The future Mizukage watched them go, then turned back to Roshi with a half-smile.
"Short blond hair… Roshi-kun, it seems Kumogakure and Konoha have a very interesting way of handling diplomacy."
"Reaching out first to test the waters is better than walking into a public negotiation unprepared."
Roshi only smiled at Mei's comment, then stepped forward. She fell into step beside him.
"Roshi-kun, you really go all-out for the job."
"The first time I was sent to deal with another Village, I went to Sunagakure."
Stalls lined both sides of the street, lights blazing. The crowd surged and flowed like a living tide, yet Roshi's voice carried clearly over the noise.
"There's one thing Advisor Ebizō said that I still remember."
"In the face of survival and profit, alliances are nothing."
"Something like that." Roshi kept walking, his gaze drifting lazily over a balloon vendor's cart. "Since the Warring Clans era, villages have fought and betrayed each other without end. No friendship is so solid it can't suddenly shatter."
"For ninja of different villages, just meeting without drawing blades—never mind that the whole talk is about village business—is already enough."
Mei stopped where she was.
To meet again without having to fight to the death… For the Bloody Mist, that was the real luxury. Even comrades couldn't fully trust the backs they were guarding—let alone a shinobi from another land.
"Roshi-kun…"
"Next time…" Mei hesitated. "Every next time, let's at least be like we are now."
"Whether it's tea or food…"
"I still owe you a pot of tea, so at least that much is guaranteed next time," Roshi replied.
"Then I won't waste a future chance on today. Let me pay for the drinks later, Roshi-kun." She brightened a little.
"That'll make two."
"Yes…"
——
Ōnoki had made his decision almost the same day Fūga's message arrived.
By the time Fūga found Roshi again with the brief reply, the Konoha jōnin was standing outside the Venue District, watching an empty lot being leveled.
"The Tsuchikage has agreed." Fūga handed over a document. "Iwagakure would like to discuss the meeting site."
Roshi didn't reach for it; a nearby ninja stepped in and accepted it instead.
"The site is set—right here."
Fūga's expression stiffened.
"Outside Konoha Village? But…"
"The other Villages have already agreed. The hall will go up quickly; don't worry."
"As for security… aren't you here, Fūga-san? During the Joint Combat Exercise, each village's teams and representatives can inspect the site in advance."
"But—"
"Surely, Fūga-san, you don't imagine hosting the Kage and their guards outside Konoha is risk-free for us."
Roshi finally turned away from the empty lot to face him.
"If Konoha had any ulterior motives, even Kumogakure wouldn't tolerate it—let alone Sunagakure, who fought us just last year."
Spelled out like that, Fūga had little ground left to challenge Konoha's reasoning.
"Then the date?" he asked.
"Half a month after the Joint Combat Exercise. The other four villages may send advance teams to make their preparations." Roshi's eyes rested on Fūga. "Iwagakure can start planning its inspection schedule now."
Fūga was silent for a moment, then nodded.
"About the format…"
"That will be decided at the Five Kage Summit itself. But the rules will be fair to every participating village—something Iwagakure should welcome." He went on, "The hosting rights will rotate. With Iwagakure's strength, winning the bid won't be difficult."
"In fact, Iwagakure stands to gain the most from this Five Kage meeting, while Konoha is the one making concessions."
Fūga's brow twitched.
"Roshi-san, those words…"
"Konoha could simply leave things as they are. Even now, Iwagakure's western outreach, plus the revenue we share, keeps your village more than comfortable."
"We proposed these talks so that all five great ninja villages can still find profit and room to grow under the current conditions."
The veteran of Iwagakure's many campaigns finally spoke. "Iwagakure's doubts are only routine."
"If Konoha has further ideas in the future, inform us—Iwagakure will gladly cooperate."
"Next time, then."
With that, Fūga took his leave—formalities completed and only the site inspection left to arrange.
After he was gone, two figures emerged from the far side of the Venue District.
One was Kakashi; the other, an Anbu in an animal mask.
"Hiding from fans, Tenzo? Still not quitting Anbu?"
"Roshi-senpai, please don't tease me. Taking the Chunin Exams was a mission you and the village assigned me." Tenzo gave a wry smile. "And once was enough."
