The Tsuchikage's office in Iwagakure.
The Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki—the only Kage still in office—was reading through stacks of intelligence reports. Among them were documents on the great villages, including Konohagakure and Kumogakure.
"Hmph, so that old Hiruzen Sarutobi finally stepped down."
"The Yellow Flash... tch, just a brat."
"Ow! Kurotsuchi, don't pull Grandpa's beard!"
Ōnoki, who just moments ago looked fierce, suddenly winced as a tiny hand tugged at his beard. How much strength could a baby really have? Still, Ōnoki played along convincingly.
Cradled in his arms was his newborn granddaughter, Kurotsuchi. A rare softness appeared on his usually stern face.
"Dad, hand Kurotsuchi over. It's time for her to eat."
Kitsuchi, who had been helping with paperwork nearby, stood up as soon as he glanced at the time and reached for his daughter.
Ōnoki's face showed a flicker of reluctance, but knowing it was mealtime, he gave her back without protest.
"By the way, Dad, a group of merchants from the Land of Frost are in the village selling seafood. Do you want me to get some?"
"They've even got those yellow croakers you like."
Carrying his daughter, Kitsuchi was about to head home when he remembered and mentioned it.
Ōnoki nodded and asked casually, "Has it been checked? The source is clean?"
"Yeah, already looked into it. They really did come from the Land of Frost. After arriving in the Land of Earth, they hired some coastal workers and brought the goods all the way here."
"And security?"
"Shouldn't be a problem. Quite a few villagers have already bought some."
"That's fine then. I'll go get two croakers. They make great soup—perfect for letting Kurotsuchi taste her grandfather's cooking!"
Ōnoki flexed his bicep with a grin, excitement written all over his face.
Then, without warning, he pushed open the window and flew out, leaving Kitsuchi dumbfounded.
"Fish soup? For Kurotsuchi? Is he serious?"
She was still a newborn, not even weaned. Fish soup? Really?
...
In the center of Iwagakure.
Kazuyama Gekkō sat in a chair, watching the workers frantically serving customers rushing to buy seafood. His grin stretched so wide it nearly twisted his face.
"Kazuyama, you're brilliant. Not only are we making money, but we're sabotaging them at the same time."
"But why did you make me cut down the potency of the Scale Powder so much?"
"Wouldn't it be better to just dose them heavily?"
Chōmei looked on, baffled, as more and more people carried away the seafood. The powder he'd laced into the stock was barely a third of its usual strength.
"Chōmei, our goal is to make the ninjas of Iwagakure suffer, not to kill them. Look—civilians are buying fish too."
"If the powder's too strong, they'll be the first to collapse. And if Ōnoki loses his temper, he might just lift a mountain and smash me flat."
"I'm already making money, and they still have to endure the side effects. Why wouldn't I?"
Kazuyama Gekkō was nothing if not pragmatic. Iwagakure was one of the Five Great Villages, a crucial force against Uchiha Madara. No matter how much he disliked them, he wasn't about to wipe them out in one stroke.
But spreading rumors and sowing trouble—that, they had to pay for.
Just as his thoughts drifted, an old, small figure appeared in his line of sight.
The moment he showed up, both ninjas and civilians greeted him warmly.
"Oh? That's Ōnoki...?"
"Even this old man came?"
Kazuyama Gekkō immediately activated Transparent Escape, concealing himself without hesitation. The last thing he wanted was to be spotted by that crafty old Kage.
A man with Kekkei Tōta was no joke, and even now, Gekkō had no desire to face him directly.
"Tsuchikage-sama, you're here to buy fish too?"
"Hahaha, I can't resist croaker either. You all go ahead, I'll wait in line."
"No, Tsuchikage-sama, please take my spot, I'll go to the back."
"No need, hurry up and buy. I've got to get back and make fish soup!"
Ōnoki's popularity in the village was immense. Though he looked like nothing more than a grumpy old man, as a Kage, he had earned his people's respect.
His presence sped things up considerably—everyone ahead of him finished their purchases quickly, handing over money and taking their fish without delay.
When he reached the shop, the workers immediately bowed and greeted him.
"Lord Tsuchikage, would you like some croaker? Or big squid? Or octopus?"
Kazuyama Gekkō watched silently from his hiding place, waiting to see what Ōnoki would choose.
Earlier, his talk with Chōmei hadn't ended.
Following his instructions, Chōmei had laced different amounts of Scale Powder into each type of seafood.
The croakers contained the least—it was the cheapest fish, more affordable for commoners. The squid and octopus, being pricier, carried heavier doses.
"Hehehe, I'll take some croaker. More of it. I like fish."
"Hm? Where's your boss?"
Ōnoki handed over his payment with a smile, while discreetly scanning the shop.
But the one he wanted to see—the merchant himself—was nowhere to be found.
"Our boss has been busy all day and went to rest."
"Don't worry, Tsuchikage-sama. All our goods are shipped straight from the Land of Frost, no problem at all."
"In our boss's words—he's an old sea wolf!"
"Sea wolf?" Ōnoki muttered at the odd phrase but didn't press. If the man wasn't here today, he could always come back tomorrow.
As Tsuchikage, he always kept a close eye on outsiders doing business in the village.
The war had just ended, after all. For all he knew, they could be spies sent by another village.
"Hmm, these croakers look good. Give me some more."
"Right away!"
After finishing his purchase, Ōnoki floated up to the roof of a nearby building, where he could observe the shop below.
Soon, four ANBU appeared at his side.
"Tsuchikage-sama."
"Keep watch. Confirm there's no problem before standing down."
"Yes, sir."
"And take this to the medical unit. Have them test it for anything unusual."
Ōnoki handed over one of the croakers, his caution plain.
Little did he know, Kazuyama Gekkō was perched on a nearby rooftop, watching everything unfold—almost like an old man with melon seeds, enjoying the show.