Chapter 404: Strategy Meeting 2

"They haven't decided yet. They went back to discuss it."

Nagato shook his head and answered truthfully.

"You sure have quite the appetite."

Realizing the key point, Tsunade chuckled, her tone carrying a hint of teasing.

"Haha~ Haha~"

"Whether we can get it or not is another matter."

Nagato let out an awkward laugh, feeling somewhat embarrassed.

"It's not entirely impossible."

Kawakaze tapped a finger rhythmically on his desk, lost in thought for a moment.

"We think so too, but we haven't decided on our next move yet."

Nagato's expression brightened—at least his teacher wasn't blaming them.

"Let me think."

Tsunade and Shōta remained quiet, not interrupting Kawakaze's thoughts.

Taking advantage of this moment, everyone received a slug. With Katsuyu's visual-sharing ability, they essentially began a virtual meeting.

"The matter of the Tailed Beasts won't be decided in a short time."

"For now, regardless of whether Kumo gives you the Two-Tails or not, you should agree to the wartime alliance."

"If the shinobi world is heading for upheaval, we must at least prepare in advance."

Kawakaze had seen through Kumo's desperation. Instead of dragging things out, it was better to make an early decision.

"Understood, Sensei."

Yahiko nodded, though his expression was a bit unnatural.

"Konan, you're just going to leave that on my face?"

Kawakaze looked at Yahiko with a you're hopeless expression. He knew all too well how it felt to have a slug stuck to one's skin.

"Cough, cough~"

"If Kumo is willing to part with a Tailed Beast, it means war isn't far off."

Shōta coughed to suppress a laugh. And Kawakaze, the ultimate henpecked husband, has the nerve to criticize others? Maybe try standing up for yourself first!

"You're right."

"Even if they don't give us the Two-Tails, peace won't last much longer."

Nagato agreed with Shōta's assessment, then sighed.

Having lost their families to war, they all deeply resented it.

"Enough. War is inevitable."

"As long as ambition exists, the shinobi world will never truly be at peace."

Kawakaze didn't say the next part aloud—peace is always built upon blood and sacrifice.

"So, how do you think peace can be achieved?"

Yahiko looked up at Kawakaze through the slug's vision.

"Don't be too greedy. Just protecting your own peace is already good enough."

Kawakaze smiled, not wanting to delve too deeply into the question. He believed in peace through strength, but that wasn't something he could say out loud.

He had worked hard to change these three kids' worldview—he couldn't lead them astray now.

"That's true."

Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan nodded in agreement. Managing their own domain was enough.

Only Nonō gave Kawakaze a strange look. She felt like he was deliberately avoiding something.

"Shōta, go gather the higher-ups for a meeting."

With the main discussion over, Tsunade assigned the task to Shōta.

"Yes, Lady Hokage."

Shōta had no interest in their reminiscing. After returning the slug, he turned and left.

"How have you all been lately?"

With Tsunade's casual inquiry, the conversation quickly became lively.

Gossip and daily life filled the air with laughter on both sides.

Only Nonō, ever the diligent one, took the opportunity to ask Tsunade a few questions about medical ninjutsu.

After all, she wasn't by her teacher's side, so self-study could only take her so far.

Perhaps to give them time to catch up, Shōta took his time returning. Even Katsuyu was growing impatient.

"I didn't mind helping with information relay."

"But using my clones as chat tools—isn't that a bit too much?"

Taking advantage of a lull in conversation, Sage Katsuyu voiced its dissatisfaction. Does no one care about my dignity?

The Konoha high-level meeting lasted less than half an hour—shorter than the time Shōta spent gathering people.

Surprisingly, everyone was in agreement: Kumo's first target was definitely not Konoha.

Even if the Third Raikage was reckless enough to attack directly, Konoha was fully prepared.

Not to mention Akatsukigakure, Konoha had been making war preparations for over a year.

The only question was how to participate—passively or actively?

Avoiding the war entirely? Unrealistic, no matter how one looked at it.

Everyone in the meeting was sharp enough not to entertain that illusion.

A vote was taken, and the decision was clear—stand firm and act when the time is right.

As Konoha and Akatsuki continued to wait, A and Killer Bee finally returned to Kumo.

"You're back."

Before his son could even speak, the Third Raikage's voice rumbled across the room.

"Yes, Father."

A replayed his prepared words in his mind and looked directly at his father, who was busy working.

"Judging by your expression, things didn't go well?"

The Third Raikage slowly raised his head, noticing his son's troubled look.

"It's not exactly bad, but—"

"Forget it. Just tell me everything."

Unable to find the right words, A decided to recount everything in detail.

When he reached the part about Akatsukigakure wanting the Two-Tails, he couldn't even look his father in the eye.

Yet, the expected roar of anger never came.

Only when silence stretched on did he finally look up at his father again.

"You're done?"

"Does Killer Bee have anything to add?"

The Third Raikage shifted his gaze to Killer Bee, frowning.

"They're too greedy."

"Just as despicable as those Konoha bastards."

For once, Killer Bee spoke without his usual rhymes, not daring to act flippant in front of the Third Raikage.

"Haha! Well said."

The Third Raikage burst into laughter, finding Killer Bee's bluntness amusing.

If only things could be handled purely based on emotions—life would be so much easier.

"Unfortunately, these despicable bastards are still people we need to work with."

His laughter faded into a frown. Asking for the Two-Tails… that was no small matter.

Despite his authority, he alone couldn't decide the fate of a Tailed Beast.

"Father—"

Just as A was about to say more, the Third Raikage raised a hand for silence.

Exchanging glances with Killer Bee, both of them wisely kept quiet.

"Summon the village elders. Meeting in five minutes."

After a long pause, the Third Raikage rubbed his temples and issued his command.

"Yes, Father."

A accepted the order and left with Killer Bee. He had long been used to his father's decisiveness.

"Let's hope everything goes smoothly."

Two minutes later, the Third Raikage murmured to himself before standing up and heading to the conference room.

Creak—

The door swung open, and the room immediately fell silent.

From the heated discussions just moments ago, it was clear that Kumo's leadership was united—no internal power struggles.

Within five minutes, all the key figures who could attend had gathered.

"No need to speculate. I'll tell you now."

The Third Raikage's expression was grim as he took his seat at the head of the table.

"Akatsukigakure has given their answer."

"They want the Two-Tails."

His brief statement sent the room into an uproar.

"Who do they think they are?!"

"They dare ask for a Tailed Beast?!"

"The Tailed Beast is out of the question, but we can negotiate something else."

"They think just because they have some strength, they can extort us?"