After leaving Honoka in her quarters, Kushina Uzumaki strode through the bustling corridors of the Akakage building. The building's walls, etched with glowing fuinjutsu seals, pulsed faintly, casting a soft blue glow that mingled with the sunlight streaming through narrow windows. But Kushina's mind was sharp, focused on the envoy approaching their shores, its faint aura of fear rather than malice stirred her curiosity and caution.
She entered the command center of the guard building, a chamber designed for strategy and crisis. The room was stark yet functional: a long, polished wooden table dominated the center, surrounded by high-backed chairs. Maps of the shinobi world adorned the walls, marked with red ink to track threats like the Kage alliance and anything else they could think of.
A single window overlooked the harbor, where the distant speck of the envoy's ship was just visible against the glittering ocean.
The relevant people were already aware of the situation thanks to Aina's Mind's Eye of Kagura. The ability spread her senses like a net across the waters, and unlike last time, the report hadn't prompted Kushina to rush immediately. There was no pressing urgency or malice, only a faint tremor of fear from the approaching ship.
She took her seat at the head of the table, her blue eyes scanning her advisors: Akinari, Nagato, Aina, and the elder, Akaji. Rina stood just to her side, parchment and brush ready in her steady hands, the picture of quiet loyalty.
Akinari, with his sharp gray eyes, sat to her left. Nagato, young but commanding with his Mangekyo Sharingan, leaned forward attentively. Akaji, the elder with greying hair, sat upright, eager to prove his worth. Aina sat quietly next to Akinari; she wasn't really suited for these meetings, but was included as the vice-captain of the guard.
"You're all aware of the situation," Kushina began. Her crimson hair glimmered in the lamplight as her eyes swept over them, searching for hesitation. None came; each nodded in turn. "A ship is approaching the island. It doesn't appear threatening- I checked both their malice and their chakra myself. So… does anyone have an idea of who they are?"
Akaji, her newly appointed advisor, folded his hands atop the table before speaking. His voice carried the gravitas of age. "If I may, Lady Kushina. I believe it is likely an envoy from the Land of Tea."
Kushina tilted her head slightly. That possibility had slipped her mind; she'd nearly forgotten this island was still technically listed under the Land of Tea's holdings.
Akaji continued, "This island, along with the adjacent one, has long been used for a quadrennial competition that the Land of Tea hosts. I believe the time for it draws near."
Kushina's brow furrowed, a flicker of annoyance crossing her face.
Akinari nodded, his voice calm but decisive. "I agree with Elder Akaji. A merchant or another village wouldn't approach us, given our enmity with the Five Great Nations." His gray eyes met Kushina's, reflecting their shared distrust of outsiders after Konoha's betrayal.
Nagato gave a brief nod, while Aina merely added a quiet "Mm" of agreement, her gaze already drifting back toward the horizon only she and Kushina could sense. Rina's brush scratched softly against the parchment as she recorded the discussion.
"That sounds reasonable," Kushina said, her tone softening slightly. She leaned back, her fingers drumming on the table. "But what do we do about it? If they're here for their competition, they might demand control of the islands. I won't allow that many outsiders to enter."
The room fell silent, each advisor weighing the implications. Aina spoke up, her voice steady. "We could negotiate to buy the islands outright. It's a small nation; they might not care about these scraps of land."
Akaji nodded, adding, "That, and we assert our presence. They're too weak to challenge us, but we shouldn't offend the Daimyo too much."
Kushina's eyes narrowed, her mind racing. She was not as adept at politics as she was at fighting. She would default to Akaji's guidance.
"Let's receive them," she decided. "Akinari, Akaji, you'll greet them at the harbor. Be respectful but firm. We're not their subjects. Aina, prepare the guest room in the tower. Nagato, have our patrols on standby, just in case." Her voice carried the weight of the Akakage, unyielding.
---
The harbor bustled with activity as the ship docked, its polished wood and ornate carvings marking it as a vessel of status rather than war. Fishermen paused their work, eyeing the newcomers with distrust.
The ship's sails bore the Land of Tea's crest. The first to step off were not nobles but a line of armored men. Samurai, by their armor- though their chakra was pitiful, their presence was more ceremonial than martial.
Their discipline was crisp, but to Uzumaki eyes, they were little better than civilians with swords.
Not long after came the true guest. A palanquin was carried down, its polished wood and gilded frame drawing every eye. Seated within was a man dressed in robes of green and gold, his hair streaked with grey, his bearing proud yet cautious.
This was clearly a minister, likely a high-ranking official sent by the Daimyo. His ornate attire contrasted sharply with Akagakure's rugged practicality.
On the dock to receive them stood Akinari and Akaji. The latter had been chosen deliberately; as a former elder of Uzushio, he alone had experience handling dignitaries and their prickly pride.
Akaji's weathered face softened into a polite smile. "It's a pleasure to welcome you, Minister," he said, bowing slightly- enough to show respect but not submission.
