A Feast at Hongmen

Oh, crap!

That was impossible. Rasa might not have much experience with romance, but at least he'd read I Really Didn't Want to Be Reborn, so he had plenty of theoretical knowledge.

At a time like this, he had to stay calm. He couldn't admit it, no matter what!

Keeping his composure, he asked evenly, "What's wrong with the Iron Butterflies? Is there a problem?"

"How could there not be a problem?"

Pakura pouted and pointed to the two Iron Butterflies in her hair, muttering, "They're exactly the same as the ones you gave me before!

"They're both made from shuriken. Who else would make them like that besides you?"

Rasa put on an enlightened expression, slapped his thigh, and made up a story. "Oh, you mean those.

"You know how poor our village is. Elder Chiyo thought my idea was pretty good. She figured jewelry made from shuriken would sell well.

"Elder Chiyo has already started promoting these accessories and selling them throughout the Shinobi World."

"Really?" Pakura asked suspiciously, gently stroking the Iron Butterflies in her hair.

"Truer than gold. Would I really lie to you?"

He put an arm around his sweetheart and showered her with sweet words until he managed to smooth things over.

He felt a little worn out. He hadn't expected that after reeling in a fish, he'd still have to keep feeding it bait. The road to becoming a heartbreaker was long and arduous.

Pakura still wanted to press him, but Rasa's sweet talk had her head spinning. Thinking it over carefully, she realized it wasn't a big deal.

Matching outfits or matching jewelry was common. The jewelry Rasa had given her had been made by his own hands, so it meant something completely different from jewelry bought elsewhere.

Even if they had matching accessories, there was no need to feel awkward. The sentiment behind them was different, so there was no reason to make a fuss.

After settling the little matter, Rasa put his arm around his sweetheart and headed to the Kazekage Office. Their affectionate display sent a message to the village's busybodies: stop making a fuss about choosing sides.

What was the point? No matter whom you supported, wouldn't the outcome be the same?

The results were excellent. This was also what Chiyo and Ebizo wanted Rasa to do: flaunt their affection with official approval.

Before entering, Rasa casually withdrew the arm around Pakura. She didn't find anything suspicious about it.

Meeting envoys from another village was a solemn occasion. They had to be serious and formal. Besides, who were He Qin He Li?

Too He Qin He Li.

Inside the office, Konan and Yahiko sat on separate sofas.

When the two entered, Konan looked up first. She stared at the Iron Butterflies in Pakura's hair, then studied Rasa closely, her gaze clouded with confusion.

He looked nothing like the person in her memory.

Chiyo quickly stood and moved to Rasa's side. "The Kazekage recently injured his mind and is recuperating.

"This is Rasa, an elite jonin from our village. He's acting as Kazekage, and all village affairs are under his authority for the time being."

The village's preparations for war were nearly complete, and Rasa had captured the Four-Tails Jinchuriki, proving his strength and earning considerable prestige.

Chiyo and Ebizo simply pushed Rasa into the position of acting Kazekage. The village's shinobi had no objections.

Once war began, they could drop the word "acting" and make him the official leader of Sunagakure.

Yahiko's pupils contracted. He hadn't expected the legendary Magnet Release user Rasa—the man who had defeated the Four-Tails Jinchuriki and made Tsuchikage Ōnoki so wary that he had even ordered his shinobi to abandon their missions rather than face him—to be so young. He was only a few years older than Yahiko. Perhaps that was what a true genius looked like. Yahiko wondered whether Nagato could reach Rasa's current level in a few years.

Filled with envy, Yahiko kept his expression composed and bowed first in greeting. "Hello, Rasa of Sunagakure, the Magnet Release user. The whole Shinobi World has been talking about you lately.

"I'm Yahiko, a shinobi from Amegakure. Please, just call me Yahiko. This is my partner, Konan."

Konan nodded, still sneaking cautious glances at Rasa from time to time. Could he be that person?

Rasa took the Kazekage's seat without hesitation, then gestured for the two of them to sit. "Yahiko, that name sounds familiar.

"You're a shinobi from Amegakure? One of Hanzo of the Salamander's subordinates?"

Yahiko was slightly moved. Having a powerful figure like Rasa know his name was something to be proud of. It proved his efforts hadn't been in vain.

After thinking for a moment, he answered, "Strictly speaking, I'm not one of Lord Hanzo's subordinates. Our Akatsuki headquarters is simply located in the Land of Rain.

"Actually, I came at Lord Hanzo's request to invite you to a meeting in Amegakure."

"Oh?"

Rasa grew even more curious and settled in to listen. What was Hanzo up to, inviting him to the Land of Rain? He didn't remember this happening in the original story.

Yahiko gathered his thoughts and explained, "As you know, the Second Shinobi World War involved five countries: the Land of Wind, the Land of Iron, the Land of Fire, the Land of Water, and the Land of Rain.

"But a great many battles took place in the Land of Rain, leaving the country devastated and its civilians badly hurt. It still hasn't recovered.

"When great nations go to war, small nations get dragged into it. That's the state of the Shinobi World.

"A few days ago, you captured the Four-Tails Jinchuriki and forced the Tsuchikage to ransom him with a large quantity of supplies. A few days before that, the Tsuchikage attacked the Land of Lightning for reasons unknown.

"The situation between the three great nations is tense, and war could break out at any moment. To prevent the tragedy of ten years ago from happening again, Lord Hanzo has invited Konohagakure and our Akatsuki to act as mediators.

"He's asked the three great nations to send representatives with authority to the Land of Rain, so everyone can discuss peace."

Rasa's eyes narrowed as he caught on. It was like Xiang Yu inviting Liu Bang to a feast at Hongmen!

Although the original story's timeline was a mess, it did include an episode like this. Akatsuki, founded by Yahiko, had been growing steadily, and Hanzo had begun to feel threatened.

After Danzo of the Pot of Shinobi manipulated him, Hanzo had deceived Yahiko and the others, claiming he wanted to use their strength to mediate between the Land of Fire, the Land of Wind, and the Land of Earth.

When they reached the meeting place, Hanzo had given the signal by overturning a cup, then taken Konan hostage and forced Yahiko to his death. That had caused Nagato's Rinnegan to fully awaken. He summoned the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path and went on a rampage.

From that moment on, Nagato had understood that preaching benevolence and morality was useless. He decided to make the world feel pain, believing that would bring true nuclear peace.

Rasa fell silent for a moment, then asked, "Have you met Hanzo before?"

That was especially important.

Yahiko didn't understand why he was asking, but answered honestly. "Yes. He personally entrusted this mission to me.

"He also said that Sunagakure has a lot to deal with, and the Kazekage is busy with official duties every day. He didn't expect us to invite the Kazekage; he'd be satisfied if we could invite you.

"As an older-generation powerhouse who witnessed the Sannin rise, Lord Hanzo really wants to meet you. He'd also like to see what you're like in person while we're there."

So Hanzo was after him. At the very least, he was one of the targets.

"If I agree to attend, will you still have to go to the Land of Earth and the Land of Lightning?"

This time, Konan answered in a soft voice. "No.

"Elder Danzo, an advisor to the Hokage of Konohagakure, will invite the people from those two countries."

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