"This is a letter from your mother. She can't write, so I wrote it for her. Can you read? If not, I can read it to you." Yuya moved through the ranks of the ninja classes, his expression soft and kind. By the end of the day, he had handed out less than half of the letters he carried. Many ninjas on the front lines still hadn't received their letters.
Watching as tears streamed down the faces of those who received them, Yuya could only sigh.
Though this gesture was meant to boost morale, it was impossible not to be touched by the emotions it stirred.
Of course, since the letters were collected from villagers, it was inevitable that some people would never receive theirs. Yuya remained silent about these unclaimed letters, knowing he would burn them in front of the fallen warriors' graves after the war.
Over the next week, the morale of the Konoha ninja coalition surged. Illiterate ninjas were asking for help in reading letters from their families, and the name Yuya began to spread among them.
The fact that Senju Hashirama had taken Yuya as an apprentice was not widely known. Only prominent families like the Sarutobi and Shimura clans were aware of it. Naturally, Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzo, who harbored ill will toward Yuya, didn't spread the news, as they hoped Yuya would perish in the war. For now, however, they remained allies.
While morale was high on Konoha's front lines, Iwagakure, the Village Hidden in the Rocks, sent forces across the Kannabi Bridge to attack Konoha's right flank, joining the war. Yuya knew the outcome of the conflict would depend on the Land of Water. Still, he thought it might also be wise to sway the Land of Wind to their side.
In the original history, the Land of Wind didn't participate in the First Ninja War. Instead, they focused on strengthening the One-Tailed Beast, Shukaku. But this was real life, and no one could guarantee that the Land of Wind wouldn't intervene this time. While the Land of Water had been delayed by Yuya's financial maneuvers, they were likely still deliberating on whether to enter the war.
It didn't matter whether they came to negotiate or not, as long as the Land of Water didn't take immediate action.
Despite Senju Tobirama's confidence that Konoha could handle attacks from other nations, the unpredictability of war made certainty impossible.
The key player now was the Land of Water.
After another week passed, Konoha not only repelled attacks from the Land of Thunder, but also faced a new threat when the Raikage appeared on the battlefield alongside the Eight-Tails' Jinchuuriki. This forced Senju Tobirama to join the fight directly, leaving Sarutobi Hiruzen and five others in charge of military affairs at the rear.
Amid this backdrop, Yuya was appointed quartermaster of the Konoha Ninja Army, responsible for the collection and distribution of all supplies and resources. Around the same time, a delegation from the Land of Water arrived at Konoha's rear base camp.
The delegation was arrogant, dismissive of Sarutobi Hiruzen, Shimura Danzo, and the others. At this point, these men held little renown, and the negotiations quickly collapsed. The Land of Water's demand was outrageous: 100 million ryo for them to withdraw from the war and, in return, aid Konoha in attacking the Land of Thunder. Naturally, Sarutobi Hiruzen refused.
Even though Senju Tobirama had warned Hiruzen to be cautious in his decisions, the demand was simply absurd. The Water delegation didn't seem fazed, as they had anticipated Konoha's refusal. As they prepared to leave, Uchiha Kagami stopped them.
"What do you want?" one of the envoys asked, unnerved.
Uchiha Kagami smiled. "Even though the negotiations failed, we can still discuss other forms of cooperation. Konoha's quartermaster has requested to meet with you."
He led the delegation to Yuya's tent.
Yuya had grown into a man standing 1.8 meters tall, with curly black hair that hung down to his shoulders and a charming, mature stubble on his chin. He sat cross-legged behind a desk full of papers, gesturing for the envoys to sit.
"Who are you?" the lead envoy asked, frowning.
With a slight smile, Yuya introduced himself. "I am Kaminaga Yuya, apprentice to the First Hokage. The current Hokage, Senju Tobirama, is my uncle."
The envoy raised an eyebrow, uncertain of Yuya's claim. Was there really such a person as Hashirama's apprentice? But that detail hardly mattered now.
"What do you want?" the envoy asked again, his voice stern.
Yuya calmly poured tea for the group leader. "Relax. I'm here to discuss cooperation in good faith. However, the conditions you proposed earlier are unrealistic. Everyone understands that, so let's not treat them as serious offers."
Yuya's words immediately shut down any further discussion of the Water delegation's earlier demands, forcing them to reconsider.
He then opened a scroll, spreading it before them. "Here is our proposal. I've discussed it with the Hokage, and he has agreed to it. As long as you and the Mizukage approve, we can establish a mutually beneficial alliance."
The envoy studied the document, sweat forming on his brow. This proposal wasn't something hastily put together over a few days. It seemed Konoha was genuinely interested in forming an alliance with Kirigakure, not merely stalling for time.
Caught off guard, the envoy hesitated. He wasn't authorized to make decisions of this magnitude. He needed to send word back to the Mizukage.
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