Published at 6th of May 2026 6:54 am

Chapter 944 Payment for Counterinsurgency Work

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Early Morning of the Next Day

In the gentle morning light, Tsunade-hime and Shizune strolled along the tree-lined path of the Nara District, heading to the house of the Patriarch of the Nara Clan for discussions on the upcoming batch of medicinal herbs needed by the Konoha Hospital.

The Nara Clan boasted numerous medicinal fields scattered across the Land of Fire, serving as the primary supplier of raw materials for the Konoha Hospital and various other clans. Kuroto, too, regularly acquired these materials from the Nara Clan, albeit using discreet methods and providing alibis to veil his true intentions.

Given the precious nature of these raw materials and the potential threat they posed if misused, the Nara Clan exercised caution, ensuring they only dealt with individuals of proven identity and allegiance to the village. Kuroto, with his clandestine connections, managed to secure these resources through undisclosed means.

As the two youthful women (in appearance only) crossed the streets, Tsunades expression shifted to a frown, her gaze directed towards the distant Nara Clan Forest.

Noticing Tsunade-himes expression, Shizune inquired curiously, Tsunade-sama, is something the matter?

Tsunade-hime nodded, stating, There seem to be people in the woods.

Hearing this, Shizune shrugged, Its the Nara Clans Forest, nobody but those people are allowed to step inside it, so it must be someone from their clan tending to the Deer living inside.

Tsunade-hime shook her head, expressing her concern, Thats the thing its not a Nara Clansman I know this Chakra, what is he doing inside the Nara Clan Forest, that too at such an hour?

Confused, Shizune inquired, What do you mean Tsunade-sama? Who is it?

Its Kuroto, answered Tsunade-hime, adding, Lets see what he is doing here. Without waiting for Shizunes response, she moved toward the Nara Clan Forest.

Surprised, Shizune questioned, Kuroto-kun? Why would he be here? and followed after Tsunade-hime.

As they approached the woods, they confirmed it was indeed Kuroto, and to their astonishment, he wasnt alone; someone else accompanied him, the identity of whom left both Tsunade-hime and Shizune in shock.

Ho Homusubi!? both Tsunade-hime and Shizune exclaimed in surprise, their astonishment justified by the rarity of encountering a member of Amatsukami.

Their voices reached Kuroto and Homusubi, alarming the two individuals. Who is there?

Upon being discovered, Tsunade-hime emerged and, while staring at Homusubi, explained, We happened to be passing by and found someone not of the Nara Clan inside the Nara Clan Forest, therefore, we came to check who it is.

Homusubi nodded lightly, responding, I see.

At this moment, Kuroto interjected, Tsunade-sama, you came just in time Amatsukami approached me for the payment of the Counter-Insurgency Work.

Payment for that?! Tsunade-hime reacted swiftly to Kurotos words and addressed Homusubi, stating, I am one of the Elders of Konoha and also part of the Konoha Council. Since this concerns the payment for the counterinsurgency, I have the right to participate in this!

As one of the Elders of Konoha (top brass), Tsunade-hime is certainly aware of the particulars regarding the Counter-Insurgency aid that the Amatsukami Organization provided to Konoha a few days ago.

Yes even if I am the Hokage, the presence of Tsunade-sama is necessary. We need someone who is FAIR and JUST to recognize this transaction between the village and the organization! Kuroto nodded, emphasizing the Fair and Just to Tsunade-hime. This was intended to put psychological pressure on her before anything began, encouraging her to approach the negotiation with fairness and justice.

Hearing Kurotos words, Homusubi studied Tsunade-hime up and down. After a moment of silence, he nodded, Very well. Since she is the granddaughter of that man whom even I respect, I shall allow her participation. This was another psychological tactic. Homusubi made sure that Tsunade-hime understood that her acceptance was not solely due to her strength, position as an elder of Konoha, or reputation as a Sannin, but because of her grandfathers respected reputation. Hence, she had to tread more carefully to avoid anything that could affect his standing.

Feeling Homusubis gaze on her, Tsunade-hime snorted coldly, Humph! as she folded her hands over her breasts. Despite maintaining a calm expression, she was a little nervous a moment ago. Homusubis mention of her grandfather surprised her, and her decades of experience as a Kunoichi allowed her to understand the weight of her position in this transaction. Its not her role as an Elder of Konoha or one of the Legendary Sannin but rather the granddaughter of the man recognized as the God of Shinobi in his era is what made Homusubi approved of her involvement.

Unlike Tsunade-hime, Shizune was not that calm. Being only a Jonin, merely being in the presence of a member of Amatsukami was too much for her.

When Homusubi turned in their direction, Shizune became extremely nervous and was relieved that he didnt focus his attention on her. Shizune may seem timid, but this reaction is quite normal. In todays Shinobi World, even the Kages and shinobi with Kage-level strength feel nervous in the presence of Amatsukami, let alone ordinary Jonin like her.

As Homusubi withdrew his gaze, both Tsunade-hime and Shizune let out an involuntary breath of relief.

At this moment, Homusubi stated, I have no interest in dilly-dallying. I am here for the payment. When is Konoha going to pay the Four Hundred Million Ryo for all the help we provided?

Before Kuroto or Tsunade-hime could react to Homusubis words, Shizune exclaimed upon hearing such a large sum of money for payment, Four Four Hundred Million Ryo?!

Ignoring her, Tsunade-hime questioned with a frown, Four Hundred Million Ryo, what the hell are you talking about? I recall that the payment was Three Hundred Million Ryo! So, whats up with this extra Hundred Million Ryo? Even if you add the Fifty Million Ryo for Uchiha Fugakus Mangekyo Sharingan, what about the extra Fifty Million?

Kuroto nodded, Yes give a proper explanation, otherwise he didnt finish the sentence, leaving it for Tsunade-hime and Shizunes imagination. Kuroto knows that people tend to imagine the worst-case scenario, and thats exactly what he wanted.

Shizune looked at Tsunade-hime and Kuroto in shock, then turned toward Homusubi with an anxious heart, Why did Kuroto-kun say such a thing? What if Homusubi gets offended? Although nervous, she also admired Kurotos courage for being able to speak to Homusubi in such a manner.

Homusubi answered, The Three Hundred Million Ryo is for the counterinsurgency work against the Uchiha Clan, while the rest Hundred Million Ryo is for rescuing the Jinchuriki of Kyuubi!

Wha? All three, including Kuroto, Tsunade-hime, and Shizune, were taken aback, For rescuing the Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails?

Homusubi nodded, Of course without Yama-samas aid, do you think your Hokages hand would have been able to rescue the Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails?

Well well, that is, they couldnt refute Homusubis words because he emphasized that, let alone rescuing Naruto, if not for Yamas aid, he would have died there!

Tsunade-hime said, Putting aside the matter of that Hundred Million Ryo for now, what about the other agreement? You people have taken Uchiha Fugakus Mangekyo Sharingan we need you to return those to us as well, of course, we will pay you fifty Million Ryo for that as we agreed upon!

Homusubi shook his head, That wont be happening you can keep that fifty Million Ryo, we are not interested in it, and thats why we did not include it in the payment! Then said, ow that thats settled, lets get back to Four Hundred Million Ryo, unlike last time, this time we do not wish to receive the payment in multiple installments, it must be paid in a single installment, so when are you going to pay the amount?

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