The negotiating teams from Konoha and Sunagakure met in Forest City in the Land of Rivers.
Sugiyama Eiji was now the lord of Forest City. Since it was the capital of the Land of Rivers, he had naturally become the Land of Rivers Feudal Lord as well.
With the backing of the Sunagakure ninja and Konoha ninja, Sugiyama Eiji's ascent to the position of feudal lord had gone absurdly smoothly. Everything had fallen into place.
The previous feudal lord had died of illness at just the right moment. His children had fought a brief, merciless war against one another over the succession and all died, leaving their close relative Sugiyama Eiji to assume the position.
"You must all be tired after your long journeys. Please rest at this inn for now. We have already prepared the negotiating venue," Sugiyama Eiji said with a cheerful smile.
Eight Konoha ninja had come, led by Mitokado Homura himself.
Ebizo had come to the Land of Rivers as Sunagakure's representative.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries,
Ebizo gestured for Mitokado Homura to step aside for a talk.
Both were senior officials of their respective villages, men of considerable standing. The Konoha and Sunagakure ninja guarded them from a discreet distance.
"I haven't seen you fight in years. How much of your old skill do you have left?" Ebizo asked with an amused smile.
Mitokado Homura chuckled. "If I put my old life on the line, I could just about manage a battlefront."
"That's not bad."
"And you, Ebizo? You were brilliant on the battlefield in your youth, especially with all those Wind Release techniques. They were breathtaking. Back then, I thought you would become the next Kazekage."
The inn had been cleared of guests, leaving only the two villages' negotiating teams.
As Ebizo surveyed