The chamber was filled with the sound of my clones cycling through their drills. Their movements were steady, mechanical, each repeating the basic forms I had assigned them. It gave the space a strange rhythm, a constant backdrop that let me focus while I sat cross-legged on the cold floor, eating rabbit stew and contemplating my newest Kekkei Genkai.
Across from me sat my Phantom Realm Clone, the only one not training. Her eyes were dark purple with flecks of silver, and her chakra was tinted with that odd blend of Yin and Space-Time that still felt alien even to me.
"You're still burning too much chakra on the Network Map," she said flatly. "It's the Space-Time connection. By holding every seal open to travel, it is draining you more than the mapping itself."
"So, just a 'map' rather than 'fast-travel'," I mocked. "You're asking me to manipulate the balance of Yin and Space-Time, two of the most complex elements."
"And? You've already created the Kekkei Genkai, and manipulating chakra is the basis for all jutsu... This is just basic principles and applications of the Phantom Realm to strengthen your mind; you haven't even begun to imagine what this power can hold!" my Phantom Realm clone said dramatically.
"I know, I know... I'll make some time to start testing things soon, but ranking up my affinity is the most important. I'll work on the 'map' while you grind," I said.
My clone rolled her eyes, but I understood it. My only current Phantom Realm technique was the FTG Network Map which could be used for about forty-five seconds then she would need to meditate to recover her chakra for forty-five minutes; it was incredibly boring. Still, she closed her eyes and started burning away her chakra as she used the technique.
I knew it would not be easy, but none of my custom jutsus had been simple to make. I set the empty bowl aside and pressed my hands together as I started to cycle the Phantom Realm chakra through my body. The first attempt sputtered, collapsing almost instantly into static sparks in my mind. The second held for a moment longer before fragmenting under the weight of too many signals. The third flickered faintly but guttered out before forming a stable image.
"Again," Phantom Realm Clone said calmly.
I exhaled, centered myself, and tried once more. This time, the chakra slid into place differently; the Yin side softening the draining threads of Space-Time while making it into something coherent. My vision tilted, and then… it was there.
The Map.
A familiar hand-drawn map sprawled across the inside of my mind. Silver points glimmered across it, marking every Flying Thunder God seal I had placed, but they were closed off to me. They twinkled like stars in the dark, steady and clear, their positions easy to track without the crushing drain of open pathways.
I smiled faintly. "It works."
My mind's eye drifted to the far side of the Map, deep in Wind Country where two points gleamed. I knew them immediately, the hawk I had marked for Kurenai, and the shuriken I had given to Pakura. Over the next hour as I practiced the technique, I noticed that one of those points was moving slowly towards the border.
It had to be Pakura; I was sure. Word of the ambush and our successful escape had to reach the Sand Village by now. This was her chance to take the title of Kazekage and securing peace with Konoha could cement... or at least, that was what I hoped.
By the time I finished the last of the stew, I felt fuller than I had in weeks. My clones wrapped up their drills one by one, and I dismissed them with a pulse of chakra, leaving the chamber quiet. My head throbbed for a moment, but it faded quickly.
The sun was sinking low when I resurfaced. The evening air carried a sharp bite, and I moved through my Flying Thunder God network, flashing between marks until I stood just outside the command tent. Inside, Orochimaru sat at his desk, a lantern burning beside neat stacks of scrolls. He did not look up right away, but when his golden eyes lifted to meet mine, they were as sharp as ever.
"I came to report something unusual," I began. "One of my Flying Thunder God seals in Wind Country is moving closer. The signature belongs either to Kurenai's hawk or to the shuriken I gave Pakura, but the way it is moving makes me think it's Pakura."
Orochimaru leaned back slightly, steepling his fingers. "I see. That is not entirely unexpected. After the string of defeats we have handed the Sand, their next logical step would be to consider peace. Still, if it truly is Pakura, it would be far more impressive if she is coming with the authority of the Kazekage himself. Only time will tell whether she has secured that position for herself."
I folded my arms. "That's possible. She was already respected, but the loss of Rasa's authority after his failures could open a path for her. Either way, the marker keeps coming closer. What are your instructions?"
