HSU: Ch. 329

For Nagato, "God" was his faith. Only in this way could all the sacrifices have meaning.

So when Madara said that the Rinnegan belonged to him, Nagato lost his composure. His reason told him that the real Madara would never stoop to such a crude lie.

But emotionally, he could not accept it, he had to deny it. His forehead was bruised and battered. Madara didn't hold back at all, he nearly ground Nagato's face into the dirt. But in the process, Nagato finally understood.

Jiraiya had taught him many things, including the common sense of the shinobi world. According to that common sense, the Rinnegan should not even exist.

Although he had always believed Jiraiya protected and guided them at first only because of his Rinnegan, it was also through Jiraiya that he came to understand the eye's true value.

Before Yahiko's death, he had always been Akatsuki's secret weapon, never to be used lightly.

This also safeguarded the secret of the Rinnegan.

But when Madara pressed his head down the second time, he finally discovered the cursed seal hidden within his own body.

It was in his heart.

In that instant, he understood everything.

What Madara said was true, the cursed seal was the best proof.

Ever since awakening the Rinnegan, no one had had the chance to tamper with him. But his childhood memories were vague. So it turned out he wasn't the chosen with a great mission, he was merely Madara's tool.

This truth left his heart hollow.

At some point, the rain above had already stopped.

Covered in mud and lying on the ground, Nagato looked dead, if not for the faint rise and fall of his chest.

Madara had long since stopped using jutsu.

Nagato, as a tool, was still useful, it wasn't time to discard him yet. At least, his approach to collecting tailed beasts was correct.

To him, the period before Konoha completed the transition to the Fifth Hokage was a rare window of opportunity. If used well, it could save him a lot of effort. Just as he had controlled Kiri through the Third Mizukage, now through Nagato he could make use of Ame and Akatsuki.

This arrangement was at least barely serviceable.

Taking down Kumo would be a good start.

No matter its shortcomings, Kumo was still a major village with a population close to Konoha's. Its scale and potential remained. Once it recovered, it could cause trouble.

The very existence of the Five Great Villages was itself an unstable factor for the Eye of the Moon Plan. According to the stone tablet, once the plan was activated, everyone would fall into peace together. But that was in the Sage of Six Paths' era, when barely anyone even knew how to use chakra.

What if ninjas had high resistance to it? What if powerful individuals resisted and disrupted his plan?

So sweeping them all away was the safer choice.

In Madara's original plan, Obito was supposed to cripple or take over at least one of the Five Great Villages, and use that as a base. Then, once Madara revived, he would wipe out the other four villages through a world war.

After that, he could happily initiate the Eye of the Moon.

But now, Nagato had to inherit this role from Obito.

Acting through Ame and toppling Kumo as a challenge would be a wise first step.

Hashirama would surely try to stop him, most likely through another Five Kage Summit.

But what if Ame launched the attack precisely when Konoha began the Hokage succession?

Hashirama, like him, was already dead. Cherishing his village as he did, Hashirama would never abuse his authority as a former Hokage.

After all, that authority did not truly exist, its existence was itself a disruption to Konoha's system. Unless absolutely necessary, he would not abuse it.

Madara liked using force, yes, but he also understood politics. Otherwise, he wouldn't have decided to leave in protest of the Hokage selection system.

"How long do you plan to lie there?" Madara looked down at Nagato. "If you've got any backbone, then use this chance. That is, if you have the strength."

Nagato's breathing faltered. He opened his eyes and met Madara's gaze.

Though Madara said nothing, he could clearly read the words in his eyes: What a useless weakling.

He sat up again. His whole body was caked in mud, just like his life. He had once known light, but it had all been snuffed out directly or indirectly by Konoha.

He was a seed of evil, grown in the dark corner where Konoha's lofty brilliance could not reach, planted and nurtured by Konoha's schemers.

He was also a mirror, reflecting Konoha's darkest, ugliest side. His life could be called Konoha's dark narrative.

