XX-level Hokage

"After I get the exact location from him, I will go there myself and work with him from the inside to rescue Killer Bee," Mashiro said.

Ai was silent for a moment, then looked at Mashiro and said very seriously, "Hokage, I owe you a huge favor, I can't thank you enough."

"As a member of the Allied Shinobi Forces and one of the Five Kage, this is what I should do. So it's settled then, I'll head back now." Mashiro said with a smile.

After saying that, he left the Raikage's guesthouse. On his way back to the Hokage's guesthouse...

Mashiro watched the snowflakes dancing in the sky.

"This kind of weather is perfect for soaking in hot springs." Mashiro stretched out her fair hand, caught a fluttering snowflake, and said softly. "I came here specifically to see Ai, mainly to exchange Killer Bee for Ai's favor."

After all, Mashiro saved the Hidden Cloud Village, which made the entire Hidden Cloud Village owe Mashiro a favor. A also put Mashiro's interests above his own because of the Hidden Cloud Village.

But things are different now. Because of Killer Bee's matter, Ai now owes the real Shiro a favor.

As a result, the entire Yunhu Village is now basically under Mashiro's influence. The Allied Shinobi Forces meeting began early the next morning.

This was also the last meeting of the Five Kage in the Land of Iron, where they decided on specific measures for the Allied Shinobi Forces. Next, the Five Kage will return to their respective ninja villages to fight the Fourth Shinobi World War.

Perhaps the pressure from the Eye of the Moon Plan and the eight tailed beasts was too immense. This ninja alliance meeting proceeded exceptionally smoothly.

All matters concerning the Ninja Alliance were settled in just one morning.

The Allied Shinobi Forces were mainly composed of ninjas from the five great nations and samurai from the Land of Iron. The Fifth Hokage served as the commander-in-chief and supreme commander.

The then-Five Kage were the leaders of the Allied Forces. The third Tsuchikage was the Chief of Staff.

Nara Shikamaru of Konoha and Mabui of Kumogakure serve as strategists for the Allied Forces.

The coalition forces were divided into three parts. The first part: combat troops. This consisted of five units.

First Unit: Mid-Range Allied Forces Squadron (Main Force consists of ninjas skilled in concealed weapons and other weapons)

Second Unit: Close Combat Combined Forces Squadron (responsible for eliminating large numbers of enemies, the frontline fighting force). Third Unit: Close-to-Medium Range Combined Forces Squadron (responsible for protracted warfare).

Fourth Unit: Long-Range Combat Joint Forces (responsible for supporting both frontline and rear troops)

Fifth Unit: Special Combat Unit (a unit composed entirely of samurai or ninjas who use special ninjutsu and combat methods)

Part Two: The special forces are divided into four teams.

Intelligence Units: Units responsible for receiving and transmitting intelligence from various locations.

Reconnaissance Team: Responsible for locating Akatsuki and the Tailed Beasts. Surprise Attack Team: Probe the enemy.

Daimyo Guard: Protecting the personal safety of daimyo from various countries.

Part Three: The auxiliary forces are divided into three units.

Medical logistics units: responsible for treating the wounded; Sensing units: responsible for sensing enemy positions.

Nine-Tails Guard: Responsible for protecting the personal safety of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.

Although the leaders and members of all units have not yet been decided, the specific framework of the Allied Shinobi Forces has been finalized. The next step is for the Five Kage to collect information on the ninjas from each village and then assign them according to their characteristics.

With the framework of the Allied Shinobi Forces finalized, the meeting concluded smoothly in a harmonious atmosphere. Afterwards, the Five Kage and their guards left the meeting room.

Before leaving, Mashiro glanced at Kurotsuchi, who was also looking at Mashiro. The two stared at each other, and Kurotsuchi quickly looked away.

"Jiraiya, Kakashi, I have some things to attend to. You two should go back first," Mashiro said softly to Jiraiya and Kakashi beside her. Meanwhile, in the corridor...

Onoki, Akatsuchi, and Kurotsuchi were walking slowly.

"The Allied Shinobi Forces, this is the first time, Kurotsuchi. Should I help you apply for a troop commander position? It would be a great help to you in the future, Kurotsuchi, Kurotsuchi." Onoki said, but Kurotsuchi seemed somewhat distracted.

"Hey old man, I have something to do, you guys go back first." After saying that, Heitu waved his hand and ran over.

"This girl... I feel like she's acting a bit strange," Onoki said, touching his nose with some doubt. Akatsuchi thought of Mashiro, but then shook his head and said honestly, "Who knows?"

The rooftop of the Samurai Pavilion.

