The full moon hung in the sky like a silver plate.
Yako stood on the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Whirlpools, gazing up at the moonlight.
This was the last full moon of Year 39 in the Konoha calendar. In fifteen days, the new year would arrive.
In the distance, a group of figures moved swiftly through the treetops.
It was Mitokado Homura, accompanied by four of his aides.
Upon reaching the border, Homura smiled warmly at Yellow Dog.
"Yellow Dog, you've done well."
Yellow Dog bowed quickly. "Advisor, thank goodness you're here. Has the war with the Land of Earth ended?"
Homura nodded. "I've already signed a ceasefire agreement with Ōnoki.
Iwagakure ran in circles for nothing. Lost a bunch of shinobi. And in the end, the guardian shinobi for the daimyō of the Land of Grass? Still Konoha.
The mission shares from the Land of Grass remain ours, just like before the war.
As I left, Iwagakure and Kumogakure were still fighting. Let them. Hopefully they both bleed dry. The more they suffer, the better.
Orochimaru's already begun the return march to the village with his division. I came ahead two days early—for these negotiations with Kirigakure."
Homura's eyes landed on the pair of bandaged blades strapped behind Yako.
Yako quickly presented them.
Homura weighed the twin blades in his hands and said:
"So these are the Twin Blades: Hiramekarei? Not bad. These blades will make excellent bargaining chips for the negotiation."
He handed them back to Yako, and the group—including Homura, his guards, Yellow Dog's unit, and Yako—headed toward the meeting site.
In the original timeline, Homura and the other advisors were old men when the story began.
Aside from Danzō, who never accepted aging and constantly stirred up trouble, Homura and Koharu held their ground in the village, wielding tremendous influence.
Their authority wasn't just from their titles as senior advisors.
Men like Homura had once served as supreme commanders during wartime in their prime—bled for Konoha, commanded its forces.
Homura wasn't just a desk-bound official.
As commander of the Land of Grass campaign and a direct participant in operations deep within the Land of Earth, even if Orochimaru handled most of the front-line battles, Homura more than earned the title of Hero of Konoha.
Yako glanced curiously at the large scroll strapped to Homura's back. Whatever was sealed inside… it was probably important.
They arrived at the coast of the Land of Whirlpools.
Outside a three-story building by the sea, officials from the Land of Whirlpools were already waiting.
They respectfully escorted the Konoha delegation inside.
Homura, two of his aides, Yellow Dog, and Yako all proceeded to the top floor.
The Kirigakure delegation had already arrived—led by Elder Gensui, and flanked by Hōzuki Ringetsu and the towering Suikazan Fuguki.
Fuguki carried Samehada on his back—a sign that the Hōzuki clan had once again suffered losses, enough to hand the blade back to the village.
Ringetsu glared daggers at Yako—or rather, at the Twin Blades: Hiramekarei behind him.
At the head of the hall sat the Grand Minister of the Land of Whirlpools—the official host of the negotiations.
"Lord Homura, it's been a long time."
After a few polite exchanges, he gestured for Homura to sit and said:
"This peace negotiation between Konoha and Kirigakure, whatever the outcome, the Land of Whirlpools will fully abide by the agreement. Please, Lord Homura, Lord Gensui—begin."
Against the military might of the great shinobi villages, the nobles of the Land of Whirlpools had only courtesy to offer.
And quiet obedience.
Gensui was flanked by Ringetsu and Fuguki, both stone-faced.
Homura looked relaxed, even amused, as he opened:
"Gensui… you've always been the man I respect most.
You were merely a 'consultant' in Kirigakure… and you invented the title of 'Elder' just for yourself. You didn't claim the Mizukage title, yet you hold all the authority of one.
Frankly, I've been tempted to push Hiruzen into doing the same—maybe create a fake 'Elder' title for myself, ha!"
His tone was light, teasing.
Gensui, however, was clearly irritated. Homura was mocking him for lacking the strength to become Mizukage, while still grasping at power.
"You not getting ground to dust by Ōnoki… now that's the real surprise," Gensui shot back coldly.
Homura chuckled. "Please, you only survived this long because Kirigakure is isolated offshore and rarely clashes with Iwagakure.
If you had half the strength of Ōnoki, you'd already be ash."
What followed wasn't so much a negotiation as a personal roast battle.
Yako could only watch and wonder if these two had some unresolved grudge from their youth.
The Grand Minister, sweating, quickly ordered the attendants to serve more tea. Arguing takes energy, after all.
Homura's main line of attack: Gensui lacked the virtue and qualifications to lead Kirigakure. He even said Ringetsu would make a better Elder—or even Mizukage—than Gensui.
Gensui, for his part, accused Homura of being nothing more than "Hiruzen Sarutobi's lapdog."
After half an hour of verbal warfare, Gensui finally snapped.
"You're just wasting tea! Enough with the nonsense—tell me what Konoha's offering to make us withdraw."
Homura leaned forward, his tone still cool:
"Then listen carefully.
Konoha has already withdrawn more than 1,500 shinobi from the Land of Earth.
In one month's time, those 1,500—hardened by the wars in the Lands of Grass and Earth—will arrive in the Land of Whirlpools under Hatake Sakumo and Orochimaru.
Is that enough of a contribution?"
Gensui, Ringetsu, and Fuguki all stiffened.
Sakumo and Orochimaru, leading 1,500 elite Konoha shinobi into Uzushio territory?
What hope would Kirigakure have then?
Homura continued:
"Gensui. Let me list Konoha's terms.
First: Kirigakure must declare an unconditional ceasefire. All shinobi must withdraw from the Land of Whirlpools' coastline.
Second: All mission shares and the role of guarding the Land of Whirlpools' daimyō fall under Konoha's exclusive purview.
Third: Kirigakure will pay 240 million ryō in war reparations to Konoha.
Fourth: The Land of Water will pay 200 million ryō to the Land of Whirlpools.
If you refuse even a single word, then once our reinforcements finish resting and re-enter the battlefield, you'll wish you'd taken my mercy today."
Gensui's face darkened. His gaze flicked constantly. Internally, he was rattled.
Homura added one final barb:
"Of course, out of respect for you, Lord Gensui… when the reparations are delivered, I'll return Hiramekarei to you personally."
The hall fell into silence.
The Grand Minister turned his gaze to the wide-open doors and the storm-tossed sea beyond.
His thoughts drifted.
If the Land of Water really pays us 200 million ryō in reparations…
I could declare a reconstruction initiative. Estimate it creatively. That's at least 30 million in extra revenue next year.
What to do with 30 million?
A ship, maybe. Yes. With the war ending, trade routes will open. A ship would be profitable...
He lost himself in thought.
Five minutes passed.
Suddenly, Gensui stood.
The Grand Minister jumped in his seat.
"Very well. Since you're willing to return Hiramekarei, Kirigakure will withdraw its forces."
The Grand Minister beamed.
Thirty million secured.
In the end… it's still gotta be Konoha.