Hokage's Office.
Shikaku Nara gently placed a stack of documents in front of the Third Hokage, rubbing his temples. The continuous, high-pressure negotiations were starting to show new lines had crept into the corners of his eyes, evidence of the toll even on Konoha's fabled strategist.
Shikaku was reporting on the ongoing negotiations with the Hidden Cloud's envoy, Mabui.
The Cloud Village had essentially conceded. The Fifth Raikage had agreed to issue a formal public apology for the prior invasion and to pay reparations for the war.
The final sticking point was the amount of those reparations.
"In short, Mabui has been clinging tightly to their bottom line. What they're offering now is likely the absolute maximum they can afford without collapsing their economy."
Any higher, and they'd end up like the Hidden Sand forced to tighten their belts so much their Kazekage nearly had to take up mining to keep the village afloat.
"Then let them tighten their belts."
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a long drag from his pipe, exhaling smoke into the air.
"The other villages are one thing, but the Cloud must suffer austerity. Don't they have a close relationship with the Daimyō of the Land of Lightning? If they're broke, let them ask him for money."
It wasn't that Sarutobi was being petty.
It wasn't about them causing the death of his mentor, the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju. Nor was it about the attempted abduction of Hinata Hyuga. Or the ambush of Naruto, the Fourth Hokage's orphaned son.
Those ancient grudges didn't matter.
He just got angry whenever the Cloud Village was mentioned. They had preyed on Konoha when it was weak. Now that the tables had turned, how could he let them off so easily?
"Then, Lord Hokage, what if they refuse outright?"
Shikaku wasn't questioning the decision. He was simply doing his job, prompting the Hokage to define the boundary for action. That was the duty of an advisor never to overstep.
"If they won't agree, then we keep fighting. What we can't get from the negotiation table, we'll take on the battlefield."
"Konoha will remain the just party. Defensive retaliation."
"If it comes to it, another Raikage can be appointed."
With the Hokage's bottom line now clear, Shikaku saw no reason to hold back. He decided to increase the demand for compensation.
"Understood. I'll return to the negotiation table."
The matter settled, Shikaku closed his notebook. But just as he turned to leave, he hesitated. Finally, he sighed and rubbed his forehead.
"There's one more thing, Lord Hokage... could I ask you to stop publicizing all that stuff about me being the 'Sleeping Dragon of Konoha' or 'the smartest man in the Shinobi World'?"
"And that whole 'With the Sleeping Dragon, the world is ours' line honestly, it's terrifying."
He truly couldn't live up to those expectations. And even if he could, he didn't want to.
To be fair, Shikaku had been a little smug at first when the Hokage openly praised him. But later, even his colleagues in the office started giving him strange looks.
Only then did he realize he'd overstepped. It was troublesome.
He tapped his temple again and said, "There's already a bounty on my head in the black market. It's surpassed Asuma's and is almost catching up to the Legendary Sannin. And the number keeps going up every day."
"At this rate, I'm going to become the most wanted man in the entire Shinobi World."
Hiruzen waved it off with a chuckle. "What do you mean exaggerating? Shikaku, you are my Zifang! Meeting you is like a fish returning to water."
"You and I, master and advisor bound by trust."
"This world will see true peace and unity under my leadership."
Zifang? Another metaphor? A new one this time?
"What?" Shikaku stared, utterly baffled.
Hiruzen... are you serious right now?
Shikaku didn't doubt that Konoha would one day lead the Shinobi World. But in his mind, that vision belonged to the Fifth or Sixth Hokage. Not... now.
Hiruzen stood tall, gazing at the portraits of the previous Hokage on the wall.
"I have carried Konoha through the legacy of four generations. During my tenure, I will lead this world into true peace."
"Shikaku, in the future, you will be remembered in the annals of Konoha's history, just like the First Hokage."
"I believe in you."
Such a ruler deserved loyalty.
Shikaku bowed slightly. "Then I will dedicate myself fully to Konoha, even unto death."
Knock knock.
A sharp knock came at the door.
ANBU operative A stepped in urgently with a scroll in hand. Since the room only held the Hokage and his most trusted advisor, there was no need for formality.
"Lord Hokage, urgent report from the battlefield. The Hidden Cloud has been attacked. The Fifth Raikage, Darui, has fallen in battle. Killer Bee is currently fleeing toward Konoha."
"And Akatsuki used a powerful jutsu. The entire Hidden Cloud Village... no longer exists."
Sarutobi took the scroll, scanned it briefly, then tossed it to Shikaku with a sigh.
"Looks like all your negotiating these past few days was for nothing."
Shikaku caught the scroll and read it carefully, frowning.
"Akatsuki's next target is probably Konoha. We need to start preparing. These aren't your average terrorists."
Hiruzen lit his pipe again and took a long puff before replying.
"Start negotiations with the Cloud from scratch. For now, we'll give them sanctuary."
They still had their uses.
Shikaku nodded in understanding, tucked away the scroll, and hurried out. Konoha likely knew about the attack before the Hidden Cloud itself. If not, Mabui wouldn't have had the composure to keep arguing terms with him.
Hiruzen stared at the distant Hokage Rock, pipe smoke curling in the air.
So... Jiraiya had failed to persuade them after all.
That meant the final battle would take place in Konoha.
Perhaps it was time to draw on the foundation of the village its hidden strength.
If it truly became unavoidable... then let Nagato meet one of the founders.
"Ahem. A, go inform Orochimaru to make preparations."
The ANBU agent bowed and left.
…
Inside the meeting room, Mabui was sipping tea.
Though technically surrendering, she still fought to secure the most favorable terms for the Hidden Cloud.
Every coin saved would speed their future recovery.
Patience and resolve, strengthening from within when they were strong again, perhaps one day they could confront Konoha once more.
But this is the limit. One or two more rounds of stalling, and we'll have no choice but to accept Konoha's unfair treaty.
She took a sip of tea. Her heart was heavy.
What couldn't be taken on the battlefield, there was little hope of reclaiming at the negotiation table.
And that so-called "Sleeping Dragon of Konoha" was no easy opponent. She had never gained the upper hand in their verbal skirmishes. His reputation was well earned.
Suddenly, the door opened.
Shikaku Nara stood at the threshold, his expression unusually grim.
"Miss Mabui. The negotiations are over."
Mabui's pupils shrank in shock. What? Was Konoha planning to continue the war? Weren't they supposed to be the peace-loving ones?
She quickly tried to deescalate. "Mr. Nara, peace is precious. The terms are still negotiable. I'm sure we can work something out."
Shikaku gently shook his head, voice tinged with sorrow.
"There's no need."
He stepped forward and laid a scroll on the table.
Mabui glanced at its contents.
In that moment, her world fell silent.
The teacup slipped from her fingers and shattered on the floor.
"H... How could this happen...?"
Shikaku offered quiet consolation.
"Miss Mabui, please accept my condolences. Konoha will offer your people as much help as we can."
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