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"Find a safe place, so you don't cause trouble for people."
"???"
When had he ever caused trouble for anyone?
Naruto, having never had such a thought, didn't understand Tsunade.
Did Lady Hokage mean he was a troublemaker?
No, certainly not.
Then what... Ugh!
Soon, Naruto couldn't think about it anymore because he felt like throwing up...
"....."
Naruto's reaction earned him a disdainful look from Tsunade and her very dissatisfied complaints.
"Really, why must I be stuck with this kid? Can't Jiraiya handle it? Or have him stay with you – you could also suppress him."
What to do now?
What if the seal can't control Naruto?
Once the Nine-Tails' chakra emanating from Naruto grew stronger, Tsunade realized trouble was coming.
This kid's overuse of the Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu for training rapidly increased his strength but also brought problems.
For example, the Nine-Tails' seal was loosening.
The Nine-Tails constantly used its chakra to corrode the seal. If Naruto actively used its chakra, the Nine-Tails would happily supply it.
Use it freely, don't be polite with me. Better yet, break the seal in one go.
A loosening seal needed reinforcement, which could lead to unexpected situations.
For example, Naruto might lose control due to the Nine-Tails' chakra. In a worst-case scenario, the seal could be destroyed, the Nine-Tails break free, and control Naruto.
In the original story, Jiraiya suffered greatly because of Naruto's seal issue, nearly getting killed by Naruto.
But that time, it was Jiraiya's own fault. Why did he have to undo the seal? Why not just reinforce it?
Find a safe, secluded place and reinforce Naruto's seal.
That was Tsunade's first reaction upon sensing something wrong.
She didn't want to return to the village yet. Otherwise, Naruto's problem would be easily solved back home.
Why was it easy? Because of Kazuki presence.
For others, the Nine-Tails represented disaster. But for Kazuki, the Nine-Tails was just a big pet. He could walk it like a dog.
Kazuki had even considered something crazier.
Having Orochimaru perform the Impure World Reincarnation on Minato, then extract the other half of the Nine-Tails.
Kazuki felt he might need the Yin half's power.
Judging by Kazuki's tone, she could imagine what a fight with the Nine-Tails would be like for him.
Since she couldn't confront it directly, she'd set up a seal in advance, use its power to suppress the Nine-Tails, and reinforce Naruto's seal.
So Tsunade needed a desolate, secluded place.
To prevent accidents, like the Nine-Tails or Naruto harming innocent people. Other accidents, she wasn't too concerned.
Even on a remote island, if the Nine-Tails' chakra was noticed, it wouldn't be a big problem – as long as the Akatsuki didn't target them. Everything else was manageable.
Why did she feel more and more dependent on that kid?
That was unacceptable.
*****
Land of Lightning, Kumogakure, Raikage's Office.
Looking at the scroll sent by Konoha, A was speechless.
"The Third Hokage is this hasty? I always thought he was quite generous, enduring all kinds of grievances, compromising on everything."
Mabui, standing beside him, was taken aback. After a moment's thought, she reminded A.
"Raikage-sama, Konoha's Third Hokage isn't a generous person. It's just that his personality mellowed significantly after the Third Great Shinobi War."
The Third Hokage before and after the Third Great Shinobi War were two different people.
Before, though he could endure, when needed, he would step up. He could be ruthless when necessary.
After, he seemed to lose his spirit, becoming soft.
That's why A had the impression of him being soft and easy to push around.
"There's some truth to what you say."
A thought back. "It seems Konoha's declaration of war in the Second Great Shinobi War was partly due to him."
Then A suddenly laughed.
"But that old man, the Third Hokage, is old and petty. Just because some rumors hurt his clan, he goes to the battlefield to cause trouble for Iwagakure and Ōnoki."
"???"
Wasn't that a joke?
The Hokage of a village goes to the battlefield over such a trivial matter?
Mabui couldn't understand the Third Hokage's actions.
As Hokage, even if retired, you should stay in the village. Especially for the current Konoha, it was crucial.
The Fifth Hokage, Tsunade, had left and not returned.
Even if the Third Hokage couldn't control the village, he was at least a spiritual pillar. How could he just go to the battlefield?
Unfathomable.
"Raikage-sama, though strange, this is probably advantageous for us."
After a moment's thought, Mabui offered a small hint.
"If the enemy on the Land of Waterfalls battlefield learns that their Tsuchikage is being held on the southern front, and by Konoha's Hokage, how would they react?"
Psychological warfare sometimes seemed ridiculous, yet that ridiculousness often had a significant effect.
A suddenly realized this might have some potential.
Kumogakure could accelerate their assault on Iwagakure's positions while spreading false news. Mixing truth and falsehood would unsettle the enemy.
They might even get some unexpected gains.
"Hmph! That guy Uchiha Kazuki – not very active on the battlefield, but quick in other areas."
Understanding this, A snorted with dissatisfaction.
As an ally, he felt Konoha's actions were too slow and lacked force. But Konoha had done this much, and he didn't have the nerve to urge them to fight Iwagakure to the death. That was the original agreement.
Kazuki had repeatedly reminded him: Konoha wouldn't fight Iwagakure to the death, only go so far, mainly to divert enemy attention.
As for the rest, it was up to Kumogakure.
Mabui pretended not to hear A's complaints. Otherwise, A would be the only one embarrassed.