"Oh? Still playing young, slug-user girl." The first words upon reaching the Hokage's office made Tsunade's blood boil.
"You are the one, puppet-playing old hag, still able to move around."
Facing Tsunade's sharp retort, Chiyo shifted her target toward the Third Hokage.
"Sarutobi, in today's shinobi world, it seems only you and that stubborn fool Ōnoki remain, clinging desperately to the Kage position without letting go."
The named Third Hokage merely smiled amiably, as though not hearing the barb. "I am also nearing retirement, Elder Chiyo. I did not expect you would be willing to personally lead the delegation for this Chūnin Exam."
Chiyo said, "No choice. Of course this old body would prefer to die comfortably in the sand, rather than going out at this age to read others' expressions. But my incompetent younger brother and juniors plead, so these old bones must move again."
"Is Ebizō's health still good?"
"Better than some old chain-smoker at least." Chiyo seated herself uninvited. "Enough pleasantries. I have brought the people. The matters that need discussing can begin now, correct?"
However, Sarutobi Hiruzen acted as though he had not heard that last statement, still cheerfully deflecting, asking about Sunagakure's recent local customs, inquiring whether the journey had been smooth.
After two or three such exchanges, Chiyo's patience neared exhaustion.
Someone knocked on the Hokage office door, requesting entry. Hearing the voice was a youth's, Chiyo's expression darkened slightly.
At this occasion, the arrival was likely him...
That troublesome individual. Though young, he always precisely struck Sunagakure's vital points without caring whether it would trigger conflict.
Ebizō believed that compared to old opponents like Sarutobi Hiruzen, he was a troublesome figure carrying sharp energy yet remaining calm. Unlike Shimura Danzo who left no room for maneuver, refusing to turn hostile felt unsatisfying, yet turning hostile was inappropriate.
Though she had never directly contacted him, if her brother made such judgments, Chiyo also recognized him as difficult to handle.
Now, Sarutobi Hiruzen deliberately delayed awaiting his arrival. The implication was self-evident—Konoha's upper echelon already inclined toward having this youth lead negotiations with Sunagakure. This might even become future convention.
"Enter." Sarutobi Hiruzen's voice remained gentle.
Chiyo observed the entering youth, though from appearances he hardly seemed a formidable figure.
Shuji routinely bowed and greeted the Third Hokage and Tsunade.
Tsunade introduced with a smile that did not reach her eyes. "Shuji, this is Sunagakure's advisor elder, Lady Chiyo. Elder Chiyo, this is our Konoha jōnin, Shuji."
She paused before continuing. "This time, you will be responsible for accompanying Elder Chiyo's village tour."
"Last time you visited Sunagakure, did you not trouble Ebizō considerably? Elder Chiyo is his elder sister. You should properly reciprocate."
Shuji turned toward Chiyo, bowing slightly, tone polite. "Elder Chiyo. During two visits to Sunagakure, Advisor Ebizō indeed provided much care. I am pleased to serve you."
Chiyo ignored him. "Third, has Konoha run out of people? Even such a greenhorn can represent Konoha Village?"
"We have grown old. Naturally we must let young people exert effort." Sarutobi Hiruzen maintained that serene appearance, speaking unhurriedly. "Though Shuji is young, he handles matters very reliably."
"Hmph." Chiyo stood. "Let us go, boy."
She walked directly toward the door. Shuji quietly followed, consistently maintaining about half a step behind her.
The two proceeded one after another into Konoha's bustling main street. Afternoon sunlight filtered through leaf gaps, spilling down. The street teemed with people, shops lined both sides. Children laughed and chased one another. The air carried scents of food and life.
Chiyo appeared to look straight ahead, yet her peripheral vision captured Konoha's prosperity completely.
Even after experiencing the Nine-Tails rampage and years of war, they could still maintain such scenes.
The Land of Fire's soil was truly fertile.
"Konoha has been well nourished," Chiyo said as though talking to herself. "This land is always so abundant."
Shuji followed at her side, slightly behind. "This is the result of joint efforts by previous generations and everyone now."
"Effort?" The Sunagakure elder's voice dropped very low, audible only to them both. "Those born in the Land of Wind struggle for survival from the moment they open their eyes. Every breath, every drop of water requires fighting with all one's strength."
"This was true in the past. It remains true now."
"The tenacious will forged in harsh environments is indeed admirable," Shuji's reply remained courteous.
Chiyo's steps paused briefly.
"If you feel fatigued, I can immediately escort you back to your quarters for rest."
"Hmph. Greenhouse-raised brats will never understand the taste of sand scraping through throats, nor comprehend what those pushed to the brink can do."
Leaving this statement, Chiyo lost interest in continuing observation.
