The cabin where Zack found himself now had the appearance of an improvised structure, but at the same time, it reflected an environment of austere survival, typical of a hideout in the depths of a ninja war. Its walls were made of rough wood, with some dented and burned planks, suggesting that time and the damages of battle had shaped the structure. The roof, made of straw and a few broken boards, looked old and worn, but still offered sufficient shelter.
Inside, the lighting was dim, with only one oil lamp burning in the corner, casting shadows on the walls that seemed to tell stories of a dark past. In the center, a simple table, covered with some crumpled papers, served as the focal point of activity. A few wooden chairs were arranged around it, but the atmosphere was one of quietness, a forced peace that seemed to hide an internal turmoil.
Zack, still processing what he had just heard and what he was about to face, was in a corner, staring intently at the man now introducing himself as Nagato. His voice, which had been both firm and disturbing, now sounded as if he were preparing Zack for a new and complex path. He, who had previously not understood the vastness of what was involved, was beginning to realize that his journey would be much darker and more challenging than anything he had imagined.
Nagato, now a more imposing figure in his life, watched Zack with a piercing gaze, as if trying to read even the smallest signs of his emotions and thoughts. He took a deep breath and continued the conversation with a tone that combined patience and command.
— The reason you came here, Zack, is not a simple one. I want you to understand the village of Konoha, a place where strength and politics intertwine in complex ways. There, there is a boy named Naruto. He carries within him the Nine-Tails Fox, an immense and dangerous power. This is your first step to understanding the kind of people that exist in this world.
Zack frowned, trying to grasp what that meant. But Nagato, as if anticipating his questions, continued without hesitation.
— What you need to know about Naruto and those around him, for now, is that he is someone who, like you, carries a burden. The difference is that his is visible to all, and the hatred he carries is profound. Knowing this will help you understand the pain of others, and perhaps understand a little more about your own journey.
Zack, even with his mind still confused and full of questions, listened attentively, feeling the weight of Nagato's words. He understood that, as much as he wanted to know more, for now, the knowledge was limited. That first step, of learning about the boy with the fox, was just the beginning of something larger.
Nagato stepped closer, placing a hand on the table and looking directly into Zack's eyes with an intensity that seemed to pierce his soul.
— Now, you must strengthen yourself. I want you to prepare on your own, Zack. This is another test, one that will require patience and resilience. You will learn to trust in your own strengths, without depending on anyone, as you have already demonstrated you are capable of. I will make the arrangements to include you in Konoha. But do not expect the path to be easy, and remember: everything you do here, every choice you make, will have consequences. Be ready to face them.
Zack felt a chill run down his spine at Nagato's words, but a part of him knew he had no choice. He was trapped on this path now, and whatever happened, he would have to prepare, whether to protect Airi or to confront what Konoha had to offer.
Nagato, sensing that Zack's decision was made, gave a subtle nod, as if he already knew what would come next. The silence that followed was tense, every second dragging as Zack absorbed the reality of the situation.
— Go now, Zack. You have your first step to take. When the time comes, you will be taken to Konoha. Prepare yourself, for the world you know will change forever.
With that, Nagato stepped back, leaving Zack alone to reflect on everything he had just heard and on the new role he was about to assume in this vast game of power, pain, and redemption.
A month later, Zack was dressed in simple, practical clothing, resembling an ordinary merchant traveling to conduct business. He was sitting inside a carriage, resting while traveling the road leading to Konoha. The gentle sway of the carriage and the sound of the wheels hitting the dirt ground made the journey seem peaceful, but Zack knew he was approaching a destination filled with challenges.
He had spent weeks preparing to enter the village, and now, with his eyes closed, he tried to maintain his calm. The weight of the mission and the tension of being so close to Konoha kept him alert, but he sought to enjoy the moment of relative peace before entering the village and facing what was to come.
The coachman, who was guiding the carriage, turned to him and, in a formal tone, remarked:
— We are approaching the entrance to Konoha. You will need to go through a guard check before you can enter. They will ask for your identification.
Zack nodded, his hand instinctively going to his pocket, where he kept the documents that Nagato had provided to ensure his entry into the village. He knew that security in Konoha was strict, and any slip-up could be fatal. The journey to this point had not been easy, and he understood he must maintain focus.
The carriage began to slow as it approached the main road of the village. Guards were positioned at strategic points along Konoha's fences, watching everyone who passed with vigilance. The carriage stopped before one of the checkpoints. The two guards on duty approached with watchful eyes.
Zack stepped down from the carriage calmly, his footsteps silent. He was prepared, with the documents ready to be presented. When the guards looked at him, one of them spoke in a loud, firm voice:
— Identification, please.
Zack pulled out a simple scroll, but it bore the seal that guaranteed his authorization to pass as a merchant. The guard examined the seal closely, and after a brief inspection, looked back at Zack, who remained silent.
— Everything is in order. You may proceed to the commercial area, but do not pass the limits without permission from your superiors. We don't want any problems.
