After we left, the trip was surprisingly easy and quick, which, given my recent luck, made me suspicious. By noon, I was beginning to believe that a squad of assassins would jump out of every weirdly shaped bush simply because nothing had tried to kill us yet. Hm... Maybe they were waiting for me to relax and strike when I least expected it. Or I'm becoming paranoid. As for the others, Shinrai and his Byakugan kept us from stumbling into two Konoha patrols before they noticed us. I wasn't keen on advertising where we were going and where we were at the moment, so we kept avoiding everyone we bumped into. What was also surprising was that Arai didn't complain when Shinrai spotted something and we took another detour that he suggested.
It was how we reached our first stopping point, right around sunset, at the borders of Amegakure. It was also the first time I told them not to avoid the people waiting for us there. Stepping out into the open, the guards wore Konoha forehead protectors and their own Chūnin vests. The ones walking up to us were a man and a woman, and neither looked familiar, which wasn't a big deal.
"Easy there," the man said, raising a hand and checking us out, his eyes settling on me. "Are you Renjiro Uchiha?"
"That's me." I nodded, making the two exchange a quick look.
"We were told to expect you." He said next, reaching into his vest and slowly pulling out a small scroll.
When I read it, it was a confirmation that they were our border contact and that an Ame delegation had arrived earlier today. Huh. They were faster than us. After that, I handed the document to the others so they could inspect it and make sure everything was normal and not forged.
"Two Ame shinobi crossed to the meeting point about an hour ago," the woman explained. "But after that they left."
"Did they give their names?" I asked. "Or left a message?"
"They didn't give any names. All we know is that they are both male. They said they're here to escort your party, and then told us where they are staying to wait for you."
"Waiting for us?" Arai frowned. "And escort us where?"
"They wouldn't tell us." The two answered, and I crossed my arms to think. Okay... this was kind of expected, I guess... And looking at the chūnin, they clearly weren't happy about the whole thing either. "They said you'd understand."
"Where are they?" I asked, because if we start out with such suspicion, we shouldn't even entertain the idea of an alliance at all.
"There," the man pointed beyond the border posts. "They are about two hundred meters across, in a shed or something like that."
"Thank you." I nodded, before glancing at the others. "Well, we better head off before the sun sets for real."
"Renjiro." Shinrai said after we were off, "I don't like this."
"Neither do I." Arai agreed, and I just nodded because they were kind of right.
"Me neither, but don't sound so shocked. We are here on a diplomatic mission; they wouldn't attack us."
"I wasn't saying they would," Arai muttered, "But maybe they aren't who you are expecting to meet."
"Could be the case." I agreed again. "But then, we have a reason to exercise, hm?"
In the end, they just shrugged, hiding their smiles, as we got to the meeting point, where the Ame shinobi were already standing alert. Two men in grey rain cloaks stood there, neither of them familiar... Hm... And neither wore anything resembling Akatsuki's black cloak. Interesting.
"Renjiro Uchiha." The taller of the two spoke up, looked around us, and nodded after pointing me out with his eyes.
"Yep."
"Our leader is waiting."
"Where?" I asked simply, not showing any suspicion or fear, signaling towards the others to do the same. We shouldn't show our distrust; that wouldn't put us in a good light.
"A village farther inland, less than an hour from here if we hurry."
"Are we expected to surrender weapons?" I asked suddenly, and they both shook their heads.
"No, not at all."
At least that was a good sign, so we followed their lead, straight into heavy rain only twenty minutes later. Geez... I hate this country. Looking around, the scenery was the same as before, so I guess we were heading to one of the burned or empty villages we'd passed back then. It made sense. Soon enough, a village appeared before us, small, but to my surprise, people lived there. Not many, honestly, maybe a few hundred. It was nothing to write home about either. A few wooden and stone houses crowded around a shallow stream, with a narrow bridge crossing the middle. Pretty much, that was it. The tallest structure was barely three stories, maybe a community building or something.
"This is the place where Yahiko-sama, Konan-sama, and Nagato-sama are from." One of the men suddenly spoke up as he saw my eyes scanning the village. "Thus, this is an important place for us all."
"Ah." I nodded, blinking my eyes.
That's... something. So, this was also Jiraiya's place, huh? Where the trio was taught? Interesting. Maybe it is a fresh village, then? As I thought about the weird coincidence, Sayuri and Shinrai both flinched, which prompted me to nod back, because I had already discovered that a dozen or so Ame Shinobi were watching us from around the houses.
"Renjiro!" I knew that voice the moment it called out to me, and before I could react, I watched as Yahiko's figure jumped from the porch of a nearby house before anyone could stop him. "You're alive!"
"Thanks? Were there any questions about that?" I chuckled while we came to a halt and clasped hands.
"No, not really," he chuckled again as Konan appeared behind him, and Nagato appeared last, of course. "Anyway... Welcome back."
"I would be happy about being back, if not for the weather."
"You will get used to it," Nagato said with a small scoff, his gaze shifting behind me as he scanned the trio. "Where's the blond one?"
"Training with Sensei."
"Hm." The three exchanged another glance. "So Jiraiya-sensei isn't coming?" Yahiko asked, feeling a bit disappointed. "Too bad... Then who is the one Nagato sensed following you around?"
"That would be my clan's chief, Fugaku Uchiha," I said honestly, and the moment I did so, Fugaku stepped into view for the first time all day, shocking the other shinobi.
"I see." Yahiko nodded, unbothered by his presence. "I already can tell what is going on... You became important, hm? Which is understandable."
"And if we are on the introduction part," I continued, ignoring the last part, "This is Sayuri Yamanaka, Arai Uchiha, and Shinrai Hyūga."