His eyes stayed on me, unblinking. "You will remain in camp for now. Continue to monitor the movement of the seal. If Pakura or anyone else carrying that marker approaches, you will inform me immediately. Do not attempt to make contact without my consent."
I inclined my head. "Understood. I'll keep watching and let you know if there is any change."
"Good," he said simply, turning his attention back to the scroll on his desk.
I bowed faintly and stepped outside. The last of the sunlight had already slipped below the horizon, the camp now alive with the glow of torches and the faint hum of shinobi settling in for the night. As I walked back to my tent, I could not help but think about how much has changed. Whatever idea I had of staying with what I knew was well gone; I still did not regret killing Danzo, the self-serving bastard. So now, it was time to start stacking the cards in my favor and protecting those that I cared about.
The next day passed without incident until midday, when the guards announced a Sand envoy at the edge of camp. Tension rippled faintly through the camp, but the three shinobi did not cause too much fear. I was called to the command tent by Orochimaru before he was permitted to enter. I stood off to one side, watching carefully as they stepped inside. Their posture was stiff, their faces calm, but the faint flickers of their chakra betrayed their nerves.
The leader stepped forward and offered a sealed scroll with both hands. "A proposal from the Sand," he said. His voice was steady, but his eyes flickered to me before returning to Orochimaru.
Orochimaru accepted it without a word, breaking the seal with a flick of his finger. His golden eyes scanned the lines swiftly, his expression unreadable in the dim light of the lantern. Finally, he set the scroll down with a soft thud.
"It appears," he drawled, "to be a genuine offer. I will send it to the Hokage at once." He lifted his gaze, and the envoy dipped their heads, relief flickering across their faces. "You are dismissed."
They left quickly, their sandals whispering across the canvas floor. As soon as the tent flap closed, Orochimaru formed a quick seal. A snake coiled up from the shadows at his feet, scales glinting. He handed the scroll to it with a lazy motion.
"Take this to Konoha."
The snake bowed its head before disappearing in a puff of smoke, leaving only the faint scent of earth behind.
Orochimaru turned his head toward me then, his smile thin and sharp. "If Pakura is truly behind this, then it seems she has secured the Kazekage's seat for herself. Bold… but expected." His gaze lingered for a heartbeat before he waved his hand in dismissal. "You may go."
I bowed lightly and left, the weight of his words turning over in my mind. It seemed our plan had worked. The following days were quiet.
For once, I allowed myself to rest. I spent time with Kurenai, working on the rhythm of her taijutsu to better complement her genjutsu, while the boys recovered under Yuri's watchful care. The camp hummed with its usual efficiency, but a thread of anticipation coiled beneath it all; everybody was waiting for Konoha's reply.
At last, it came. Late one evening, I was summoned to the command tent where Orichimaru was sitting at his usual table. There was the faintest smile on his lips as he looked at me and picked up a scroll.
"The Hokage has accepted their proposal of negotiations," he said simply. "But he requires the Kazekage to come to Konoha to formalize the treaty." His eyes glittered as he held the scroll out to me. "You will deliver this message. Alone."
I accepted it without hesitation. "I understand."
"Leave your team here. They have earned their rest, and this is not a mission for them. If they agree, take your team to escort them to Konoha; I'll arrange a second team to join you."
I inclined my head. "Understood."
I gripped the scroll tightly in my hand as I left his tent, but I kept my excitement in check. This was just the first step and peace had yet to be reached. All I knew was that Pakura was close to the border, and the Sand was asking for peace.
I stopped by tent and told my team to be ready to leave in the morning; we may have a special mission when I returned. While I still saw a bit of excitement from Asuma and Guy, it had been tempted into a stronger resolve after the last mission. Both Kurenai and Duy accepted the information with a calm nod and settled back into their bedrolls. They knew things could be dangerous, but they believed in their own strength and my support.
I left camp on foot. Although there was a marker I could teleport to that was likely within the Sand Camp, exposing my relationship with Pakura so casually was foolish; plus, I would likely be attacked for appearing without warning. The marker became my guiding star on my new Map as I ran through the night.
