Night fell over Konoha like a vast sheet of black silk. Only a few flickering lamps at the village entrance struggled to tear open small halos of dim yellow light.
The figures of the Sunagakure delegation gradually emerged from the hazy darkness. The dust and wear of their journey were plain to see, and the grains of sand clinging to their hems glimmered faintly in the low light, as if telling of the hardships they had endured along the way.
Granny Chiyo walked at the head of the group, her head held high. The frost and snow of age had long since turned her hair white, but her back remained straight, like the unyielding backbone of Sunagakure.
With every step, her cane tapped lightly against the ground, the rhythmic clicks seemingly announcing Sunagakure's presence to this unfamiliar land in her stead. Beside her, the Jonin Sosuke strode with an agile bearing, his eyes sharp. Though he did his utmost to remain composed, his slightly tensed jaw betrayed the turmoil within him.
The moment they entered Konoha, a host of complicated gazes fell upon them.
The Konoha Ninja wore their familiar green flak jackets, some standing beneath the eaves and others hidden in the shadows of trees. Scrutiny and hostility mingled in their eyes, piercing Sosuke like solid arrows and leaving him uncomfortable all over.
He clenched his fists instinctively, sweat soaking the bandages around his palms. The resentment and stubborn resolve in his heart flared up like a freshly kindled flame. Those gazes seemed to mock Sunagakure's past recklessness and warn them of their present plight. How could he not be angry?
"Hmph!" Granny Chiyo gave a quiet snort, her expression as stern as ever. Seemingly oblivious to the hostile gazes, she advanced steadily with her cane, her pace neither hurried nor slow. Every step seemed to carry Sunagakure's glory and dignity, allowing no room for the slightest misstep.
Tsunade came forward to greet them, accompanied by two elders. She was tall, her golden hair shining in the lamplight, and the Strength of a Hundred Seal on her distinctive forehead radiated an imposing air.
"Elder Chiyo, thank you for making the long journey," Tsunade said first, her steady, forceful voice breaking the somewhat awkward deadlock. Though she wore a polite smile, the perceptive Sosuke caught the distance in her eyes.
Granny Chiyo gave a slight nod in response. "Tsunade, it's been a long time. We came here for peace between our villages, of course. I hope Konoha shares that sincerity." Her words were neither humble nor arrogant, carrying the bearing of a ninja of the older generation.
After a few brief pleasantries, Tsunade stepped aside and gestured toward the village. "It's late, and you must all be tired from the journey. We'll arrange somewhere for you to rest first. Tomorrow morning, we'll sit down and talk properly." With that, several Konoha Ninja stepped forward and led the Sunagakure delegation into the village.
Sosuke followed at the rear, looking around.
Konoha's buildings stood in an orderly arrangement, greenery surrounding the houses—a stark contrast to Sunagakure's scenery, dominated by sandstorms and earthy yellow. As they passed the occasional shop still lit for business, the smell of food drifted out, making the stomachs of several young ninja in the delegation rumble.
But no one was in the mood to pay attention to such things. They all knew that a storm was brewing beneath this seemingly peaceful night. At tomorrow's negotiating table, the fate of Sunagakure's future would be placed on the scales. Whether it would find new life or sink into even deeper trouble remained unknown...
After settling into the inn, Sosuke sat alone by the window, staring absentmindedly into the night. In the distance, Konoha patrols passed by with torches, their dancing flames illuminating his face and outlining his resolute yet worried features.
He knew full well that this trip to Konoha was far more than a simple visit to apologize. After the devastating blow dealt by the Konoha Crush Plan, Sunagakure had lost many of its people and was short on resources. If he could not secure favorable terms for the village in the negotiations, hard times lay ahead.
And the imprisoned Jinchūriki was Sunagakure's ray of hope. They could not simply give up so easily...
As his thoughts wandered, a soft knock at the door interrupted him.
He opened the door to find Granny Chiyo. She entered with her cane, looked him over, and slowly said, "Sosuke, I know you're anxious, but don't act rashly tonight. Konoha looks peaceful, but there are hidden sentries everywhere. One careless move and we'll all be caught up in it. We'll wait until tomorrow's negotiations to discuss everything." Sosuke started to speak, then stopped and ultimately nodded. Granny Chiyo gave him a few more words of caution before turning to leave.
Once the door closed again, Sosuke returned to the window and sat down, holding his head in his hands as he sank into deeper thought. Outside, the night grew darker. A war without gunfire had already quietly begun in the silence...
At Konoha's Hokage office building, Tsunade hurried back to her office with the two elders, only to find Danzo, Jiraiya, and the others already waiting. The atmosphere inside was as oppressive as the calm before a storm, everyone's attention fixed on the negotiations with the Sunagakure ninja that would begin the next day.