"Damn," Yahiko looked between us, whistling, "You came loaded with famous family names, hm? Or at least, just listening to that, your group sounds terrifying."
"It is," Arai muttered, making me flinch, but I ignored him for now.
"Well, let's not talk in the rain any longer. Come in." Yahiko said with a chuckle, and just like that, our little diplomacy began inside the place they called home while training under Jiraiya.
"So." He began after sitting down, folding his arms, and becoming serious, "I'll be direct. I can say for sure that we are winning. About eighty percent of the country already acknowledges us. Most followed the old bastard because opposing Hanzo meant death, and with him gone, they are happy to change sides."
"That could be dangerous," I argued, and he nodded, not denying it.
"But it is better than a long, bloody infighting."
"Still," Nagato added, "The first two days were the worst. We also eliminated several commanders who tried to take control of Hanzo's forces. We lost a few good people... but they are gone now, and we just need to clean up the rest."
"What is even better is that after they were dealt with," Yahiko continued, "Individual units began surrendering on their own, defecting to our side. Most villages that can communicate with us have declared support, while those who can't still welcome us the moment we arrive. I want to open discussions before the last remnants of Hanzo's supporters are gone, so we can show our cause is more than a new dictatorship."
"That's why you want an alliance. However, what do you really want?" I asked, making Yahiko smile.
"I wish for mutual recognition. Naturally, I want Amegakure to remain independent. So, we need Konoha, the strongest of the five, to recognize whoever governs Ame after this conflict. I need that legitimacy... and that we can open our borders to trade."
"We are also ready for intelligence sharing," Konan added.
"And we know that you are going to be happy about it." Nagato muttered, too, "Especially because our presence would prevent enemy armies from using the country to reach yours."
"And in return..." Yahiko said, taking the lead again, "...Konoha guarantees our independence both during this war and whatever comes after it."
"I can't promise that." I said simply, "But I agree with all of it, and will relay it all to the council behind us, fully supporting the idea."
"I expected as much." Yahiko nodded. "I just want to say this to someone I trust. And I think our offer is reasonable. We are sitting right between you, Suna, and Iwa. Both of whom retained their Kages... We will be a hotbed for war; we are aware of it. We hate the fact, but if it can give us our long-term freedom and stability, after peace returns... We can endure."
But before he could finish, I noticed how Sayuri's eyes unfocused, just as Nagato flinched.
"What?" Both Yahiko and I asked at the same time. While I turned to Sayuri, Yahiko looked at Nagato, and we all quickly got to our feet before any of them could open their mouths.
"DOWN!" Shinrai suddenly yelled, his Byakugan working, pushing Sayuri down, while my Sharingan activated just as the entire building exploded.
I watched as Arai was also dodging the coming splinters, helping Shinrai and Sayuri, while Yahiko was reaching for Konan, pulling her close to Nagato, whose eyes flashed... Heh. I saw the purple with the rings as our gazes met, making me smile a little. However, by then, I vanished. Using Hiraishin, I first appeared among my friends, grabbed Sayuri and the rest, and pulled them away to the kunai I threw when the first explosion rang out.
"Report!" I yelled as time returned to its normal speed, and we were out in the rain.
"Fine!" Arai shouted.
"Uninjured," Shinrai echoed.
"Yeah!" Sayuri coughed. "I'm okay!"
Turning around, I looked at the burning house, but the others were fine, also out of danger. Naturally... But I had no time to worry about them, because a broad blade landed between us, wrapped, with two handles, its owner blocking my view. Tsk... Fuck. It was the wielder of Hiramekarei, the same tall man I saw when we were away with Sensei... what was his name? Kōsuke Amagiri? Or something?
"Renji?" Sayuri asked, as she stood with Arai and Shinrai, a step behind me, realizing that they jinxed this meeting with their morning predictions.
"Ahhh...! How fun!" Someone else laughed, prompting me to quickly scan for the source. It was a shorter man, crouching on a rooftop, a long sword resting across his shoulders, covered in explosive tags. Shibuki... And the man was... I think... Gōma Iriya. "Oh, that worked beautifully! Not enough screaming, though."
"Kirigakure," Yahiko spoke up, sneering at the figures, his voice cold as ice.
"Mhm," Gōma gave him an exaggerated bow. "Correct!"
Throughout it all, the other, Kōsuke, said nothing, just kept looking at me. Right until Fugaku appeared behind our formation. Finally!
"As discussed," Gōma pointed Shibuki toward Yahiko. "I'm taking the heads of the three little revolutionaries. While you, my quiet friend..."
He didn't need to finish because Kōsuke pulled Hiramekarei free and held it toward me, making his target quite clear.
"It is a good chance to weaken you, bastards." Fugaku suddenly spoke up, but Gōma kept cackling as mist rolled in, making my Sharingan spin as the fog made the rainy night even worse...
"Don't think we came unprepared." Gōma continued as the mist thickened, enveloping the whole village. "Your pretty eyes won't be much use in here."
"So the one wielding Kubikiribōchō has come too, huh?" I muttered, looking at Sayuri, saying something I hadn't even realized was an actual quote... "I won't allow my comrades to die. I'll protect you with my life. Trust me."
"How touching!" Gōma's laughter came from far away by then. "But worry about yourself... because not even your pretty little protector will have time to save you from death!"
As he finished, I sensed Sayuri's consciousness link with mine and the rest, hearing Shinrai's voice echo in my head as his Byakugan pierced the mist.
"There are four of them!"
"What kind of sword do you see?" I asked seriously, and as he described it, I bit my lip because this was bad... Because if he is right, that last bastard was the one wielding the Samehada.
Fuck... Four of the seven are here, huh? Oh well... Let's make sure their swords come back to Konoha with us.