Gathering the three Jōnin elites from Sunagakure, appointed by Rasa, Aizen led the envoy alongside Konoha's escort.
Four days later, the two parties arrived together at the main gates of Konoha.
After seeing the desolate, wind-scoured landscape of Sunagakure, both Shiranui Genma and the ever-lively Might Guy suddenly felt a new appreciation for their own home. The village they had lived in for more than twenty years—so familiar it once felt ordinary—now seemed breathtakingly beautiful.
Behind Aizen, the three Sand Jōnin, including Pakura, could not conceal the flicker of envy in their eyes. To them, Konoha's verdant forests, fertile soil, and flowing streams were treasures beyond measure. In the Land of Fire such things were common; in the Land of Wind, they were priceless rarities.
"Welcome to Konoha, Lord Aizen," Nara Shikaku said as he stepped forward, his tone polite but measured.
"What a beautiful village this is, don't you think, Pakura?" Aizen asked, smiling faintly behind his pure white mask.
"…Yes," Pakura replied softly. Her expression remained calm, but the two other Sand Jōnin, Jin Naruo and Longzhong, wore faces so transparent that their yearning was plain for all to see. They looked like villagers from a slum suddenly thrust into a wealthy district.
"Please, follow me," Shikaku said, leading the way.
It was a scene reminiscent of the reception five days prior, except this time the roles were reversed. Some Konoha shinobi in the streets noticed the four unfamiliar figures trailing behind Shikaku, their Sand forehead protectors and foreign garb standing out sharply. Many quickly guessed the reason: word had already spread among the shinobi that Uchiha Kenya had died at the hands of the Fourth Kazekage.
Unlike last time, Shikaku did not lead them to the Hokage's office, but instead to the highest council chamber of the Hokage Building. Before the envoy's arrival, Shikaku had already informed both Konoha's leadership and the Sand representatives of the precise time.
That morning, Sarutobi Hiruzen summoned Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura, and several other senior officials to wait in the council chamber. Shimura Danzō, however, was absent—as he had been since the Uchiha massacre. Rarely did he show his face in public these days.
"Honored guests of Sunagakure, welcome," Hiruzen said warmly as the four entered. He rose to his feet, the other elders following suit, their expressions carefully composed.
"I must apologize, Hokage-sama," Aizen replied with courteous tones. "Because of the heavy toll suffered in the battle against Uchiha Kenya—the rebel from your village—Lord Kazekage was unable to attend personally."
His words, though politely spoken, cut like a blade. Many of Konoha's senior officials bristled inwardly at the implication.
"We in Konoha regret this matter deeply," Hiruzen answered smoothly. "At the same time, we are grateful that Lord Kazekage acted to deal with such a betrayal."
The old Hokage's face betrayed no dissatisfaction, only a calm smile—his political discipline far above the impulsive elders seated at his side.
"Thank you for your understanding, Hokage-sama," Aizen said, lowering himself gracefully into his seat. "Then, let us begin negotiations."
He continued, his voice steady:
"The rebels from your village—Uchiha Kenya and Uchiha Itachi—killed three elite Chūnin and one senior ninja of ours. The loss to Sunagakure was significant. Later, Lord Kazekage took it upon himself to cleanse your ranks, striking down Uchiha Kenya at the cost of grave injury to himself…"
After pausing briefly, Aizen leaned forward. "Such sacrifices weigh heavily on us. Surely, as an allied nation, Konoha will not remain indifferent, will it?"
"And what, then, does your village propose?" Utatane Koharu asked sharply, narrowing her eyes at him.
"This," Aizen said, producing a small scroll. He handed it to Pakura, who stepped forward and respectfully delivered it to Hiruzen.
The Hokage unrolled it and read carefully, his eyes scanning every line with solemn attention. The further he read, the heavier his face became. Without a word, he passed the scroll to Homura and Koharu, who in turn shared it with the other council members.
"This is outrageous!" Koharu finally burst out, her composure breaking. "Konoha is to provide thirty percent of our annual food supply to Sunagakure, three A-rank techniques, and one S-rank technique? Your demands are excessive!"
Even the usually composed Nara Shikaku and other calm-faced representatives darkened at the terms. This was extortion—no different from the demands made by the Fourth Raikage five years prior.
But Aizen remained unruffled.
"Your village failed to restrain its own rebels, costing us the lives of vital shinobi and leaving Lord Kazekage gravely injured. Whether he can fully recover remains uncertain. The Land of Fire is rich in resources. Compared to the Raikage's demands of five years ago, what we of Sunagakure request is already generous… don't you agree?"