Tents rose across the sand. Wind-Cloud forces on one side. Wood-Waterfall on the other. Surrounding the central negotiation pavilion like opposing armies.
(Which they were.)
The moment fighting stopped, the heat hit. Desert sun beating down. Merciless.
Shinobi collapsed in shade. Gulping water. Chewing rations. Eyes locked on the command tent.
If this breaks down, we fight again.
Better rest while we can.
Inside, the temperature was perfect.
Yuki clan ice-users had filled the space with frozen basins. Makeshift air conditioning. The air practically shimmered with cold.
"Comfortable, aren't we?" Tobirama's voice was dry. His Edo Tensei body didn't feel temperature. "You always this spoiled?"
Jinghang shrugged. "It's not luxury—it's strategy. Hot tempers lead to hot words. Hot words lead to violence." He gestured at the ice. "This keeps everyone calm. Wouldn't want to waste your good intentions, Tobirama-sama."
Tobirama said nothing. Just leaned back in his field chair. Arms crossed.
"Enough talk." A harsh voice cut through. "You wanted negotiations? Negotiate."
Third Takikage Amemiya. Five bloody scratches carved across his face. Eyes hard.
Jinghang's eyebrow rose. Slowly.
"Aggressive." His tone was ice. "Who the hell are you?"
"Third Takikage Amemiya!" The man's voice cracked with indignation. "You don't even—"
"Oh. A Takikage." Jinghang waved dismissively. "I know Sōryū. You? Never heard of you." He smiled. Sharp. "Since this is our first meeting, I'll be generous. But remember—" His voice dropped. "Adults are talking. Children stay quiet."
Amemiya's face went purple.
He started to rise—
Hiruzen's hand clamped on his shoulder. Hard. A warning look.
Read the room, you idiot.
Your village's two strongest? One's DEAD. The other got beaten like a dog. Your Eight Pillars are corpses. Where do you get off acting tough?
Takigakure had trained alongside Konoha for months. But they were rusty. Long years of peace. When the real fighting started, their discipline shattered. Forgot every tactic. Panicked. Fought like academy students.
The shinobi who'd shined at the tournament? All dead now.
(Arena duels and battlefield slaughter are different animals.)
(And Suna's Earthly Branches, Kumo's Alphabet Squad—those were KILLERS. One clash, and Taki's weakness showed.)
Amemiya understood Hiruzen's look.
Swallowed his rage.
Jinghang's smile turned vicious.
That's right. Sit.
My man Kakuzu's in your village RIGHT NOW. Drinking tea in your Kage tower. One word from me, and he burns it to the ground.
"Before we start—" Jinghang's tone was all business. "—let's clarify authority. Who speaks for Konoha?"
Hiruzen glanced at Tobirama.
The Second Hokage nodded.
"I lead negotiations," Hiruzen said. "Amemiya-sama assists."
"And Tobirama-sama?"
"Observer only. No input."
Jinghang nodded. Good.
Can't have a dead man making promises. He goes back to the Pure Land, and you living bastards could just deny everything.
"Second question." Jinghang pointed to the corner. "My wife. What's her role?"
Tsunade set down her drink. "Mediator. Neutral party. I'm here to prevent violence and keep discussions on track."
(Mediators were standard. The Iwa-Suna War had used Konoha's Homura. Someone to stop table-flipping and topic-drift. Someone both sides could theoretically trust.)
Jinghang's expression went cold.
"You're really something, Hiruzen." His voice was soft. Lethal. "Using women as bargaining chips. Using my woman."
"Kazekage-sama." Hiruzen's face was stone. "Tsunade isn't just your wife. She's my student. Hashirama-sama's granddaughter. Her position makes her perfect for—"
The word cracked like a whip.
"You're putting her on the fire." Jinghang's hands clenched. "Whatever we decide, someone's unhappy. Suna loses, they call her a traitor. Konoha loses, you call her disloyal. She can't win." His voice rose. "And you know it."
"Jinghang—" Tsunade started.
"No." He didn't look at her. Eyes locked on Hiruzen. "There's no universe where men fight wars and women take the blame. You want to negotiate? Fine. But Tsunade's out." He leaned forward. "Or we go back outside and finish this."
"Brother Jinghang's right."
The Third Raikage's voice was thunder.
"Look around this tent. We're not idiots. We don't need a mediator." He grinned. Fierce. "Talks break down? Our armies are fifty meters away. We'll just fight."
Hiruzen's jaw worked.
He looked at Jinghang. At the Raikage.
Neither man blinked.
"...Fine." The word was bitter. "No mediator."
Jinghang turned to Tsunade.
His expression softened.
"Go wait outside." His voice was gentle. "When this is done, I'm taking you home."
Tsunade's eyes shimmered.
Tears. But smiling.
"Okay." Her voice cracked. "I won't mediate. But—" She gestured at the ice-cooled air. "—it's comfortable in here. Can I stay? Just... listen?"
Jinghang's smile was warm.
"Yeah. You can stay."
[Power Dynamics: Jinghang establishes absolute dominance—insults Takikage, threatens village destruction via Kakuzu, refuses political manipulation. Hiruzen's "mediator" scheme = attempt to use Tsunade's dual loyalty as leverage, forcing her to choose sides publicly. Jinghang's refusal = both tactical (removes Hiruzen's advantage) and personal (protects wife from impossible position). Raikage's support = demonstrates alliance strength, makes Hiruzen's position untenable.]
[Character Depth: Jinghang = ruthless in politics, protective in marriage. Tsunade = willing to sacrifice for peace, but husband won't allow it. Hiruzen = desperate enough to use students as pawns. Amemiya = humiliated into silence, powerless despite title. Tobirama = observes without interference, respects Jinghang's authority.]
[Relationship Showcase: "Take you home" = promise of safety, return to family. Tears + smile = Tsunade's relief at being protected. Public protection = Jinghang prioritizes wife over political advantage, demonstrates values to allies/enemies.]
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