Early summer, the Fire Country nights held a hint of warmth, but it offered no comfort to Kushina’s heart.
She was ice-cold!
Kushina could never have imagined that, apart from the day Uzushiogakure was destroyed, she would once again find herself wandering the streets!
With a ashen face, Kushina stared at her shrunken wallet. Her chest heaved, and she gritted her teeth, saying, "You hag, it’s all your fault! If it weren’t for you, how could I not even afford a place to stay!"
"It’s because you gambled until the very end and lost all your money," Tsunade mumbled, averting her gaze, not daring to look at Kushina.
"You dare speak of it!"
Kushina’s voice rose, "If you hadn’t been egging me on the whole time, would I have placed another bet?!"
"Tch! That’s because you weren’t resolute enough!"
"I…"
Kushina truly wanted to beat Tsunade black and blue right then, but she was too weak from hunger; her fists felt limp.
Sob, sob, sob, she shouldn't have listened to this old woman Tsunade. Now she had not a single cent left, what should she do!
Tsunade pouted, "You only lost a hundred million. Lin Yu said your fortune was at least a billion."
"Who carries all their money with them when traveling? A hundred million is already a lot!"
At the mention of this, Kushina felt another pang of heartache. She had lost a hundred million in a single day! How long would it take to earn it back!
Would Lin Yu blame me when he finds out? And then punish me with those strange things!
What to do?!
"Gurgle…"
"Gurgle…"
Both of them stopped in their tracks simultaneously, clutching their stomachs. They had gambled all day and hadn't eaten a thing.
"Let’s go! Ninjas don't starve to death! Today, I, Tsunade, will personally cook and treat you to a whole roasted pig!"
"Hmph! Are your cooking skills any good? I’ll treat you to cumin-spiced rabbit legs then!"
Tsunade retorted indignantly, "Who’s not good! My cooking is just like my medical ninjutsu, top-notch!"
Kushina’s plump face was filled with disbelief. How could Tsunade’s cooking be better than hers!
Absolutely impossible!
"Then let’s have a competition?"
"A competition it is!"
If their stomachs could talk, they would undoubtedly say to each other: You’re in for it, you’ll be running to the outhouse for three days and nights!
…
Kirigakure.
In front of the Mizukage’s office building, numerous Kirinin were clearing the battlefield of severed limbs and scattered remains.
Although the outcome was as expected, the scene of over a hundred Kirinin being killed in mere minutes had truly terrified Yakura and Kimimaro.
It gave them a deeper understanding of Obito’s strength once again.
Orochimaru sat serenely, sipping tea. Having been on the receiving end of a combined assault from Nagato and Obito a few days prior, he understood Obito’s strength even better.
This was not something Kirigakure could contend with. As long as Obito wished, he could kill anyone in Kirigakure.
He still hadn’t figured out how to counter that bizarre intangible state; it was practically an invincible condition!
Another dōjutsu!
This made Orochimaru even more captivated by the power of "contact lenses"!
Meanwhile, in the council hall on the floor below, Yagura occupied the seat of honor. Several high-ranking Kirinin who had come to provide support were also present, including Mei Terumi and Ao.
"Mizukage-sama, why would the Kaguya clan suddenly rebel?"
"This matter will be investigated by the ANBU."
The Kirinin high command was speechless. You’ve already annihilated the Kaguya clan, what’s there to investigate!
"I heard someone killed Kaguya clan ninja, and that’s why they came."
"A mere excuse."
Mei Terumi, seated below, frowned. She felt that the Fourth Mizukage was acting strangely. Although the Kaguya clan’s rebellion was a foregone conclusion, a Mizukage shouldn’t be so calm when a major clan rebelled. It seemed to lack emotion.
"Alright, if there’s nothing else, do not disturb me. I need some time to recover."
"Mizukage-sama is injured?!"
Everyone present was shocked. This was no trivial matter.
"Just a minor injury, a period of rest will suffice. You may all leave."
"Yes."
The Kirinin high command gradually withdrew. Mei Terumi cast a curious glance at Yagura, then followed them out.
She couldn't discern any issues. It wasn't a transformation jutsu, nor was someone impersonating him. This was indeed their Fourth Mizukage.
So why did she feel something was off?
On her way back, Mei Terumi called out to her friend Ao and whispered, "Ao, do you think Mizukage-sama is acting strange?"
"Strange?"
The one-eyed Ao furrowed his brow. "I don't think Mizukage-sama is acting strange. Isn't it normal for the Mizukage to be unhappy when there's a rebellion in the village?"
"Yes, is that so…"
Mei Terumi gave an awkward laugh, then continued, "Ao, can you use your eyes to see…"
"See what?"
Ao didn't react at first. It wasn't until Mei Terumi pointed to his right eye, hidden by an eyepatch, that he exclaimed, "Mei Terumi, how can you ask me to do such a thing! It's disrespectful to Mizukage-sama!"
"If I'm found out, I'll be thrown in prison!"
"I know."
Mei Terumi said sternly, "But I suspect Mizukage-sama is being controlled. Don't you think Mizukage-sama has been acting strange these past few years?"
"What's strange about it? Oppressing powerful clans to balance them against each other, isn't that a common tactic for those in power?"
"But, but…"
Before Mei Terumi could say more, Ao interrupted, "Alright, you don't need to say any more. I will never use my Byakugan to spy on Mizukage-sama!"
Mei Terumi watched Ao leave. She opened her mouth but didn't continue. How could these men understand a woman's intuition!
Hmph!
Mei Terumi shifted her body. This ninja uniform was so ugly. She'd change into something else and observe for a few more days.
There was definitely something wrong with the Mizukage!
It had to be said that Mei Terumi's intuition was sharp. However, Obito wasn't controlling the Fourth Mizukage to implement the "Bloody Mist Policy," which made Ao, loyal to the Mizukage’s lineage, find it hard to believe Mei Terumi’s claims.
Ao felt that the current Mizukage was excellent! Very authoritative! If the Mizukage was truly being controlled, then let them be controlled for a lifetime!
…
Three days later, Lin Yu, having enjoyed himself with feasting and entertainment, teleported beside Kushina with a refreshed Mikoto and Yuhi Kurenai.
*Plop!*
The three emerged from a golden magic circle. Lin Yu sniffed the air. He smelled something familiar, yet not quite. It seemed to be mixed with another "strange odor" of comparable intensity!
"Ah! Kushina, what happened to you?"
Hearing Mikoto's startled cry, Lin Yu also turned his head and couldn't help but exclaim, "Kushina, what’s wrong? Why have you lost so much weight!"
Not far away, Kushina and Tsunade sat back to back, with blackish remnants scattered around them, appearing to be some kind of food prepared by two master chefs.
"Sob, sob, sob! Lin Yu, you’re finally back, I’m starving!"
Tsunade also looked haggard. She glanced down at her chest, feeling as though her assets had shrunk from hunger!