Naruto: Wooing Tsunade from Day One!-Chapter 463: The Occupation of the Land of Waves

Kirigakure moved swiftly.

Once the decision to go to war was finalized, the entire village shifted into high gear. Thanks to Yagura's iron-fisted policies, the Kiri-nin assembled at an astonishing speed.

The next day, Yagura led the main force onto the ships, setting sail. The nearest land, the Land of Whirlpools, had long since fallen, so his first target became the Land of Waves. However, rather than seeking to occupy it outright, he intended to use it as a transit point.

The Land of Waves had no ninja village, a small territory, and a weak economy. Even if they took control, it held little value. However, as a staging ground to supply the Kiri-nin with wartime resources, it was ideal.

Less than an hour after the Kiri-nin set foot on its shores, the country was under Yagura's rule.

"Lord Mizukage, what are our next steps?"

"Konoha has likely already caught wind of this."

Shin Aoki, a young man in his early twenties, had been the Six-Tails Jinchūriki for five or six years. Personally chosen and promoted by Yagura, he was one of the key combatants in this campaign.

"I never expected to keep this from Konoha."

"As long as we avoid direct conflict, that's enough."

"The next logical step is the Land of Hot Water."

"A wealthy nation, all things considered."

Yagura had already mapped out his strategy. Konoha was not a force to provoke, so their best option was to target the Land of Hot Water first. Once secured, it could serve as a foothold for further expansion.

A grand vision had already taken shape in his mind.

"Heh, Yugakure."

"After the Second Shinobi World War, they scaled down their forces. By now, they probably have nothing more than a handful of weaklings."

"Not even worth mentioning."

Shin scoffed at the Land of Hot Water, dismissing it entirely.

And he wasn't wrong—Yugakure had never been a major player. The entire country likely couldn't muster more than a few Jōnin-level shinobi.

"The Land of Hot Water isn't anything to worry about."

"But we might run into Akatsuki along the way."

"I've heard that the elders who founded Akatsukigakure aren't easy to deal with."

Yagura wasn't one to underestimate others. He had already gathered intelligence on Yahiko and his group, gaining a general understanding of their strength.

What he didn't realize, however, was that this was merely the strength they had chosen to reveal.

When the day came for a true confrontation, he would be in for a shock.

"A village that's only been around for a few years?"

"No matter how strong they are, there's a limit."

"Hearing about something is one thing, seeing it firsthand is another."

"I don't believe that Nagato nearly killed the Hokage."

"If I ever get the chance to meet him, I'll see for myself if he's really as powerful as they say."

Shin's expression was defiant. His confidence could be seen as admirable, but in truth, it was arrogance.

And ever since he had gained control over most of the Six-Tails' power, that arrogance had only grown.

"A great reputation isn't baseless."

"You should rein in your temper, or one day, it'll cost you."

Yagura frowned, clearly displeased.

"Yes, I understand."

Faced with his reprimand, Shin Aoki became unexpectedly obedient.

"Alright, you're dismissed."

With a wave of his hand, Yagura sent him away and fell into silent contemplation.

By this time, news of Kirigakure's occupation of the Land of Waves had already reached Konoha.

"The Land of Water actually made a move?"

Shōta looked stunned, his gaze burning with admiration as he stared at Kawakaze.

"Don't look at me like that."

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Kawakaze leaned back against the sofa, arms crossed, prompting Tsunade to roll her eyes.

How did she end up falling for such a clown?

"I'm a man, and I like women too!"

Shōta quickly clarified, as if afraid of any misunderstanding.

"Alright, enough fooling around."

"Kirigakure has officially entered the game."

"Should we take action?"

Tsunade set down the document she had just finished reviewing and looked over at Kawakaze.

"No need."

"Even if he had a death wish, he wouldn't dare come after us."

"Almost certainly, their next target is the Land of Hot Water."

Kawakaze had already seen through Yagura's plans.

"Then the Land of Hot Water is doomed."

Shōta, familiar with Yugakure's capabilities, knew its forces were laughable at best.

"They can't hold out, but someone else can."

A sly smile crept onto Kawakaze's face, as if he'd just thought of something amusing.

"Who?"

Tsunade instinctively asked.

"Who else?"

"Yahiko and his group should be in the Land of Rice Fields right now."

"If nothing unexpected happens, they'll cross paths with the Kiri-nin in the Land of Hot Water."

Before Kawakaze could answer, Shōta had already figured it out.

"Exactly."

"Yahiko is bound to clash with them."

Kawakaze nodded. It was inevitable.

"This isn't good news."

"Kirigakure is launching a full-scale offensive. Yahiko and his people aren't enough to handle it."

Tsunade frowned, clearly worried. She didn't want to see Yahiko fall to the Kiri-nin.

"Relax, I'll notify Yahiko now."

"Tell him to gather Konan and Kakuzu."

"They might not be able to crush the Kiri-nin, but they can hold out until Nagato arrives."

"And by then, the Kiri-nin won't even have a chance to escape."

Kawakaze had it all figured out. Yagura, on the other hand, had no idea what kind of trouble he was walking into.

"Then hurry up and tell him!"

Tsunade was more anxious than Kawakaze, as if Yahiko was about to face the Kiri-nin any second.

"Alright, alright."

Kawakaze quickly sent Yahiko a video call.

It took a while before the connection finally went through.

"Sorry, Sensei."

"I was in a meeting."

Yahiko had slipped into some quiet corner, his face filled with apology.

"It's fine."

"I just wanted to give you a heads-up."

"Kirigakure has made their move."

"If nothing changes, you'll run into them in the Land of Hot Water."

"Your sensei's wife is worried you'll be at a disadvantage, so she asked me to tell you to bring Konan and Kakuzu along."

Kawakaze went straight to the point, laying everything out clearly.

Of course, he credited the idea to Tsunade, which earned him a satisfied look from her.

"Kirigakure is finally making a move?"

"Finally, a real opponent."

Rather than concern, Yahiko seemed excited.

He had fought his way from the Land of Grass to the Land of Rice Fields, and none of his battles had been truly challenging.

While it was nice to have a smooth journey, it was starting to feel a little dull.

"Straighten up."

"Make sure to bring Konan and Kakuzu."

"If you still can't win, wait for Nagato's reinforcements."

"Did you hear me?"

Tsunade, annoyed by his attitude, raised her voice slightly.

"Got it, got it!"

Yahiko nodded quickly, like a kid getting scolded.

"That's more like it."

Tsunade, satisfied, even allowed a small smile.

"Go handle your business. That's all for now."

"Keep in touch if anything happens."

After Yahiko acknowledged, Kawakaze ended the call and dismissed the slug clone.

"Let's go. To the lab."

Tsunade stretched as she stood, clearly planning to ditch Shōta and leave early again.

"Let's go."

Naturally, Kawakaze had no objections. The couple quickly left, ignoring the resentful gaze trailing behind them.