The minister shifted uneasily, clearly wary of the clan's fierce reputation. But Akaji's controlled courtesy soothed him. "Yes… it is my pleasure as well. To see the Uzumaki revived, alive again after such tragedy- it is a wonderful thing."
Akaji smiled with practiced diplomacy. "Indeed. Allow me to escort you to our leader, the First Akakage, Lady Kushina." He gestured toward the former shrine, leading the way with Akinari at his side, the samurai trailing behind like cautious shadows.
---
Kushina was waiting in a reception hall of the Akakage building. Unlike her personal quarters, this room was designed with ceremony in mind. Red banners lined the walls, embroidered with the spiral crest of the Uzumaki, and a lacquered table ran the length of the chamber. Cushions were set neatly along its sides, incense burning faintly in the air.
To be honest, Kushina had never thought the chamber would see use. She preferred the war room, the training fields, and the cliffside where the sea air cleared her mind. But she had built this hall anyway, out of caution. Now, as the scent of sandalwood mingled with the sea breeze drifting through the windows, she patted herself on the back for the foresight.
But her expression turned serious as she sat at the table's head, her crimson hair tied back, and her face set in stone.
It was easy to dismiss the Land of Tea as weak. They possessed no Hidden Village and no standing army beyond samurai. Perhaps the Daimyo had a handful of ninja bodyguards- Jōnin at most- but nothing compared to the might of even a middling shinobi village. Nagato alone could have crushed them. Kushina, Akinari, and the others could have erased the nation in a day.
But strength wasn't what made them dangerous. It was the system they represented.
The shinobi world's Daimyo operated in a strange, untouchable sphere, separate from the Hidden Villages. They treated conflicts like games. Their Hidden Villages were more about bragging rights than conquest or defence. When Konoha fell to her wrath in the Second War, the Fire Daimyo lost prestige, not land. The same occurred in the First War.
Why the shinobi tolerated it, Kushina still didn't fully understand. She wasn't a politician nor a schemer- she was a fighter. Yet she knew enough to recognize the danger. Attacking a Daimyo directly would shatter this unspoken rule. Which would, in turn, threaten every Daimyo, of all the nations.
While she wasn't exactly afraid of facing every Hidden Village at once, she would rather build her power and the power of her clan here to minimize any consequences.
The sliding door opened.
The minister entered. He bowed low from the waist. "Thank you for the hospitality, Lady Kushina," he said, his voice laced with a subtle unease, his brown eyes avoiding hers.
Kushina inclined her head. Even in the traditional hierarchy, a Kage is beneath a Daimyo, but above a minister. Let him remember that.
"I'm Minister Daiki, from the Land of Tea," he continued, straightening. He paused, gauging her reaction. From everything he's heard, the Akakage didn't like beating around the bush. He got straight to the point, "I'm not sure if you're aware, but our nation owns the lands of this village, my Lady."
"I wasn't," Kushina lied easily, her tone flat. "My clan fled here to escape persecution from the other villages. Now that it's been brought to my attention, we're willing to buy these islands. They're not valuable to the Land of Tea, I'm sure."
Daiki hesitated, his lips twitching. "That is… generous. However, the Daimyo has another proposal."
Kushina's eyes narrowed.
He swallowed, the words rushing out. "As you know, the Land of Tea has never formed a Hidden Village. We never saw the need before... but now that you and your clan are settled here-"
"No." Kushina's voice cut through like a blade. "As I said, we're open to buying the islands, but the Uzumaki will remain unbound."
The minister swallowed, sweat prickling his neck. "B-but… the Daimyo's wishes were clear. If you do not accept, then perhaps you will have to vacate the islands, or-"
He cut himself off, realizing too late the threat he had spoken. He cursed his Daimyo.
"Or what?" Kushina's voice was ice, her gaze piercing as she rose and stepped toward him.
"I m-mispoke..."
She leaned in, her face inches from his, repeating, "Or what?"
Cold sweat poured down Daiki's back, his fine robes clinging to his skin. "O-or n-nothing..." he stammered, his voice barely a whisper. "You can have the islands. They're not worth much, as you said."
Kushina held his gaze a moment longer, then leaned back, satisfied. "That's what I thought. Tell your Daimyo this is how it will be."
"Yes, Lady Kushina." Daiki bowed low, his hands shaking as he gathered his robes. He excused himself quickly, nearly stumbling as he hurried from the chamber.
When the door slid shut, silence filled the hall once more.
Kushina exhaled slowly and dropped back into her chair, rubbing at her temples. "Always one problem after another," she muttered to herself. She doubted very much this would be the end of the Land of Tea's interference.
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A/N: This chapter officially marks 100k words. Tbh, when I first started writing this, I never thought I'd get this far. It's my first work ever, so I wasn't sure I could stick with it, but here we are. Thanks to everyone still reading!