“This is the first time we have bowed our heads,” Jiraiya said, rising to light the oil lamp, trying to disperse the heavy feelings in his heart. He shook his head and sighed. Indeed, the Great Toad Sage prophecy centered on Naoki was no mere fabrication. After all, this guy made us at Konoha surrender for the first time.
“We have no other choice, Jiraiya,” Hiruzen said with a deep sigh. In the dim candlelight, his fatigue was evident, and his tone revealed a hint of pleading. “Won’t you reconsider staying to help me? If you were to take the position of Fourth Hokage, it would bring stability to the village.”
“Sensei,” Jiraiya shook his head, his tone slightly playful. “You’re still young; you can keep going for another seven or eight years. I’ll stay out of it.”
Seeing his student’s stance and thinking of Minato’s grave illness, Tsunade wandering the world, and Orochimaru caught in his schemes, Hiruzen’s heart sank. He waved dismissively, signaling Jiraiya to leave. Taking the opportunity, Jiraiya quickly turned and left.
Watching Jiraiya flee, Hiruzen opened the intelligence scroll once more. Since Jiraiya wouldn’t take the position, and Kakashi was too young, his old friend Danzo might have a chance. Though weak and incompetent, given the current situation, perhaps it was worth a try.
So be it. Hiruzen closed the scroll and took a sip of hot tea. Despite the scalding heat, he drank it down in one go. Blowing out the candle, he lay down, closing his eyes, but thoughts of Konoha kept him awake. After a long while, he suddenly opened his eyes, filled with unprecedented determination.
Enough hesitation, Hiruzen. Such indecisiveness is disgraceful. He rose and clenched his fists, gazing at the moonlit window reflecting his sensei, Tobirama’s, image.
Sensei, for Konoha’s sake, I’ll make one last effort. Danzo is not fit for that position.
Meanwhile, under the starlight, Naoki was also awake, questioning the Mist Anbu, who had come to report the battle situation.
“So, the five swordsmen are still hunting Konoha ninjas in the Fire Country forest?”
“Yes, Lord Naoki.”
“Alright, you may go,” Naoki said, dismissing the Anbu and looking at the military intelligence in his hand with a sigh. Despite their high status and achievements, it was impossible to restrain the panicked five swordsmen, fearing they would be discarded into the sea without merits.
Such pests, Naoki thought. After the peace talks, I’ll need to visit the Mist camp to deal with these matters. Otherwise, if anything regrettable happens, it won’t be acceptable.
He went to bed, and the negotiations continued the next day. The fierce verbal battles were incessant, with Jiraiya and Kakashi often drawing their weapons, and even Hiruzen nearly crushing a cup in anger.
But in the end, Konoha was desperate for peace, and Hiruzen had already decided to accept the terms. Realizing that Naoki wouldn’t budge further, Konoha agreed to the terms of compensation and ceding territory.
On the third day, the peace treaty was signed under the witness of the Daimyo of the Iron Country, Maki of the Sand, the Daimyos of Fire and Water, and the bodies of the Cloud ninjas. Under Naoki’s leadership, Mist had twice defeated Konoha’s forces and completely overpowered Sand, Konoha’s ally. Facing the coalition of three nations, Konoha had no choice but to accept defeat and sign the treaty.
The treaty included ceding land, leasing ports, signing free trade agreements, compensating Mist for their military expenses, and paying reparations for the war criminals Orochimaru, Minato, and Kushina. The matters concerning Hiashi and Shisui were deferred.
The only obligation for Mist was to withdraw their troops from the Fire Country as soon as possible.
At the port of the Iron Country, the Daimyo of the Water Country, holding his son Tomoe’s hand, asked Naoki, who was heading in another direction, “Fourth Mizukage, aren’t you coming back to the Water Country with us for the coronation ceremony?”
Naoki shook his head slowly. “Daimyo-sama, that’s not urgent right now. I need to go to the Mist camp to regroup and lead them back to the Water Country safely.”
“Yagura, Third Mizukage, please ensure the Daimyo’s safety,” Naoki said, waving goodbye and summoning an ice mirror, not heading towards the Mist camp but flying straight towards the five swordsmen.
“Are you sure? The five swordsmen are here?” Danzo asked, pointing heavily at the map in front of his Root ninjas.
“Yes, Lord Danzo.”
“Then let’s go,” Danzo said but suddenly stopped, recalling the ice mirrors over Konoha. Narrowing his eyes, he scoffed.
“Go ahead. Bring me their heads, or face the consequences.”
“Yes, Lord Danzo,” the Root ninjas replied emotionlessly, turning and disappearing into the forest. The rustling of leaves was barely audible, and Danzo’s vision filled with shadows slipping into the forest.
Finally, he clenched his fists. This is my moment. Hiruzen, this time you lose. When you return to the village with a defeated treaty, I’ll rise to Hokage with the heads of these Mist ninjas. His hand trembled slightly with excitement. The Hokage position is indeed enticing.
In the forest, Ebisu asked nervously, “Genma, do you think we can make it back?”
Genma, chewing on a senbon, sighed deeply. “What do you think, Ebisu? Against such powerful ninjas, how can we possibly win and escape?”
“Then why haven’t they killed us? Is it because of the impending treaty?” Ebisu’s voice held a flicker of hope.
“They’re just toying with us,” Genma replied with a sigh. Losing his last hope, Ebisu spoke bitterly.
“Damn it, why did the village send us on such a mission, knowing there are Mist ninjas hunting here?”
Ebisu complained while Genma shook his head in resignation. Only Guy wiped the sweat from his forehead and took a combat stance.
“At least give it our all. After all, this is our last youthful battle,” Guy said.
“Of course,” Genma tightened his grip on the senbon. Looking at the burning Guy, he felt a mix of despair and determination.
“We can’t win,” Ebisu said, trembling but holding his kunai. “Stop playing around and kill these kids. Let’s head back to camp.”
“But we don’t have enough prey yet. Naoki will hold us accountable,” one swordsman complained.
“Better to face his wrath than to have him fly in on those ice mirrors and drive bones through our heads,” another swordsman argued.
“You don’t think you can beat him or escape from him, do you?”
“Enough talk,” Raiga said coldly. “Kill these kids and face our fate.”
As they moved to strike, a green blur suddenly appeared in their senses.
Boom! The green figure landed, creating a large crater.
“Father!” Guy shouted, recognizing the figure.
“Don’t worry, Guy. With my power, I can handle them,” Might Duy said confidently, giving a thumbs-up.
“After I start, take Genma and Ebisu and run back to the village. Wait for my good news,” Duy said.
Seeing the father and son brimming with youthful spirit, Ebisu felt despair.
“Don’t underestimate my father; he can defeat these ninjas!” Guy assured.
Ebisu swallowed his words, and Genma focused on the enemy.
“Die, you lowly shinobi!” Jinin yelled, charging at Guy with his explosive sword.
“Son, get ready to run,” Duy said, his glowing green fist moving faster than the blade, striking through Jinin’s throat.
Blood splattered, and Jinin’s body hung lifelessly.
“This can’t be real,” the swordsmen murmured.
“Don’t think of running. Let’s attack together!” Raiga ordered.
Duy exhaled. Not enough.
The Eighth Gate: Gate of Death.
Just then, masked ANBU emerged from the forest, attacking the distracted swordsmen.
“Die, Konoha scum!” a swordsman yelled.
“Thank goodness, reinforcements,” Ebisu said, encouraged by the ANBU’s arrival.
“Stay alert,” Duy warned, seeing the ANBU.
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