Konoha stood tall, its streets bustling with life and its buildings repaired after the devastation caused by the Nine-Tails' attack. On the surface, the village seemed to have recovered, its shinobi regaining their discipline and the people returning to their routines. But Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, knew better.
Behind the illusion of strength lay a fragile economy. The funds provided by the Daimyo were barely enough to cover basic needs. The reconstruction efforts had drained the village's treasury, and missions alone couldn't fill the gap. Sitting in his office, surrounded by stacks of financial reports, Hiruzen sighed deeply, the weight of the village pressing down on him like a physical force.
He reached for his pipe, taking a long, slow puff as he leaned back in his chair. The room was quiet, save for the faint rustle of papers. His eyes flicked toward a small crystal orb sitting on his desk—a relic he had used since his younger days. A smile tugged at his lips as he activated it, the surface rippling to reveal a scene from the neighborhood bathhouse.
Steam curled around a group of women chatting and laughing as they bathed. Hiruzen chuckled quietly, his earlier stress momentarily forgotten.
"Ah, the simple joys of life," he muttered to himself, leaning forward for a better look.
But his brief indulgence was interrupted when a figure appeared out of nowhere, kneeling before him. Startled, Hiruzen hastily deactivated the crystal, coughing as he tried to regain his composure.
"Ah, Shisui," he said, addressing the ANBU member kneeling before him. "You don't have to kneel, my boy. Your grandfather and I were comrades in arms. It's a shame he passed, but he left behind a remarkable shinobi."
Shisui, known as one of the most talented members of the Uchiha clan, straightened slightly but remained respectful. "Thank you for your kind words, Hokage-sama."
Hiruzen nodded, his expression softening briefly before growing serious. "What brings you here?"
Shisui's tone was calm and formal. "Hokage-sama, the Cloud Village's negotiation team is scheduled to arrive this evening."
At the mention of the Raikage's delegation, the atmosphere in the room shifted. Hiruzen set his pipe down, his fingers steepled as he leaned forward. "So, it's today."
"Yes," Shisui replied. "Their arrival is expected before sunset."
Hiruzen's gaze sharpened, his mind already turning over strategies. "Shisui, remember this: show neither arrogance nor weakness. We are still Konoha, the strongest of the Five Great Nations, and we must project that strength even in the face of loss."
"Yes, Hokage-sama," Shisui said without hesitation.
Hiruzen's voice softened slightly. "Escort them to the guest rooms designated for diplomatic visitors. Treat them with respect, but remain vigilant. The Cloud Village has never been one to play fair."
Shisui nodded. "Understood."
"And one more thing," Hiruzen added, his tone dropping a notch. "Inform Danzo of their arrival. He'll want to be... prepared."
There was a brief pause before Shisui replied, "Yes, Hokage-sama." With a flicker, he disappeared, leaving the room silent once more.
Alone, Hiruzen leaned back in his chair, exhaling a stream of smoke. His thoughts turned to the Fourth Raikage. "Is he a fool blinded by his arrogance, or a cunning leader hiding his true intentions?" he murmured, tapping his pipe against the edge of the desk.
His musings were interrupted by the appearance of another ANBU, clad in standard-issue gear. The figure saluted briskly. "Hokage-sama, your orders?"
"Summon Shikaku Nara," Hiruzen said. "I need his counsel before the delegation arrives."
The ANBU bowed and vanished as quickly as they had come. Hiruzen glanced at the clock on the wall. The sun was dipping lower in the sky, the shadows stretching across his office. Time was running out.
When Shikaku Nara entered the Hokage's office, he looked as relaxed as ever, his hands tucked into his sleeves and his sharp eyes betraying his otherwise casual demeanor.
"You called for me, Hokage-sama?" Shikaku asked, his voice calm and measured.
"Yes, Shikaku," Hiruzen said, motioning to the chair opposite his desk. "Sit. We need to discuss the Cloud Village delegation."
Shikaku obliged, lowering himself into the chair. "The Raikage wouldn't send a delegation without an agenda. He'll likely use this opportunity to gauge our strength—or what he perceives as our weakness."
Hiruzen nodded. "What approach would you recommend?"
"Strength tempered with diplomacy," Shikaku said without hesitation. "We need to remind them that even without the Fourth Hokage, Konoha is far from weak. At the same time, we can't give them any pretext to escalate tensions. They'll be watching for any misstep."
The Hokage tapped his fingers on the desk thoughtfully. "The Raikage is unpredictable just like his father.Do you think he's testing us, or does he have a genuine proposal?"
"Hard to say," Shikaku admitted. "But it's best to prepare for both scenarios. Keep them at arm's length but offer enough to make them think twice about antagonizing us."
Hiruzen smiled faintly. "As always, your insight is invaluable, Shikaku."
"It's my job," Shikaku replied with a slight shrug. "Anything else?"
Hiruzen leaned back in his chair. "No, that will be all. Thank you."
Shikaku rose, gave a respectful nod, and left the office. The silence that followed was heavy, broken only by the faint rustle of papers. Hiruzen took another long drag from his pipe, the smoke curling upward in delicate spirals.
"This village," he murmured to himself, gazing out the window at the setting sun, "will endure. No matter the cost."
End of the Chapter.
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