Zack gave a slight bow and, with a nod, thanked them before walking toward the entrance of the village. The sound of the carriage wheels receding behind him and the atmosphere around him grew denser, filled with curious gazes and people coming and going along the main road. The entrance to Konoha lay ahead of him, and with it, the heavy responsibility of uncovering what was really happening inside the village.
As the carriage entered Konoha's gates, Zack felt a subtle shift in the environment. The sound of the horse's hooves echoed through the bustling streets, and the air was more charged with the rhythm of the village pulsating around him. He looked out the window and saw the flourishing commerce along the streets, with vendors' stalls of all kinds.
Beside him was Haruto, an experienced merchant who had been assigned to help Zack familiarize himself with the village's trading system. Haruto was a tall man, with dark hair and a serious expression, but he seemed to have a good grasp of what was happening around him. He had been tasked with introducing Zack to the local market and showing him how business was conducted.
Haruto turned to Zack, a nervous smile on his face, knowing the young man was not there just for simple business transactions.
— This is where you will start, Zack, he said, pointing to the various stalls lining the streets. — The prices are reasonable, but it's good to be attentive because negotiations here can be a bit more... intricate than you might imagine.
Zack nodded, but his gaze was distant, watching the people who hurried by. He couldn't help but notice that, despite the normal hustle and bustle of the village, there was something strange in the air. Some murmurs about "fears on the horizon" floated among the merchants.
— What are you hearing out there, Haruto? Zack asked, interested yet trying to disguise his curiosity.
Haruto frowned and looked around before continuing in a low voice.
— Oh, nothing much, just the old rumors, but there's something everyone is talking about: the boy, Naruto. They say he carries the Nine-Tails Beast inside him. Have you heard about that?
Zack narrowed his eyes, now more intrigued.
— Naruto? What's wrong with him?
Haruto looked again to the sides, as if he were sure no one was listening before responding.
— He's a monster, Zack. They say that boy with the nine-tailed fox inside him is a threat to the village. They talk about how one day he will lose control and destroy everything around him. You've seen the power of that beast, right? Imagine when it fully breaks free? He carries within him a demon that could level everything. And some say he's already begun to show signs of that...
Zack fell silent, absorbing Haruto's words. He knew that the power of the Nine-Tails Fox was feared, but he hadn't expected the boy's perception to be so negative within Konoha.
— So, they fear that he could destroy everything...? Zack asked, now feeling a growing sense of discomfort.
Haruto nodded.
— Yes. That power is uncontrollable, and no one knows how to deal with it. It's not just the demon, but the boy himself. His anger, his pain... They say he could become an even greater threat if not controlled. Many in Konoha believe the boy is the biggest threat to the village, no matter how much they try to protect him.
Zack felt a weight in Haruto's words, but at the same time, he knew that not everything said could be true. He couldn't let himself be swayed by rumors and needed to find out for himself who this Naruto really was.
— And how do people deal with this? Is he being watched? Zack asked, trying to understand more about the situation.
Haruto paused, observing the hustle around him, then replied in a low tone:
— Yes, he is being watched. But there are many who think he should have already been removed from the village. They say the village elders have plans to 'make him disappear' before he causes more problems. He is a walking danger, and if the control over him fails, we will all suffer the consequences.
Zack felt a knot forming in his stomach. He knew that behind all the tension, something more was at play. The presence of Naruto, this "monster" with the Nine-Tails Fox inside him, seemed to be the key to many of the secret discussions among Konoha's inhabitants.
— Do you believe this will happen? That he will become a threat to everyone? Zack asked.
Haruto sighed and looked directly at Zack.
— I'm just a merchant, Zack. But what I can say is that, in Konoha, no one dares to question the rules. If the council decides that he is a threat, it doesn't matter who he is; they will act. And I'm not saying he's bad, but we can't ignore what is inside him. It could just be a matter of time before that happens.
Zack fell silent for a moment, pondering what he had heard. He knew that by entering Konoha, he was stepping into a minefield of intrigue and fears, where a simple boy with immense power could be considered a threat to be eliminated. His mission was going to be much more complicated than he had imagined.
As they walked through the bustling streets, Zack paid closer attention to the people and faces in the shops, trying to understand how the atmosphere of tension affected commerce and relationships in the village. He now knew that in Konoha, the presence of Naruto, the Nine-Tails Fox, and the fears that surrounded him were as significant as any negotiation he would have to make.
Haruto, noticing that Zack was absorbing everything around him, shifted his focus to what truly mattered: business. They were there for a single purpose: to sell goods to the inhabitants of Konoha. And, as Haruto well knew, Konoha was not a place where any merchant could simply arrive and offer whatever they wanted. Negotiation there was made with calculated and strategic moves.
— Now, Zack, let's start with the basics. Here in Konoha, negotiation is not simple. There is a hierarchy of who has the authority to decide what is accepted in the market and what isn't. Today, we need to speak to an advisor from one of the clans to settle the prices for the goods we brought, Haruto explained, adjusting his hood and preparing to enter the nearby building.
The carriage stopped in front of a large building with solid and imposing architecture, located in the center of the village. It was a place that seemed to represent the authority of the clan within, a location where the most important deals were made. Haruto led Zack to the entrance, where a security guard, clad in armor with a stern expression, quickly assessed them before allowing them in.
