When news reached the Land of Waterfall that Konoha's ninja were stationed on the borders of the Lands of Rice Fields and Hot Springs, and helping defend against threats from the Land of Lightning, Iwata Zeki and the daimyo of the Land of Waterfall finally came to a decision.
"So, you're saying that if we rely on Takigakure alone, our chance of resisting the Land of Earth is zero?" the daimyo asked, looking at the Konoha Treaty Plan map Iwata Zeki had brought back.
"Yes. As things stand, our tailed beast won't be combat-ready for five years," Iwata Zeki replied helplessly. "Without it, Takigakure is like an ant before the great villages."
"Even if we could use the Seven-Tails now, against Iwagakure with two tailed beasts, they'd only hesitate a little," Iwata Zeki added. "The tailed beast is all we have—but they have them too."
"So, if we want to ensure our safety, we can only rely on Konoha?" the daimyo asked bitterly.
"Forgive me, Lord, it is my incompetence," Iwata Zeki said, kneeling.
"It's not your fault. For a small country like ours, producing a powerful ninja is nearly impossible," the daimyo said, helping him up. "Since the ninja village system began, only the Land of Rain ever produced a Hanzo."
But, he continued, "If we sign this treaty, the Land of Waterfall will never escape the Land of Fire's grasp."
"Is it really that serious?" Iwata Zeki asked, puzzled.
"Iwata, you grew up as a ninja, so you don't understand what this treaty really means. The economic cooperation terms seem generous, but once we sign, our future will be as the Land of Fire's raw materials base. The money we earn from selling resources will just flow back to them in other forms—it's a slow poison," the daimyo sighed.
This daimyo, unlike most, was a former illegitimate son who'd planned to go into business but inherited the throne when his elder brother died attempting ninja training and losing control of his chakra. His youthful experiences made him far more mature than other daimyos. He could clearly see the malice hidden beneath Seiryu's apparently generous treaty.
Iwata Zeki was startled. Only now did he understand why the daimyo had hesitated for a whole month after his return from Konoha.
"Should we refuse, then?" Iwata Zeki finally asked.
"Do we have a choice?" the daimyo asked bitterly. "Haven't our mission assignments shrunk again this month? And I hear Iwagakure has doubled its ninja on the border."
"Yes," Iwata Zeki admitted.
"The Grand Chancellor of Fire Country is using open strategy," the daimyo said. "With those two treaties signed, no matter what we do, Onoki will see us as potential enemies—unless we throw ourselves into his arms. But you know Iwagakure's situation: Onoki is too old, with no successor. Seiryu is not yet twenty, and as a Uchiha, could stay at his peak for twenty more years."
"Yes, we have no choice." Iwata Zeki's face was equally bitter. The two men exchanged glances and fell silent.
Such was the fate of small countries between giants, unless they could produce another Hashirama or Madara, they would always be pawns.
"Sign it." At last, the daimyo sighed, signed his name, and stamped the document. "At least this way, I can remain daimyo in peace. The Land of Fire doesn't care about our poor, resource-poor land except for minerals."
"Iwata, go to Konoha again. Bring the garrison back quickly. Onoki and Uesugi Hideyoshi won't give us much time," the daimyo instructed.
"Yes!" Iwata Zeki replied, gritting his teeth.
But as soon as Iwata Zeki left with the signed, stamped treaty, spies from the Land of Earth sent word back at once.
So, before Iwata Zeki could even prepare to leave for Konoha, an envoy from Iwagakure arrived.
Iwata Zeki reluctantly received the envoy, who bluntly asked if Takigakure planned to join the Konoha Treaty and bring Konoha's garrison to their border.
Iwata Zeki could only deny it, but the envoy pressed on, relaying Onoki's message:
If Takigakure joined Konoha's treaty, Iwagakure would treat it as a declaration of war and take military action.
Faced with Onoki's threat, Iwata Zeki nearly ground his teeth to dust, but could only insist Takigakure had no such plans, and politely saw the envoy out.
Once the Iwagakure envoy left, Iwata Zeki hurried back to the capital to see the daimyo.
After hearing the news, the daimyo took a deep breath. "No more hesitation. Only Konoha can make Iwagakure hesitate now. Go to Konoha at once, make the alliance, and request the garrison's immediate arrival. Travel light and fast!"
"I understand," Iwata Zeki replied.
This time, he used a water clone to return to Takigakure, while his real body set out for Konoha without delay.
As Iwata Zeki and the daimyo made their decision, Seiryu received a request from Onoki for a video conference.
"The big fish finally bites," Seiryu chuckled. He put on his formal Hokage robes and hat, then answered the call.
On the screen, Onoki was also in formal dress. The two faced each other, then each removed their hats and set them on the table—a tradition since the First Hokage's first Five Kage Summit.
"Tsuchikage, how have you been?" Seiryu asked with a smile.
"Oh, not as well as you, Hokage. You're really riding high these days," Onoki said with a forced smile. "Your Konoha Treaty is quite the hot topic."
"It's just a little effort for peace. Only with peace can our villages and nations prosper," Seiryu said calmly.
"Is it really for peace?" Onoki sneered. "If Takigakure joins, your ninja will be stationed on my border. Quite the move, Hokage."
"It's only to give our allies a sense of security. Please don't overthink it," Seiryu said with a smile. "We have a non-aggression pact, don't we?"
"Yes, you and I have one—but the Land of Waterfall does not," Onoki said darkly. "I don't care how Kumogakure views your alliances, but Iwagakure will not tolerate this. If anything happens, I hope you won't blame me."