Elder Chiyo opened the envelope and took out a letter from inside. It read, "Respected Flower of Sunagakure, I, Ryun Uchiha of Konoha, am deeply aware that this battle was not the original intention of Sunagakure, but was caused by the villagers of Sunagakure being misled by traitors, leading to war between our two villages."
"Konoha expresses understanding regarding this matter. We will sign a treaty with Lady Chiyo at the border today. However..."
"However, the Deputy Commander of our village, Izuna Uchiha, admires Pakura, the Scorch Release user of your village. Therefore, he wishes to form a marital alliance with your village, adding joy to joy. If Lady Chiyo is willing, then Konoha will not hold Sunagakure responsible and will support your son to inherit the position of the Fourth Kazekage."
"Simultaneously, we can form an alliance, sharing blessings and hardships alike. Konoha will also provide economic support to Sunagakure. Please consider this carefully, Lady Chiyo."
"Respectfully Yours, Ryun Uchiha, Hokage of Konoha."
Chiyo's mouth twitched. He says 'respectfully yours,' but the words feel completely disrespectful. Chiyo initially wanted to curse directly, to berate Ryun Uchiha, but she suddenly looked at her son and hesitated.
Konoha's support would be immensely beneficial for her son and for the villagers. As for Pakura... no matter how close, she wasn't her own flesh and blood. Even if her talent was one in ten thousand and she possessed Kage-level strength.
But in today's ninja world, anyone with clear sight knew that whether the ninja world was in chaos or not was decided by Ryun Uchiha. Even if another genius ninja appeared, another ninja with immense talent appeared, they still wouldn't be enough to be called a genius in front of Ryun Uchiha.
Instead, establishing friendly relations with Konoha offered more tangible benefits. The current Sunagakure couldn't withstand turmoil. