"So, you two wish to form an alliance with Amegakure?"
Hanzō regarded the Third Kazekage and Chiyo seated across from him, his tone carrying a faint trace of irony.
"You both think too highly of the Land of Rain. True, we share a deep hatred for Konoha—but our country simply lacks the resources to sustain a full-scale war. After three to five months, we'd already be struggling to feed our troops."
In other words: pay up.
"Naturally, as your allies, we will provide material support to the Land of Rain," said the Kazekage.
"The Wind Country will bear the cost of all supplies in the early phase of the war."
That calm, confident tone.
He truly sounded generous—though to Hanzō, it also carried that unmistakable condescension unique to the Great Nations.
How easy it must be for them, Hanzō thought.
A country that groans under the weight of one village, yet to them, it's barely a rounding error.
Fine then. If they're so casual about it, I'll just take more. Only a fool leaves wool unshorn.
"That's reassuring," Hanzō said smoothly.
"That settles our funding issue—for now. When the war drags into months, we'll no longer be pressed for supplies. Truly, I envy the wealth of great nations like yours. Small countries like ours can only look up in awe."
"You flatter us," the Kazekage replied, smiling thinly. "We hold your personal strength in the highest regard.
So—do you still have any doubts regarding Konoha?"
Hanzō folded his arms.
"I'll be direct. You must have seen it yourselves—what the border looks like right now. The chaos before the war begins.
The fighting will take place on our land. You can imagine how hard that will be on our people.
"The Land of Rain isn't afraid of war. We'll face it head-on. But I can't ignore the survival of my citizens. If, when the fighting's over, only Amegakure remains standing, wouldn't that be the death of our nation?"
The Kazekage narrowed his eyes. "So, you're saying…"
"We don't need money," Hanzō said. "What we need is food."
"Impossible."
It was Chiyo who spoke first, sharp as a blade.
"That's your own country's problem to solve. No alliance in history has ever included full material coverage."
"And as it stands, we've already shown great sincerity—the Kazekage himself coming here to negotiate. You should be grateful."
That was her bottom line:
They'd pay for Amegakure's war expenses—but not for the Land of Rain's famine.
"Forgive Elder Chiyo," the Kazekage interjected calmly. "But she's right. Our support to your military already includes food provisions."
"However, even with our vast deserts, the Wind Country's grain supply is strained—especially during wartime."
"We truly can't spare more. What we can offer is a substantial sum of money. Surely that will suffice?"
Hanzō smiled faintly.
Money? During wartime? Can gold fill empty stomachs?
He wasn't Orochimaru; he didn't have laboratories to pour it into.
And even if he accepted, Sunagakure would likely stab him in the back before the war's end and take it all back.
"That's all well and good," Hanzō said slowly. "But I heard Elder Chiyo suffered quite the defeat in the Land of Rivers. Your losses were… severe, weren't they?"
Chiyo's chakra flared in anger, but the Kazekage quickly stopped her.
"Your information network is impressive, Hanzō-dono. But we came here in good faith, to establish a real alliance."
"You've seen our sincerity—it's more than any other nation could offer. Are you mocking us deliberately? Because if so, we can end this right now."
"Patience," Hanzō chuckled. "Hear me out first."
"From what I understand, your army just arrived in the Land of Rain yesterday, didn't it?"
"After such a long march, I wonder—how ready are your forces? Konoha should be on the move already. That battle… how much is it worth to you, I wonder?"
The Kazekage and Chiyo exchanged a knowing look. They understood his meaning instantly.
Hanzō continued.
"Still, your envoys arrived early. That gives me a certain fondness for the Suna.
Not like Danzō's dogs. Those grim-faced Root operatives arrived yesterday—I've been keeping them waiting ever since.
Don't worry—they have no idea you're here."
That last line made both the Kazekage and Chiyo's stomachs sink.
Konoha's here too?!
And given how weakened their forces were, if Hanzō decided to detain them now, Chiyo—exhausted and half crippled after her last battle—would stand no chance.
Cold sweat trickled down their backs. The Kazekage forced a strained smile.
"Since you've kept them waiting, that means you've chosen us. Let's not waste words, Hanzō. What do you want?"
Hanzō raised his hand slowly… and clenched it into a fist.
"I want more."
"Raise. The. Price!"
Half an hour later, the two Suna leaders left Amegakure, their expressions dark and bitter.
The alliance had been sealed—Hanzō even had Danzō's emissary publicly expelled, ordering his forces to harass Konoha's supply lines immediately.
But the cost… the resources he'd wrung out of them made even the Kazekage wince.
They had never met anyone so shameless.
Once Hanzō found your weakness, he'd sink his claws in and twist until you bled.
Outside the village, Chiyo's chakra flared violently.
"That damn salamander freak! I'll make him pay!"
The Kazekage patted her shoulder wearily.
"Let it go. We'll take everything back later."
He was furious too, but he knew this: if they lost this war, their losses would be greater still.
If they won, they could always plunder the Land of Fire and recover their "investment."
Hanzō of the Salamander… truly a ruthless man.
"Still, how did he know you were ambushed?" the Kazekage muttered. "Does he have eyes on the border already? …No matter. We need to reorganize the army.