Nagato used Shinra Tensei.

With a crashing sound, all the mud and filth covering him was repelled outward, scattering like splashed water.

When it bounced close to Madara, an invisible "membrane" blocked it, and the mud dropped harmlessly to the ground.

Nagato stood up.

"When you've figured it out, return to where you were before. I'll come find you."

To make better use of Ame as a tool, Madara would not appear openly in front of its ninjas.

"Are you not going?" Nagato asked.

He looked perfectly calm now.

Any Ame ninja who saw Nagato at this moment would never think their "God" had suffered anything bad. He was still that cool, handsome figure.

"Ame is yours. I won't interfere with your rule over it. Compared to Obito, I've given you far too little, so I'll train you for a while."

"Are you going to attack Konoha? Or help Konoha?"

"That village is no longer worth helping. Who I choose to deal with is none of your concern. Your task now is to grow stronger. I'll come find you again tonight."

After saying this, Madara walked away.

Without warning, Black Zetsu emerged from the ground beside him, glanced at Nagato, and followed.

Nagato felt he could guess where they were headed.

Akatsuki.

Madara would certainly take it under his control.

As for how?

Right now, Akatsuki's core members were, after all, a bunch of missing-nin. And they only respected strength. Nagato himself had rallied them with his own fists back then.

He watched Madara and Black Zetsu disappear from sight, then turned back toward Ame.

Losing Akatsuki would be regrettable, but not too regrettable.

According to the original intention when the three of them had founded Akatsuki, it had always been meant to liberate and transform Ame.

Over the years, most of those members truly from the Land of Rain, or even Ame itself, had already been integrated into the village through legitimate means.

Those who were dangerous, unstable, or impossible to include within Ame had remained in Akatsuki.

It was still a powerful ninja organization, but the "Akatsuki" that Yahiko, Konan, and he envisioned now bore the name "Ame."

Madara wanted Akatsuki? Fine, give it to him.

From now on, Ame and Akatsuki would merely have a simple employer-mercenary relationship.

Madara was right, use was mutual. He could also use Madara to achieve his own goals.

He released repulsive force through his feet and soared into the sky.

The sky had already cleared. When his figure appeared above the village, the ninjas patrolling the strongholds all clearly saw him.

From afar, they offered their highest salute to their leader.

There was no need for proof of identity, this method of movement was, in their eyes, something only Nagato could do.

Nagato's rule over Ame symbolized light for the vast majority of its ninjas.

Hanzō of the past had long lost the people's trust, relying instead on secret police tactics to cling to power.

When Nagato overthrew him, only a handful of Ame ninjas truly remained loyal to Hanzō. And those few accompanied him into the Pure Land.

The very few who escaped were later hunted. After Nagato came to power, they were either killed by bounty hunters eager to cash in or struck down by Nagato himself when they came seeking revenge.

Now, all of Ame was filled with Nagato's fervent supporters.

He quickly returned to his "fortress," the tallest tower in the village. As he landed on the balcony, Konan immediately rushed out. Behind her followed Sasori and Kakuzu.

In Nagato's eyes, these two were unlikely to be brought under Madara's control.

Not because Madara wasn't formidable, but because their minds worked differently from normal people's.

Though Nagato had recruited them with his fists, the real condition for them joining was catering to their eccentric demands.

Who had recruited whom, really, was unclear.

Fortunately, the people he recruited afterward were all normal. Not so bad that they'd cause trouble, nor such maniacs, just very, very normal.

"Nagato!" Konan rushed to him for good reason.

She thought Nagato's head looked bigger than before. His forehead in particular seemed swollen. After all, he didn't know medical ninjutsu.

"Kakuzu, do you think he got beaten up?" Sasori asked him.

Like Kakuzu, he had been living in Ame long-term.

Kakuzu stayed because he managed the money and guarded the vault personally. Sasori stayed because the environment was good. It was nothing like Suna, though it rained a lot, the materials here were abundant. And Nagato supported his development of puppet techniques, as long as he contributed mechanisms to enrich Ame's arsenal.

