Chapter 58

— What do you make of our unexpected helpers?

The Kumo team was also accommodated in the hotel, but on the third floor, given a whole floor due to their numbers. Now, after quickly assigning rooms, the jōnin gathered for a brief meeting with their commander. It was the commander who asked the question.

— It's quite surprising that those blockheads decided to help — if anyone had asked me beforehand, I would have bet on them trying to finish us off rather than offering their services, — one of the veterans snorted. — With such a team, they could have managed it, even if not without losses.

— We currently have peace between the villages, and if they had acted that way, the very idea of the Chūnin Exams would have been at risk, — Harudo shook his head. — This is a matter of politics, and even someone as significant in the shinobi world as Hatake Sakumo wouldn't meddle in the Kage's plans. And for others, it's better not to stir things up.

— By the way, who did you recognize besides the White Fang? — asked the kunoichi. — For example, that white-eyed Hyūga is definitely one of the clan leader's children — Hizashi or Hiashi, if I remember the wanted list correctly.

— Quite an interesting group, — grunted an elderly shinobi sitting in the far corner with a bandage over his left eye and a partially severed right ear. — I recognized an Uchiha — that bastard Shinji! We clashed a couple of times during the First World War, and in one of those fights, I lost half an ear and nearly lost my head, only escaping by a miracle. He might not look intimidating and his chakra reserve might not be the largest, but anyone who underestimates him quickly meets Shinigami. A very dangerous son of a bitch!

— Got it, Rishi-san, calm down, — the commander nodded. — Anyone else?

— The other Konoha jōnin are still too young to recognize them by face, and I didn't catch their names, — shrugged another veteran, casually leaning against the wall near the door. — As for clan insignias, there were Sarutobi, Meido, and our own Ai — Nara, although he's as much a Nara as I am a bijū!

— Yes, the guy definitely has a second Uzumaki parent, judging by his red hair and the perceived volume of chakra, — Harudo grimaced, followed by the others present.

Despite the fact that the disgraceful defeat of the Kumo and Kirigakure armies against Uzushiogakure happened nearly a decade ago, the vast majority of Kumogakure's population still ground their teeth at the mere mention of the red-haired sealing masters who disappeared along with their island.

Few fighters in the Cloud Village's army hadn't lost a loved one among the almost completely wiped-out forces, but in the absence of the direct culprits, the Uzumaki were best left unmentioned to avoid reopening old wounds.

— To-san is going to be livid when he hears the report, — sighed Ai, effectively dissipating the tense atmosphere.

The jōnin present perked up and smiled, imagining the Raikage's reaction as he was forced to choose between properly acknowledging the help and his natural desire to send the half-blooded, hated Uzumaki as far away as possible.

— I bet it won't just end with one board and one door, — the kunoichi spoke up, squinting conspiratorially. — What are your bets?

— I bet that the Raikage will smash at least three boards into splinters in the first couple of days, — readily supported the initiative the one-eyed veteran, pulling out money from his pocket.

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