After the negotiations ended, Sarutobi Hiruzen instructed Nara Shikaku to mobilize shinobi to prepare the food that would be sent to Sunagakure.
Konoha had agreed to provide Sunagakure with 20% of its annual harvest for the next five years. This was enough to ease, if not completely solve, the food crisis that plagued the Sand.
Since the end of the Third Great Ninja War, Sunagakure's military strength had been sharply reduced under the daimyo's strict disarmament policies. Their already small ninja force had grown even weaker.
Konoha, by contrast, though its number of Kage-level and elite Jōnin was slowly declining, never suffered forced disarmament. Each war they endured only swelled their ranks further. Simply put, Konoha could afford such losses.
If the two villages were to clash at this moment, Konoha would almost certainly emerge victorious. But Hiruzen knew well that Sunagakure was not Konoha's only potential threat.
The Cloud coveted Konoha's kekkei genkai.
The Stone, under the ever-hostile Ōnoki, still nursed grudges from past wars.
And though the Mist was lost in its "Bloody Mist" era, should war break out, they were the first enemy across the sea from the Land of Fire.
None of these villages were "fuel-efficient lamps" — all burned with ambition and hunger.
Konoha and the Land of Fire possessed the richest lands and the most abundant resources in the ninja world, but those blessings made them the target of every covetous gaze.
It was only through the constant appearance of geniuses that Konoha had managed to repel each assault time and again.
Now, even if the village seemed to be in decline—its sole Kage-level pillar, Sarutobi Hiruzen, struggling to hold the line—its foundation of shinobi was far from weak. In just a few years, Uzumaki Naruto would be born, and Tsunade of the Legendary Sannin would return. Konoha would once more rise to its peak.
Truly, at times, it seemed as though the entire shinobi world revolved around Konoha.
At the inn, the Sand delegation waited one more day while Nara Shikaku oversaw the gathering of food supplies.
"As expected of Lord Aizen," said Kinnaruo with open reverence. "With this, the food crisis in our village will be completely solved."
He nearly bowed to the floor in his gratitude.
Aizen only waved his hand with a light smile.
"Hardly. I simply grasped Konoha's weakness. The credit is nothing. As long as the people of Sunagakure can eat and live in peace, that is enough for me."
Those words, modest yet resolute, struck the others deeply. Not only Kinnaruo and Longzhong, but even the cold-natured Pakura found herself unable to hide a look of admiration.
What is the perfect shinobi?
This was the answer before her eyes.
Not only powerful, but utterly free of arrogance even after securing such a great victory for his people.
To Sunagakure, Aizen was already becoming their sun. In less than a month since his first appearance, both shinobi and civilians alike had been drawn to his warmth.
And once he returned home with Konoha's food in hand, that recognition would transform into something even stronger—admiration.
Meanwhile, at her home, Kurenai Yūhi had not stepped outside all day.
She sat alone on her sofa, doing nothing, staring blankly into space.
"Hi."
A warm breath brushed her ear, accompanied by a sudden whisper. Kurenai jolted in shock, turning quickly—only to see Kenya's slightly mocking smile.
"You… you didn't leave!?" she stammered.
She had thought Kenya had long since departed Konoha. Never did she expect an S-rank missing-nin to still be here, in the heart of the village.
What was Anbu doing? For Hokage to remain unaware while such a dangerous traitor lingered more than a day in Konoha—it was unthinkable. But no matter how she puzzled, she could not begin to imagine the methods Kenya used to conceal himself.
"I'll leave tomorrow," he said casually, sitting beside her. His eyes narrowed with amusement. "I only came to see you once more. Perhaps I'll return once a year from now on."
Kurenai's lips parted as though to protest, but no words would come.
Kenya chuckled. "Though I had a bit to drink last night, I do like you… more than a little."
Before she could react, he pulled her into his arms.
Though he now carried Aizen Sōsuke's abilities, Kenya was not Aizen. They were two entirely different beings.
Aizen had pursued power to the point of solitude, creating Kurosaki Ichigo himself just for the thrill of being overthrown.
Kenya thought that foolish. Power was worth chasing, yes, but so was enjoyment.
If he wanted only strength, he could have wandered endlessly, training like Zabuza, strengthening himself alone. But what meaning was there in power if not to savor life?
It was no different than money in his past life—earning it meant little if one never used it. Otherwise, all you had was a string of numbers.
"Yes, but… you are a traitor," Kurenai finally whispered the fear that weighed on her heart.
She didn't yet fully understand her own feelings. But deep down, she was willing—if only barely—to give her first love to him. Yet Uchiha Kenya's identity as a missing-nin bound her heart with hesitation.
"Wait for me," Kenya murmured, tilting her chin up gently.
This time there was no alcohol clouding their judgment. Only the closeness of two people, uncertain yet unable to resist.
Kurenai did not push him away. After a brief moment of confusion, her hands instead clutched tightly at his back…