"What's your plan for joint defense, Hokage-sama?" Iwata Zeki asked after some hesitation. He needed the daimyo's approval for economic cooperation but could decide military matters.
"That's simple," Seiryu said. "Any country joining the alliance will have Konoha troops stationed alongside their own ninja at the borders. Anyone who invades our allies is declaring war on Konoha."
"Of course, the host country needs to cover part of the expenses. After all, we're helping defend their territory," Seiryu laughed.
"I understand," Iwata Zeki nodded, relieved. If it were just a paper alliance, he wouldn't trust Konoha—after all, Konoha had abandoned allies before, like Uzushiogakure. But with stationed troops, it meant paying Konoha to defend the border. That was different—anyone who invaded would be fighting Konoha directly.
"Also, once stationed, your national security is Konoha's responsibility—but your ninja will come under our command," Seiryu said. "We must prevent allies' reckless actions from dragging Konoha into unnecessary wars. I hope you understand."
"I do, but transferring command…" Iwata Zeki hesitated.
"I said, no need to rush—such decisions should be made with care," Seiryu smiled. "But to show Konoha's sincerity, regardless of the alliance, we'll help with your jinchuriki."
"Thank you, Hokage-sama," Iwata Zeki said emotionally. He had expected Seiryu to make things difficult, given the Uchiha's reputation and their destruction of much of Kusagakure. But Seiryu was so easy to get along with—compared to the always aggressive Onoki, Seiryu was an angel!
As for Kusagakure's fate, they brought it on themselves; if in the future Konoha really became their ally, Takigakure would be even safer.
Iwata Zeki's expression changed back and forth, while Seiryu watched with a smile, wondering when he'd realize that free help was the most expensive.
"Hokage-sama, please allow me to return and consult with my daimyo. Next time, I'll bring our jinchuriki," Iwata Zeki said, bowing.
"No problem. Konoha's doors are always open for friends," Seiryu said warmly.
Soon, Iwata Zeki, beaming, set off for home. Seiryu personally saw him off.
As Iwata Zeki's convoy left, Kakashi approached Seiryu and curiously asked, "Are you really going to ally with them? Onoki won't just let Takigakure fall into our lap."
"Ally?" Seiryu watched them leave and scoffed. "A small country with useless leaders would just drag us down."
"Then why offer such generous terms?" Kakashi asked, puzzled.
"It's fishing—you have to bait the hook to catch the real big fish," Seiryu said. "Next, send Elder Fugaku and Miura Kazuo to the Lands of Rice Fields and Hot Springs, and present this alliance plan to their daimyos in the name of the Land of Fire. Those two are notorious good-for-nothings, and with no strong ninja villages, they'll probably be eager for us to defend their borders. Plus, the Land of Frost stands between them and the Land of Lightning, so it shouldn't be too hard."
"Understood," Kakashi nodded. "I'll return to the Police Force now."
"Not coming by my place?" Seiryu raised an eyebrow.
"Every time I go, you make me help with paperwork," Kakashi replied, one Sharingan eye spinning.
"Sigh, if only there were more people like Miura Kazuo to handle these trivial matters," Seiryu lamented.
"If not, you could reinstate Shikaku and the others," Kakashi suggested.
"No, not yet. I have other plans for their clans," Seiryu said, stretching. "Being Hokage isn't as easy as I thought. Who knew the Third clung to power so tightly for a reason."
Returning to his office, Seiryu hadn't been there long when a portly middle-aged man emerged from the floor. Seiryu instinctively reached for his sword, only for the man to snap to attention and salute: "Salute to Lord Seiryu!"
Seiryu: …
"Tobi?" Seiryu raised an eyebrow. Of all the people he knew, only Tobi saluted him with such gusto.
"It's me!" The middle-aged man transformed into White Zetsu.
"Don't pop up like that. I almost cut you," Seiryu said, putting down his hand. "So, what's up?"
"Lord Seiryu, the identity you assigned me for infiltrating the Kirigakure rebels is ready. Terumi Mei, the rebel leader, is about to make a big move. Lord Ancestor sent me to get your advice," Tobi said.