Danzo sprang to his feet, his single eye gleaming coldly. His tone was unyielding as he broke the silence. "The Sunagakure ninja must pay a sufficient price this time! The Third Hokage, Hiruzen, died a hero's death fighting Orochimaru to protect Konoha. How can we let those Sunagakure ninja off lightly for their reckless actions?"
"They rashly took part in the attack on Konoha, and they must bear the consequences. We cannot let Hiruzen's blood be shed in vain!" Danzo grew more agitated as he spoke, holding forth at length on his so-called "way of punishment."
Tsunade frowned slightly, secretly displeased by Danzo's stubborn self-assurance. She raised her voice and cut his speech short. "Enough, Danzo! I'm the Hokage now, and I'll make the decisions."
Her voice carried an authority that brooked no question. The office fell somewhat quieter, and everyone turned to look at her.
At that moment, Jiraiya sighed softly and stepped forward, his expression grave. "Everyone, calm down. The Sunagakure ninja were victims too. Orochimaru is a cunning, treacherous man who manipulated them with his schemes. Sunagakure also suffered heavy losses in the upheaval."
"What we need most now is peace. If we start another conflict with the Sunagakure ninja, we'll only reignite the flames of war. The other ninja villages are watching us hungrily. If they see Konoha go to war with Sunagakure, they'll certainly seize the chance to strike while we're vulnerable. Then the Shinobi World will be plunged into another devastating war. Countless ninja paid for peace with their lives. It wasn't easily won." Jiraiya's words were like a refreshing stream, easing some of the restless tension in the room.
Tsunade nodded slightly and looked around at everyone, her tone softening. "I have my own plans. Everyone, go back and get some rest. Restore your strength and make every preparation for the negotiations tomorrow morning." At her words, everyone rose and prepared to leave.
However, just as they were about to step out the door, Jiraiya seemed to remember something. His expression tightened, and he stopped.
"Wait, there's one more thing," he said in a low voice. "The countdown on that mysterious Heavenly Screen that appeared over the Shinobi World recently is nearly over. Nobody knows what shocking content it might show tomorrow morning. We can't afford to overlook that uncertainty."
His words made everyone's recently relaxed nerves tighten again. They exchanged glances and slowly left the office, each weighed down by heavy thoughts. Only Tsunade remained, standing before the window and gazing out at Konoha, lost in thought...
The Land of Rain...
In that hidden place, shrouded year-round in gloom and drizzle, Obito, disguised as Madara, flashed into view like a ghost, appearing silently behind Pain.
The patter of raindrops all around seemed to soften for the secret meeting, and the atmosphere was heavy and oppressive.
Obito raised his head slightly, the only Sharingan he had exposed flashing with an eerie red light in the gloom. With a trace of a smile, he said, "Pain, things have been lively in the Shinobi World lately."
His voice carried through the curtain of rain, tinged with teasing and deeper meaning. Pain's distinctive orange hair was slightly damp in the drizzle, but he stood tall and motionless. Without turning his head, he replied, "Hmph, nothing but a farce put on by a few buffoons."
The corners of Obito's mouth curved almost imperceptibly as he continued, "Don't underestimate these 'farces.' You saw the footage the Heavenly Screen showed. The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki has grown beyond all expectations. I hear that kid has talked quite a few people with once-firm convictions around. If you face him someday, you won't end up like you did on the Heavenly Screen, easily persuaded by him, will you?" The distrust in his words grew increasingly apparent.
Pain finally turned around slowly, the Rinnegan in his face staring coldly at Obito, as though they could see through the schemes in his heart.
His voice was low and cold. "That's no concern of yours. He and I stand at opposite ends of entirely different paths. The light he seeks runs counter to the peace forged by the 'pain' I bear. I have my mission as a 'god.' How could a few empty words shake it?"
Obito shrugged lightly, seemingly unsurprised by Pain's response, and changed the subject. "Very well. The most important thing right now is to find the Six-Tails Jinchuriki as soon as possible. That fellow is elusive and has hidden himself well, but as long as he's still in this world, he'll leave a trace sooner or later."
"And then there's the Three-Tails. Once it's reborn, our plan can begin. As for other matters that don't concern us, there really is no need to waste energy on them. The priority is to proceed steadily according to plan."
Pain nodded slightly, gazing into the distant curtain of rain, where all his hopes for the new world and his determination seemed to lie hidden. "Once I have gathered the power of the Tailed Beasts, I will use absolute pain to make the world understand true peace. No one will be able to stop me..." The rain continued to fall, soaking the hems of their clothes, but it did nothing to extinguish the flames of ambition burning in their hearts.