Chapter 539: Mabu Yi

On the muddy ground, a ninja unit of varied attire but great numbers was advancing toward the Rain Country.

In order to fully mobilize the enemy, the ninja alliance attacked the Rain Country from the directions of fire, earth, wind, and the Waterfall Country.

Moreover, the ninjas' high‑speed mobility made each squad stretch out very long; seen from above, they resembled a herd of migrating antelopes, led by the lead goat, leaping and jumping lively and bustling.

"Rain Country, these past few days have been rare good weather~"

Wearing a forehead protector etched with the ninja symbol, Kakashi looked around at familiar or unfamiliar faces and let out a depressed sigh.

As for why he was like this, it began a few days ago when the Hokage summoned him alone.

"Kakashi, don't be so decadent."

"Look at your comrades around you—don't you feel exhilarated and excited?"

Green tights, a green vest, a pot‑lid head like waxed hair, and that signature glowing white teeth.

Gai slapped Kakashi with a palm, making him stagger, and spoke excitedly.

"Just thinking that the five great ninja villages would set aside their hatred and unite against the outside, I… I…"

While saying this, Gai looked at his close friend with tears welling up, appearing utterly moved.

Obviously, he longed for the harmonious relations among the five great countries and the possible future peace.

"Yes, yes!"

Having no time to deal with Gai's excitement, Kakashi's thoughts had already flown back to what the Hokage had told him a few days earlier.

"Obito, are you really still alive?"

He touched the forehead protector covering his eye; Kakashi didn't know how to describe his feelings, nor how to face his former comrade.

In this timeline, Rin did not die by his hand, but…

"Master, what should I do?"

While informing him that Obito was still alive, the Hokage also told him that the Fourth's death had been indirectly caused by Obito.

This left him somewhat unsure of how to face the other party.

Although the teacher did it to protect his mother, the village, and the balance of the tailed beast, he used his own life to seal the Nine‑Tails.

But if Obito had not released the Nine‑Tails, if he had not interfered at the crucial moment, the teacher could have coped easily and would not have had to sacrifice his life.

"Kakashi, don't space out—the battle has already begun ahead; this is exactly when we need to support."

"How about we have a contest between men, deciding the winner by the number of enemies defeated?"

Looking ahead at the unit's front, there appeared pairs of enemies with ghastly pale bodies and bizarre appearances, already engaged with the forward scouting unit.

"Upon reaching the Leaf Village's Azure Beast, it's time for Mighty Guy Gai to unleash his divine might."

Clenching his fists, Gai sprinted toward the battlefield, and he didn't forget to shout at Kakashi.

"The new contest is thus decided!"

The person had already gone far, leaving only the echo drifting with the vibrating air around.

That vibrating air was the sonic boom left when the ninjas ahead, having received the news, used instant body technique.

As these people rushed to the battle point, some glanced over in surprise; the Kakashi left behind seemed not to understand why this Leaf Village ninja was still loitering here.

"Don't keep acting on your own, idiot!"

After complaining about Gai's contest, Kakashi helplessly followed the main force in launching the attack.

Meanwhile.

"Miss Mabu Yi, I didn't expect to find such an intellectual woman among the Cloud ninja."

"Working under the Raikage must be extraordinarily taxing; you really have worked hard!"

Grabbing Mabu Yi's small hand, Dong Shilang, heedless of his subordinates' strange looks, warmly greeted the Raikage's secretary.

Her healthy wheat‑toned skin, a head of silver hair pulled up, added a touch of grace; combined with delicate features and an intellectual temperament.

If it weren't for her slightly brownish skin, she would truly hit every point of Dong Shilang's aesthetic.

"Lord Hokage… you… are over‑praising me!"

Although there weren't many people in the headquarters, being pulled aside by the Hokage for idle chat really left her unable to cope!

She never imagined that the renowned Fifth Hokage would be such a… unconventional person, or rather someone who disregards propriety.

"How could that be~" Ignoring the strange looks around him, Dong Shilang continued: "With the Raikage's hot temper, I don't know how much trouble he's caused."

"I can easily imagine how heartbroken and desperate you feel each time you see the mess your superior leaves behind."

"Why not come to our Leaf Village? I guarantee that nothing like this will ever happen."

He was still preparing to say something, but the Raikage, whose clenched fists were making a cracking sound, interrupted Dong Shilang's words.

"Your Excellency Hokage, this is wartime…" He glared fiercely at Dong Shilang, adding, "Please watch your words and actions, for you represent Leaf Village."

Especially when speaking of conduct, Ai's eyes were fierce, as if he wanted to devour Dong Shilang.

How outrageous—to flirt with his own secretary right in front of him, then use him as a stepping stone, treating him as if he were dead!

This is hardly something a Hokage should do.

Besides, although I may be a bit hot‑tempered, I would never leave my subordinates a mess.

After raising his hand several times, Ai, who could barely tolerate it any longer, would have taught that clueless fool a lesson if he weren't considering that he couldn't defeat the Hokage.

Let him know what the power of anger is.

"Lord Hokage, the enemy has made contact ahead!"

Even Shikaku Nara seemed unable to tolerate the Hokage's conduct, and he spoke up to remind him.

"Like that!"

Dong Shilang sighed with some regret.

Meanwhile, Mabu Yi seized the opportunity, pulled her small hand free, and hurriedly hid behind her own Raikage.

"Cough cough!"

He coughed twice in a futile attempt to cover up, only making it more obvious.

What a pity, I had actually wanted to step up the exchanges between Leaf Village and the Cloud Ninja.

Lu Jiu, take note: after the war, remind me to strengthen electronic cooperation with the Cloud Ninja!

He certainly isn't the type who can't walk when seeing a beautiful woman; his interaction with Mabuyi was merely to gather information about the Cloud Ninja's electrical and electronic affairs.

He knew well that the Cloud Ninja had considerable achievements in this area, so he took the opportunity to consult Mabuyi, who was in charge of this, to learn the details and thus strengthen bilateral cooperation.

As the Hokage, he had to consider not only the war but also postwar matters.

Leaf Village and the Cloud Ninja have been allies since the Second Hokage; although this alliance is practically useless, using it as a pretext to engage in some cooperation with the Cloud Ninja isn't bad.

As for teasing, that absolutely does not exist. Mabuyi is his subordinate, who fails to understand his good intentions.