Sasori was meticulous: not only did he contribute puppetry designs, but he also proposed effective improvements for much of Ame's infrastructure, even personally drafting blueprints.

As a result, he was naturally well compensated.

With such a good setup, he wouldn't leave even if driven out.

"If you keep talking, you'll be the one getting beaten," Kakuzu said. "And let's be clear first, if you get beaten, that's your personal business. Don't expect the repair costs to go on public funds."

"What's the use of you hoarding so much money? Giving me more to use is the proper way. I can create new technology with it."

"Funny, I recall you made things just fine back when you were broke. Keep it up."

The two of them argued heatedly about whether expenses could be reimbursed, while treating Nagato and Konan in front of them as if they were air. This wasn't the first or second time they'd gotten stuck to each other like this, everyone was used to it.

These two immortals made it clear: falling in love was impossible, absolutely impossible in this lifetime.

Sasori insisted his puppets were far better than women, and they never aged.

As for Kakuzu, women only got in the way of his money-counting efficiency.

On the other side, Nagato calmed Konan and turned to the two of them.

"Kakuzu, Sasori," Nagato asked, "would you be interested in joining Ame?"

If you look at Sasori and Kakuzu now, they were practically treating Ame like their home. But they really weren't from Ame, at best outside hires. All this time he had never once brought the subject up, and of course the two of them had never cared about it.

They'd had enough of organizations long ago; Sasori had even been a prospective Kazekage once.

Both veterans thought villages were a pile of garbage.

They liked being free just as they were.

So when Nagato suddenly raised the topic, the two of them were taken aback. They were seasoned operators in the shinobi world; comparing Nagato's face, which now looked clearly older and more weathered, the two could tell something was up.

He won't be able to protect Akatsuki.

"Is it Masashi?" Sasori asked.

If Nagato said yes, he'd pack his things and leave immediately.

He'd remember the favor, savor its mix of sweet, sour, and bitter, and march on to the next battlefield, hoping that the next time they met they'd all still be as alive and vibrant as today.

Things weren't like back in Suna. The current Masashi could actually kill him, a hundred percent.

Nagato was a decent man, but he wasn't reckless with friendships.

Sasori had even gone so far as to cut up his own Kazekage, and he was still alive and kicking now, not crushed by that rich upstart Fourth's money, because he watched in all directions, listened carefully, and always acted without hesitation.

"No." Nagato shook his head. "Konoha is Ame's ally, that status won't change. Masashi wouldn't attack Ame."

Sasori nodded.

So it wasn't Masashi, and not Konoha, then no problem.

Konoha really had become a mess; a den of monsters hiding under the name of a ninja village.

"Nagato, you know me." He fixed Nagato with a sharp look. "I hate ninja villages more than anyone, but flat-out refusing you wouldn't be right. After all, I have feelings for Akatsuki too, suddenly changing my identity would make me very uncomfortable."

Hearing that, Kakuzu tensed. His gaze sharpened; he thought to himself that if this bastard tried to take the opportunity to hit the vault, he'd show him what for.

"Kakuzu, what about you?" Nagato didn't answer Sasori right away but instead looked to Kakuzu.

Kakuzu's attention snapped back.

Sasori was the petty thief type; this one in front of him could empty a treasury in one go. He could easily pull off a big plan.

Although it wasn't money he'd earned himself, he would still feel the sting.

"If I join Ame, does Akatsuki's public treasury stop being under my control?"

"In principle, yes." Nagato said, "But over the years a lot of Akatsuki's funding has actually been provided by Ame, so Akatsuki technically owes the village..."

"Fine, I'm in!" Kakuzu answered immediately.

He had decided: once he joined Ame, the first thing he'd do was go to Akatsuki and demand money.

Family counts accounts fairly, if they don't pay up, he'd beat up his former colleagues just the same.

