"Stop."
The captain of the Sunagakure ninja signaled his troops to halt.
Ahead of him stood a group of Akatsukigakure ninja, led by the sa man who had recently reported to Yahiko.
"Akatsukigakure, Jōnin Kappei Yamaguchi," the leader introduced himself, his tone steady and non-threatening.
"You have co a long way from the Land of the Wind. What is the purpose of your visit?"
Kappei's introduction was ant to convey peaceful intent.
"Sunagakure, Jōnin Yoshino Ohara," Yoshino replied, his voice calm and polite. "I have co on the orders of the Fourth Kazekage to offer my congratulations."
He paused briefly before continuing. "Congratulations on the establishnt of Akatsukigakure."
Yoshino's words were formal yet genuine, without a trace of insincerity. Even though the exchange was about a potential alliance, speaking so deferentially to a Jōnin felt unnecessary.
"The Fourth Kazekage is too kind," Kappei replied courteously. "You are our guests, and Akatsukigakure will ensure you are well-treated. It's still a long way ahead—allow us to lead you."
Kappei's deanor, in line with Yahiko's orders, was accommodating and respectful.
"Thank you," Yoshino said simply.
With formalities exchanged, the two groups rged and continued their journey toward Akatsukigakure. By the ti they arrived, night had fallen.
"The village is newly built," Kappei said with a welcoming smile. "Please forgive us if our hospitality falls short."
"You're too kind. We're the ones intruding," Yoshino replied. Without wasting ti, he asked, "I wonder if Lord Akatsukikage is available to et us now?"
"There's no rush. Let's have a al first," Kappei suggested. "You must be hungry after all that traveling."
Without waiting for Yoshino's response, Kappei began leading the way to a nearby barbecue restaurant.
"Team leader," one of the three Chūnin behind Yoshino called out hesitantly, noticing his reluctance.
Yoshino sighed. "Just follow," he said resignedly. Yahiko wasn't imdiately accessible, and besides, he was beginning to feel the day's exertions.
The newly opened barbecue restaurant featured ga as its main fare. At this stage, the Land of Rain's agricultural production had not yet scaled up to support a steady supply of fard at.
"The conditions are not ideal, so I can only offer sothing casual to eat," Kappei said, handing the nu to Yoshino with great courtesy.
"Thank you," Yoshino replied, glancing briefly at the nu. Without much thought, he ordered a few common ga dishes. The group found an empty table and sat down to eat.
Unable to resist Kappei's infectious enthusiasm, Yoshino and his team reluctantly allowed themselves to drink a little wine, half-persuaded and half-forced. The atmosphere grew more relaxed as the evening progressed, and the two groups appeared to grow quite familiar with each other. On the surface, it seed friendly enough—though only the devil knew what thoughts were truly in their hearts.
"Kappei, please make the arrangents," Yoshino said, his tone slightly slurred as he hooked an arm around Kappei's shoulders. His cheeks were flushed with the effects of alcohol. "I need to et Lord Akatsukikage as soon as possible. I still have official business to attend to."
"It's getting late, and I can see you're tired," Kappei replied smoothly. "Why not take a bath to refresh yourself? We can et again tomorrow."
Though Kappei spoke in a casual tone, he was already guiding Yoshino toward the hot spring inn.
"I can't let you spend any more money," Yoshino protested weakly, stumbling forward. His resistance was perfunctory at best. "Please, there's no need."
"You reek of alcohol. It's not appropriate to et like this," Kappei said firmly, pressing his advantage. He continued steering Yoshino onward.
"This is not good," Yoshino muttered under his breath, though his steps didn't falter. "Really not good. It's too much of a waste..."
...
"So comfortable," Yoshino muttered, his arms spread out along the edges of the hot spring. His face radiated pure contentnt.
"Don't you worry, Yoshino," Kappei said, noting Yoshino's relaxed state. "Tomorrow, you will definitely et Lord Akatsukikage." To reassure him further, Kappei patted his chest with a loud pop.
"Then I'll leave it to you, Kappei," Yoshino replied casually. At this point, the fatigue from the long journey had lted away, and he had no imdiate desire to et Yahiko. He was entirely focused on enjoying the mont.