Inside the building, the atmosphere was different. The corridor was spacious, with walls adorned with fine tapestries and clan symbols visible on all sides. The air was thick with a respectful silence, interrupted only by the sound of Haruto and Zack's footsteps on the polished wooden floor.
— Here, deals aren't made through simple agreements. They require approval, especially for goods like iron blades, Haruto said as he walked alongside Zack. — This clan, the Yamagata Clan, has a monopoly on the trade of metals and blades. Anything involving that type of product goes through them. We're going to talk to one of the clan's advisors.
They stopped in front of an imposing door, and Haruto knocked softly. Within a few seconds, the door opened, revealing an elegant man with dark hair and sharp eyes. He wore traditional clothing that clearly indicated his status.
— Haruto, it's good to see you here. What have you brought this time? The advisor spoke with a calm voice, but with an evident authority.
Haruto gave a slight bow, indicating Zack with a gesture.
— This is Zack; he brought some iron blades and other products. We are trying to make a fair deal for both sides, Haruto explained.
Zack observed intently. The advisor didn't seem surprised by their presence, but his expression was calculating, as if evaluating every word they spoke. He looked at the merchandise that Zack was bringing, his hands moving carefully as he examined the blades.
— Hm... these blades have a good finish, but the quality of the material isn't sufficient for the price you're asking. The Yamagata Clan controls most of the demand, and we always seek products that are not only good but perfect, the advisor said, looking critically at the blades. — For these goods, the price will be much lower than you expect.
Zack felt the tension in the air. It was his first time witnessing a negotiation of this kind, and he quickly understood that in Konoha, words and decisions were made with much more strategy than he was used to.
— You are saying the product isn't worth the price, but we are bringing a rare commodity, and I believe we have a proposal that can please both sides, Haruto said, trying to keep the conversation flowing without appearing pressured.
The advisor looked at Zack, reevaluating him once more, as if trying to understand the person trying to negotiate there. He leaned back in his chair and crossed his legs, reflecting for a moment.
— I understand. But for this negotiation to take place, I will need something more. We can lower the price, but that will require something more valuable in return, the advisor said, with a calculating smile.
Zack knew there was a fine line between being persistent and being seen as too pushy. He watched Haruto, who was keenly attentive to every word from the advisor.
— What do you want, then? Zack asked, taking the lead now, knowing he needed to understand the rules of this market.
The advisor smiled slightly.
— The Yamagata Clan always seeks an advantage in every deal. If you can bring a commodity of greater strategic value, perhaps something related to technologies or rare tools, then we may be able to accept this negotiation under better conditions. Otherwise, the price for the blades will remain below expectations.
Zack felt the pressure mount. It was clear that in Konoha, there was no room for mistakes in negotiations. He would need to find a way to deliver something more valuable to ensure his goods were appropriately valued.
— I need to think about this, Zack replied, trying to maintain his composure. He knew he needed to understand the game's rules better before acting.
Haruto nodded, showing he knew that negotiations were not always easy but also that Zack would quickly learn how to handle these situations. The advisor rose and gestured for them to leave.
— Very well. When you have something more valuable, bring it back. The Yamagata Clan doesn't do business with just anyone, the advisor concluded, with a tone that made it clear the conversation was over.
Zack and Haruto left the office, and as they closed the door behind them, Zack felt a weight in his chest, but also a sense of learning. Konoha was full of complexities, but he was ready to navigate them and grow stronger, understanding the systems and the people around him.
— Let's move on, Zack. This is just the beginning.
As Zack and Haruto stepped out of the establishment, Zack was contemplative, the events of that negotiation still resonating in his mind. He looked at Haruto, a doubt lingering in his eyes.
— Nagato only told me about the 12 clans within Konoha, but their clan's name was not among the 12 that were alerted to me, Zack said, still trying to comprehend the relationship between everything that was happening.
Haruto took a quick glance around, ensuring no one was listening, and then replied calmly, as if sharing an important secret.
— That's simple, Zack. The clans with more weight here in Konoha have direct ties to already established merchants, where they get better prices, but with a much larger quantity of sales. Whereas the smaller clans can only buy a certain amount, and thus, it's not worth their while to lose on quantity and not gain on value. But this, we'll understand over time, Haruto explained, keeping his voice low and strategic.
Zack thought about this for a moment, processing the explanation.
— So, I need to know not just the main clans, right? he said, now starting to better understand the political and economic complexity of the village.
Haruto smiled, pleased to see Zack beginning to grasp the game.
— Exactly. If you want to have a deep understanding of Konoha and the politics here, you must know as much as you can. Each clan has its role, and understanding who controls what can give you a strategic advantage. It's not just about what the main clans want, but about how the smaller clans fit into the whole and who has the power to influence every move. If you understand this, you'll have the key to any negotiation.
Zack nodded, now more focused than ever. The negotiation with the Yamagata Clan had been an important lesson, but he knew that the real game was much more complex than he had imagined. He was starting to see that, to survive in Konoha, he needed to understand the relationships among all the clans and how each one