"You're serious?" Sasori was shocked. "You join just like that? Didn't you say you hated villages the most?"

"Put me in charge of the money and I won't hate it," Kakuzu replied simply. "From today on I'm no longer a caretaker: no IOUs, not a single cent leaves without my say."

"You're not done? Then I'll join too." Sasori snapped. "I demand the authority to help set this village's financial plan!"

Konan watched the two of them.

She suddenly understood why Nagato had always valued these two so highly in Akatsuki.

"You can participate, but the final decision must be mine." Nagato wasn't surprised, he knew their temperaments well. "But I will fully consider your opinions."

Money alone wasn't enough to make them agree. But when other conditions were met, money could become the deciding factor. They'd been partners for years; everyone understood that without saying it.

"What exactly happened before that made you decide this?" Kakuzu ignored Sasori and asked Nagato.

"It was Madara brought back by Edo Tensei." Nagato didn't hide it. "For certain reasons we are now in a cooperative relationship with him. He seems to have set his sights on Akatsuki and wanted to carve it off."

"I see, it was him." Kakuzu unconsciously put on a show. "He's definitely a troublesome guy. It seems Orochimaru got him involved; he's caused the organization so much trouble. Let's go kill that guy."

"I have no objection to that." Sasori nodded. "Kill him, let it be our celebration for joining Ame. I've disliked him for a long time."

"No. Leave Orochimaru alone and let him go bother Madara." Nagato actually had considered dealing with Orochimaru himself, but if Madara were to take over Akatsuki, Orochimaru would become a useful ally.

Orochimaru, apart from being reliable during experiments, was otherwise notoriously unreliable.

Not only unreliable, he was also ruthlessly efficient at selling out his teammates. The worst part was, he had top-notch survival skills, and he specialized in showing up later with something valuable enough to make people hesitate to kill him.

Among everyone who had worked with him, the only one Orochimaru had never truly sold out was Masashi, simply because Masashi was his biggest client. Even so, before the Chunin Exams, Orochimaru had still been hunted down by Masashi, which made it clear he had fallen back into his old habits, trying to feast at several tables at once.

In short, there was no one in this world Orochimaru wouldn't scam.

With a personality that rotten, if Nagato didn't let him go make trouble for Madara, he wouldn't be able to forgive himself.

A teammate like that, how could you draw blades over a disagreement?

"...Tch." Sasori, now a puppet himself, no longer had the facial expressions he once had as a human, but his tone still reflected his feelings. "That bastard has some damn good luck."

"If we're not killing him, fine." Kakuzu was surprisingly easygoing. "But since we're no longer in the same organization, the discount is off the table. And no more credit tabs, either."

"That's up to you," Nagato seized the chance to finalize things. "Alright, let's head inside. We need to sit down and carefully plan what comes next."

Everyone returned to the house. Four former Akatsuki core members, now officially Ame's high-ranking ninjas, sat down around a small round table to begin their discussions.

With Sasori and Kakuzu joining Ame, the village's roster of Kage-level fighters instantly expanded to four, making it the village with the most top-tier combat strength after Konoha.

What kind of turbulence this change would stir across the shinobi world was a question for the future.

For Konoha, what most of its ninjas cared about now wasn't the outside world, but the village itself.

Having regained its unrivaled position, the Konoha ninjas could clearly feel the change in their environment.

In the past, outside the Land of Fire, most of Konoha's missions came from the Land of Wind and various smaller countries without ninja villages.

After the Fourth Great Ninja War, the situation was reshuffled.

First, Konoha and Suna renewed their treaty. In exchange for other conditions, Suna regained the entire mission quota from the Land of Wind and joined the Association.

Meanwhile, Konoha gained priority trading rights for all resources of the Land of Wind. Some resources that had previously been inaccessible and only available via smuggling were now opened for legal trade, with prices set jointly by both countries.

