Shimura Danzo.
He was without doubt one of the people Ebizo detested most.
After all, rivals in the shadows were nothing less than enemies.
The two of them had crossed blades in the unseen world of shinobi politics for decades. That bastard Danzo had nearly driven Sunagakure into crisis more times than Ebizo could count.
And now, this boy standing in front of him was one of Danzo's men. Ebizo dared not take him lightly.
After a moment's hesitation, he raised his hand and gestured. Hidden Anbu melted away into the dunes, leaving the oasis unnervingly quiet. Even trusted confidants had no business hearing this conversation.
"I wondered who it was." Ebizo said at last, his lips curling into a disdainful smile. "Turns out it's one of Danzo's dogs. What's wrong—has that coward lost his nerve and stopped coming in person?"
'After the Land of Rain, he lost all guts.' Hidezawa mused silently. But outwardly, he kept his voice smooth.
"Danzo-sama didn't wish to disturb your fishing, so he sent a young man like me to handle such a small matter."
"Hmph."
Ebizo's snort was sharp, but inside, a chill settled. Fishing—Danzo even knew that?
'What the hell has happened to Sunagakure? How did it become such a sieve that Konoha can peer straight through us?'
"Speak." he ordered curtly. "What cooperation does Danzo want this time? Say it quickly—I'm old. I don't waste my hours."
"Your lordship, please don't be modest." Hidezawa replied evenly. "Sunagakure cannot function without you and Chiyo-sama."
Ebizo's eyes narrowed. This boy's words were honeyed, but his tone was too steady—he was hiding a knife behind that smile.
Hidezawa knew the stakes. Balancing the system's mission with the surface-level orders of both Konoha and Danzo wasn't easy. But as he told himself, as long as his mind didn't slip, there would always be more solutions than problems. With Danzo as his convenient scapegoat, he had plenty of room to maneuver.
"Your clashes with Kirigakure and Iwagakure worried us at first." Hidezawa said, his voice quiet but deliberate. "We feared Sunagakure might resort to extremes. But after entering the village, we confirmed something."
"Oh?" Ebizo's pulse ticked faster. His voice remained calm. "Confirmed what?"
"That Sunagakure intends to negotiate with Kirigakure. The bargaining chip—this woman." Hidezawa gestured toward Pakura, her expression frigid. "In exchange, Kirigakure withdraws, leaving you free to face Onoki. And Onoki, seeing this, would grow cautious."
Ebizo's face changed instantly. Hidezawa pressed on before he could respond.
"No need to deny it. We already obtained your reports. This information has already returned to Konoha. And the Kiri is beginning to sniff around as well."
"…What do you want?"
Ebizo's tone was dark. He wanted to seize this brat by the collar and shout—'Do you realize what you're saying in front of Pakura?! Are you negotiating or sabotaging me outright?'
But he forced calm. The truth was worse: Konoha wanted Pakura to hear it. That served them best.
"And there's more." Hidezawa's tone didn't waver. "A few days ago, we fought a formidable enemy. His puppetry rivaled Chiyo-sama's. He had crafted a puppet of the Third Kazekage that retained his Kekkei Genkai even in death. And that man was Sasori of the Red Sand, wasn't he?"
Ebizo's fists clenched tight. So this brat was tied to that battle. And worse—he knew details. Too many.
"Oh, and I forgot to mention." Hidezawa added as though it were an afterthought. "That information has also returned to Konoha."
The words nearly made Ebizo's composure crack.
"Enough games! What does that bastard Danzo want? What does Konoha want?!"
He didn't believe in Danzo's morality; such a concept didn't exist in their line of work. Men like them had only self-interest, nothing more.
He could already picture it—rumors planted, whispers spreading. That Sunagakure had betrayed Pakura. That she knew. That cohesion within the village had shattered. And on top of that, the revelation of Sasori's appearance, with the implication that he assassinated the Third Kazekage.
Not even intervention would be enough to stop the chaos that followed.
And Chiyo would be dragged into the fire right beside him.
Killing this boy now was useless. Worse—it might provoke Danzo further. Ebizo swallowed his rage.
"Konoha needs a stable Sunagakure, not one prone to reckless adventures." Hidezawa said smoothly, seizing the opening. "Danzo-sama hopes to cooperate with you. The Fourth Kazekage is too volatile—the Third Great Ninja War proved that."
"You…"
Ebizo's face twisted. Pakura's expression soured too. Was Konoha really daring to interfere in Sunagakure's internal affairs? How audacious! Did they think the elders were already corpses?
"Of course, it is only a suggestion." Hidezawa continued quickly, sensing the tension. "Konoha will not interfere in other villages' affairs. But allies must trust and cooperate. Suspicion leads to disaster, and no one wants that.
Danzo-sama wishes Sunagakure to change. No one favors a leader who betrays loyal subordinates. Better to shift the blame for the Third Great Ninja War—pin it all on Sasori and his kin, yes?"
Hidezawa blinked inwardly. The pitch sounded a little too natural. Then realization struck.
'Wait a second… isn't this just Danzo's own playbook?!'
"Of course, cooperation must be win–win." Hidezawa went on, not breaking stride. "Danzo-sama is prepared to offer compensation. Information on Sasori, who has joined a powerful new organization. Mission quotas in the Land of Rivers. Financial support. A deeper alliance."
Ebizo stared at him in silence.
If he agreed, he was conspiring against his Kazekage. If he refused, the rumors would fly tomorrow, and his family would pay the price.
'Damn you, Danzo.' he seethed. 'You really are a despicable fellow.'
He realized then—Pakura's presence wasn't incidental. She was the witness. If he moved against this boy, she could confirm everything. And perhaps even side against him.
"The quota and the compensation are too little." Ebizo said stiffly. "It's not enough. And I need time to consider. I won't decide lightly."
"It's regrettable we don't yet have consensus, but Danzo-sama will understand." Hidezawa inclined his head as though unsurprised. Inside, though, relief coiled in his chest. The trap had been set. His mission was essentially complete.
"I have one question." Ebizo said suddenly, his eyes narrowing. "Why would Danzo do this?"
"Danzo-sama's goal has never changed." Hidezawa said with a decisive smile. "He has always sought to become Hokage. Don't you, sir, also dream of being Kage?"
"…Kage?"
Ebizo almost barked a laugh. Instead, his jaw worked silently.
'Me? At over sixty? Already one foot in the grave, and this boy asks if I dream of the hat?'
He nearly cursed aloud.
*****
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