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In times of war, reputation might not seem so important. But when the war ends, and villages need to recover and develop, you'll realize just how crucial reputation truly is.
When that time comes, Iwagakure will definitely pay a heavy price for its actions today.
The smaller villages and countries, fearing Iwagakure's power, won't dare say or do anything.
But when you need to develop your economy, they can simply ignore you.
At the very least, that's something they can do.
Given Iwagakure's economic situation, after the war, it will be extremely difficult for them to recover.
In the long run, Iwagakure's series of blunders has been a massive loss.
It might not be apparent now, but when post-war reconstruction begins, they'll understand what "paying a price" really means.
When all those smaller countries' Daimyō unite to oppose you, that alone will be quite an experience.
Don't dismiss smaller countries and villages. They have the same systems as you. Once those Daimyō start banding together, Iwagakure's position in the shinobi world...
Since you, Iwagakure, dare to plunder, I'll help you get the publicity you deserve.
Let your infamy grow even more. Let your village's reputation continue to rot.
"Regarding the war, don't put too much psychological pressure on yourselves. Remember, the main battlefield is in the Land of Waterfalls, not the Land of Rain or the Land of Grass. I believe that once news of this spreads, Kumogakure won't mind kicking you while you're down again."
Iwagakure is just waiting for you to make a mistake!
Now, you've handed them the perfect excuse.
If Kumogakure can resist that, Kazuki would write his name backward.
"So, all we need to do is help spread the news?"
That's it?
Fugaku and Hiashi were stunned.
Orochimaru shook his head in exasperation.
"What else? Are you two overcomplicating things?"
"Hiashi is one thing, but Fugaku, you participated in quite a few wars. During the Third Great Shinobi War, you even made a name for yourself against Kirigakure. How can you not understand this?"
Orochimaru was baffled.
Are you two making such a fuss that it's making me uncomfortable, always worrying something will go wrong?
Hiashi couldn't personally go to the battlefield to fight; the Hyūga clan wouldn't allow it. But Fugaku had such experience.
It was a matter of personality. The two of them had some issues.
Perhaps they'd been sitting in the leadership positions of the Hyūga and Uchiha clans for too long, leading to habitual thinking centered around their clans.
Coupled with their personality issues, once they arrived at the front-line camp and needed to hold things down, problems surfaced.
Even Danzo, when put in charge of a situation, caused countless problems. How much more so for Hiashi and Fugaku?
I'm done with you two.
Lightly massaging his temples, Kazuki stood up and walked toward the exit, throwing back a sentence without looking back.
"Let's leave it at that. Do as I said. Send the intelligence to the bounty stations. Lean on them a bit. Make them spread the news as quickly as possible."
"What if they're unwilling?"
Fugaku had dealt with these shady organizations before. He knew all too well what the bounty station people were like.
Kazuki had already left.
He didn't answer the question.
"Then crush them." Orochimaru was as straightforward as ever.
We represent Konoha now. Do we need to worry about these bounty stations not cooperating?
As soon as we explain our intentions, they'll be begging on their knees to help complete the mission.
Why worry about such things?
If it weren't for helping these two great clan leaders boost their prestige a bit...
Forget it. Just this once. Next time, let them sit quietly in the village.
Hiashi was only fit to hold down the clan's headquarters. Fugaku could at least go to the battlefield.
Kazuki returned to the command post's rest area to continue sleeping. A sudden gust of cold air made Izumi open her eyes. Sleepily, she asked:
"Kazuki, where did you go?"
Only when they were alone together would Izumi call Kazuki by his name. Usually, it was "Lord Advisor" or "Elder."
"Went to solve a little problem for our great clan leaders. Go back to sleep. It's still the middle of the night."
Ruffling Izumi's hair, Kazuki pulled her into his arms, planning to get some more sleep.
"Oh."
Izumi responded slowly, curling up in his arms and closing her eyes.
While Kazuki could sleep peacefully, Fugaku and Hiashi could not.
They immediately gathered all the intelligence damaging to Iwagakure and sent men to deliver it to nearby bounty stations.
Blanketed in snow, the bounty station was rather quiet.
BANG!!!
Suddenly, the bounty station's door was slammed open. A gust of cold wind, carrying snowflakes, blew inside.
"Damn! Who is it!!"
"Bastard! Can't you open a door carefully? It's freezing! Close it now!!"
The people lounging inside stood up, cursing and grumbling, turning to look at the doorway.
"...."
When they saw who it was, they froze in place. They quickly sat back down, heads bowed, not daring to make another sound.
If it were ordinary people, it would be one thing. These bounty station regulars—few were clean; they were usually not to be trifled with.
Unfortunately, these veterans had run into someone they couldn't afford to cross today.
A team wearing Konoha Jonin vests walked into the bounty station. Their cold gazes swept over the few who had just been cursing. The offenders quickly lowered their heads, wishing they could hide under the table.
Terrified of being noticed.
Konoha people?
Coming openly to the bounty station—are they here to cause trouble?
"My lords, your arrival honors us. What is your request? If our bounty station can do it, we certainly won't refuse."
Soon, the bounty station manager came scurrying out, his face plastered with a servile smile.
The lead Konoha Jonin couldn't be bothered with pleasantries. He pulled out a scroll and tossed it on the counter.
"This is some intelligence about Iwagakure. You will spread it as quickly as possible. The information is free. Spreading the news—you don't need to be paid for that, do you?"
Spreading messages through the bounty station without paying?
No pay, no service.
That was the bounty station's rule. But that rule meant nothing against Konoha.
"Might I ask if you, my lords, represent..."
The bounty station manager's face showed deep conflict.
He was worried they came representing Konoha.
If they did, spreading news about Iwagakure meant they were trying to trap Iwagakure.
Once Iwagakure investigated, it would be the bounty station that suffered.
"We represent the village."
The lead Jonin smiled meaningfully as he patted the manager's shoulder, threatening him.
"Our Lord Advisor's exact words: spread the news as quickly as possible. Otherwise, your bounty station won't need to exist anymore."