The full moon hung in the sky like a silver plate.
Yagami stood on the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Whirlpools, gazing up at the bright moon. This was the final full moon of the 39th year of the Leaf. In fifteen days, the New Year would arrive.
In the distance, a group of figures leaped rapidly through the forest canopy. It was Koharu Utatane and her four assistants. Upon reaching the border, Koharu looked at Yellow Dog with a face full of satisfaction.
"Yellow Dog, you've done well."
Yellow Dog bowed immediately. "Lady Consultant, thank you heaven and earth that you've arrived. Is the war in the Land of Earth over?"
Koharu nodded. "I have already signed a peace treaty with Ohnoki. The Hidden Stone busied themselves for nothing and lost many ninja, yet the Guardians of the Grass Daimyo are still Leaf ninja. The mission shares in the Land of Grass still belong to the Leaf, just as they did before the war. When I left, the Stone and Cloud were still fighting. Let them be; it's best if they exhaust each other or both perish."
She paused, looking at the bandage-wrapped twin swords on the back of the Fox. Yagami promptly stepped forward and presented them.
Koharu weighed the Twin Swords: Hiramekarei in her hands. "So this is Hiramekarei? Not bad. This blade will serve as a significant bargaining chip in the negotiations."
Handing the swords back to the Fox, Koharu, her guards, and the Yellow Dog Brigade proceeded toward the negotiation site.
In the original story, by the time the main events began, Koharu Utatane and the other elders were aged. Aside from Danzo, who refused to accept his age and kept up his constant schemes, Koharu and Homura Mitokado sat at the heart of the village as high-level officials with immense influence. In their middle years, they had served as commanders-in-chief, shedding blood and sweat for the Leaf. Their prestige didn't come solely from their titles.
Take Koharu now: Commander-in-Chief of the Land of Grass war, participant in the Land of Earth campaign—though Orochimaru handled much of the combat as deputy, she was rightfully considered a hero of the Leaf.
Yagami glanced at the massive scroll on Koharu's back, wondering what was sealed inside.
The group arrived at the Port of Ryūjin in the Land of Whirlpools. Beneath a three-story building by the sea, officials of the Land of Whirlpools were already waiting. They ushered the Leaf delegation inside. Koharu, her two assistants, Yellow Dog, and Yagami ascended to the third floor.
The Elder of the Hidden Mist, Genji, and his retinue had already arrived. Seated at the head of the table to preside over the talk was the Chancellor of the Land of Whirlpools.
"Lady Koharu, it has been a long time." After some brief pleasantries, the Chancellor invited her to sit and then addressed the room. "Regardless of the outcome between the two great hidden villages, the Land of Whirlpools will abide by the results. Please, Lady Koharu, Elder Genji, let us begin."
Faced with hidden villages possessing top-tier military might, the Whirlpool nobles could only offer kind words and utmost courtesy.
Genji was flanked by the head of the Hozuki clan, Ryūgetsu Hozuki, and the towering Fuguki Suikazan. Fuguki carried the Great Sword Samehada on his back; it seemed the Hozuki clan had taken another beating from the village, forcing them to hand the blade over to the Mist. Ryūgetsu glared at Yagami—or more accurately, at Hiramekarei on Yagami's back.
Koharu spoke first. "Genji, you are someone I truly admire. Originally just a Mist Consultant, you created the title of 'Elder' for yourself—below the Mizukage, yet above the Consultants. You lack the name of Mizukage, yet possess the reality of one. I truly wish I could force Hiruzen to soften up so I could set up an Elder position in the Leaf as well, haha."
Koharu was extremely relaxed, even finding the mood to mock Genji. Genji's expression soured. Koharu was essentially calling him unfit to be Mizukage and greedy for power.
"Koharu," Genji countered, "it's a surprise that Ohnoki didn't grind your bones to dust."
"Heh," Koharu replied. "You only say that because the Mist is isolated across the sea and has no conflict with him. Otherwise, with your meager strength, Ohnoki truly would have turned you to ash."
The two went back and forth, showing no intent to negotiate, but simply trading insults. Real high-level diplomacy was surprisingly unrefined; Yagami suspected these two had personal grudges from their youth. The Chancellor signaled the maids to refill the tea, worried they might get parched from the shouting.
Koharu focused her attacks on Genji's lack of merit, claiming Ryūgetsu Hozuki was better suited to lead. Genji retorted by calling Koharu a "dog trailing behind Hiruzen Sarutobi."
After thirty minutes of verbal sparring, Genji finally had enough. "This is a waste of tea. Shut your mouth and say something useful. What is the Leaf prepared to pay for the Mist to withdraw?"
Koharu leaned in. "Then listen well. The Leaf has withdrawn over 1,500 ninja from the Land of Earth. In one month, those 1,500 ninja—battle-hardened from the Grass and Earth campaigns—will arrive in the Land of Whirlpools under the leadership of Sakumo Hatake and Orochimaru. Is that 'payment' enough for you?"
Genji, Ryūgetsu, and Fuguki all paled. Sakumo Hatake, Orochimaru, and 1,500 veterans? If they entered the Land of Whirlpools, the Mist stood no chance.
Koharu continued, "Now, hear the Leaf's conditions. First, the Hidden Mist declares an unconditional ceasefire and withdraws all forces from the Whirlpool coast. Second, the mission shares and the Daimyo's Guardianship of the Land of Whirlpools belong to the Leaf. Third, the Hidden Mist pays 240 million Ryo in reparations to the Leaf. Fourth, the Land of Water pays 200 million Ryo to the Land of Whirlpools. If you disagree with a single word, wait for our reinforcements to finish resting and enter the fray. You will then thank me for my current mercy and regret not accepting this deal."
Genji's face turned ashen, his eyes darting as his mind raced.
Koharu added, "Of course, I must respect your dignity, Genji. Once the reparations reach the Leaf, I will return Hiramekarei to you."
The hall fell into a heavy silence. The Chancellor stared out the open window at the rolling waves. He began to daydream. If the Land of Water really paid 200 million Ryo... he could set up a "reconstruction project." By his estimate, he could pocket at least 30 million Ryo for himself next year. What should he do with 30 million? Buy a ship? The Great War was ending; a ship would yield the best returns.
His plans grew more detailed. Unknowingly, five minutes passed. Genji suddenly stood up, startling the Chancellor.
"Fine. Since you are willing to return Hiramekarei, the Hidden Mist agrees to withdraw."
The Chancellor's heart leaped with joy. The 30 million Ryo was secure.
'It has to be the Leaf after all.'
***
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