Another month slipped by.
Qianyu spent every day practically glued to Kushina Uzumaki's side. Kakashi lasted all of two days living in Qianyu's house before he'd had enough.
Even the most dedicated disciple had his limits for third-wheeling.
For the upper echelons of Konoha, however, this past month was a whirlwind of activity. The life-and-death struggles, the desperate battles—all that was over. Now came the tedious, necessary dance of diplomacy. Old grudges were shelved. Cooperation, even alliances, were back on the table.
Hiruzen Sarutobi had extended an offer to Sunagakure: a formal treaty of alliance. For their role as the defeated party in the war, the terms were… surprisingly light. All Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, had to do was pay Konoha an equivalent sum in gold dust and sign the alliance pact. That would settle Suna's debt to the Land of Fire.
It was practically no compensation at all.
Rasa saw no reason to refuse. The treaty was signed immediately.
…
At the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind.
The Ino-Shika-Cho trio—Nara Shikaku, Yamanaka Inoichi, and Akimichi Chōza—stood at the edge of a cliff. Across the chasm, over thirty Iwa-nin waited.
The Iwa-nin looked at the three Konoha shinobi and grinned. Not friendly grins.
Shikaku produced a scroll. "A missive from the Hokage. Catch!"
He tossed it across the divide. An Iwa-nin snatched it from the air.
"Deliver it to the Tsuchikage," Shikaku instructed. "Tell him a swift reply is requested."
The Iwa-nin who caught the scroll snorted. "No need to deliver it. I can answer you right now."
He raised a hand. Behind him, every Iwa-nin drew their weapons. Stances shifted. The air crackled.
Just before the first strike, a voice cut through the tension from a neighboring cliff.
"Hold."
Both the Iwa-nin and Team Three turned. The other cliff face was swarming with Suna-nin.
Fourth Kazekage Rasa stepped to the forefront.
The Iwa-nin stiffened.
"What?! The Fourth Kazekage!" "Why are Suna-nin here?!"
Rasa crossed his arms, his gaze sweeping over the scene with cold authority. "This is Sunagakure's border as well. I cannot permit a major conflict here." He took a single, deliberate step forward. "The air here is thick with gunpowder. Someone needs to clear it. Suna will not stand idly by. Consider that before you act."
The Iwa-nin stared at Rasa, their expressions grim. Finally, their leader barked a single command. "San! Withdraw!"
They vanished in a swirl of displaced earth.
…
Conference room, Tsuchikage Building, Iwagakure.
Ōnoki sat at the head of the table, Hiruzen Sarutobi's letter resting before him.
"This request for a peace treaty… How do you intend to respond?" "Naturally, we refuse, yes?" "Even with Konoha and Suna allied, they cannot match our unity!"
Several elders argued vehemently over the proposal.
"Enough!" Ōnoki's voice was gravel. "Iwagakure's unity is our greatest pride. But…" He leaned forward. "It is also a fact that our bold plan, committing over a thousand shinobi to the assault, was thwarted by two men. The Blood-Eyed Asura and the Yellow Flash."
The room went quiet.
"And have you forgotten?" Ōnoki continued, his tone heavy. "The Blood-Eyed Asura went to Kirigakure alone. He crippled the village and slew the Third Mizukage."
Silence deepened, thick and uncomfortable.
In the end, Ōnoki agreed to Konoha's proposal for an alliance.
…
Dango Shop, Konoha.
Kotetsu, Izumo, Guy, Kurenai, and Asuma were sharing a plate of dumplings.
"Heard we're making peace with Iwa," Kotetsu said around a mouthful.
Izumo chewed on his skewer. "How much weight does a piece of paper really hold?"
Guy nodded vigorously. "Well said!"
Kotetsu scowled. "At least think of the Third's efforts."
Asuma chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. "Anyway, the long war is finally over."
Kurenai raised her dango stick. "A toast! With dumplings!"
Guy spotted a familiar figure walking past. "Hey! Kakashi! Join us for dango?"
Kakashi didn't even break stride. He just lifted a weary eye in their direction and kept walking.
Guy watched him go, muttering. "Man, he's cold."
Izumo shrugged. "That's just Kakashi, isn't it? Always been aloof."
Kotetsu sighed. "Can you blame him? He's not in the mood for carefree fun."
Kurenai's expression softened with pity. "It's still about Obito and Rin, isn't it? I heard they were the only two he ever really called friends."
Asuma nodded, his own smile fading. "Yeah. That kind of shadow… it doesn't just go away."
Kakashi walked on, alone. The street around him was filled with laughter and chatter. Happy people.
He hated it.
His father. His friends. They died for this? For these smiling, oblivious faces?
It wasn't worth it. None of it was.
…
Conference room, Hokage Tower.
Hiruzen, Danzō, Koharu, and Homura were gathered.
On the table lay Ōnoki's reply.
"You've worked hard, Hiruzen," Homura said.
Koharu let out a relieved breath. "We can finally breathe easy."
Danzō's fist slammed onto the wood. "And you're satisfied with this?!" he snarled. "Acknowledging Iwa's movements, giving up all claims to reparations… It's a treaty fit for the defeated!"
"What is your opinion, Hiruzen?" Homura asked.
Hiruzen's voice was weary but firm. "Continuing the war would be fatal for an exhausted Konoha. This… was a necessary concession for consensus."
"Many comrades sacrificed themselves in this war!" Danzō shot back. "This makes their deaths meaningless!"
"The responsibility lies with me," Hiruzen said, the weight of his years pressing down. "As Hokage."
"Then how will you take responsibility?" Danzō pressed, sensing an opening.
Hiruzen met his gaze, his decision clear. "I will step down as the Third Hokage. The title will pass to the Fourth."
A flicker of triumph crossed Danzō's face. In his mind, only one candidate mattered: Orochimaru. With his Root-aligned protégé as Hokage, Danzō's own power would grow exponentially.
…
Danzō found Orochimaru in his laboratory.
"Orochimaru," Danzō stated without preamble. "Hiruzen intends to abdicate. I will recommend you as the Fourth Hokage."
Orochimaru's hand, holding a beaker, paused for a fraction of a second before resuming its steady pour. "I have little interest in the title of Hokage."
Danzō's brow furrowed. "Your reputation in the village is unmatched. The people see you as the Fourth. As Hokage, the… experiments you wish to conduct would no longer need to be done in shadows. Think carefully."
Orochimaru set the beaker down. He turned, his golden eyes gleaming with detached amusement. "It matters little to me. Hokage or not. If it proves useful for my research…" A slow, serpentine smile touched his lips. "Then by all means. Recommend me."
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