[This Chapter Is Sponsored by Miguel razo! Everyone, please thank him in the comment!]
Land of Wind, Sand Ninja Village.
The wind and sand create a constant howling sound, something the people in the Land of Wind have long gotten used to, in such a harsh environment.
Inside a round, earth-colored building that also serves as the conference room for the Kazekage of the Sand Village, two elder advisors personally welcome envoys from the Leaf Village.
Chiyo and Ebizo, siblings who also serve as the highest-ranking advisors in the Sand Village, warmly greet familiar faces from the Leaf Village, Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane.
The conference room is quiet, except for the sound of Chiyo sipping tea. Koharu looks displeased, frowning as she thinks about the Sand Village's recent defeat in the third great war.
"Recently, a ninja corps on our side was attacked near the border of the Land of Fire, and we found evidence of a large number of Sand ninjas involved."
Koharu takes the initiative, visibly irritated and speaking in a condescending tone, clearly looking for answers.
However, everyone present is experienced and isn't easily intimidated. Chiyo smiles, eyes squinted, sipping her tea and says, "This is probably someone trying to stir up friction between the Sand and Leaf Villages. The ninja world hasn't been very peaceful lately, and some small villages with big ambitions often behave this way."
"How then do you explain the clear evidence of Sand ninjas near the border of the Land of Fire?" Koharu presses on, visibly angry.
Chiyo chuckles and shakes her head, "I would also like to know which little village dares to impersonate us. Please, Leaf ninjas, show no mercy. If you find any, kill them, and do share the information with us."
Looking at Chiyo's unflappable demeanor, Koharu is inwardly cursing her. As seasoned politicians, they wouldn't easily reveal their emotions. Her aggression was simply a tactical move, but Chiyo wasn't taking the bait.
"Haha, the Sand Village is a reliable ally of the Leaf. We trust you, but some people are trying to sow discord, which is why we came—to reaffirm the friendship between our two nations."
Homura speaks up, playing the peacemaker. Although the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi had outlined the bottom line before their departure, the relationships between the two countries and villages are not so simple. That's why they are visiting.
After Homura speaks, Koharu's expression softens a bit, but she remains stern, "As allies, we hope the Sand Village can assist us since our borders are frequently being harassed."
Fine, if you won't accept my apology, let's talk about needing soldiers.
Hearing such a shameless remark, Grandma Chiyo immediately revealed a sarcastic smile. Her muddy eyes drifted towards the glass, and she lamented, "Now that the Land of Wind has cut funding for the Sand Ninja Village, we're preparing to develop a corresponding elite ninja training program. If things go wrong, we might have to adopt the Bloody Mist policy like the Mist Ninja Village."
"Perhaps it could relieve some of the financial burden on the Sand Ninja Village, especially when it comes to assisting your border defenses," Chiyo said with a feigned look of shame. "The Leaf Village is the number one ninja village in both the quantity and quality of ninjas. We're even preparing to ask for an elite Leaf ninja corps to help with the recent border issues."
Chiyo's words filled Koharu and Homura with frustration; she was obviously mocking them. Everyone knows that the Leaf Village also suffered severely in the third war.
Before the second war, the Leaf Village was dominant, shielded by the Land of Whirlpools, facing three major ninja villages. Although outnumbered, their quality was unquestionable.
The Senju clan, Uchiha clan, and many other elite clans existed, not to mention those who gained fame during the wars like the "White Fang of the Leaf" and the "Three Sannin." They indeed dominated with the strength of one village.
However, since the third war, things went downhill. The Senju clan almost perished; the Uchiha were somewhat better. Most of the once-elite ninjas died of age or war-related illnesses.
The devastation of the third war, and poor leadership by the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, led to his resignation after the war.
The third war turned into a defensive battle within the Land of Fire, with many elite ninjas killed. The severity reached the point where even children were sent to the battlefield.
Especially during the third war, the Sand Ninja Village fought desperately. Now they may be at the bottom among the five great ninja villages, but looking at how the Tailed Beasts were distributed, it's clear who was the strongest after the Leaf.
