You're the Elder Brother, I'm the Younger

As Jing Hang looked at Hokage Rock in the distance, he could not help but sigh. Twenty years of dreaming of becoming Hokage, and he had finally arrived where the dream began! Yet only two faces had been completed on the mountain; the third was clearly still under construction.

Quite a few people were already lined up at Konoha Village's gates. The leader wore a red conical hat. Damn, Jing Hang quickly put on his green hat and hurried forward. The other side's leader had personally come to welcome him—what a show of respect! He had to return the gesture.

"Kazekage-sama, you have traveled so far despite the hardships. Welcome, welcome."

"You are too courteous, Hokage-sama. For the peace and friendship between our two villages, this journey is nothing."

Jing Hang warmly shook Hiruzen Sarutobi's hand. He could feel the strength in it. It bore many scars, yet no calluses; clearly, it had been carefully polished and maintained so as not to affect the touch and feel of a shuriken. He was definitely an old hand who had worked his way up from the ranks!

"Come, let me introduce you. This is Konoha's senior advisor, Homura Mitokado."

"A pleasure, a pleasure." Jing Hang hurriedly shook his hand politely.

"This is Wataru Uchiha of the Uchiha Clan, also the head of Konoha's Security Department."

"The Uchiha are a renowned clan in the ninja world. A pleasure."

"This is Yojitsu Hyuga of the Hyuga Clan."

"The Byakugan and Gentle Fist are famed throughout the ninja world. A pleasure."

"This is..."

The Aburame Clan, the Inuzuka Clan, the Akimichi Clan, the Yamanaka Clan... Jing Hang shook hands with them one by one, his expression growing colder the further he went. The Hidden Sand Village group behind him also gradually looked displeased. What was this supposed to mean? It was only a welcome ceremony—did Hiruzen Sarutobi really need to parade all this strength before him? He had practically brought out every notable clan Konoha had. What, showing off how many brothers Konoha had to scare him? Damn it, who had not crawled out of mountains of corpses and seas of blood? By the time Jing Hang shook the last hand, he had an idea.

"Pakura, give me the blade."

"Yes." Pakura immediately understood and handed White Fang to Jing Hang.

This blade had been seized from Sakumo Hatake during the Battle of Lishi. Jing Hang usually fought with iron sand and had never been in the habit of carrying a sword. Seeing how incredibly sharp this short blade was, and how suitable it was for a female ninja to wear, he had given it to Pakura. She had liked it greatly and always kept it on her.

"Konoha and Hidden Sand have had some minor frictions and small conflicts lately. It has been most unpleasant."

At those words, the expressions of the Konoha group immediately darkened. Jing Hang ignored them and continued.

"Konoha and Hidden Sand are neighbors, brotherly nations by nature. I believe armed conflicts like these are not what the people of either side wish to see. Peace should be the main theme of our exchanges. This sword was the personal weapon of Konoha's commander. Today, I return it to Konoha to express Hidden Sand's sincerity in seeking an alliance and peace. May Hidden Sand and Konoha remain allies forever and never go to war again! After weathering all trials, brothers remain; with one smile at reunion, old grudges fade away." With that, Jing Hang held the sword and sheath in both hands and respectfully presented them to Hiruzen Sarutobi.

So what if you have a lot of brothers? I still took them out. Don't try that overwhelming-numbers routine on me! I'm not buying it!

The Konoha group's expressions had already turned quite ugly, while the muscles on Hiruzen Sarutobi's face twitched repeatedly. It took him a while to return to normal. He accepted the short sword, drew it from its sheath with a clang, inspected the blade, then with a hah, snapped the treasured sword cleanly in two and tossed the pieces to the ground.

"Weapons are instruments of misfortune. Konoha and Hidden Sand should never have fought this war. Kazekage-sama spoke well: after weathering all trials, brothers remain; with one smile at reunion, old grudges fade away." Hiruzen Sarutobi extended his hand to Jing Hang once more.

