Ten days later.
Ginkaku sat up from the hospital bed, rotating his arms and stretching his muscles. Ever since his battle with Kazekaze, he had been lying here. During this time, whenever he closed his eyes, he would see countless Kazekazes charging at him.
"You've recovered?" Kinkaku leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, speaking to his younger brother.
"Yeah, fully recovered, Kinkaku." To prove it, Ginkaku immediately threw a punch, striking the wall beside him. Cracks spread across the entire surface.
Although Raikage A had not blamed the two brothers for the mission failure that resulted in intelligence falling into Konoha's hands— Kinkaku and Ginkaku were never the kind to swallow such humiliation quietly. After being disgraced by Kazekaze, they were determined to settle the score.
Ginkaku got off the bed and changed into clean clothes. As the First Hokage, Hashirama couldn't possibly remain stationed at the border forever. And this time, he would be acting alongside Kinkaku. He couldn't even imagine the possibility of failing again.
'This time, Kazekaze is as good as dead.'
"Let's go, Kinkaku. It's time to wipe away our disgrace."
"If there's anyone to blame, it's the Hokage for being stupid enough to send his grandson to the border of the Land of Fire," Kinkaku sneered coldly.
He was absolutely determined to succeed this time. Unless… Kazekaze had been recalled to the village by the Hokage following that night's incident. After all, it had already been ten days. A lot could happen in ten days. But there was no helping it. The Raikage of Kumogakure was simply too cowardly.
Kinkaku had once suggested dispatching a squad of ninja to launch a surprise attack on Konoha's border outpost— to eliminate Kazekaze amidst the chaos. Root out the threat entirely! But when he brought it up, Raikage A had not only sternly rejected the plan, he had also warned him—this matter was over. To not harbor any further thoughts about Kazekaze.
This, without a doubt, revealed to Kinkaku the Raikage's weakness. For the sake of Kumogakure's future—and more importantly, to weaken Konohagakure— after careful consideration, Kinkaku decided to take the risk. He would secretly head to Konoha's border outpost, locate Kazekaze, and eliminate him.
If Kazekaze was no longer there— Then he would simply kill every Konoha ninja stationed there as payback for Ginkaku's injuries. Thus, Kinkaku and Ginkaku brought all six of the Sage of Six Paths' ninja tools—excluding the Amber Purifying Pot—and led their own unit toward the Konoha border.
At the same time— Raikage's Office.
Raikage A stood by the window, hands clasped behind his back, gazing at the scenery outside. Behind him, a ninja knelt on one knee, reporting the situation. Kinkaku and Ginkaku had left the village with a ninja unit. Their direction— Was exactly the border of the Land of Fire. There was no doubt—they were going to settle the score with Kazekaze.
"Shouldn't we stop them?" The ninja asked, confused.
Peace was currently the norm in the shinobi world—causing trouble at Konoha's border could easily escalate into conflict. But in truth, Raikage A had his own calculations. Ever since Kinkaku and Ginkaku devoured the Nine-Tails' flesh, their strength had increased drastically.
For the village, that was undeniably a good thing.
But who would've thought that after gaining power, the brothers would become increasingly arrogant— even treating their own comrades like tools. If left unchecked, they would inevitably become a threat to the village. Moreover, Kinkaku and Ginkaku had an innate desire for war embedded in their bones.
Most importantly— If Kazekaze wasn't eliminated before he matured— Raikage A feared there would never be another opportunity. Having one Hashirama Senju in Konohagakure was already too much. There didn't need to be a second one—Kazekaze Senju. Otherwise, it would bring nothing but trouble to the entire shinobi world.
After much thought, Raikage A decided to act as though he knew nothing. He would use Kinkaku and Ginkaku's strength— To eliminate Kazekaze. And if the Hokage were to blame Kumogakure for it— He could shift the responsibility onto Kinkaku and Ginkaku. Claiming they had acted on their own, without his knowledge. If necessary, handing them over wouldn't be out of the question.
In other words, Raikage A planned to use this opportunity— To get rid of Kazekaze— And at the same time, eliminate the unstable elements within his own village. Of course, all of this depended on one condition— That Tobirama had not yet recalled Kazekaze to the village. That he was still stationed at the border outpost, performing his patrol duties.
"Let's hope Kinkaku and Ginkaku return victorious this time."
In Raikage A's view, no Kage with foresight— Would let a chance like this slip away.
Land of Fire Border.
Kazekaze was repeatedly punching a wooden training post. Ever since returning from his meeting with the spy ninja, Masakawa hadn't assigned him any new missions. Kazekaze's life had returned to the dull routine of patrol, rest, training, and meals. But today— Something was different.
"The check-in cooldown is about to end again."
Kazekaze quickly stopped his training as he noticed the timer. He looked around carefully, making sure no one was nearby to interrupt. Then— A familiar voice rang in his ears.
[Cooldown complete for the Check-In System!]
[Please confirm: Proceed with check-in?]
"Sixth check-in."
Kazekaze's gaze sharpened slightly, a smile creeping onto his face. Especially considering the fifth check-in—he had drawn Shadow Clone Jutsu and Rasengan from the reward pack. His strength had taken a qualitative leap forward. Otherwise, against a foe like Ginkaku—an Elite Jōnin— He wouldn't have stood a chance.
"I'm willing to trade ten years of Uchiha Madara's life… in exchange for—" Kazekaze pressed his hands together and muttered.
Of course, he didn't actually believe in this idea that sacrificing Madara's lifespan could boost his odds. At first, he just did it for fun. But over time, it had become a sort of ritual.
'Still—if it really worked like that, then I'd just ask for Wood Style right now.'
As he silently made that wish, a flash of light suddenly caught his eye. And then— He decided to modify his catchphrase a bit.
[Check-in successful!]
[Congratulations! Host has received a Check-In Reward Pack!]
[Open now?]
"I'm willing to trade ten years of Uchiha Madara's life… for Wood Style." Of course, Kazekaze was just saying it casually.
There was no way the pack would actually grant him Wood Style. Impossible. Totally impossible. Forget ten years— Even if he sacrificed twenty years of Madara's life— It still wouldn't give him something as rare as Wood Style so easily.
After all, the rewards in these check-in packs were enormous in number. All kinds of jutsu, kekkei genkai, chakra— Everything imaginable. Just think—Kakashi had mastered over a thousand jutsu. So the pool of possible rewards must number in the tens of thousands. To draw Wood Style—
'That had to be odds of one in several thousand!'
But just as Kazekaze was mentally preparing himself—
[Check-In Reward Pack opened!]
Pop!
Two breaths later, the screen froze. The glow that followed— was golden.
[Congratulations! Host has received: "Grand Wood Style Gift Pack"!]