It was dawn as I approached the southern Sand camp. I held up a white banner and slowed as I headed towards their gate. No one attacked when I neared, and the gates opened to an older man that escorted me inside the camp. Shinobi paused in their work to watch me pass, their eyes sharp, their chakra taut and ready. Their glares would have unnerved most people, but I only found it faintly amusing. If nothing else, it proved they knew exactly who I was; it seemed that my name was truly spreading.
The command tent was cooler inside, quieter too. At the center, a low table had been set with three cushions. Pakura and Chiyo were already seated across from the empty one, and several guards I recognized from Umiwake stood along the edges of the room. They were Pakura's trusted team, the same faces that had once hovered protectively near her at the night market.
I inclined my head in greeting. "Lady Chiyo. Pakura. Thank you for receiving me."
Pakura returned the nod with a polite smile, her tone smooth and practiced. "So, you are Sarutobi Akari, the Hokage's daughter. I've heard much about your exploits in this war so far; impressive."
She said it as though it were the first time we had ever met, her gaze steady, her voice giving nothing away. Only her eyes lingered on me a beat too long, weighing the rumors she had heard and her own interactions with me. I could not help but wonder what she truly thought of me after talking with Chiyo.
Chiyo, on the other hand, did not bother to hide her displeasure. She watched me with narrowed eyes, and her lips pressed into a thin line.
I smirked faintly and lowered myself onto the waiting cushion. "I bring a message from my father," I said, sliding the sealed scroll across the table.
Pakura accepted it and broke the seal without hesitation. Her eyes moved quickly down the page, her expression never wavering. When she had finished, she passed it over to Chiyo and turned her attention back to me.
"They say you wield Lava Release," she said, her voice calm but curious. "That is not something that should be possible for the Sarutobi clan. I cannot help but wonder how one without a bloodline managed to awaken such a power."
I met her gaze steadily. "The Sarutobi have always been strong in Fire and Earth. I spent years practicing the fusion until I found the balance point between them. Nothing more than persistence and stubbornness. Perhaps it is just one of my peculiar talents."
Her expression did not change, but I saw the thought settle behind her eyes. Was this how you learned Scorch Release, simple practice? The hint of disbelief and distaste was easy to miss, but I noticed it all the same.
Across the table, Chiyo finished reading the scroll. Her frown deepened as she set it aside. Pakura folded her hands together.
"The Hokage insists that the Kazekage must attend peace talks in Konoha. If I am able to secure a treaty, the elders and the Wind Daimyō will have no choice but to make my position official. Rasa's appointment was only meant to be temporary after the disappearance of the Third Kazekage."
I gave a slow nod. "If you have the authority to speak for your people, then your presence will satisfy the Hokage's demand in spirit. Titles can be debated later, but decisions cannot wait."
Pakura's voice was steady when she answered. "I do have that authority."
Chiyo gave a sharp nod beside her, though her eyes never left me.
"In that case," I said, "when would you and your team like to depart?"
Pakura did not hesitate. "We can be ready within the hour." She gestured toward the guards, who bowed once before leaving the tent to make preparations.
The silence that followed was heavy. When the flap settled back into place, Chiyo leaned forward slightly, her voice clipped. "There is another matter. The cores of my puppetsthat you claimed after our fight. I want them returned."
I chuckled softly. "You can give you one now as a sign of good faith, but I'll keep the other until the treaty is signed."
Her eyes narrowed, but she extended her hand all the same. I pulled out a storage scroll and channeled some chakra into it. With a hand sign, a silver sphere with fuinjutsu inscribed on it appeared in Chiyo's hand.
"The Saw-Arm Puppet's core," I said evenly. "Not one of the sealing puppet."
Chiyo closed her fingers around the core with anger then sighed and put it away with acceptance. With only one of her two sealing puppets operational, her ability to counter biju or techniques like my Lava Golem was crippled. It was clear that I did not trust her, but giving her one was already a token of goodwill she could not refute.
The next half hour passed in uneasy quiet. Pakura remained composed, her posture calm and dignified. Chiyo fumed silently, her fingers drumming against the case in front of her. I sat comfortably, letting the silence stretch, content to wait. At last, the tent flap opened, and Pakura's guards returned with the rest of her team in tow. They were ready for the journey.
Pakura rose smoothly to her feet. "Then let's go."
