The shinobi world used to operate with simplicity and directness. When ninjas from other villages visited, they were promptly registered and greeted by relevant high-ranking shinobi, or even directly by the Kage for important guests or significant matters. Discussions were conducted swiftly without unnecessary formalities, matters were resolved efficiently, and visitors departed promptly.
However, with the emergence of certain individuals, new customs have arisen. Banners like the one Danzo encountered are a notable example. These banners first appeared during the Third Great Ninja War and have since become a fixture, displayed both in times of conflict and peace, both within and outside villages, particularly notable in Grass Village.
Danzo had also encountered these banners numerous times in Grass Village, but seeing one prominently displayed in Sand Village still left him bewildered.
"What on earth...?" Danzo muttered, his neck stiffening as he slowly turned to face the Sand Village shinobi beside him. He pointed a trembling finger at the banner. "What is that?"
"Oh, Lord Danzo, are you asking about the banner?" The Sand Village ninja appeared puzzled initially, but then comprehension dawned on his face. "I apologize, Lord Danzo. Your visit was sudden, and we didn't have time to prepare properly. Please rest assured, Sand Village means no offense."
"No, That's not what I meant," Danzo shook his head, interrupting the ninja.
The Sand Ninja looked even more confused. 'Then what is it?'
"I mean..." Danzo took a deep breath, striving to maintain his composure as a high-ranking village official and ninja of the shadows. "Is Grass Village also here?"
"Oh, Lord Danzo, are you inquiring about that?" The Sand ninja nodded, explaining, "Sand Village is facing a significant crisis. Grass Village, being our ally, has been invited by Advisor Chiyo along with the leader of Rain Village."
"The leaders?" Danzo's heart quickened as he asked urgently. "Have they... already arrived?"
"Not yet," the Sand ninja replied nonchalantly, unaware of the complex emotions stirring within Danzo.
Instantly, Danzo's expression softened, a hint of relief crossing his face.
"Time is of the essence, Lord Danzo..." The Sand ninja, mindful of the need to uphold hospitality, especially towards a visitor from one of the Five Great Ninja Villages, urged him gently to move along. Lingering at the village entrance could be seen as a lapse in courtesy.
He turned around with a polite smile, ready to guide Danzo further inside. But as he turned back, his smile faltered into surprise. "Lord Danzo...?" His eyes widened as he realized Danzo had disappeared. Sensing something amiss, he quickly scanned the area and spotted Danzo sprinting away, against the gusts of wind and swirling sand, heading in the wrong direction.
"What's going on?" The Sand ninja exclaimed incredulously, not comprehending Danzo's sudden flight. He shouted urgently, "Lord Danzo, you're going the wrong way! Sand Village is this way!"
But Danzo didn't look back, shouting over his shoulder, "I just remembered I left the stove on at home. Farewell. I'll return another time!"
"The stove? Is that urgent? Should we send a messenger hawk to inform the Hokage, Lord Danzo?" The Sand Ninja was thoroughly bewildered. "And besides, since you're already here..."
But Danzo cut him off sharply, still running, "Shut up! Do you think you can deceive me? Do you think I don't understand what 'since you're already here' implies? Sand Village's treachery, consorting with grass bandits to cheat and deceive an old man like me—such actions will incur divine retribution!"
The Sand ninja stood there, utterly baffled by the abrupt departure of Danzo Shimura, the esteemed representative from Konoha, as he ran off muttering accusations of theft and deceit. He couldn't fathom what had prompted Danzo's accusations against Sand Village, especially given their current vulnerable state and sincere desire for peace, having recently lost two Kage in quick succession with no successor chosen yet. There was certainly no intention to provoke conflict.
The sudden exit of Danzo, coupled with his accusations, left the ninja bewildered and questioning if they had unknowingly offended him. Quickly realizing the potential diplomatic fallout, he hurried after Danzo.
"Lord Danzo, please wait! Without you..." he called out desperately.
But it was too late. Danzo, shielded by his Root ninja, had vanished into the distance. Only his parting vow lingered in the air: "I will return!"
…
Before long, within Sand Village, Chiyo received the report from the Sand ninja, who wore a guilty expression as he handed it to her.
In summary: "Lord Danzo arrived, stopped briefly, then abruptly left, stating he would return!"
Chiyo's brow furrowed deeply as she read the report, utterly perplexed by Danzo's actions. What the hell, Is he coming or not then? She couldn't understand why the Hokage's assistant had suddenly left just as he reached the village gate.
After a moment of contemplation, Chiyo sighed softly and looked up at the Sand ninja standing before her. "Why did Danzo… leave again?" she asked, her tone filled with a mix of curiosity and bewilderment.
"Chiyo-sama, I am not entirely sure myself," the shinobi replied with a bitter expression. "At first, everything seemed fine. Despite their somewhat unfriendly demeanor, I harbored no ill feelings and welcomed the Konoha delegation warmly for the sake of Sand Village. Lord Danzo also followed along quietly until he saw the banner at the village gate…"
As the shinobi recounted the earlier events, Chiyo fell silent once more. She glanced at the report in her hand and then at the regretful shinobi standing before her. With a sigh, she said, "It's not your fault. Who could have anticipated…" Her voice carried a trace of bitterness. "Who could have imagined that Grass Village has developed to this extent?"
A single banner had been enough to prompt the Konoha's Hokage Assistant to flee in a hurry. Clearly, Danzo must have learned that Grass Village was also expected to attend the meeting and decided to retreat. After all, Despite Grass Village's assertions of brotherhood with Konoha, the strained relationship between the two villages was widely known throughout the ninja world.
But still... Chiyo hadn't anticipated the animosity between the two villages to be this severe. This was Konoha's Hokage assistant, the second-in-command of the village, and a renowned figure in the ninja world. How could he flee like a startled rabbit upon learning that Grass Village was involved?
Regardless of their strained relations, shouldn't a ninja from a prestigious village like Konoha stay and engage in a proper dialogue? Even in the worst case, they could part ways diplomatically after an unsuccessful meeting. Why choose flight over diplomacy?
Initially, Chiyo had hoped to collaborate with Konoha, Kusagakure, and Amegakure to aid Sunagakure through its current crisis. Now, it appeared that this aspiration was slipping out of reach.
'This Danzo… is too cowardly' Chiyo sighed inwardly, shaking her head in disappointment. "What a shame."
Sand Village's predicament was dire. The exposure of the Fourth Kazekage's plot to assassinate the Land of Wind Daimyo had thrust Sand Village into a precarious position within the ninja world. While other villages might privately disregard the Daimyo's authority, publicly they had to show deference.
"We'll need to find another approach," Chiyo muttered to herself, reflecting on their challenging circumstances.
Just then, a Sand shinobi rushed in breathlessly. "The Grass Village leader has arrived!" he announced excitedly. "And Lady Pakura is with them!"
"Pakura is here too?!" Chiyo exclaimed, her expression quickly shifting to one of satisfaction. "Ensure they receive a warm welcome... No."
Recalling Danzo's abrupt departure, she made a swift decision. "I will greet them personally." Rising from her seat with resolve, Chiyo prepared to meet their guests from Grass Village.
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