"Since the misunderstanding has been resolved, I ask Lord Kazekage to release the Nara clan head and this Hyūga clansman."
After glancing at the document in his hand—since Hiruzen Sarutobi had already offered a bargaining chip—the Kazekage decided to go along with it.
The Iron Sand slowly receded from the two captives, sinking back into the ground. At last, both regained their freedom.
"Thank you so much, Lord Hokage!"
The freed Hyūga ninja immediately bowed in gratitude.
"Mhm. As long as you're unharmed."
Hiruzen apologized with a sigh, "My apologies, Clan Head Nara… I didn't expect something like this to happen. It's a relief you're safe. Otherwise I wouldn't know how to face your clan."
But the Nara clan head shook his head.
"Lord Hokage, these things happen. No one can predict everything."
Chiyo cut in sharply:
"Before anything else—Hokage, how do you intend to deal with the clans who were being controlled?"
"That falls under Konoha's internal affairs," Hiruzen said. "Elder Chiyo, there's no need for you to worry about it."
The Third Kazekage spoke coldly:
"An attack during peace talks… and the assassination of a village leader. Konoha doesn't plan on giving us an explanation?"
Hiruzen narrowed his eyes for a long moment before he finally sighed.
"Such disgraceful matters cannot be spread widely. Only the upper ranks of each clan will be informed.
"And since the Shimura clan head was being controlled, and because they clearly had other arrangements inside the village… all actions related to the Shimura clan will now be monitored by the ANBU."
He looked toward the Kazekage.
"Will this answer satisfy you, Lord Kazekage?"
The Nara clan head watched Hiruzen silently, thousands of thoughts racing through his mind.
He remembered everything the Shimura clan head said before dying.
Their intentions… and their ambitions… were all too clear.
---
Hiruzen Sarutobi had already announced that he would step down after the war and hold an election for the Fourth Hokage.
And now, with disastrous battles across multiple fronts, Shimura Danzō was gaining remarkable achievements in the Land of Earth. A high-ranking official with wartime accomplishments—at this moment, Danzō was undeniably the strongest candidate for Hokage.
But all of that came from commanding battle formations. Even if Danzō fought on the front lines, such achievements lacked the kind of personal prestige that could make others submit to his power.
What he needed was something far more impressive—A deed that could prove his overwhelming individual strength.
Something like…
Slaying one of the Kage.
Perhaps Danzō himself had no such opportunity.
But the Shimura clan, as a whole, could create one.
And here at these peace talks… weren't there two Kage-level figures present?
The Third Kazekage.
Hanzō of the Salamander.
If they killed either of those men, and the news was carried back to Konoha, Danzō's Hokage seat would be guaranteed.
But their clan head had been too impulsive…
Too naïve…
For such a plan to matter, the news had to reach Konoha.
A mission to sabotage peace talks and assassinate a village leader—other than the executors and the top brass, who else would even know?
If they succeeded and killed the Kazekage or Hanzō, their entire strike team would certainly die as well. And when the Hokage gave the briefing before the mission, he would absolutely forbid them from telling anyone the operation's true objective.
Once they perished… they'd simply be reported as:
"Missing in action."
Or "Killed by enemy forces."
If they failed, the fallout would crush the Shimura clan completely. No matter the merits Danzō earned in the Land of Earth, the stain would never be erased, and he would lose the Hokage seat forever.
The Nara clan head sighed bitterly.
Their Ino–Shika–Chō alliance once had a predecessor under the Second Hokage—Akimichi Torifu—also a high-ranking figure.
The Second Hokage also had another student, an Uchiha named Kagami, who likewise had the qualifications to rise to the top.
But Kagami died on a mission.
After his death, Akimichi Torifu withdrew from high-level politics and warned their trio of clans never to involve themselves in Konoha's political struggle again.
At the time, the Nara clan head didn't understand why.
But he remembered Torifu saying something once, unintentionally—
"Uchiha Kagami awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan.
What kind of mission could kill someone like him…?"
Now… he finally understood.
And today, it was the Shimura clan's turn to be sacrificed.
The Nara clan head exhaled helplessly.
"The title of 'Professor' fits Hiruzen well… not only for his strength, but for his cunning.
With your clan's desperate actions… you were never going to become Hokage."
---
The Kazekage nodded.
"Very well. I will stay alert for movements from Konoha."
"Then let us proceed to discuss the ceasefire terms," Hiruzen said. "Despite the incident, our work must continue."
He turned to the Nara clan head:
"Regarding the earlier issues in the draft—have your clans already discussed it?"
The clan head stepped forward.
"Lord Hokage, we were still negotiating with Hanzō before the attack. The final decision was to be made by you. We have not yet discussed terms with Sunagakure."
"I see." Hiruzen nodded.
"Then allow me to negotiate with the Sand delegation."
"Hanzō of the Salamander… such a powerful figure. To think he was assassinated like this… truly unfortunate."
They moved to a flat open area. The Third Kazekage, Chiyo, Hiruzen, and the Nara clan head sat on the ground.
The ceasefire scroll was unrolled before them.
Everyone deliberately ignored the final clause, as if it didn't exist.
