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  "Hiruzen…where is the Eight-Tails?!"

  Danzō stormed into the Hokage's chamber, seething. Just moments ago, he'd found out that Hiruzen had returhe Eight-Tails to Kumo without telling him. Danzō felt so furious he nearly had a stroke.

  "I had my own pns for the Oail and the Eight-Tails," Danzō snarled. "I even approached you about letting me hahem personally. Yet you've just…hahe Eight-Tails bao, behind my back?"

  Hiruzen, expeg this outburst, merely sighed.

  "Calm down, Danzō. Using the Eight-Tails to have Kumo withdraw was the best strategic move for Konoha. We 't fight four vilges at once."

  Suna, Iwa, Kumo, plus Ame—Konoha was stretched dangerously thin. Another wave of frustration fshed across Hiruzen's face.

  If Uzumaki Shin hadn't left Konoha, none of this would've been a . Then again, Shin's departure had also stabilized Hiruzen's own position. Gains and losses, he told himself.

  But Danzō refused to relent:

  "Then why did you not sult me first? We could have used that beast! It erfect tool for—"

  "Danzō, I'm the Hokage. I don't need your approval to make decisions." Hiruzen cut him off.

  Danzō's eye twitched, aormed away.

  He had po seize the Eight-Tails for himself—turn it into his personal on. Now that was impossible. Maybe the Oail was still around, but it was hardly as appealing. heless, Danzō would still try to obtain it.

  Yet he was delusional if he thought Hiruzen would hand over the Oail. The creature was sidered a strategic super-on, no less.

  ...

  Iwa's Front Lines

  The Iwa forces found themselves under sudden attack by Hatake Sakumo and the Konoha forces.

  While that battle fred, a messenger breathlessly reported to ōnoki:

  "Lord Tsuchikage! Kumo's army…they're invading Iwagakure!"

  "What?! That bastard, the Third Raikage—I'll kill him!"

  ōnoki nearly lost it. His face turned purple with anger. Seeing him about to fly inte, his son Kitsuchi quickly tried to calm him.

  "Tsuchikage-sama, your injuries haven't fully healed. You shouldn't—"

  ōnoki trembled with suppressed fury.

  "I'm not that badly hurt. But if we lose Iwagakure, we're finished! And to think I actually trusted the Raikage. This is my punishment for being a fool."

  He gritted his teeth.

  "Kitsuchi, gather our forces immediately. We're pulling out from the front and heading back to the vilge. Leave a hundred men behind to stall Konoha's army—everyone else withdraw!"

  Kitsuchi's brow furrowed.

  "But if we leave so abruptly, Konoha might chase us down. Our losses could be high—"

  ōnoki ched his fists, voice shaking with anger.

  "I don't have a choice. I must ehe vilge remains safe. If Iwagakure falls, we lose everything."

  Thus, he left one hundred Iwa-nin to hold off Hatake Sakumo's battalion while he led the bulk of their force back to the Land of Earth.

  They no longer cared about fighting Konoha; they had to protect their home from Kumo's backstab.

  With Iulling back, only Suna and Ame remained on the field. Fag them would be paratively simpler for Konoha. Even if ly a cakewalk, Konoha was favored to win.

  When Hiruzen heard the news of Iwa's retreat, he exhaled in relief. The "handsome reward" had indeed been worth it.

  ...

  Meanwhile, Shin himself—though no longer in Konoha—still kept an ear out for updates on the war. His own mission hinged on Konoha's victory, after all.

  Sure, Shin was annoyed with Konoha. But for the sake of his 'mission', he didn't want to see them lose.

  And from the ret reports, Konoha's victory was only a matter of time.

  "Hey, Shin, what do you think? Does this kimono look good on me?"

  Kushina spun around, adjusting the bright fabric.

  They were currently at an inn, away from the chaos of the war. Kushina had bought this kimon a shopping trip the previous day.

  Shin gave her an appraising look.

  "Not bad. Actually, I think it's really pretty. But pared to Mikoto…"

  He trailed off with a pyful smirk, gng at Mikoto, who was also in a kimono—a shade more elegant, perhaps.

  Mikoto flushed slightly at the pliment, smiling without meaning to.

  Kushina, oher hand, bristled:

  "So you're saying Mikoto looks better than I do?"

  Her eye twitched dangerously as she ched her fists.

  Shin shot her a mischievous grin.

  "That's ly what I said. I just think Mikoto's style suits a kimono a bit more, is all."

  Kushina grumbled, gring at her refle.

  "Fine. If I'm sed-rate, guess I'll just toss this thing out."

  "...."

  "Where's Konan?" Shin asked, trying to pivot the versation.

  "Still refining her chakra—She's very diligent," Mikoto said with an approving nod.

  "By the way, we didn't beissing-nin after leaving Konoha," Mikoto said, her expression thoughtful.

  Shin shrugged.

  "No surprise. Sarutobi Hiruzen 't handle us if we were beled Missing-nin, plus that might stir up more trouble. He'd rather just ig. Our strength is too much for him to risk it."

  Shin wasn't surprised. Strength was everything.

  ...

  A few moment ter, Kushina reappeared—having removed her kimoirely.

  "Argh, I ged out of that outfit. Satisfied now?"

  Shin chuckled softly.

  "Actually, I was just going to say you looked ni it, You didn't have to—"

  Kushina cut him off with a huff:

  "Hmph! Doesn't matter, apparently. I'm not the unstoppable beauty Mikoto is, right?"

  Rolling his eyes at her theatrics, Shin lightly pinched her cheek.

  "o get so worked up—"

  "Gah! The me pinch your face, Shin! Fair's fair!"

  She lunged forward to grab him, but Shily dodged, stepping out of the inn room in one smooth motion.

  "I'll go che Konan's progress, yeah? Bye!"

  "You get back here!" Kushina hollered, stomping after him, determio even the score.

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