The Ame can't stall Konoha for long—but long enough. And they don't even know we've arrived yet. Let's give them a proper surprise."
---
The previous day, after the Amegakure council meeting.
Hanzō had called for Hattori Murakami, one of Amegakure's fastest shinobi.
"I have a crucial mission for you," Hanzō said solemnly.
"You're among our fastest. Take a squad of scouts and search the borderlands between the Wind and Fire Countries—especially the barren mountains that stretch into the Land of Rivers.
"The area's large, but the target should be easy to spot. Look for unusual pits or caverns in the terrain."
"Understood, Lord Hanzo. I'll prepare immediately," Murakami replied.
He was, of course, referring to the rumored Stone of Gelel mines—sources of pure chakra-rich minerals.
By noon, Murakami and his team of a dozen scouts had departed, beginning their search in the Land of Rivers.
They planned to split afterward—half moving toward the Fire border, half toward the Wind side.
But to their surprise, they stumbled upon retreating Suna forces, pursued from afar by Konoha shinobi.
Murakami immediately dispatched a messenger back to Hanzō, while his team pressed on with the mission.
---
Later, in Hanzō's office…
After seeing off the Kazekage and Chiyo, Hanzō returned to his desk.
Without looking up, he spoke toward the partition beside him.
"So? How did I do? I didn't waste the intelligence you gave me, did I?"
A slender woman with pale yellow hair, black-rimmed glasses, and a calm demeanor stepped out of the shadows.
Nono Yakushi.
"You handled it brilliantly," she said. "Your use of information was… impressive.
But weren't you worried they might turn on you? I never imagined you'd demand so much."
Hanzō smirked.
"You're overthinking it. This is war.
If they lose, they'll pay even more dearly.
And right now, it's a seller's market—they don't have room to negotiate."
Then, with a glint of curiosity in his eyes:
"But I didn't expect you to help me. Was it because of what I said before?"
"Partly," Nono admitted. "But mostly because, as far as Konoha's concerned… I'm already dead."
"There's no place left for me there. And you—Hanzō of the Salamander—you promised me safety. I believe you'll keep your word.
I only ask that you assign me tasks that suit my position. I'd rather not reveal myself."
"That's fair," Hanzō said. "You still carry traces of Konoha. I can't fully trust you yet—but I won't treat you unfairly either."
He handed her a stack of documents.
"War brings refugees. I'm opening relief centers and orphanages. You'll oversee them."
Nono glanced at the files.
"You want me to manage them?"
"Exactly. The relief centers will provide minimal food—just enough to survive.
They'll have to work for the rest. I'll start some basic reconstruction projects and hire laborers, funded by the money we just squeezed from the Sand.
"It's not ideal in wartime, but we can't afford to breed complacency. The orphanages, though, will be different. They'll have guaranteed meals and education.
I don't want those children to grow up useless. You used to be a spy—you know how to teach."
He paused, then added firmly:
"Every year, I'll select a few to become shinobi."
"Don't worry—I won't turn them into tools. I'll get their consent, and yours. But one thing—don't teach them Konoha's ideals. That's my test for you."
It was the perfect plan. In the original timeline, Nono had been Konoha's "Nun of the Orphanage," a kind-hearted woman who raised countless orphans—including Kabuto.
This time, she would serve the Ame instead.
"The funding from the Suna might run out sooner than expected," Hanzō continued.
"I'll try to sustain the program, but the orphanage will need an alternate income. Find a trade."
"You're skilled in medical ninjutsu—teach it.
We have plenty of orphans. Train enough medics, and we'll save more soldiers.
You'll earn money, we'll reduce casualties. Everyone wins."
Nono nodded after a thoughtful pause.
"An orphanage… it suits me. I'll take it. It's peaceful work, and I prefer it that way."
When she finally left, Hanzō leaned back in his chair, his expression hardening.
The next phase begins—war with Konoha.
But Iwa… I haven't forgotten about them either.
Based on Konoha's current pace, their forces would clash with the Suna within two days.
They wouldn't yet know about the new Ame–Suna alliance—or that the Kazekage himself was already on the battlefield.
After that fight, I'll pay the Iwa a visit.
There's too much profit to ignore.
Besides, as Nono had mentioned, once the Suna finished with Konoha, they intended to strike the Iwa next.
If he wanted a share of the spoils, he'd have to act first.
Still, Konoha was no easy opponent.
Even with the Suna's help… it might not be enough.
Better prepare for the worst, Hanzō thought grimly.
If Konoha truly finds itself cornered and uses Edo Tensei to summon the First Hokage himself… things could get out of hand.
He exhaled, his gaze turning cold.
"Sarutobi Hiruzen might never go that far…
but Shimura Danzō? That man has no moral boundaries at all."
Time to prepare—for war, and for monsters.
------------------///
I Will Be Dropping Extra Chaps For Our Milestones. Thanks for the support! Dont forget to add on library btw:>
150 Powerstones - Bonus Chap
300 Powerstones - Bonus Chap
500 Powerstones - Bonus Chap
700 Powerstones - Bonus Chap