Between Iwagakure and Sunagakure, from east to west, lay Rain Country, Bird Country, Stone Country, and finally Silence Country.
Because of Hanzō the Salamander's past displays of strength, Iwa and Suna avoided fighting in Rain Country as much as possible.
Bird, Stone, and Silence Countries were the sites of their long tug-of-war.
For Sunagakure, Wind Country's northern region bordering Bird and Stone was mostly desolate mountains eroded by wind and sand. Only a few rugged trails passed through. The terrain was complex, resupply difficult, strategic value limited.
Even Wind Country's truly valuable land was far from the north. Only one or two watchtowers stood there for warning. The real northern front's point of contention had always been Silence Country's border.
Ōnoki himself was in a solid fortress carved from natural giant rock at the southwestern border of Earth Country.
"Tsuchikage-sama. Urgent intelligence."
An Iwa Anbu knelt silently and presented a scroll with both hands.
Ōnoki took it and opened it.
"Mitokado Homura is on a mission to Cloud Village and has already reached Hot Water Country?"
"The Raikage has no other movements..."
"Though a young man, as a Kage he is more outstanding than his father."
This had only been a probing move to see if they could disrupt Cloud and Konoha's negotiations. He had not expected it to actually work.
When Akatsuki sent word, the Third Tsuchikage was quite surprised. He valued them more. Though only mercenaries, they were useful.
Regrettably, the Raikage was more rational than expected.
As for the plan targeting Suna, it had yet to achieve the desired effect. The Kazekage's attitude was ambiguous. He kept delaying.
Now it was time to choose again. Ōnoki gazed into the distance.
—
As word of Team Five's triumphant return spread, cheers echoed through the outpost.
Anko smiled as well. Their time at Suna had been unpleasant. Poor conditions aside, on the way back they were practically escorted like prisoners into Fire Country.
The warm reception from comrades eased the fatigue she had accumulated these days. Even Itachi's brow and eyes softened a bit.
Shuji did not interrupt this brief ease. He drew the chūnin captain aside to a quieter spot and asked what had happened during their absence.
"The village arranged an envoy to Cloud Village? Already left Fire Country and is waiting in Hot Water Country for Cloud's response?"
Now the young jōnin understood. The reason Suna rushed him back was to finalize the terms they had negotiated before Cloud accepted the delegation.
At this moment, the price offered to Suna was at its peak. The village would accept it. They even hoped this would show Cloud that Konoha remained stable, in turn forcing Cloud to accept Konoha's envoy.
After a brief rest at the outpost, Team Five set out again.
They arrived at Konoha Village in the dead of night.
In this special period, security at the village gate was tight. The number of checkpoints had doubled. Leading the watch was Uchiha Fugaku himself.
The Police Force captain's gaze swept over the three travel-worn figures, lingering a moment on his son Itachi, then nodded to Shuji and waved them through.
News of the Suna delegation's return went straight to the Hokage Building.
The office was brightly lit. Sarutobi Hiruzen, Utatane Koharu, and Nara Shikaku had clearly been waiting some time.
Shuji wasted no words. He reported the mission result, the key points of negotiations with Ebizō and Rasa, the terms reached, and his own assessment.
"Though Suna promised to maintain the alliance, judging by their actual attitude, they remain in a wavering state. We cannot count on them cooperating with us against Iwa on the western line."
"From what I see, they may even maintain tacit understanding with Iwa and let them attack."
At the end of his report, Shuji did not embellish his diplomatic success. Instead he gave the most conservative judgment.
Yet the village leadership present reacted calmly.
"You have completed this diplomatic mission perfectly." Sarutobi Hiruzen set the tone first. "In such a treacherous and complex situation, stabilizing Suna and keeping them from siding with Iwa already exceeds the village's expectations."
Utatane Koharu nodded slightly in agreement.
After the two leaders expressed their stance, the jōnin commander stood and patted Shuji's shoulder with a smile.
"The result you brought back is already the best outcome we could have sought under current circumstances. It is enough to announce to the village and stabilize morale."
"To find a breakthrough in such a situation and secure this promise, you have worked hard, Shuji."
Sarutobi Hiruzen said warmly, "You must be very tired from rushing back. Go home and rest well. We will still need your strength in the battles ahead."
Shuji bowed slightly, said no more, and left the Hokage's office.
Outside the door, night hung heavy. Anko was yawning shamelessly. Itachi leaned quietly against the wall, eyes closed, resting.
Somehow, seeing this scene, he suddenly felt tired too. Fatigue filled his whole body.
Seeing the captain emerge, the purple-haired kunoichi threw an arm around his shoulder, half her weight leaning on him. "Shuji, how did it go? What did the Hokage say?"
"Mission complete. Go home and rest."
"Huh? Just like that?" She tried to open her eyes wider, but her eyelids kept fighting. "What about credit? Rewards? At least there should be a feast..."
"Not now. It will come later." Shuji smiled helplessly. "First go home and sleep."
"Yes... yes..." Anko mumbled, then suddenly touched her stomach. "But... I'm so hungry, Captain... Can we find something to eat first?"
"At this hour, all the shops are closed."
Itachi was about to say there was food at his house when Anko suddenly thumped her palm. "I remember! I have instant ramen at home!"
"Enough for three?"
"Should be." The kunoichi looked uncertain, yet said decisively, "Definitely enough anyway."
Itachi swallowed his words and looked at Shuji.
"...Then let's eat ramen at your place." The captain decided.
Once they reached Anko's somewhat messy ninja apartment and searched through everything, they only found two cups of ramen.
Shuji was silent. He lifted his eyes, gaze boring straight into Anko's guilty face.
He could not help it. He reached out, pinched one of her cheeks, and pulled slightly. "This is what you call... definitely enough?"
With her cheek pulled, Anko's voice came out garbled as she tried to struggle. "Mmph... I have bowls! We can divide it! Captain, you're high status, you can eat less! Itachi's young, he eats less too..."
"You're the one who needs to eat less!"
In the end, Itachi silently boiled water. Shuji found the bowl Anko mentioned. The sound of boiling water was especially clear in the quiet room.
The water opened two noodle cakes, then divided them into three portions.
After hot soup went down, sleepiness surged again. Shuji looked up. Anko had already collapsed sideways on the tatami, dead asleep. Itachi also curled in a corner, breathing even and long.
At least clean up first...
Forget it.
Shuji closed his eyes and lay down on the spot.
Tonight, let it be like this.
Chapters in advance there: patreon.com/Thaniel_a_goodchild