"That won't do, Tenzo," Kakashi added. "The village might need you again."
"Kakashi-senpai, the village said they weren't going to—" Tenzo turned anxiously to Roshi. "Roshi-senpai, this whole plan was yours."
"Stop scaring him, Kakashi-senpai," Roshi said.
Kakashi grimaced. "Just call me Kakashi, Roshi."
Tenzo let out a breath. "Roshi-senpai, why did you summon me?"
Roshi pointed toward the empty lot. "Next month, we're hosting the Five Kage Summit here."
"You want me on security?"
Roshi shook his head. "I want you to help build the venue. We can't rely solely on the Four-Pillar House Technique—it's fine for camping, but hardly dignified for a summit hall."
Tenzo blinked. "Huh? So this is…"
"Time is short, Tenzo. Designers will be coming. Think of something clever."
"B-but…"
"We have one month. The village can't afford to lose face."
"But Roshi-senpai, you could also—"
Roshi looked him straight in the eye. "So I should stay and do it all myself?"
Tenzo finally lowered his head. "…I understand."
He remained there, staring at the lot, plans already forming, as Roshi and Kakashi started back toward the village.
After a few steps, Kakashi drawled, "You did that on purpose."
"It's necessary," Roshi replied.
"That's workplace bullying, Roshi."
"You're an accomplice, Kakashi—you brought him."
"I was coerced."
"I don't hold any rank. How could I possibly coerce the Anbu captain, Kakashi-senpai?"
—
Uchiha Izumi's grades were outstanding.
Not just because she had passed the graduation exam early, but because of her recent performance in the Joint Combat Exercise.
When she came to visit Itachi, Fugaku's face showed the rarest of gentle smiles.
"Itachi isn't back yet. Please sit for a moment, Izumi."
"Sorry to intrude, Clan Head."
"No need to be so polite, Izumi." Mikoto leaned out from behind the doorway. "Come on in."
"Yes, ma'am."
Izumi stepped inside, posture courteous and reserved under their gaze. Her eyes immediately caught on Itachi's little brother.
Sasuke stared at her, eyes narrowed to thin slits.
"Sasuke! That's rude—why aren't you greeting her?" Mikoto scolded at once.
"Izumi…" Sasuke finally forced the word out.
Mikoto shot him a look that brooked no argument.
"…Izumi-nee."
"Hello, Sasuke-kun." Izumi smiled at him. "You'll be moving up to second grade soon, right?"
Sasuke turned away with a low grunt of acknowledgment.
The low table was already set with sweets. Izumi knelt properly on the cushion; Fugaku sat opposite her.
"Against Kumogakure, you chose your tactics decisively—well done."
"You flatter me, Clan Head."
"No false modesty." Fugaku lifted his teacup. "Two months after the exercise comes the Chunin Exams. With your current performance, promotion won't be difficult."
"Planning to apply for a post in the police force?"
"Yes—joining the police force has always been my wish."
"Is that so…"
Fugaku was about to continue when Mikoto arrived with the tea. "Izumi will pass the assessment, won't she?"
Confronted for the first time by such a forceful look from his wife, Fugaku could only mumble an answer, much like Sasuke.
"I'll do my best," Izumi added quickly, picking up on Mikoto's intent.
"Such a fine girl, Izumi…" Mikoto beamed, showering her with praise.
Izumi held her smile under that gentle warmth, until a sound at the door made her rise.
Fugaku was already on his feet.
"Itachi."
"Father. Mother."
Itachi greeted them both in turn.
"You're late." Fugaku's voice was low. "When you arrange to meet Izumi, manage your time."
"Yes, Father."
"Nii-san…" Sasuke started forward, only to find his mother already moving to block him.
"You two have training scheduled, right? Off you go—Izumi's waited long enough, Itachi."
Izumi hurriedly stood, waving her hands. "No, actually I only—"
"Let's go, Izumi."
At his words, she crossed the room in two quick steps to stand at Itachi's side.
"I'll take my leave, Clan Head, Aunt Mikoto."
Fugaku gave a short nod; Mikoto smiled. Sasuke opened his mouth to speak, but Mikoto's finger gently pressed against his lips, silencing him.
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