HTP: Ch. 40

After handing over the Raikage's corpse to the Intelligence Division and reporting to the Hokage's office, Kakashi, Guy, and Yamato went out for a private dinner.

This war with Kumo had taken many more familiar faces. Soon, new names would be carved into the Memorial Stone.

Sizzle.

Inside a private room at the Yakiniku Q, the red glow of the charcoal fire lit up their slightly weary faces. The battle with the Raikage had just ended, and they had rushed straight back to Konoha. It was exhausting.

Beef sizzled on the iron grill, fat dripping down and sparking tiny flames. The three of them hadn't quite shaken off the tension of war; no one reached for their chopsticks first.

How many more days of peaceful daily life like this could they still have?

In the end, it was Kakashi, subtly taking the lead, who broke the silence.

"While we still have some free time, let's not worry, and drink a bit today."

He opened a bottle of sake and poured for the other two, speaking lazily, "One way or another, we won. Taking the Raikage's head is a pretty big deal."

That perked up Yamato and Guy a little, and they looked up at their friend.

Kakashi raised his cup. "To us coming back alive."

Three porcelain cups clinked in mid-air, producing a clear sound.

Yamato took a sip, then said with some regret, "I still can't believe Orochimaru actually came back to Konoha."

Guy drained his cup and started devouring meat. "Well, he is one of the Sannin. That said, what's the Hokage planning next?"

Kakashi refilled their cups and said calmly, "Guy, the Kumo ninjas you killed… their corpses are suspicious."

"Huh?"

"They weren't real Kumo ninjas, but some kind of biological weapons in disguise."

"What?!" Guy's eyes widened, even he could tell something was seriously wrong here. "Someone was trying to start a war between the two nations?"

"The Hokage believes it was the work of that mysterious killer from Akatsuki and Zetsu." Kakashi downed his cup. "Intel from the Land of Lightning says the Raikage only learned about Naruto because the masked man sold him the information."

Yamato was shocked. "Akatsuki truly live up to their name as an evil organization. Does Kumo know about this?"

Kakashi replied, "We've already passed this information to the new Raikage. No telling what those hotheads will decide, whether they'll seek revenge on Konoha or on Akatsuki."

If they knowingly walk into a trap, following their enemy's script, that would be utterly foolish.

Let's hope the new Raikage isn't an idiot.

Guy said with a touch of emotion. "To die in the Land of Fire over something like this… The Raikage's end just seems so pointless."

Despite being enemies, he had come to respect the Fourth Raikage, who had fought alone as the rear guard.

Yamato looked at Guy and said seriously, "Because the intel from the masked man was real. Even if he had to choose again, he still would've come."

Kakashi said nothing. If not for Jiraiya discovering "Kumo's conspiracy" in time, Konoha would have suffered far worse losses.

Guy nodded knowingly, expressing his agreement. "An enemy's hero is still my foe. I understand."

The three continued to drink and chat, until the charcoal fire started to die down.

They were about eighty percent drunk.

Guy, his face flushed, stood up and raised his cup with a loud shout, "Let's drink to that Raikage!"

Their cups clinked, and crystal-clear sake splashed through the air.

Yamato raised his cup with one hand, covering his face with the other as he cried, "Waaaah, I really thought I'd get promoted to one of the Five Generals this time! I have the bearing of a Hokage too!"

Kakashi drained his cup, his face red and eyes tear-filled, shouting loudly. "That Hayate didn't deserve to die! He was supposed to come back from this mission and get married!"

---

Far away, in a shadowy cave, Obito spoke, "With this, the ninja forces of all five great nations will be consumed by war."

Black Zetsu responded with admiration. "You're incredible. Even Madara can't compare to you."

Madara? Just a dried-up corpse in a grave. He's no match for me. Obito said, "We've already captured six of the nine tailed beasts. Deidara and Sasori were useless."

Zetsu, who had disliked Deidara from the start, agreed, "Yeah, their team was the only one that failed."

"But it doesn't matter. The One-Tail is in Konoha now, when the time comes, we'll capture both the One-Tail and the Nine-Tails together."

Black Zetsu flattered at the right moment. "Was that part of your plan too? No wonder you're the one in charge."

Obito, smugly pleased, continued explaining his plan. "Now, while Kumo's ninjas are weakened and their internal situation is chaotic, we'll send Akatsuki to capture the Eight-Tails!"

"Genius! If you ask me, Madara doesn't just fall short, he was nothing more than a mediocre man born in an age without you."

Obito soaked in the praise, but then grew a bit suspicious. "Wait, Zetsu… Aren't you supposed to be Madara's will? Isn't it inappropriate for you to say that?"

Black Zetsu's eyes shifted quickly and he answered smoothly. "That just shows that even if Madara were resurrected, he'd admire your abilities."

"The shinobi world will know true peace through me."

Black Zetsu nodded internally. Yep, Obito's still the same fool.

He thought for a moment and brought up another matter. "It's been so long without any word, Itachi must really be dead. That means the only remaining spy inside the organization is Konan. What do you plan to do?"

Obito pondered for a moment. "The two idiots said Jiraiya attacked them and then headed toward Ame. Maybe he's meeting up with Konan. Zetsu, keep an eye on her."

"Catching a traitor red-handed? That's brilliant." Zetsu chimed in with praise.

"Enough with the flattery. Get to work!"

Black Zetsu thought, Flattering this idiot really is a delicate art.

"What about the One-Tail and Nine-Tails in Konoha? Not only are their jinchūriki strong, but Konoha's current fighting strength is extremely dangerous. Don't forget, even Itachi was defeated there."

Obito waved his hand confidently. "Don't worry. When the time comes, we'll send Nagato to lead the charge."

---

The sound of drizzling rain tapped against the window of the high tower.

"Konan, don't worry. We'll have Madara lead the charge. He's from Konoha after all."

Tendō stood by the window. Beside him, Konan stood shoulder to shoulder, her face full of concern, eyes on Nagato, who was seated in a complex life-support machine.

"That man suddenly acted on his own, without your approval…"

Nagato replied calmly. "His plan is sound. Only the One-Tail, Eight-Tails, and Nine-Tails remain. Konoha and Kumo are the hardest to deal with."

Konan frowned. "But acting on his own like that shows he doesn't respect your authority as leader at all."

Nagato was silent for a moment, then said, "Then let's give him the task of capturing the Eight-Tails alone. He needs to prove his strength too."