At the same time, Iwa and Kumo paid heavy prices. The Land of Earth, already battered, was expelled from the Association. Without the confidence it had under the Third Tsuchikage, Iwa was forced to pay enormous reparations to Konoha, cut its military forces, and watch as a mission exchange office was rebuilt in the Land of Grass, with Iwa putting up its mission fees as collateral for loans from Konoha.

As for Kumo, they seemed to have gotten off lightly, with Konoha demanding no additional reparations, the official excuse being to avoid deepening hatred.

But in truth, when Masashi captured Kumo, he had already plundered far too much. Kumo's proud Lightning Release taijutsu style was stolen in its entirety, along with countless valuable ninja tools and jutsu records. Even their materials on cultivating perfect jinchūriki had been taken by Konoha.

To make matters worse, many of the Land of Lightning's mission contracts began flowing into Konoha's hands.

That mission volume from the Land of Lightning was more than double what Konoha had once taken fromthe Land of Wind.

The Konoha ninjas were now so busy they could barely keep up. Naturally, expanding the ninja ranks became a pressing issue.

At the same time, a retirement system was formally brought onto the agenda. This proposal had been initiated by the Uchiha clan. The reasoning was straightforward, with the sudden passing of Setsuna, ensuring that ninjas retired at an appropriate age had become an unavoidable problem for Konoha.

The idea was very popular.

After all, who didn't want to live to a ripe old age?

To be blunt, everyone knew Setsuna had worked himself to death, only in recent years had he finally had some relief.

But because this policy touched on every single ninja's personal wellbeing, it wasn't something that could be decided lightly.

It became the first issue in Konoha's history to undergo a public consultation.

Now, throughout the streets of Konoha, it was almost embarrassing to go outside without being able to share an opinion on the retirement system.

In the commercial district, inside a luxury tavern designated by the Hokage's office as a place for elite jonin to relax and chat, Masashi sat by the window, sipping contentedly from his cup while watching the lively flow of pedestrians below.

Konoha had completely regained its prosperity. In fact, it was more prosperous than ever before.

---

"Hey, you invited me, just to sit here and drink in silence?"

Across the table, Tsunade slammed the table in dissatisfaction. Then she promptly downed her cup in one go.

"Not bad liquor." She licked her lips. "Bring ten to start, I need a base."

"This wine is very expensive." Masashi sighed. "Drink it that fast and you won't even taste it."

"Drinking is meant to be done in big gulps." Tsunade's eyes lit up after tasting the fine sake.

"You could always take some home with you later." Masashi replied. "Actually, the main reason I asked you here today was to discuss something."

"Quit beating around the bush, just say it." Tsunade had already knocked back four or five cups. "It's about who's going to be the Fifth Hokage, isn't it? Looks like it's finally the Uchiha's turn for that seat."

"Yeah, it does seem to be heading that way."

Hearing Tsunade's words, Masashi felt a mix of emotions. Not only was he sighing inwardly, but he was also very much on guard.

Tetsuka had a big mouth. You could tell just by how Fugaku's secret got leaked. Beating him didn't help, he was the type of typical Uchiha who'd say: I know I was wrong, but I can't change. If you're upset, just hit me again.

But this time, his big mouth had actually been useful.

Tobirama hadn't been wrong at all, these Uchiha really were evil bastards. Anytime he was outside the clan compound, he was always the one doing the plundering. But the moment he stepped into Uchiha territory, he was the one getting plundered!

"Just think about it..." Masashi leaned forward. "The Hokage is doing just fine, and now he suddenly wants to retire? And even wants to use my internal retirement system? Says he wants to be the first to try it out. I mean, does he even have any shame? Was that system made for him? He's completely lost all sense of propriety."

Tsunade shot him a sideways glance. As if you don't want to retire yourself...

Whether Minato had any shame was one thing, but Masashi definitely had the same shameless streak as Muzo. Even though he firmly denied any relation and even brought out a family tree to prove it...

At her age, no one was truly materialist anymore, everyone was an idealist.