"Is that so?" Seiryu nodded, then formed a shadow clone. "I'll go with you."
Tobi became White Zetsu again, wrapping around Seiryu's shadow clone, and then disappeared from the office.
…
Two hours later, Seiryu's clone arrived at a house in a northwestern town in the Land of Water, where Black Zetsu had been waiting.
"Ancestor," Seiryu's clone greeted Black Zetsu upon surfacing.
"You're finally here," Black Zetsu said. "We need your help. The woman you met last time has grown a huge power base in the Land of Water—beyond our control."
Seiryu frowned. "So fast? It's only been two weeks. Where is this?"
"This is a town on the east side of the Land of Water and a base for the Kirigakure rebels. After becoming leader, she led her people out of the village and established this stronghold. She took with her many disaffected ninja and survivors of clan purges," Black Zetsu explained.
"They've raised the banner of the new Will of Water, attracting many strong ninja—including two of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen," he added.
"Oh?" Seiryu raised an eyebrow. "Which two little swordsmen?"
Black Zetsu glanced at Seiryu. Anyone who could wield one of the Seven Swords of the Mist was strong, but Seiryu called them 'little swordsmen.' Not that he was wrong—he'd once fought all seven by himself and sent them packing.
"It's Zabuza Momochi, wielder of the Executioner's Blade, and Kisame Hoshigaki, new wielder of Samehada. When they escaped, they also took the Twin Swords Hiramekarei and may soon find a successor for it," Black Zetsu said.
"Have you heard their new slogan?" Seiryu asked.
"Does that matter?" Black Zetsu was puzzled.
"Of course," Seiryu said. "If the slogan rallied so many, it must be good. This matters for my plans."
"'Stagnant, dead water breeds only rot and disease; only ever-flowing fresh water gives rise to new life. We are the pure flowing water, tasked to cleanse the filth and bring new life to the village,'" Tobi suddenly recited in Terumi Mei's voice, with passion.
Seiryu raised an eyebrow. This woman had some talent.
"What else has she done?" Seiryu asked.
"She took wealth and jutsu left by destroyed clans and distributed them to her followers, rapidly improving their strength. For the clan survivors, she helped build shrines so their names wouldn't be lost," Tobi said.
"That feels familiar," Seiryu grinned.
"Yes," Tobi said, "Terumi Mei has been studying your methods, trying to replicate your Uchiha miracle in Kirigakure."
"She often says: 'Think about what Uchiha Seiryu would do.'"
Hearing this, Seiryu almost burst out laughing. He didn't expect to have a fan in Kirigakure, and such a devoted one at that.
"So, in a way, she's my fan?" Seiryu chuckled.
"Yes," Tobi nodded.
"She's picked up a thing or two," Seiryu said. "That slogan is above the usual ninja political level."
"So, Lord Seiryu, what should we do?" Tobi asked.
"She's worked hard—let's help her out," Seiryu said. "She's learned a lot just from limited intel, but she's only scratched the surface. Rebellion requires adapting to local conditions, not copying blindly."
"My cover is ready?" Seiryu asked.
"Of course," Tobi replied, wrapping Seiryu's clone again. Soon, Seiryu looked like a nondescript, balding middle-aged man, using his forehead protector to hide his hairline.
"Your name is Masato Satake, a former civilian jonin of Kirigakure, killed by Yagura's Anbu during the escape, and replaced by us. You're now a squad leader in the rebellion, able to join their leadership," Tobi explained.
"Can I speak in the leadership?" Seiryu's disguised clone nodded. "That'll make things easier."
"Just be careful," Black Zetsu reminded him. "The rebels have a Byakugan that can see through White Zetsu's disguise, but that ninja is currently inside Kirigakure as a spy."
"Can't you control Yagura to get rid of him?" Seiryu asked.
"Very hard," Black Zetsu shook his head. "He's a village elder—even the Mizukage can't touch him without reason."
"Alright, I get it," Seiryu's clone smiled, pushing open the door.