Chiyo stood as well, her huff of irritation obvious even as she turned away. I stood last, meeting Pakura's eyes briefly before leading them out of the tent. Dozens of hostile stares followed us as we walked through the camp, but no one raised a hand. Outside the perimeter, the desert stretched wide and empty, and the Sand delegation fell in behind me as we began the march back toward the Konoha camp.
The march back to the Konoha camp was quiet. Pakura and Chiyo kept their composure, but the guards shadowing them still carried an edge of suspicion. I ignored it and kept my focus on the horizon. When we finally reached the camp, I gathered my own team, Asuma, Kurenai, Duy, and Guy, and another four chunins that Orochimaru had arranged.
The journey to Konoha took three days. To my surprise, it was uneventful. When the walls of Konoha came into sight, I relaxed a bit as it would be difficult for trouble to get stirred up under ANBU watch.
I dismissed my team at the gate, telling them to see their families and rest while I handled the official duties. Asuma did not argue and even asked me to come to dinner. Guy nearly sprinted toward the village, dragging a laughing Duy with him. Kurenai lingered only a moment, her crimson eyes catching mine with something unspoken before she turned and walked away.
Pakura, Chiyo, and their guards followed me through the streets. I could sense hidden eyes following our walk, but as long as none of the Sand ninja did anything suspicious, they would remain at a distance. By the time we arrived at the Hokage's Tower, Hurizen stood waiting outside in his robes that stirred faintly in the breeze.
"Welcome to Konoha," he said, his voice carrying the calm authority that always seemed to steady the air around him. He gestured, and one of the masked ANBU appeared silently at his side. "Please escort our guests to their quarters. You may rest. Negotiations will begin tomorrow morning."
The Sand delegation bowed slightly and followed the ANBU into the tower. Hiruzen's eyes shifted to me, and he beckoned me inside. Once we were in his office, he settled behind his desk and picked up his pipe.
"Orochimaru has kept me informed, but I want your perspective, Akari. How have things truly been on the Sand front?" he asked then lit his pipe.
I exhaled slowly, then told him everything. I described Orochimaru's command of the front lines, my week-long mission with my team with the scouting parties and small supply run we had intercepted. I explained how we received the intelligence of Sand reinforcements moving north and how I had chosen to trap the valley choke point with the assistance of my team. My stockpile of explosive tags had turned the terrain itself into a weapon, collapsing the ridgeline and cutting their forces to pieces.
I kept my tone measured as I recounted how my team fought through the pursuit squads, choosing to downplay my own role and instead emphasize their bravery and skill, especially when they had stood against a jonin without me. I finished by giving him my impressions of Pakura and Chiyo after traveling with them. Pakura seemed earnest in her desire for peace, and truthfully, the Sand had little Konoha needed that would justify prolonging the war if we wanted to keep pushing.
Hiruzen's expression softened. "You have done exceptionally well, Akari. I am proud of you and of the shinobi you are raising." His gaze sharpened again. "I want you to join us for the negotiations tomorrow. Your insight will be valuable."
I hid my grimace and bowed my head. "Of course. I will be there."
That night, for the first time in months, I returned to my own apartment. I had a hot shower, clean clothes that did not smell of smoke and sweat, and a steaming bowl of instant ramen. It felt almost unreal after so many nights in tents and deserts.
The next morning, I took my place in the council chamber of the Hokage Tower. Pakura and Chiyo sat across from Hiruzen, with Homura and Koharu flanking him. One chair was left empty, deliberately untouched. Danzo's seat. It was an amusing silent accusation considering that I was the one standing behind it during the meetings.
The negotiations dragged on for days. The elders pressed for reparations, their voices sharp with greed and old grudges. Pakura and Chiyo did not flinch. When they pressed too hard, she countered with calm precision, citing the crippling wounds I had inflicted on Rasa, the deaths of hundreds of their shinobi in the valley ambush, and the balance Konoha had already tilted in its favor.
I listened in silence, boredom creeping into my veins. I had no patience for politics, and the drama that went along with it. They used me and the other shinobi like pieces on a gameboard, but I knew that their grand moves were simple ploys in the grand scheme of things going on in the background. My current strength might limit me to the same level, but with some time and patience, I would be able to stand on the grand stage.