Just based on that same cheeky grin alone, she was convinced: this was definitely Muzo's blood, pure as could be.

"What's the point of telling me? Go talk to the Hokage. If he won't listen to you, then fight him."

"How could I do that?" Masashi put on a righteous expression. "As a Konoha ninja, I cannot allow disorderly, undisciplined types to exist. You know, I admire the Hokage more than anyone. If someone tries to usurp his seat, forcing him to step down, I'll be the first not to forgive them."

Tsunade nearly rolled her eyes.

You just want him gone faster, don't you!

With the way Minato was working himself into the ground, if he kept being Hokage, he'd end up just like Shisui. To be fair, Minato's wish to retire did have supporters, like the Administrative Department of the Hokage Building.

Whoever had too much time on their hands had gone and compiled the stats and spread them around, so now even the villagers knew: under the Fourth Hokage, the admin staff's total overtime hours had surpassed all previous Hokage combined.

Of course, the Administrative Department denied supporting him for that reason.

They said this instead: The Hokage's passion for work is well known, and his contributions to the village are obvious to all. After so many years of tireless dedication, now that he has achieved great success, he wishes to pass the torch to the next generation. Such noble character deserves respect! As the Hokage's closest partners, we in the Administrative Department must honor his wishes! Oh, and to further spread awareness of the Fourth Hokage's burning love for the village and his lofty virtues, the department had even self-funded the compilation and publication of The Stories of the Fourth Hokage, now officially on sale. Please support generously!

Masashi's comment on the matter was: To hell with you people!

Same village, but couldn't anyone be honest for once?

"In short, I believe someone's plotting something shady, trying to force the Hokage to retire. As head of the ANBU, I cannot sit by and watch such bad practices spread. You support me on this, don't you?"

"I support your...!" Tsunade choked back the rest of her curse before it slipped out. "Besides, I don't have people or money. Talking to me won't help. Go find Jiraiya."

"What are you saying? Going to him is the same as going to you." Masashi patted his chest. "I'm an honest man, I never beat around the bush. That's why I came straight to you."

Smack!

Tsunade slammed her cup down, shattering it into powder. The only reason the table survived was because Masashi had wisely cloaked it with a layer of potent chakra in advance.

If Tsunade had actually managed to smash through that casually, he would've happily recommended her for the Hokage seat right then and there.

If you can break Susanoo barehanded, who else but you should be Hokage?

Besides, wasn't she supposed to be Hokage already at this point?

"Make yourself clear, what do you mean by saying going to him is the same as going to me?" Tsunade fumed.

Shizune trembled on the side.

As Tsunade's true slave... ehm, student, she was always by her side.

But with Tsunade and the White Ghost sitting across the same table, her presence felt practically invisible, she didn't even make a sound.

When Tsunade slammed the cup, she wasn't scared for once, because in that drunken state, Tsunade was at her most unpredictable.

And drunkards... well, you never knew when they might start swinging.

Masashi was one of the rare few not afraid.

What's a punch or two? Tobirama had beaten him up enough back in the day.

"You really should practice your drinking capacity." He sighed. "Jiraiya drinks even faster than you, but he can handle it just fine..."

"Hah? What kind of joke is that? I could outdrink him ten times over!"

"One Jiraiya's enough. But back to the point. You can just say you don't have money, fine. But don't say you don't have people. Let's be honest."

With your gambling skills, of course you're broke. But to claim you have no people? That's just blatant lying.

You shout once on the street and the whole crowd will come running for you.

"Hehe..." Tsunade let out an ambiguous chuckle, grabbed a new cup, filled it to the brim, and downed it in one go.

When she finished, she gave Masashi a scrutinizing look.

"You don't want to be Hokage?"

"Look, what a cute little doggy down there!" Masashi suddenly exclaimed, pointing toward a certain Inuzuka clan ninja downstairs walking his pup. Then, with a solemn face, he switched into serious mode. "I was born in Konoha, raised on the Will of Fire. Tell me, what ninja doesn't dream of becoming Hokage?"

