After seeing off the envoy from the Capital, Shamon sank into his seat as though all the strength had drained from his body. A trace of exhaustion appeared on his stern face. None of the others had ever seen such vulnerability in their resolute Kazekage.
"You all heard him. The Capital demands that we cease hostilities immediately and negotiate peace with the Land of Fire," the Second Kazekage said, glancing at the senior officials present.
Although everyone knew peace negotiations were inevitable, no one had expected them to come so soon. The Second Kazekage had originally intended to establish a stalemate with the Land of Fire before negotiating, so they would not be led around by the nose at the bargaining table.
Yet Konoha's squad under Kazemori Masaki was still striking at the Land of Wind's forces, while the Land of Fire's regular army was likewise suppressing the Land of Wind's Samurai troops. The situation was dire.
It was not that Sunagakure Ninja Shinobi Village lacked the strength to fight back. They had spent these past days devising an operation that did not need to secure a major victory, only avoid defeat. But before they could put it into action, the order from the Capital had arrived.
"Lord Kazekage, are we just going to admit defeat?" Chiyo asked bitterly. "We still have strength to spare!"
"Since the Daimyo has said so, we have no choice but to comply. After all, we are still ninja in his employ. We cannot disregard our employer's orders." The Second Kazekage shook his head.
Even after attaining a certain status, they remained bound by their established ninja beliefs—be loyal to their employer, treat themselves as hired hands, and fulfill their duties diligently. Rogue ninja might find it easier to break free of such thinking, but