Jing Hang hurriedly took Hiruzen's hand, inwardly clicking his tongue. He knew perfectly well what kind of weapon White Fang's short sword was. It was an exceptionally rare treasure, a blade that could cut iron as if it were mud. Yet Hiruzen Sarutobi had snapped it with nothing but the strength of his fingers. His power was truly unfathomable.

"Oh my, it is already time to eat. Why not have Kazekage-sama and everyone accompany us into the village for a meal?"

Jing Hang saw no point in keeping this up. After all, he had come to negotiate, not fight. Arm in arm with Hiruzen Sarutobi, he entered the village.

After the meal, the two sides held fierce discussions in the Hokage Building's conference room over a series of issues, including a ceasefire, the division of territories, and an alliance. In Jing Hang's view, there was not much to discuss. He and Danzo had already agreed on the broad direction; the details could be left for the people below to work out. After some time, Rasa signaled that the talks were nearly complete, and Jing Hang rose to his feet.

"Konoha was the first ninja village established in the world, and its founding was an epoch-making event for Ninshu. Our First Kazekage, Lord Reto, founded Hidden Sand in large part by drawing on Konoha's model. In a sense, Konoha is Hidden Sand's elder brother."

As soon as he said this, the Konoha group nodded repeatedly. Good, he had finally said something conciliatory. That was more like it! Once he put himself in the proper position, everything else would be easier to discuss!

"Hidden Sand hopes to achieve deep cooperation with Konoha through this alliance. We will send a group of ninja to Konoha's Ninja Academy, Administrative Department, Medical Department, and other institutions for exchange and study. We also hope Konoha can send a group of outstanding ninja to Hidden Sand to provide guidance..."

In the end, the two sides reached the following alliance agreement.

First, Konoha and Hidden Sand would form an alliance, end their state of war, and recognize the territories currently demarcated by both sides.

Second, both sides would maintain consistent diplomatic statements in the future.

Third, both sides would release prisoners captured during the conflict.

Fourth, Konoha would provide Hidden Sand with an interest-free loan of two hundred million ryo, to be repaid over ten years.

Fifth, both sides would grant each other most-favored-nation status in trade and reduce tariffs on goods between the two villages.

Sixth, Hidden Sand would regularly send ninja to Konoha for exchange and study, while Konoha would regularly send ninja to Hidden Sand for guidance.

After the agreement was reached, the Hokage and Kazekage solemnly signed the treaty, exchanged copies, warmly shook hands again, and congratulated each other on its conclusion. Afterward, Hiruzen Sarutobi invited Kazekage Jing Hang to dinner at his home in a private capacity. Jing Hang said that being able to attend Lord Sarutobi's family dinner was even more worth boasting about than attending an official banquet. The meeting ended peacefully.

"You're my elder brother!"

"Mm, I'm your elder brother."

"I'm your younger brother."

"Mm, I'm your younger brother."

"No, no, I'm your younger brother."

"Mm, you're my younger brother."

"Elder brother!"

"Younger brother!"

The two Kage, who had been impeccably dressed that morning, now had their arms slung around each other's shoulders, their faces red as monkey's asses from drink. Their clothes were already in complete disarray, and the dining table was a total mess.

"Elder brother, that... Danzo Shimura... isn't very trustworthy. You need to watch out."

"Mm, I... know."

"Elder brother, that Onoki... is pretty formidable. If he makes a move, you'll have to go yourself."

"Mm, I also... know. Let Danzo... deal with him first."

"His... Dust Release is powerful. He's not... easy to handle."

"Mm, I... know. I'll... keep out... of his way. If he can't... hit me... what can he do?"

"Brother, don't worry. As long as I'm... Kazekage, Konoha's western... border won't need... a single soldier."

"Won't need... a single... soldier?"

"Don't worry, not... a single soldier."

"Really?"

"Truer than pure gold."

"Good brother, I have to toast you."

"Come, to peace between our two villages."

"Come!"

"Brother, your little bro has... a favor to ask?"

"Go ahead."

"Teach me... the Eight Gates, will you?"

"Why do you want to... learn that thing? It damages your body."

"Just... teach me, please."

"Then... listen carefully... I don't know it."

"Hm?"

"I... really don't know it, but... someone does."