In Iwagakure, within the Tsuchikage's office, Ōnoki stared out at the endless, jagged mountains beyond the window, his expression heavy with unease.
Konoha's Wood Release had resurfaced. Princess Tsunade had ended her long years of wandering and returned to the village to take command. In the end, Hiruzen had found a successor.
And Iwagakure?
For the Fourth Tsuchikage, the question of succession could be postponed—but the problems piling up before him could not.
The two Jinchūriki, who had once been obedient and restrained, were beginning to show signs of change.
His arguments with Rōshi had become more frequent, and each exchange grew sharper than the last. More troubling still was Hān. Once content to remain neutral, he now showed subtle inclinations that made Ōnoki increasingly uneasy.
Then there was the joint Chūnin Exams hosted by Sunagakure, Kumogakure, and Konoha.
Today, it was merely a joint exam—but tomorrow?
Would it evolve into something more? An axis of cooperation between the Land of Fire, the Land of Lightning, and the Land of Wind? And if that happened, where would it leave Iwagakure… and Kirigakure?
Isolated.
Ōnoki understood all too well that the sustained pressure on Sunagakure along the western front could no longer continue. The balance of power was shifting.
Iwagakure would have to make new choices.
—
Under the guard of an entire Uchiha Anbu squad, Enjin's resistance had worn down to its lowest ebb.
Though still confined, his thoughts were no longer filled with defiance, but desperation.
He needed to prove his innocence.
More than that, he needed to find the true culprit and recover the Sharingan stolen from his fallen comrades.
Yet the one assigned to guard him—Itachi—made no effort to speak with him. He carried out his duty in complete silence, until that person arrived.
When Enjin saw the Jōnin standing at the door, a chill ran through him.
The man before him was younger, yet his presence carried undeniable weight—vast reserves of chakra, a fearsome battlefield record, and the rare authority to command the Anbu stationed within the Hokage Building itself.
This was not someone Enjin could afford to provoke.
"The bodies of Uchiha Fuwa and Uchiha Yazai have been claimed by Clan Head Fugaku," Roshi said flatly.
Enjin almost blurted out the question without thinking.
"And their eyes?"
"Still under investigation."
Roshi's tone was indifferent. "Are you calm now?"
Enjin lowered his head.
The clan's plans were at a critical juncture. Any further conflict with this man could jeopardize everything—and render his comrades' sacrifices meaningless.
He had no choice but to endure.
"The Village is inclined to believe that you are not the one who stole the Sharingan," Roshi continued, his gaze steady. "However, as someone under serious suspicion, you are procedurally unfit to remain in Anbu or participate in active missions."
The words struck like a blade.
Enjin snapped his head up. "I swear on the honor of the Uchiha! I would never desecrate a comrade's remains!"
"I am willing to submit to a Sharingan examination. The Clan Head himself can prove my innocence!"
To return to the clan bearing the stain of having stolen a comrade's eyes was, to Enjin, worse than death.
Roshi studied him in silence. After a moment, he spoke again.
"The Village has no desire to be harsh toward a ninja who has rendered service."
He paused, as if considering something.
"Since you insist… I will grant you another chance."
Enjin's breath caught.
"You will be temporarily reassigned to Itachi's squad."
"He will evaluate your conduct—and determine whether you are still fit to remain within Anbu."
With that, Roshi turned and left the interrogation room without another word.
Sending Enjin back to the police force would have been the worst possible option.
The very reason these individuals had been transferred out in the first place was their excessive fixation on Uchiha interests and their inability to accept compromise within the Police Force. At present, the Hyūga members newly assigned there were already struggling to find their footing—adding Enjin back into that environment would only intensify friction and undermine the fragile balance.
On the other hand, dispatching Enjin straight back to a dangerous front line would be excessively severe. No organization that hoped to maintain internal stability could operate that way.
Thus, temporarily placing him under Itachi's direct command—where he could be watched, tested, and restrained—was the most suitable arrangement for the time being.
If Roshi were truly ruthless, the solution could have been far simpler.
Unfortunately—or perhaps fortunately—he was not.
Still, while his methods lacked cruelty, this particular maneuver was undeniably… dirty.
—
As for formally approaching the Hidden Mist Village, Tsunade consulted with the former Hokage, now Advisor Hiruzen Sarutobi, and ultimately judged the proposal viable.
Thus, on the very day Roshi was occupied with Uchiha affairs, Konoha's diplomatic letter was dispatched, expressing a desire to open peace negotiations with Kirigakure.
Tsunade had not expected much.
To her surprise, the response came swiftly.
Even more unexpectedly, the Hidden Mist proactively suggested a meeting location—on an affiliated mainland territory of the Land of Tea, southeast of Konoha.
The area lay well within Konoha's usual sphere of influence and was not far from the still-sensitive Land of Waves.
Roshi, who had originally proposed initiating contact with the Hidden Mist and had successfully handled several negotiations in the past, was summoned to the Hokage Office.
Tsunade handed him the reply.
He scanned it quickly, then said, "The choice of location shows a measure of sincerity."
"I agree," Tsunade nodded. "Selecting that area greatly reduces the likelihood of them laying traps or playing underhanded games."
If Obito intended to sabotage the talks, the Land of Waves—a neutral zone—would have been far more suitable. Alternatively, he might have insisted Konoha send envoys directly into the Land of Water itself.
Choosing the Land of Tea made it far easier for Konoha to prepare, observe, and control the environment.
From the information revealed in the reply, it was increasingly likely that Obito's grip on the Hidden Mist had weakened—or perhaps been broken entirely.
"For this negotiation," Tsunade said decisively, "I intend for you to lead the delegation. The eastern garrison will provide support and cover."
She studied him for a moment. "Do you have any additional requirements or concerns?"
Roshi considered the matter carefully.
Direct contact with Kirigakure's representatives would allow him to gauge the true state of the Hidden Mist from the inside. Even if the meeting turned out to be a trap, he had ways to withdraw safely.
Moreover, Kakashi and Shisui were both stationed on the eastern front.
And Kakashi, in particular—
Obito did not reveal himself to Kakashi under the name of "Uchiha Madara" until much later, during the latter half of the Eye of the Moon Plan. Until then, Obito had consistently avoided any direct confrontation with him.
"No additional concerns," Roshi said at last, nodding. "I'll make the necessary preparations."
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