Being allocated the weakest, the One-Tail Shukaku, the Sand Village was clearly the strongest after the Leaf. But consecutive defeats, especially in the third war, led to their downfall.
Because of the Sand Village's past glory, the Leaf took several countermeasures after the third war.
"You Sand ninjas..."
"You Leaf ninjas..."
Inside the meeting room, the elder advisors of both the Sand and Leaf Villages started heated debates, clearly proficient in haggling.
Ebizo and Homura acted as the peacemakers, or spoke to relieve tension when necessary. They were basically acting as lubricants in the conversation.
…
Until nightfall, the atmosphere in the conference room was heavy with tension, almost like the air was filled with gunpowder. Chiyo stared wide-eyed, her throat almost hoarse from dryness. Ebizo on the side had a bitter smile, signaling that they had already finished five pots of tea, which was a lot considering the scarcity of water resources in the Sand Ninja Village.
Across from them, Koharu was equally flushed and defiant, refusing to back down. Initially, both parties were somewhat restrained, but soon lost their temper, banging on the table and glaring at each other as basic expressions of their disagreement.
Just as the tension was reaching a peak, a knock on the door broke the atmosphere. Under Ebizo's puzzled gaze, the wooden door slowly opened to reveal Maki, who had just returned in haste.
Walking into the conference room, Maki first bowed respectfully to the two elders of the Leaf Village, then solemnly approached the elders of his own village.
Maki whispered something in a serious tone. Chiyo, who had been filled with anger, suddenly had her anger dissipate upon hearing her words. She was even nodding frequently, now filled with smiles.
"So that's how it is. Go and tell Lord Kazekage that I will meet the distinguished guests from the Land of Earth shortly," said Chiyo, beaming as she got up. Realizing her earlier behavior was somewhat rude, she immediately looked at Homura and Koharu, saying, "The two of you have come a long way, and it's already late. Let Maki escort you both to rest. Tomorrow, you can experience the local culture of our Land of Wind."
After the pleasantries, Chiyo walked towards the door, her face full of joyful wrinkles.
Meanwhile, Homura and Koharu seemed unperturbed, showing the grace of the first ninja village by nodding slightly, though the high-handed attitude was fully in place. However, when they looked at each other, they could see the concern in each other's eyes.
The Land of Earth? What could they be here for at this time? Surely nothing good. Damn it! It looks like this is going to cost us a lot.
Homura even showed a trace of worry, glancing at his old friend Koharu. Koharu subtly shook her head; it was no longer something they could decide. Once they returned, they would have to urgently convey the information to Hiruzen via a summoning animal. But for now, back to the negotiations.
Since they've come to the negotiating table, it means there's still something to discuss. Failure to agree just means that the interests at stake are not sufficient yet.
…
In the office of the Kazekage, on the other side, Rasa and two elder advisors received the envoy from the Land of Earth late at night.
"Kazekage, two advisors, our Tsuchikage is sincere. Back in the day, the Hidden Sand Village was known as the second greatest village under the Hidden Leaf Village. But what about now? Everyone in the ninja world knows that the Leaf Village is leeching off the Sand Village to regain its strength through despicable means."
"The Leaf Village is afraid of the Sand Village's resurgence..." The envoy sent by the Tsuchikage was really smooth, showering them with compliments as soon as he met them. Even though they knew these were just polite words, everyone likes to hear nice things.
Chiyo nodded with the appearance of an honest person, "Ah, only Onoki still remembers the friendship between the Hidden Sand Village and the Hidden Stone Village. The Leaf Village is too despicable. We've fought to this point in the Third War, and yet they still make us sign such a lowly treaty."
You act, and I act too. You praise me, and I'll cry miserably. Everyone knows what kind of medicine is being sold in this gourd, so a few sighs are enough. Whoever takes it seriously will be the one to lose.
…
The envoy from the Hidden Stone Village looked earnestly at the Kazekage and the two elder advisors, expressing directly, "Our Tsuchikage has long been displeased with the unfair treatment of the Hidden Sand Village. This time, we come with full sincerity."