The next instant, he was speaking with passion.

"But being Hokage isn't about power, it's about responsibility. I am a man who knows his own limits. I cannot, knowing full well I lack the ability, rely on a few small achievements and then covet the position. I appreciate everyone's goodwill, but taking up a slot I don't deserve would only rob the one truly fit to be Hokage of the honor that belongs to them!"

In contrast to his fervent speech, the other two at the table stayed utterly calm.

Tsunade drank in silence.

Shizune just hugged her pig tight, terrified that Masashi might suddenly say something like, "Let's have a roast piglet on the side!"

Since his audience was so unresponsive, Masashi wisely cut his speech short and poured himself a cup instead.

"Seems like you really don't want to be Hokage," Tsunade nodded. "But you're right, being Hokage is something not even—"

"I never said that..."

"But what, you think just because you say you don't want it, that settles it?" Tsunade ignored his protest. "Back in the day, Muzo even wanted Madara to be Hokage. You think what he said made a difference? And besides..."

Her expression suddenly turned suspicious.

"You, an Uchiha, and you don't want to be Hokage? You must be a fake."

The thought energized her.

"Let me hit you once, then I'll know if you're real."

"Please don't mess around." Masashi looked truly disappointed.

Was this village beyond saving? His heartfelt words, and no one appreciated them.

"Hahahaha!" Tsunade burst out laughing. "I told you, you're Muzo's grandson. You still won't admit it."

"No, I am not."

"In any case, don't count on me," Tsunade said flatly.

"I was just saying it casually." Masashi smiled, clinking cups with her.

No rush. Time was on his side.

Nothing was decided yet, he was just taking precautions. And of course, he couldn't say anything to his clansmen. For one, they wouldn't understand. For another, they always assumed that no matter what, he'd come up with a solution.

Impossible. He wasn't MacGyver!

There were plenty of things he couldn't do.

In his view, the root of all this nonsense was Minato's sudden and inexplicable talk of stepping down.

Nowhere else in the shinobi world did such a thing happen.

For any ninja organization, a leader only stepped down for two reasons: Either they could no longer fight, or someone had beaten them down.

But Minato was in his prime. As long as no one took him out, he could easily go another twenty years as Hokage.

After drinking with Tsunade and watching Shizune escort her away, Masashi went off to his next stop.

Since rumors had begun spreading, the first thing to do was to gauge the attitudes of Konoha's top ninjas.

First, of course, were Tsunade and Jiraiya.

He had already figured out Tsunade's stance. As for Jiraiya, though there was little suspense, the drinking still had to be done.

By the time he finished with Jiraiya, the sun had already set.

Masashi reeked of alcohol as he walked down the street, passing snack shops one after another, until he settled on a barbecue place.

Too much drinking, time to eat something.

Good thing for chakra, if he were on Earth instead, he wouldn't have lasted a single round drinking like this.

The smell of grilled meat filled the air even outside the shop. Inside, with busy staff and every seat packed, the place was clearly booming.

But waiting for a table? Out of the question. Maybe in the next life.

He simply activated his Sharingan to scan the room, and sure enough, he spotted a familiar face.

At a barbecue restaurant, how could there not be a member of the Akimichi clan?

After all, this was one of their primary means of stockpiling fat. And to the Akimichi, fat was power.

"Well, if it isn't Shidō! What a coincidence." Masashi grinned as he walked over.

"Masashi?" The chubby ninja, head down and devouring meat, looked up in surprise, clearly not understanding why Masashi was here.

He hesitated, glancing at the grilled meat before him, but out of politeness decided to extend an invitation.

After all, his impression was that Masashi wasn't really the type to eat barbecue.

And besides, shouldn't Masashi be making his rounds elsewhere right now?

If it was about winning Akimichi clan support, well... he might be a jonin of the family, but he wasn't in any position to make promises about that.