A special thank you to all my patrons.
The List of My "Wandering Reader":
-Lord_Clamiral
-Cain
-Shahzaam
-Goha21
-Jacob Mooe
-Varun Madhu
-Notraa
-Sarabjeet Seehra
-heavenascendance
-sean collins
You can read 30 chapters ahead of everyone on p@treon.
P@TREON - [email protected]/lessaservantofcosmos
(just replace the "@" with "a")
ps: Please support me on P@treon. I can really use your help!
-------------------------------------------------------------
Around the same time, the other four Kage—aside from the Raikage—also received intelligence reports with nearly identical content.
The Land of Earth.
Beneath towering mountains, surrounded by sheer cliffs, lay the Hidden Stone Village.
"Damn it! Do they really think I'm easier to handle than that brute, the Raikage?!" The Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, slammed his fist on the table and roared in anger after reading the report.
"You could say this intelligence is the general consensus of the shinobi world's ranking of the Five Kage's strength," Kurotsuchi, standing beside him, couldn't help but chuckle. "Grandpa, the number of bounty hunters targeting you is the lowest. Though you can't compare to the Raikage, who no one dares to provoke, the fact that you—at your age—rank second in the Five Kage's strength hierarchy is pretty impressive in my eyes."
"What did you say, you ungrateful brat?!"
Ōnoki leaped onto his chair, eyes bulging as he pointed furiously at Kurotsuchi.
"I am the strongest of the Five Kage! How can those greenhorns and little girls compare to me?!"
Kurotsuchi swiftly dodged the flecks of spit flying from Ōnoki's mouth and reluctantly placated him. "Grandpa! Of course, I know you're the strongest Kage!"
She shook the paper in her hand.
"This is just the baseless perception of those ignorant rogue ninja. At your age, why bother with such meaningless reputation?"
"Brat!! Stop reminding me that I'm old!!!"
Ōnoki's bellow grew even louder.
Crack.
Suddenly, his movements froze.
"My… my back…"
"You stubborn old man, isn't it about time you accept your age?" Kurotsuchi quickly steadied him. "Getting this worked up isn't good for your health."
"It's all because you youngsters in the village are so useless!" Ōnoki grumbled, clutching his aching back. "At my age, I shouldn't still be laboring so hard for the village…"
"Yeah, yeah," Kurotsuchi cut him off impatiently. "Here comes the lecture again. I've memorized every word by now!"
"Hmph! Such an inconsiderate brat."
---
The Land of Wind.
Deep within the desert, shrouded in swirling sands, lay the Hidden Sand Village.
Gaara silently handed the intelligence report to Kankurō and Temari.
"Who would've thought that in their eyes, Gaara ranks third among the Five Kage?" Kankurō laughed. "And he's the youngest Kage, too."
However, Temari didn't share his amusement. She slammed the report onto the table, furious. "Putting the female Mizukage and Hokage at the bottom? Damn it! Do those bastards look down on kunoichi?!"
"N-Not necessarily!"
Kankurō shrank back, not daring to provoke his sister, and awkwardly explained, "It's just… the Hidden Mist has always been shrouded in secrecy. No one really knows much about the Fifth Mizukage. And the Fifth Hokage is widely known as a medical ninja. Gaara, at least, has some reputation—"
"What the hell are you saying, you idiot?!" Temari's fist collided with Kankurō's face. "Gaara is ranked third because he's genuinely strong!!!"
"…"
Kankurō's body flew backward, crashing into the wall before sliding down limply.
"Sister…" Gaara watched Temari, a bead of sweat rolling down his forehead.
"Gaara!"
Temari turned, planting her hands on the table and locking eyes with him.
"Listen to me. At this Five Kage Summit, you must not let the Hidden Sand's reputation suffer in front of the other Kage! As for those opportunistic rats lurking along the way, leave them to me and Kankurō!"
She then turned her murderous glare toward Kankurō, who had finally managed to stand up.
"Right, Kankurō?"
"Y-Yes, understood, Sister!"
Kankurō immediately straightened up and answered loudly.
"Gaara?" Temari's gaze shifted back.
"I understand."
Gaara nodded obediently.
"Hmph!" Temari finally seemed satisfied. "No one will underestimate the Hidden Sand!"
---
The Land of Water.
Amidst towering peaks and thick mist, the Hidden Mist Village lay concealed.
"Ranked fourth?" The Fifth Mizukage, Mei Terumī, smirked, twirling a lock of her lush hair. "Is it because I'm not famous enough?"
"What do you think?"
She tossed the report aside.
"Ao."
"Mizukage-sama." Ao caught the paper and bowed respectfully. "Given the Hidden Mist's traditional emphasis on secrecy, we need not concern ourselves with the ignorant opinions of outsiders regarding your strength."
Mei tapped her lips thoughtfully, her tone casual. "Oh? But didn't I implement policies to open up the Hidden Mist?"
"W-Well… that's because you haven't been in office long enough for your reputation to spread across the shinobi world," Ao stammered nervously. "Every ninja in the Hidden Mist knows that possessing two kekkei genkai makes you an undisputed powerhouse."
"Tch, whatever."
Mei snatched the paper back and skimmed it again, muttering to herself, "Hmm, the top three are all men… I wonder if any of them are good catches?"
"Uh—Mizukage-sama! The Tsuchikage is an old man, and the Kazekage is just a child!!" Ao hastily interjected.
"Ao."
Mei's smile turned dangerous.
"I believe the Raikage isn't exactly young either…"
"T-That's… correct…" Ao felt a chill run down his spine.
Still smiling, Mei suddenly backhanded him across the face. "Are you implying the only man I'm suited for is that oafish Raikage?!!"
---
The Land of Fire.
Nestled within verdant forests at the foot of rocky mountains, the Hidden Leaf Village stood proudly.
A loud crash echoed from the Hokage's office at the center of the village.
"Damn those scum!" Tsunade's fist reduced her desk to splinters. "How dare they look down on me?!!"
"Tsunade-sama!"
Shizune immediately knelt to gather the scattered documents.
"Jiraiya, tell me!"
Tsunade stomped over to Jiraiya and shoved the report against his chest.
"Those bastards ranked me as the weakest of the Five Kage! Am I really that pathetic?!"
"Gah—!"
Jiraiya winced, rubbing his chest as he took the report.
After a single glance, he shook his head.
"Those rogue ninja know nothing. Why care about their opinions?" He looked up at her. "Anyone who truly knows you would never call you weak."
"Hmph!"
Tsunade clenched her fists, pacing the room like a caged beast.
"By the way…"
Jiraiya flicked the paper.
"Should we assign ANBU to clear out the bounty hunters along the way?"
"Eh?" Tsunade whirled around, her glare sharp as a blade.
"I mean—" Jiraiya quickly backtracked. "As Hokage, you shouldn't waste time dealing with those nuisances. And you can't afford delays on your way to the Five Kage Summit—"
"No ANBU! And no delays!!" Tsunade declared firmly.
She seized Jiraiya's collar, snarling.
"Enough nonsense!! Those trash think medical ninja are weak? The number of fools lying in wait to claim my bounty is the highest! Well, I'll make sure they learn with their own bodies—Tsunade, the Hokage and one of the Legendary Sannin, is far more than just a medic!!"