The Third Kazekage spoke first:
"Are the terms listed above still acceptable to Lord Hokage? If so, we can finalize the pact."
Chiyo interjected:
"Then how do you intend to account for the losses from this attack?"
"This incident cannot simply be brushed aside."
Hiruzen replied:
"You're right. Konoha will provide compensation.
How about increasing the listed resources by fifty percent?"
"That is more than sincere."
But the Kazekage laughed and shook his head.
"Lord Hokage… that is far from enough."
Hiruzen narrowed his eyes.
"What do you mean? You still find it insufficient?"
"Konoha is in a difficult position right now, but that doesn't mean we are weak enough to be squeezed dry."
The Kazekage smiled.
"And here I thought Lord Hokage was a shrewd negotiator. Have you forgotten the third party who was supposed to attend these talks?"
"Amegakure."
"So you do remember."
Hiruzen feigned confusion.
"Indeed, Amegakure was supposed to attend. But their leader is dead. Their matters are irrelevant here."
Chiyo burst out laughing.
"Hiruzen Sarutobi, you truly are a master at playing dumb."
"What are you implying?" Hiruzen asked darkly.
Chiyo snorted:
"Everyone present knows that half of Amegakure's military strength was Hanzō alone. Now that he's dead, surely you see the village as nothing more than an ant nest."
She leaned closer.
"And the reparations that should have gone to Amegakure…
We all know Konoha has no intention of giving them, right?"
Hiruzen sighed.
"There's no need to expose that openly. We all understand these things."
"After this agreement, Amegakure loses all strategic value. With Hanzō dead and no leadership, why would Konoha…"
He stopped.
No one needed him to finish.
"So that's it," the Kazekage smirked.
"You planned to shift the resources originally meant for Amegakure over to us."
"I believe Konoha has shown great sincerity already," Hiruzen warned.
"You Sunagakure shinobi are getting greedy.
Konoha will not accept such terms."
"Even if it means continuing the war."
The Kazekage and Chiyo both sensed that Hiruzen's patience was at its limit.
Chiyo spoke again:
"But the additional resources you offered us are still less than what was promised to Amegakure."
"And Amegakure is our ally!"
"You, a great nation, care about that?" Hiruzen scoffed.
"No, Lord Hokage," Chiyo smiled coldly.
"Amegakure is our beloved ally… our dear brothers. Without them, how could Sunagakure have achieved victory?"
She suddenly raised a fist and snarled at Hiruzen:
"Add. More. Compensation."
A vein twitched at Hiruzen's forehead.
"You've reached my limit. Name your final price."
Chiyo replied calmly:
"It's simple.
Replace the additional fifty percent with the original reparations meant for Amegakure."
"That's right," the Kazekage added.
...
After a long silence, Hiruzen nodded.
"Fine.
The resources originally meant for Amegakure… will now be given to Sunagakure.
"But in return, you must withdraw from the Land of Fire immediately and cause no further destruction."
The Kazekage chuckled.
"Of course. Sunagakure does not break its agreements."
Hiruzen ignored the mockery.
But Chiyo was not done.
"One correction—You're not giving us Amegakure's share."
"You are replacing our additional compensation with the amount equivalent to what Amegakure was supposed to receive."
"Don't make it sound like we're stealing from them."
"…Hmph."
Hiruzen understood clearly how little they cared for Amegakure.
"Then let us sign the pact."
A new scroll was brought out.
The Third Hokage and Third Kazekage rewrote the terms, signed, and left their chakra imprints.
"It is done," Hiruzen said.
"We expect Sunagakure to keep its word."
The Kazekage smiled pleasantly.
"Of course. I'll order a full withdrawal immediately."
Chiyo then asked:
"And what about Amegakure?
Your three disciples and many Konoha shinobi are still imprisoned in their cells."
"No need for you to worry," Hiruzen replied.
"Just withdraw. Konoha will handle the rest."
"But can the great Land of Fire really tolerate such provocation from the Land of Rain?"
"If not for the accident, Konoha would've been the defeated party, no?"
Hiruzen stared at them.
"Konoha and the Land of Fire won't overlook Amegakure's actions.
Are you implying Sunagakure plans to defend them?"
"Of course not," the Kazekage said.
"But we want to hear Konoha's intentions.
Amegakure lies between our nations—if you suddenly invade, we may assume you plan to attack us."
"And if your true aim is not us, then you'd simply be wasting our military readiness."
"Lord Kazekage need not worry," Hiruzen said.
"When these talks end, I will go to Amegakure myself and rescue them.
We're at the border—Amegakure is close."
"Without Hanzō, Amegakure is nothing."
He turned to both Suna representatives.
"As you know, no matter how troubled a great nation becomes, its dignity cannot be violated by a small one."
"Perhaps their victory made them think Konoha was weak…
But I'll make sure they understand the difference between us."
Chiyo and the Kazekage exchanged looks—
and both nearly burst into laughter inside.
Meanwhile…
The moisture in the surrounding air quietly continued to rise…
-----------------------------///
Almost 1300 P.S :))
1300 P.S – Bonus
1600 P.S – Bonus
2000 P.S – Bonus
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