Kurotsuchi walked nervously onto the rooftop. Not far away, Mashiro was leaning against the railing, looking up at the sky.

"What are you looking at?" Kurotsuchi walked to Mashiro's side, mimicking Mashiro's posture, looked up at the sky, and asked softly.

"Don't you think these goose feather-like snowflakes are quite unusual?" Mashiro said softly. Hearing this, Kurotsuchi looked closely at the snowflakes.

"It's quite large, a bit fluffy, not cold, and falls very slowly." Kurotsuchi remarked. "It's definitely different from the snow in Iwagakure."

“Did you know? There are many kinds of snow.” Mashiro said, holding out a hand. “Some are like salt, very small and very hard.”

Salt kept falling from Shiro's hands and landed in Kurokawa's hands.

Feeling the texture in his hand, Kurotsuchi looked at Mashiro with great surprise. "Some of them are long and thin, each one like a tiny needle."

Immediately afterwards, the snow falling from Mashiro's hand changed shape, becoming even brighter than before.

"And then there's the most common kind of snow, soft and small, falling very quickly." The snow falling from Mashiro's hand changed again.

"Finally, what we see now is snow as fluffy as goose feathers." After saying that, Mashiro withdrew her hand.

Heitu looked at the completely different kinds of snow in his hand, then suddenly threw them out. The four different "pure" snowflakes fluttered and swirled, creating a peculiar scene. "Do you like snow?" Heitu rubbed his hands together, breathed on them to warm them, and asked softly.

Chapter 165: Hot Spring in the Snow (Happy New Year*, (°√)*)

"Perhaps, I just really like this romantic feeling. When I look up at the sky, the vast horizon paired with the swirling snowflakes makes time seem to stand still."

A moment of stillness. "Mashiro gently shook her head and looked up at the sky again."

"Romantic? I always feel it's a bit too monotonous, after all, it's all white," Kurotsuchi said, looking at the sky. "Close your eyes," Mashiro said with a smile.

Although somewhat puzzled, Kurotsuchi closed his eyes. A moment later.

"Open your eyes."

Upon hearing this, Heitu gently opened his eyes. What he saw was a dense array of petals falling from the sky, a riot of colors, making even the snowflakes seem sparse.

"Is this... an illusion?!" Kurotsuchi said with some delight.

But when the petals fell onto Heitu, she could feel their texture—cool and soft—and the fragrance of the petals lingered around her nose, smelling wonderful.

"This is... really?!" Black Earth caught a few petals, gently kneaded them, and turned them into a lump of flower mud.

Mashiro gently hugged Kurotsuchi, resting her chin on Kurotsuchi's shoulder, and whispered, "It's definitely not monotonous anymore. Do you like it? A gift for our long-awaited reunion." Mashiro's breath gently brushed against Kurotsuchi's ear, warming her earlobe, which had been chilled by the cold wind.

"I really like it." Heitu looked at the petals falling from the sky, and against the backdrop of the boundless sky, she seemed to vaguely understand the romantic meaning that Zhenzi had mentioned.

A moment later, the falling petals became sparse and were eventually replaced by pure white snowflakes. Most of the petals that had already fallen landed on the rooftop, forming a beautiful "graffiti" on the white "paper". A small portion was carried away by the wind and drifted down to the foot of the Samurai Pavilion.

Due to the unique climate of the Land of Iron, hot pot has become a staple food for the entire population.

In a private room at a hot pot restaurant in the Land of Iron, Mashiro and Kurotsuchi are eating hot pot.

Because Mashiro had opened the window, snowflakes occasionally drifted in and landed in the boiling chili oil of the hot pot. "Snowy days really are the perfect time for hot pot," Mashiro said softly.

Kurotsuchi looked curiously at the copper pot filled with red oil in front of her. Due to the terrain of Iwagakure, the temperature in Iwagakure is suitable all year round, so she had never eaten hot pot before.

Seemingly sensing Kurotsuchi's hesitation, Mashiro picked up a piece of tripe, carefully examined it, and then offered it to Kurotsuchi's mouth. After a moment's hesitation, Kurotsuchi gently opened her mouth and ate the tripe Mashiro offered.

"It's so hot and spicy, but it's also very delicious," Kurotsuchi said after swallowing the tripe. "As long as it suits your taste," Masashi said with a smile.

Then he picked up a piece of seaweed and put it in his mouth. Watching the chopsticks that his lips had just touched enter Shiro's mouth, Kuroto's face turned slightly red.

"Why is your face suddenly red? Is it too spicy?" Zhenbai put down her chopsticks, reached out and touched Heitu's face with concern.

