One month passed in a flash.
Chi Yu and Uzumaki Kushina were inseparable—almost never seen apart.
Kakashi Hatake only lasted two days at Chi Yu's home before he left in frustration.
He couldn't stand the daily display of affection. It was suffocating.
In his own words, "I'm choking on dog food."
That month, Konoha's high command was busier than ever.
Though they had fought bitterly with other villages during the war, the end of open hostilities meant diplomacy was back on the table. Alliances needed to be restructured, reparations discussed, and boundaries redrawn.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, still acting as the Third Hokage, extended an olive branch to Sunagakure.
As the defeated side, Sunagakure had little room to negotiate. Hiruzen offered relatively lenient terms—demanding that the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, provide compensation in the form of placer gold and agree to a renewed military alliance.
The gesture was largely symbolic, designed to smooth over hostilities rather than exact meaningful reparations.
Rasa, with little choice, accepted the treaty and signed without resistance.
---
Meanwhile, on the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind...
The Ino–Shika–Chō trio—Nara Shikaku, Yamanaka Inoichi, and Akimichi Chōza—stood at the edge of a cliff.
Across from them, more than thirty Iwagakure shinobi faced them down with wary, unfriendly eyes.
Shikaku calmly retrieved a scroll.
"This is a message from the Hokage," he announced. "Deliver it to the Tsuchikage."
He tossed the scroll across the gap. One of the Iwagakure shinobi caught it, but scoffed.
"No need to pass it on," he said, glaring. "I can give you the answer right now."
He raised his hand. The Iwagakure shinobi behind him all reached for their weapons.
But before anyone could move, a commanding voice echoed from a nearby ridge.
"Stand down. There's no need to escalate."
Heads turned. On the neighboring cliff stood a large contingent of Sunagakure shinobi—and at their head, unmistakable in his gold-plated armor, was the Fourth Kazekage.
"Rasa!"
The Iwagakure shinobi looked alarmed.
"How did the Sand get here?!"
"Why are they interfering?!"
Rasa crossed his arms and looked down, his tone dismissive and haughty.
"This land is also under Sunagakure's protection. We will not permit a battle to take place here. Where the scent of gunpowder still lingers, peace must be restored."
He stepped forward.
"Sunagakure will not remain neutral. Consider your next actions carefully."
The Iwagakure shinobi hesitated, then finally turned to retreat at their commander's shout of, "Fall back!"
---
In Iwagakure's Tsuchikage Tower...
Ōnoki of Both Scales sat at the head of the room. Before him lay the letter from Konoha, proposing peace.
"The Hokage wants a treaty," one elder muttered. "What do we say?"
"We reject it, of course," another scoffed. "Even with Suna's support, they can't match Iwagakure's strength."
Ōnoki, however, raised a hand for silence.
"The unity of our village is admirable... but don't forget: during the war, we staked everything on our southern assault. We sent over a thousand shinobi to breach Konoha's defenses. That force was decimated."
He looked at them gravely.
"The Yellow Flash alone crippled half our army. And the one they call the 'Blood-Eyed Shura' infiltrated Kirigakure and allegedly killed the Third Mizukage. Whether we like it or not, those are facts."
The room fell into silence.
Eventually, Ōnoki nodded slowly.
"We will agree to the alliance—for now."
---
Back in Konoha, at a dumpling shop near the village square...
Kotetsu Hagane, Izumo Kamizuki, Might Guy, Kurenai Yuhi, and Asuma Sarutobi sat around a table, enjoying skewered dango.
"I heard we're signing a treaty with Iwagakure," Kotetsu said, chewing on his skewer.
"What good is a treaty anyway?" Izumo muttered. "It's just paper."
Guy nodded enthusiastically. "Indeed! True peace requires the spirit of youth, not signatures!"
Kotetsu frowned. "Still, you should respect the Hokage's efforts. He's trying to prevent another war."
Asuma gave a small smile. "At least it's finally over. The war dragged on for too long."
Kurenai raised her skewer. "Then let's toast—to peace!"
Just then, they spotted Kakashi walking by.
Guy waved. "Kakashi! Join us for dango?"
Kakashi didn't answer. He barely glanced at them before walking on.
Guy blinked. "Still as cold as ever."
"He's always been like that," Izumo muttered.
Kotetsu added, "Can't blame him. He's got no room in his heart for small talk."
Kurenai's expression dimmed. "It's still because of Rin... and Obito. They were probably the only people he truly opened up to."
Asuma sighed. "Losing your whole team like that... it changes a person."
Kakashi continued walking alone through the village.
In his mind, he saw Obito's crushed body, Rin's lifeless form, her Sharingan, and the betrayal of their ideals.
The happy, laughing villagers around him only fueled his emptiness.
To Kakashi, their smiles were a mockery.
His father died for these people.
So did Rin.
So did Obito.
And for what?
---
In the Hokage's meeting room...
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat with Danzo Shimura, Homura Mitokado, and Utatane Koharu.
Before him lay Ōnoki's formal response.
Homura spoke first. "You've done well, Hiruzen."
Koharu added, "We can finally breathe easy."
Danzo scowled. "Easy? We just signed a treaty that acknowledges Iwagakure's aggression and demands no compensation. It's a disgrace! We might as well admit defeat!"
Homura asked, "What would you have us do, Danzo?"
Hiruzen replied, "Konoha's resources are drained. Prolonging the conflict would cost even more lives. This is a strategic concession."
Danzo slammed his hand on the table. "Then our fallen comrades died for nothing?!"
Hiruzen closed his eyes. "The responsibility is mine. As Hokage."
Danzo leaned forward. "Then how do you plan to take responsibility?"
Hiruzen opened his eyes. "I will step down... and nominate a successor."
Danzo's expression shifted—barely hiding a glimmer of satisfaction.
To him, only Orochimaru was fit to be the Fourth Hokage.
If Orochimaru ascended, Root's influence would expand exponentially.
---
That same day, deep in one of Konoha's underground labs...
Danzo found Orochimaru working quietly, peering into a glowing beaker.
He didn't waste time.
"Hiruzen is stepping down. I plan to recommend you as the Fourth Hokage."
Orochimaru didn't look up. His hand froze briefly before returning to its task.
"I have no particular interest in the position."
Danzo's eyes narrowed. "Your reputation is unmatched. The people already believe you're the rightful successor. If you become Hokage, you won't need to hide your research anymore."
Orochimaru finally turned, a slow smile curling on his lips.
"Whether I become Hokage or not... means little to me. But if it serves my goals, then recommend me. I won't stop you."
Visit patreon.com/Akeyno to get 30+ chapters