Naruto: Tsunade's Brother

Chapter 63: Chapter 63: Looming Crisis



Seramu noticed the urgency in the woman's expression and quickly ordered someone to retrieve her belongings. 

She had already instructed her attendants to safely store the stranger's items, intending to return them once the woman regained consciousness.

Iwa breathed a small sigh of relief when she saw the space scroll still intact inside her ninja tool pouch.

Without delay, she wrote down the intel she had intercepted in coded script and transmitted it all to Lord Third.

Once it was done, the weight in her heart finally lifted. She exhaled a long breath before a wave of dizziness overwhelmed her, and she collapsed onto the bed, drained of all strength. 

Her injuries from the night before had caused significant blood loss. Everything she had done since waking had been fueled purely by willpower.

Seramu deeply admired the woman's tenacity, it moved her. A woman's determination was in no way inferior to any man's.

Iwa rested for a moment, then tried to sit up despite her condition. Seeing this, Seramu quickly stepped forward to support her.

Sensing the Queen's genuine concern and her approachable manner, so much like Lord Third, Iwa's guarded heart began to relax. 

A faint smile of apology touched her lips as she said, "I've troubled you, Your Majesty."

Seramu responded gently, "Think nothing of it. When the doctors examined your abdomen yesterday, they found a deep gash. 

You've lost a lot of blood and need to rest. How are you feeling now?"

Iwa indeed felt lightheaded and weak, and could only reply honestly, "Not great. I've lost contact with my teammates. 

They're likely being pursued by the enemy as well... I don't know if they'll make it."

At those words, Seramu's expression grew serious. She asked firmly, "Why are shinobi from all the major villages gathering in Roran? Blades know no mercy, your conflicts could endanger our civilians."

Iwa gazed calmly at the Queen, noting the worry that was difficult to hide on her face. 

She thought, She did save my life... it wouldn't hurt to share some non-sensitive information. Maybe we can even use Roran's defense network later.

Choosing her words carefully, Iwa slowly replied.

"I'm Iwa, a Jonin from the Konohagakure–Kumogakure coalition. I have two teammates here, both also Jonin. 

From the composition of our team, you can probably tell, this mission is extremely dangerous. 

The reason everyone has converged on Roran is because of the Dragon Vein, its power has caught the eye of outsiders."

Seramu's tense expression eased somewhat at that. She asked curiously, "So… does that mean Konoha desires the Dragon Vein too?"

Iwa shook her head. "You've probably heard of the Sky Ninja wreaking havoc in the Land of Demons and the Land of Bears, haven't you? 

Lord Third sent us here to track their movements. But judging from recent events, it's clear the Sky Ninja aren't the only ones targeting the Dragon Vein."

Seramu felt slightly relieved. She had long admired the Third Hokage and would have hated to see him reduced to just another power-hungry warlord. 

Composed once again, she said, "The Dragon Vein can only be activated through my bloodline. Even if they steal it, they can't use it."

But Iwa, concerned the Queen was underestimating her enemies, warned sincerely, "You may not understand the ninja world well. 

If shinobi want to bypass your bloodline's restrictions, I'm afraid there are many ways. 

At the very least, they could capture you and your daughter to force your cooperation. What would you do then?"

Mentioning her daughter Sara sobered Seramu immediately. She muttered to herself, "It seems decades of peace have dulled my vigilance."

She knew that the only reason the Land of Wind hadn't invaded Roran yet was because of their inconvenient desert location, neither valuable enough to seize, nor worthless enough to ignore.

Though prosperous, Roran was still vastly inferior to the Great Nations. 

The country was only marginally larger in territory than minor nations, with little strategic or economic value. 

Since it posed no threat and offered no real gain, it had remained safe, until now.

If the major powers began to covet the Dragon Vein, Roran would face an unprecedented disaster. 

Once the Dragon Vein was lost, it would be like cutting off the kingdom's lifeblood. The result would be famine, displacement, even total collapse.

Though she felt panic rising, Seramu quickly regained composure, hardened by years of ruling through the crisis. Looking at Iwa, an idea formed in her mind.

With a kind smile, she asked, "Will your Third Hokage be coming here as well?"

In this critical moment, the whereabouts of Lord Third were a top-level secret. Iwa instantly grew guarded. 

Narrowing her eyes, she replied lightly, "Why the interest in his movements? Don't tell me… you're a fan of the Third?"

Seramu burst into laughter, catching Iwa off guard. She didn't recall saying anything funny.

Smiling, the Queen said, "You're exactly right. I've admired the Third Hokage for a long time. 

I've even sent people to study his policies in detail, and to learn about the man himself. In fact, I even have a portrait of him."

With that, she walked to her vanity and retrieved a scroll. Inside was a detailed sketch of Arima wearing his ceremonial Hokage robes.

Seeing the image of someone who shared her deep respect for Lord Third, Iwa felt an unexpected sense of kinship. 

She gently touched the drawing, her face softening with rare tenderness.

Noticing Iwa's expression, Seramu instantly understood, the young woman clearly harbored deep affection for the Third Hokage. 

While she refrained from commenting, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of pity. It was likely a love destined to go unfulfilled.

The tension between them dissolved. The earlier, subtle battle of words had turned into something much more cordial.

Iwa finally said, "Our Third Hokage will arrive soon. But I fear a massive battle is coming. 

Knowing Lord Third, he'll make every effort to fight in a sparsely populated area, so you won't need to worry too much about the kingdom being caught in the crossfire."

Seramu noticed the calm confidence in Iwa's voice, and the glimmer of hope in her eyes. She realized that Iwa had complete faith in her Hokage, he gave her security, and trust.

So this is the sense of safety he gives her, she thought. What kind of man must he be?

After a moment, Seramu nodded. "I, too, believe that Lord Third carries compassion in his heart. 

After this incident, I hope to form an alliance with Konoha. When the time comes, I hope you'll convey my request to him."

Iwa was briefly surprised, but quickly understood. 

Forming an alliance with Konoha, even if it put Roran at odds with the Land of Wind, meant they would fall under the protection of the Konoha–Kumogakure coalition. 

That alone would ensure the kingdom's security.

Just as they were speaking, a maid rushed in and reported urgently, "Your Majesty, the department monitoring the Dragon Vein has delivered an emergency report!"

Seramu took the scroll and read it quickly. It stated that the Dragon Vein was undergoing violent fluctuations, likely due to interference from an unknown external force.

Given that she and Iwa had just been discussing this exact possibility, it was hard to believe this wasn't the result of those coveting the Dragon Vein making their move.

Seramu looked at Iwa solemnly. "The Dragon Vein is reacting violently, possibly from outside interference. What's your take?"

Iwa thought for a moment, then replied, "Before we came, Lord Third specifically tasked us with monitoring the Dragon Vein in case the Sky Ninja tried anything. 

I suspect they're the ones behind this, they have special techniques for manipulating forces like the Dragon Vein."

Seramu rolled up the report, stood, and prepared to leave.

Iwa quickly stepped forward to stop her. "Where are you going? Aren't you afraid of being ambushed? Your guards might not be able to fend off multiple Jonin."

Seramu smiled calmly. "I am the Queen of this country. How could I cower in the rear during a crisis?

Life or death, I will face it alongside my people. 

But if anything happens to me, please… for the sake of Sara, who helped conceal your presence, protect her and get her out of this country. Thank you."

With those words, Seramu strode out with unwavering resolve.

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