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"The Uchiha have always been a part of the village. Who holds power in Konoha doesn't matter, as long as they're one of us."
Kazuki responded indifferently, then took his seat at the Konoha delegation's spot, with Shisui standing quietly behind him.
"What an unpleasant brat."
The Raikage glared at Kazuki, his fists—almost as big as Kazuki's head—clenching and unclenching repeatedly.
"Even though Konoha has had its fair share of laughable incidents, sending a kid as your representative seems disrespectful to Kumogakure."
The representatives from Kirigakure, Sunagakure, and Iwagakure all turned their attention to Kazuki.
They were curious to see how Kazuki would handle the Raikage's aggressive pressure, as his words and actions would reflect on Konoha.
If he backed down, it would be like Konoha getting slapped in the face by Kumogakure.
Facing the Raikage's intimidation, Kazuki smirked and countered.
"I'm curious, why should Konoha respect Kumogakure?"
As one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages, respect is mutual.
You want to pressure me, yet you expect me to respect you? Are you out of your mind?
Or do you think I'm like Danzo, and Tsunade is like the Third Hokage?
"Everyone here represents one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages. No one is subordinate to anyone else. As equals, is Kumogakure trying to make the other villages bow to you?"
As he spoke, Kazuki glanced at the other villages, as if warning them.
Be careful, the Raikage has ulterior motives. Kumogakure is domineering, and they want to rule over us!
They don't want us to stand as equals.
Kazuki deftly dragged the other villages into the fray.
If you think Konoha is disrespecting you, then I'm curious—why should Konoha respect you?
Is Kumogakure superior, or are you the leader of the Five Great Villages?
Give me a reasonable explanation, and I'll show you the respect you deserve.
What a cunning kid.
The representatives from the other three villages were speechless. They hadn't expected Kazuki to drag them into the mess, putting the Raikage on the spot.
Among the Five Great Shinobi Villages, Kumogakure had the strongest military power, and they undoubtedly wanted to be the leader.
But some things can be done, not said outright. Otherwise, it would force the other villages to unite against them.
Even the mighty Kumogakure wouldn't dare provoke all the other villages at once.
"He's a sharp-tongued brat."
The Raikage leaned back in his chair, visibly annoyed, and demanded.
"I heard Konoha has arrested a number of people, some of whom are merchants from our village. Care to explain?"
To gather intelligence, the other villages had gone to great lengths, especially Kumogakure. Among the spies Konoha had captured, most were from Kumogakure.
And Kumogakure had a habit of flipping the script—when their people were caught, they'd turn the tables.
After all, when it came to interests, face could be discarded.
So this is what it's about!
No wonder the Raikage had been targeting Konoha since they arrived.
Sending spies to gather intelligence, only to have them caught, was something other villages would deny.
But Kumogakure had no shame in demanding their people back, even resorting to threats of war.
After all, this wasn't the first or second time they'd done this.
The Third Raikage had been fond of such tactics, and his son, A, had clearly taken after him.
"I heard Aunt Shumi's dog gave birth to three puppies. Is that true?"
Kazuki acted as if he hadn't heard the Raikage's question, leaning back and casually chatting with Shisui.
Shisui was momentarily stunned, then shook his head. "Elder, I'm not sure, but it's probably true."
"We'll have to check when we get back. Maybe one of them can be trained as a ninja dog."
"Right."
"???"
Watching Kazuki casually chat with Shisui about Aunt Shumi's dog giving birth, Mei Terumī, standing behind her village's elder as a guard, almost burst out laughing.
Kazuki's move was brilliant—he had completely sidelined the Raikage.
The representatives from Iwagakure and Sunagakure also wore strange expressions.
The Raikage, now covered in question marks, quickly realized he'd been played. His fiery temper flared, and he slammed the table, shouting.
"Kazuki, answer my question directly! As for your clan's dog giving birth, that has nothing to do with Kumogakure. Please don't bring irrelevant matters into this discussion."
"It has nothing to do with Kumogakure?"
Kazuki feigned surprise.
"That's right."
The Raikage's face darkened, his nostrils flaring as he nodded forcefully, clearly wanting to strangle Kazuki.
Kazuki suddenly looked enlightened.
"Oh, so it has nothing to do with Kumogakure! You should've said that earlier—I wasted so much breath! If Konoha's dog giving birth has nothing to do with Kumogakure, then why does Konoha arresting spies have anything to do with you? Next time your merchants visit Konoha, tell them to wipe the word 'spy' off their faces."
Sending spies to infiltrate other villages, gather intelligence, or carry out covert missions was standard practice for all villages.
It was something everyone tacitly accepted and never brought up openly.
After all, if your spies got caught, it was their fault for being incompetent. You couldn't blame others.
But once such matters were brought into the open, things got complicated.
The representatives from the Five Great Shinobi Villages were all seated together, and the Raikage had immediately targeted Konoha. The others found it strange.
Konoha and Kumogakure didn't have any life-or-death grudges, so why the hostility right from the start?
Turns out... it was all about the spies being caught.
For a moment, everyone looked at the Raikage with odd expressions.
Come on!!
You like to stir up trouble?
I'll play along!
I wasn't going to bring it up, but since Kumogakure loves to make a scene, let's lay it all out on the table.
"Actually, it's Kumogakure that's being disrespectful! You sent spies to Konoha, they got caught, and now you're making a fuss in this setting. I, Uchiha Kazuki, have truly witnessed Kumogakure's hospitality."
"Everyone, be careful. Don't catch any of Kumogakure's spies, or you'll have trouble too."
Not only did Kazuki mock the Raikage, but he also continued to stir the pot.
What happened to Konoha could happen to you too. Be careful—Kumogakure isn't to be trifled with.
What a guy!!
The Raikage's eyes widened.
The representatives from the other villages, though aware Kazuki was provoking them, had to admit he had a point.
If your spies get caught, and you, the Raikage, start targeting others in this setting, isn't that a bit inappropriate?
The representatives from Iwagakure and Kirigakure immediately grew wary.