"No, it's nothing, it's too spicy." Hei Tu said, raising his cup to take a sip of water. "That's good."

Mashiro gently pinched Kurotsuchi's cheek, then withdrew her hand and smiled. [Name: Kurotsuchi]

Gender: Female Age: 19 Affection Level: 60 Relationship: ?

Affection Reward (50): Bloodline Limit: Lava Release Affection Reward (90): Bloodline Elimination: Dust Release

While they were eating hotpot, a sudden gust of cold wind blew up, and a red petal quietly landed on Heitu's hair. Heitu didn't notice and continued to cook the mutton.

Mashiro gently stood up, walked to Kurotsuchi's side, reached out, and stroked Kurotsuchi's hair. Kurotsuchi froze instantly.

"A petal has fallen on your hair. Do you want me to remove it for you?" Mashiro whispered in Kurotsuchi's ear. "Yes, please," Kurotsuchi replied softly.

She plucked the petals and placed them on the table, then suddenly said, "Kurotsuchi, do you remember the last time I stroked your hair like this?"

"I remember, you stole my first kiss that time," Kurotsuchi said, her face flushed. "So, want to try?" Mashiro said with a light laugh.

Heitu didn't speak, but looked up at Zhenbai's lips. Her rosy lips were slightly swollen and red, perhaps because of the spiciness. They were very pretty.

Black Soil, impoverished, closed his eyes. True White leaned in, their lips meeting. Their love intertwined.

Cat catching mouse. Lips parting.

Heitu was already panting heavily. [Heitu's favorability +5]

"Next time, how about we play something more fun?" Mashiro asked, putting her hand into Kurotsuchi's mouth and gently fiddling with her tongue.

Kurotsuchi couldn't make a sound; her eyes were unfocused, and she nodded slightly. After sending Kurotsuchi back to the Iwagakure inn, Mashiro returned to the Samurai Pavilion.

"You're right on time, Hokage-sama," Terumi said softly, holding a light blue umbrella.

"Excuse me, something came up, let's talk somewhere else." Mashiro walked under Terumi Momo's umbrella without hesitation and said with a smile. Terumi Momo didn't say anything, and the two went to a nearby teahouse together.

"Did the Mizukage come to see me for something?" After entering the private room and taking a seat, Mashiro looked at Mei Terumi and asked softly.

"Since the Hokage has asked directly, I'll be frank. Kisame Hoshigaki, the rogue ninja from Kirigakure, possesses the weapon Samehada, which is extremely important to our Kirigakure. Therefore, could you please return it to Kirigakure?" Terumi Mo said with a smile, expressing her confidence.

"I see. So that strange weapon was Samehada. Its power is immense. If it weren't for it, Kisame Hoshigaki wouldn't have been so troublesome," Mashiro said meaningfully.

Terumi naturally understood Mashiro's meaning and said with a smile, "Please rest assured, Hokage, as long as we can get Samehada back, our Kirigakure is willing to pay the corresponding price."

"Forget about the price, as long as Lord Mizukage agrees to one condition, Samehada will be sent back to Kirigakure in a few days," Mashiro said, taking a sip of tea.

Terumi said very seriously, in her opinion that Mashiro's conditions would be quite difficult, and she was prepared to bargain. "Come with me to a hot spring," Mashiro said with a light laugh, putting down her teacup.

Soaking in a hot spring?! Is that all? This…” Mei Terumi seemed unable to understand Mashiro’s meaning.

“That’s right, it’s just this: come with me to a hot spring, and I’ll send Samehada back to Kirigakure,” Mashiro said softly. “Thank you very much, Hokage-sama.” Although she didn’t know what Mashiro was planning, Terumi Mo agreed.

There aren't many hot springs in the Land of Iron, but they are all of very high quality, and hot spring hotels are often booked well in advance.

However, this did not stump Mashiro. By using Mifune's connections, he successfully booked the best hot spring suite at Seisen-kai, the largest hot spring hotel in the Land of Iron.

“Let’s go,” Mashiro said softly, then pushed open the door and went inside. Terumi hesitated for a moment, then followed her in.

"The hot spring is in the backyard. As I expected, all the best rooms in the hot spring hotels have open-air hot springs. Let's change into our bathrobes in the room first," Mashiro said softly, and then began to take off her clothes.

Mei Terumi was still somewhat unaccustomed to it. She was born in the land of blood mist, isolated from the world, and had virtually no close female friends, let alone ever bathed in a hot spring with her human counterparts.

But eventually, Terumi Mei also began to take off her clothes. Wrapped in a yukata, Terumi Mei went to the backyard.

Looking at the scene in the backyard, even she felt a sense of bewilderment.