Realizing the danger in the current ninja world, Chōmei felt an immense pressure, causing the normally chatty creature to grow unusually silent.
For the sake of his peace and quiet, Shigeo Aburame decided to let Chōmei continue misunderstanding the situation.
Unfortunately, while Chōmei had become quieter, the troubles it brought had not ceased.
The people from Takigakure had arrived.
Fuu, being a simple and honest girl, quickly revealed the truth about losing Chōmei after returning to her village.
Learning that their village's tailed beast had been taken, and by none other than Konoha, one of the Five Great Ninja Villages, Takigakure erupted in outrage.
Thus, Takigakure sent emissaries to Konoha to demand the return of the Seven-Tails.
Upon meeting Tsunade, the envoy immediately spoke out in indignation.
"The Seven-Tails was granted to us by the First Hokage. Is Konoha now robbing its allies of their tailed beasts? Return the Seven-Tails to us and have Shigeo Aburame apologize!"
The demand was reasonable, leaving Tsunade no room to refuse. She nodded slightly.
"Alright, if what you say is true, we'll proceed as you suggest. But first, let's hear from the person involved."
With that, she instructed Shizune to summon Shigeo Aburame and asked him to clarify the situation.
Shigeo, having no intention of denying the claims, admitted directly.
"Yes, I have the Seven-Tails. But I didn't take it. On the contrary, I saved Takigakure's jinchūriki from the Akatsuki and killed their rogue ninja, Kakuzu."
"So what?"
The Takigakure envoy retorted righteously.
"If you have the Seven-Tails, then return it to us. As a reward for killing Kakuzu, we can forgive this transgression."
"Hahaha!"
Shigeo burst into laughter, shaking his head as he spoke.
"What nonsense! If I return the tailed beast to you, can you guarantee that the Akatsuki won't steal it again?"
"We can!" the Takigakure envoy declared firmly. "We absolutely can…"
"You can? Nonsense! With your strength, you can't protect Chōmei!"
Shigeo interrupted bluntly, his words merciless.
"The weak suffer because they possess treasures they can't protect. Keeping Chōmei in Takigakure will only bring disaster to your village—and implicate us. Besides, Chōmei chose to be my partner willingly. I won't hand it over to anyone!"
"You—!"
Enraged, the Takigakure envoy turned to Tsunade.
"Lady Hokage, is this also Konoha's stance?"
"Ugh…"
Tsunade clicked her tongue in frustration.
As Konoha's leader, she couldn't easily bow to another village's demands, lest they see her as weak.
Thus, she had no choice but to side with Shigeo.
"If what Shigeo says is true, we can't return the Seven-Tails for now. We'll address this later."
"Hmph!" The Takigakure envoy snorted before storming off angrily.
Watching the scene, Tsunade rubbed her temples in exasperation.
"This has gotten complicated. Shigeo, can't you cause less trouble for me?"
"Hmph."
Shigeo shrugged.
"It's not like I wanted this. Trouble found me. We face it when it comes. Haven't we dealt with worse before?"
"…"
Trouble, indeed, had arrived.
Unhappy with Konoha's response, Takigakure allied with Iwagakure to pressure Konoha into returning the Seven-Tails and punishing Shigeo.
The Konoha leadership was divided.
The pacifist faction, led by Hiruzen Sarutobi, advocated returning the Seven-Tails and apologizing to avoid war. Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado supported this stance.
The war faction, led by Danzo, argued that the Seven-Tails rightfully belonged to Konoha. Apologies were acceptable, but the tailed beast must not be returned. If Takigakure and Iwagakure wanted a fight, Konoha would oblige.
Shigeo firmly supported Danzo's stance.
The two factions debated fiercely, unable to reach a consensus, leaving Tsunade with a headache.
"The Akatsuki are still a threat, and now Takigakure's making trouble. Can't I have some peace?"
She shot an irritated look at Shigeo.
"Do you really want Konoha to go to war with Iwagakure and Takigakure? I'm not starting another ninja war over this."
"A ninja war? Unlikely."
Shigeo adjusted his sunglasses, a sly smile on his lips.
"Besides, wars aren't started solely by ninja villages. Without the feudal lords' support, funds, and logistics, what could they fight with?"
Tsunade's expression shifted. "Are you planning to involve their feudal lords?"
"Heh, don't put it so harshly."
Shigeo grinned, rising from his seat.
"I'll convince their feudal lords. Without their support, Takigakure and Iwagakure can't make a move. Either way, I'm not giving up Chōmei."
With that, he leaped out of the Hokage's office window, his three pairs of wings unfolding behind him as he soared into the sky and disappeared.
The office fell silent in shock at the sight.
Hiruzen couldn't help but praise, "To already wield the Seven-Tails' power so effectively—soon Konoha will have its own perfect jinchūriki, like Kumogakure."
"Tch, weren't you just opposing him?"
Tsunade scoffed, exposing Hiruzen's double standard.
Unbothered, Hiruzen chuckled.
"If he resolves the issues with Takigakure and Iwagakure, I won't oppose having another jinchūriki in the village."
"Hypocrite!"
Tsunade sneered before leaving with Shizune, leaving the others in awkward silence.
Unaware of the commotion he left behind, Shigeo flew swiftly toward the Land of Fire's capital.
Unlike before, when he traveled on foot, his new speed was incomparable.
By noon, he reached the capital and met with the Land of Fire's daimyo once more.
The daimyo greeted him warmly.
"Oh ho ho… If it isn't Konoha's esteemed advisor, Shigeo Aburame. What brings you here after so long?"
"Indeed, Lord Daimyo." Shigeo smiled. "Though it's been a year, you seem even younger now!"
"Oh ho ho ho…"
The daimyo laughed, gently waving his ornate fan.
"It's all thanks to you. So, what brings you here? Are you in trouble?"
"Ha, Lord Daimyo, your insight is unparalleled!"
Shigeo flattered him before nodding.
"Takigakure and Iwagakure have some misunderstandings with me. I hope you can help explain to their daimyos."
"This…" The daimyo hesitated. "Matters of state are delicate, even for me…"
"Please, Lord Daimyo!"
Shigeo presented a small, ornate box, handing it to the daimyo with both hands.
"Inside are three rare sage insects. You may distribute them as you see fit. Just ensure their daimyos don't support a war."
"Very well!"
The daimyo accepted the box eagerly, tucking it into his sleeve. His tone turned resolute.
"I'll arrange meetings with their daimyos and persuade them against war. After all, it's for the good of our nations."
"Your wisdom is unparalleled, Lord Daimyo!" Shigeo beamed. "I'll leave it to you!"
"Rest assured. Oh ho ho ho…"
*(End of Chapter)*