Fire Capital, Daimyo Manor.
Inside the study, the faint scent of sandalwood incense lingered.
Arashi leaned lazily in the large chair, a shogi piece between his fingers, eyes focused on the board in front of him.
Black and white pieces intertwined on the board, full of killing intent.
This game had lasted all morning.
His opponent was himself.
Just like the current state of the shinobi world.
It looked chaotic and tangled, a fierce and inextricable struggle, but every move on the board was within his grasp.
Clack.
He placed a piece casually.
The crisp sound echoed clearly in the quiet room.
With that move, the entire board came alive.
A figure silently appeared in the study. It was Aono Saku.
"Daimyo-sama," he said respectfully.
"Speak," Arashi responded without looking up, his focus still on the game.
"Just as you predicted," Aono Saku's voice was calm and efficient, "Iwa secured a great victory in the northern region of the Land of Lightning."
"They not only crushed Kirigakure's forces but also wiped out most of Kumo's remaining avengers."
"All of Kumogakure's surrounding resource points are now in their hands."
"Oh?" Arashi raised an eyebrow, unsurprised.
"What about the Land of Wind?"
"Iwa used a variety of excuses to firmly block them at the border, stopping any movement," Aono Saku's lips curved slightly. "Our agents embedded in Sunagakure reported that the Daimyo of the Land of Wind is on the verge of erupting in anger."
"No exposure, correct?"
"None."
"Very good." Arashi finally looked up, a smile spreading across his face.
The fish had bitten, and they were fatter than expected.
"The Land of Wind and the Land of Water must have already sent people to the Fire Capital, yes?"
"Yes, Daimyo-sama," Aono Saku nodded. "The envoy from the Land of Wind arrived last night and is staying at the posthouse. The Land of Water, taking the sea route, was slower, but their ship arrived this morning."
"Let them wait." Arashi waved his hand, turning his gaze back to the board. "Let them stew for a few days, let the fire in their hearts burn hotter."
"And while you're at it, gather all the evidence of Iwa's rampant plundering of resources and oppression of locals in the Land of Lightning into a dossier."
"Deliver it to the envoys of the Land of Wind and the Land of Water."
"Let them see just how ugly Iwa's greed is."
"Yes." Aono Saku acknowledged the order and prepared to withdraw.
Arashi called out to him, "You mentioned that with Iwa acting this arrogantly, our stationed forces should be in danger, right?"
"They should be." Aono Saku immediately understood.
"Would that be too cruel?"
"To die for one's country is an honor."
"Who do you think is suitable?"
"Uchiha Fugaku."
"No, too obvious. Pick a few others. As long as the result is achieved, that's enough."
"I understand, Daimyo-sama."
"Make it clean." Arashi said. "Also, send some gifts to our friends in Iwa and the Land of Wind. Make them substantial."
Two blades, already sharpened, would now be laced with poison.
Then the game would be set.
After Aono Saku withdrew, the study fell back into silence.
Arashi picked up a black piece and placed it lightly.
"Checkmate."
...Three days later.
The envoys from the Land of Wind and the Land of Water finally got the chance to meet the Daimyo of the Land of Fire.
Every minute of the past three days had been torturous.
Though they were well-fed and properly accommodated in the posthouse, they weren't even allowed past the gate of the Daimyo Manor.
And the intelligence "accidentally" leaked by the Land of Fire made their hearts tremble in fear, their anger building with each passing day.
Daimyo Manor, Reception Hall.
When they finally saw Arashi, the anxiety and fury suppressed over the past few days could no longer be hidden.
Inside the hall, Arashi sat high on the dais, posture relaxed.
"I wonder, what brings the two envoys from so far away to my Fire Capital?"
The envoy from the Land of Wind couldn't hold back. He stepped forward and knelt heavily, voice filled with grievance and humiliation.
"I beg Daimyo-sama to uphold justice for the Land of Wind!"
Behind him, the envoy from the Land of Water also knelt, his voice unwilling.
"Iwa has betrayed our trust, blatantly violated the Four Nations Alliance treaty, seized resources at will, and excluded us!"
"This isn't just a humiliation to the Land of Wind and the Land of Water, but the greatest provocation to the Four Nations Alliance, which you, Daimyo-sama, personally established!"
The two spoke one after the other, their accusations poured out without reservation.
Arashi's expression turned to one of shock and solemnity at the right moment.
"Is this true?"
He suddenly stood, walked quickly to the two envoys, and personally helped them up.
"Please rise, both of you. Speak slowly."
"Iwa, could they really be this bold?"
"It's absolutely true!" The envoy from the Land of Wind took a scroll from his robe and presented it with both hands.
"These are the various atrocities Iwa has committed recently. I ask Daimyo-sama to investigate!"
Arashi took the scroll and unrolled it.
Naturally, its contents were precisely what he had instructed Aono Saku to compile.
"Outrageous!" He slammed the scroll onto the table, roaring.
"What did we four nations agree upon at the Hot Springs?"
"Regional oversight, non-interference!"
"Is Iwa treating the agreement as a joke?"
Arashi's explosive fury filled the two envoys with joy.
There was hope.
"Daimyo-sama, please calm your anger!" The envoy from the Land of Water quickly cupped his hands.
"Iwa has always been domineering, relying on its military strength and its proximity to the Land of Lightning."
"Now, it treats the northern region of the Land of Lightning like its private territory."
"Even our people must go through multiple layers of inspection and harassment just to enter Kumogakure."
"If this continues, the so-called joint governance by the Four Nations will become a hollow phrase!"
"The loss of our two nations' interests is a small matter. But the credibility of the Four Nations Alliance, and your prestige, Daimyo-sama, will be completely lost!"
Their words were sincere, yet every sentence struck at the Land of Fire's sore spot.
Arashi paced back and forth in the hall, his expression shifting between light and dark.
After a long while...
He suddenly stopped.
"You two are right."
"This matter, the Land of Fire will take responsibility for!"
"If Iwa refuses to follow the rules, then I will personally teach them what rules are!"
Upon hearing this, the two envoys were overjoyed and nearly knelt again.
"Thank you, Daimyo-sama!"
"Daimyo-sama is wise!"
Arashi waved his hand, signaling them to stop with the formalities.
"However," he said, changing the tone, "this matter is of great importance. If not handled carefully, it may trigger another war."
"Although the Land of Fire is not afraid of war, we cannot engage in one without just cause."
He looked at the two envoys, his expression turning deep.
"I need the two of you to jointly issue a public statement with the Land of Fire."
"In the name of the Four Nations Alliance, issue a warning to Iwa."
"Demand that they immediately cease all treaty-violating actions and return the seized interests, or else..."
Arashi's voice paused. A fleeting killing intent flashed in his eyes.
"They will bear the consequences."
(To be continued.)