"Our Tsuchikage is aware that the Hidden Leaf wants to take advantage of your village due to the border unrest. So we are here. This is a private alliance treaty; you three can take a look first."
Receiving the alliance treaty scroll, Kazekage Rasa, Chiyo, and Ebizo looked at each other, all silently cursing this cunning old man from the Stone Village.
The envoy from the Hidden Stone Village continued with a smile, "The Hidden Leaf claims to be the overlord of the ninja world, and they bully our small ninja villages without restraint. Only by uniting can we resist this kind of bullying from the Hidden Leaf. Therefore, the Raikage from the Land of Lightning and our Tsuchikage are prepared to jointly invite the victimized villages to join forces against this behavior."
Though the words sounded nice, Rasa was no fool. He might be young, but he wasn't rash enough to have achieved his position without thought.
What did they mean by resisting this kind of bullying? The Raikage and Tsuchikage are scheming well, not having to do anything but speak. Then his Sand Village would stand up to say they are resisting, and then terminate the defeat treaty signed with the Hidden Leaf.
What then? The Raikage and Tsuchikage would just complain a bit, and the Hidden Leaf would definitely be furious. Even if they didn't want to take action, they would need to for the sake of their dignity. At that point, the ones to suffer would only be the Sand Village.
If they couldn't understand this simple logic, then they were wasting their lives. Rasa was not fit for his position.
"Our Sand Village despises this kind of bullying the most. But the strength of the Hidden Leaf forces us to endure it, especially given the current situation that you all know of," said Grandma Chiyo, stepping forward and speaking against her conscience. Finally, she made her own intentions clear: turning against the Hidden Leaf? They didn't have the foundation for that yet, so it was easier said than done.
Upon hearing this, the envoy from Iwagakure not only showed no urgency but nodded with a look of empathy and sympathy, "Our Tsuchikage has considered this point. It's obvious to all villages that the Third Hokage of Konoha is bullying and dominating the ninja world. So, to make it easier for your village, we're willing to help put some pressure on Konoha."
"It's not that we from Iwagakure want to stir up conflict, but Konoha's behavior is just too unseemly. They shamelessly took away 20% of Sunagakure's high-ranking missions. This is too much, way too much!"
"Our Tsuchikage and Raikage will jointly issue a call to oppose Konoha's dominance. When the time comes, we will formally invite your village. Of course, we're also willing to help your village renegotiate the treaty with Konoha. This 20% is just too much."
The Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, merely wants to bite off a chunk of flesh from Konoha using Sunagakure as a tool, even though Sunagakure sees that flesh as rightfully theirs.
Upon hearing this, the Kazekage, Rasa, looked moved, while the cunning Chiyo, although moved, did not show it and instead pretended to sigh sadly.
"Thank you for the kind offer, Tsuchikage Onoki, but Konoha is just too strong. If pushed too hard, Sunagakure can't afford the damage from war."
Chiyo, who has lived for many years and consumed more salt than the young Kazekage Rasa has eaten rice, showed a vulnerable demeanor to shut the Iwagakure envoy up.
"After all, there's no such thing as a free lunch. You really expect us to believe you'll help us regain some benefits from Konoha without asking for something in return? Nonsense."
Sure enough, the envoy's face stiffened upon hearing this, mentally cursing the old woman for her shamelessness. She wants the benefits without any sacrifices, how preposterous.
"Look, we from Iwagakure are also taking a huge risk. Everyone has seen Konoha's strength in the three great Ninja Wars. However, for the sake of justice in the ninja world and to no longer suffer Konoha's tyranny, our Tsuchikage has bravely chosen to stand up."
Politicians are always shameless. The envoy from Iwagakure finally sighed, "If the Kazekage is willing, we can work together to oppose Konoha. We understand Sunagakure's current situation, and we're willing to help renegotiate the old treaty with Konoha. In return, we hope Sunagakure can give us a share, considering we're also risking Konoha's wrath."
So, the truth comes out. Tsuchikage Onoki is eyeing this mission quota. In essence, he's saying, 'I'll help you renegotiate with Konoha, but I can't work for free.' In simple terms, it's a commission.