say she'd grown into a beauty. How could Kakashi not like her?

Everyone laughed and teased, and the betrothal plans seemed to be moving toward the final stages. Still, Kawakaze privately worried that their childhood friend might struggle to resist the charm of seeing an old acquaintance again. If Kurenai somehow ended up falling for Asuma instead—beard and all—it might break Kakashi's heart. Kawakaze considered this an extra layer of insurance for Kakashi's happiness.

"Does my son have someone?" Duy asked, his tone tinged with longing. Finding a daughter-in-law was no easy feat, and he could only feel envy at the situation unfolding before him.

Kawakaze thought for a moment about Konoha's Green Beast, Guy.

He recalled the youthful energy that made Guy such a standout. Despite his impressive strength and spirit, Guy's image and personality weren't exactly the easiest to pair romantically. Finding him a wife would be a long-term, uphill battle.

"Don't worry, I'll take care of it," Kawakaze said with determination.

Duy's eyes welled with gratitude. "Thank you, Kawakaze," he said emotionally. To him, this was no small favor—it was a gift beyond measure.

Tsunade observed Kawakaze thoughtfully. There was something about him that seemed capable, resourceful even. For reasons she couldn't quite explain, she found herself trusting him implicitly, a sentiment she hadn't expected.