Returning to the guest quarters' reception room, Chiyo sat, no longer beating around the bush. Her gaze met Shuji's directly. "Sarutobi Hiruzen waited for you, having you come speak. Now you tell me what exactly Konoha wants."
Shuji poured her a cup of hot tea. Amid rising steam, his expression was unclear.
"Lady Tsunade merely instructed me to provide excellent hospitality, allowing you to feel Konoha's sincerity. As for other specific matters, she gave me no instructions whatsoever."
"If you have specific ideas or needs, I can relay them to Lord Hokage and Lady Tsunade."
"Food, supplies." Chiyo stated bluntly. "We need stable, inexpensive provisions."
"If this is a trade need, Konoha can perhaps introduce you to some reputable merchant companies," Shuji answered.
Chiyo said impatiently, "Sunagakure cannot produce enough money to fill their appetites. We have kunai and shuriken though."
"Boy, Sunagakure does not wish to destroy the shinobi world's order. I understand better than you the difference between now and before."
"What the world becomes when shinobi act without restraint, this old body has already witnessed."
"But if this shinobi world's order requires Sunagakure's suffering as its price, then we will no longer maintain propriety."
"You previously told Ebizō that Konoha intercepting merchant caravans heading to Hidden Cloud only requires several shinobi squads, correct?"
"Then this old body also tells you—when Sunagakure no longer cares about bottom lines, the Land of Fire should not expect peace either."
"Dispatch several shinobi across the border daily. If even one succeeds, they can destroy a town."
"You are welcome to retaliate. Come to the Land of Wind if you wish. See what remains worth destroying on this land that already has nothing!"
Within Kusagakure.
After continued fruitless searching, Kusagakure's leadership had to temporarily abandon seeking that mysteriously vanished Uzumaki mother-daughter pair. They redirected energy toward a more urgent plan—however, progress proved extremely unfavorable.
Their operations capturing rogue ninja and wandering shinobi became increasingly difficult.
A mysterious, well-trained force appeared like ghosts, their methods ruthless and decisive. Unlike Kusagakure's need for live captives, they showed no mercy, eliminating targets and greatly compressing Kusagakure's "supply sources."
After several brief, intense skirmishes, Kusagakure's side even suffered losses, losing considerable personnel. The opposition's purpose was clear—purely destruction for destruction's sake.
Kusagakure's leader Tsurukawa quickly reached an answer. "It is Konoha."
"The timing is too coincidental. Troubles followed one after another after that Konoha envoy departed."
"Also that mother-daughter pair's disappearance. Clean and efficient, leaving no traces. Not something ordinary people could accomplish."
One elder still harbored doubts. "But... we have no evidence pointing to Konoha."
"What more evidence is needed!" Tsurukawa interrupted him. "All abnormalities began when Konoha's people visited."
"Only Konoha has the capability and motive to do this."
He drew a deep breath, suppressing surging agitation. "We cannot wait any longer. Konoha's interference will only intensify. Once they truly detect the Box of Ultimate Bliss's existence, all our efforts will become futile."
Tsurukawa's gaze swept across every elder present. "Concealment no longer holds meaning. We must open the Box of Ultimate Bliss immediately, before Konoha fully intervenes."
"But current sacrifices are still insufficient..."
"Sufficient!" Tsurukawa said decisively. "It is definitely sufficient."
He repeated this twice more.
Other Kusagakure elders suddenly realized something.
In that instant, several elders understood his implication—he intended to use Kusagakure's own shinobi to fill the final deficit.
"This, how can this be! Those are our own..." One elder belonging to the "Grass Flower" faction attempted to object in horror.
"Yes, now that war has subsided, even if we cannot find opportunities immediately, as long as we conceal the Box of Ultimate Bliss's existence well, Konoha will not act against us." Another person chimed in.
Tsurukawa said coldly, "Of course we could wait before capturing that thing."
"That Kazuma, the child he brought is likely one reason he was hunted with such a bounty."
"Now that we have killed him, we do not know how long this information can remain hidden."
"Konoha has already become alert to our actions. Once they discover Kazuma's matter, they will inevitably discover that child is in our hands."
"At that time, we can no longer keep him."
He spread his arms wide, eyes burning with desperate flames. "Look at the current shinobi world. Iwagakure turned westward, Hidden Cloud retracted its claws, Sunagakure cannot protect itself, Konoha is also war-weary... This is the once-in-a-millennium opportunity the gods have bestowed upon Kusagakure!"
"Only now is the best opportunity."
Tsurukawa said fanatically, "Now! Right now! This is Kusagakure's moment to break free from shackles and dominate the shinobi world! To realize this great dream, what do mere sacrifices... amount to!"
Chapters in advance there: patreon.com/Thaniel_a_goodchild