After the bath, Kappei personally escorted Yoshino and his team to their guest room before departing.
The next morning, Kappei ensured the group had breakfast before leading them to the Akatsukikage's office.
Knock, knock, knock.
"Co in," ca Yahiko's voice from within.
"Lord Yahiko, this is the emissary from Sunagakure," Kappei announced as he entered the room, bowing respectfully. "They have co to congratulate us on the establishnt of Akatsukigakure."
Yahiko rose with a warm smile. "Welco, welco. The Kazekage is too kind. Please, have a seat."
"Sunagakure, Yoshino Ohara and his subordinates present their respects to Lord Akatsukikage," Yoshino said, offering a quick glance at Yahiko before lowering his head. His eyes betrayed a hint of shock. He hadn't expected the Akatsukikage to be so young.
"No need to stand on ceremony. Have a seat and let's talk," Yahiko said, motioning for them to sit.
Upon his invitation, Yoshino and his team seated themselves opposite Yahiko and his companions.
"Then I will take my leave," Kappei said, nodding slightly to both parties before exiting.
Clang.
As the door closed behind Kappei, Yoshino felt a strange unease settle over him. Watching Yahiko and his companions smile, he couldn't shake the unsettling feeling that they were walking into a trap, like lambs into a tiger's den.
"Yoshino, these are the elders of Akatsukigakure," Yahiko said casually, gesturing toward the others in the room. He didn't introduce them individually, instead shifting the conversation to focus on himself and the village's developnts.
"I'm a bit straightforward, so please forgive if I say anything offensive," Yahiko began, leaning forward slightly with his chin propped in one hand. His gaze fixed intently on Yoshinohara. "I'm afraid your visit is not just to congratulate us, is it?"
"Lord Akatsukikage has a sharp eye," Yoshino replied smoothly. "Our visit to congratulate you is only the first reason. As for the second..." He paused briefly before continuing. "Our Lord Kazekage would like to form an alliance with Akatsukigakure. We are neighbors, and in the future, if there are any issues, we can discuss them together." Yoshino's voice grew more deliberate. "After all, the current Ninja World is only peaceful on the surface. What do you think of this idea?"
Yoshino had observed Yahiko's blunt approach, which left no room for pretense. The words "discussing it together" sounded diplomatic, but the underlying ssage was clear: the alliance would position Akatsukigakure as a subordinate. You are a ninja village in a small Land of Rain. Forming an alliance is a favor to you. These thoughts, however, stayed carefully concealed behind Yoshino's composed deanor.
"Lord Yahiko, I think this is a great idea," Nonō chid in before Yahiko could respond. Her eagerness suggested an inclination to agree imdiately.
Yoshino's spirits soared. He hadn't anticipated such an imdiate endorsent from one of Akatsukigakure's elders. To him, the success of this mission seed certain.
"That's good," Yahiko replied. "But our Akatsukigakure is currently in a state of reconstruction." He frowned slightly, his tone tinged with hesitation. "Even if there are changes in the Ninja World, we don't have the resources to assist Sunagakure in any aningful way."
"Lord Akatsukikage, you don't need to worry about that," Yoshino interjected with practiced assurance. "Since we are forming an alliance, we will naturally help Akatsukigakure with its current difficulties."
Yoshino had been given authority to make concessions during these negotiations, and he knew Lord Rasa understood that nothing ca without cost. Gaining Akatsukigakure's cooperation required an investnt, and Yoshino was prepared to offer it.
"That would be greatly appreciated," Yahiko responded with a hint of enthusiasm. Internally, he considered Yoshino naive and easily manipulable, a trait that could work to his advantage.
"You're welco. Helping each other is the most basic trust between allies," Yoshino replied, his smile suggesting he believed his mission was as good as complete.
"I don't think so," Nagato interrupted, his tone cutting through the air with a cool edge. "What we need is not a small amount of money. It's not appropriate to make Sunagakure bleed for no reason or to take advantage of their generosity."
Nagato's blunt statent shifted the atmosphere imdiately. Yoshino's smile faltered, replaced by a flicker of irritation and surprise. What kind of people are these? They don't want free resources handed to them?
Reviews
All reviews (0)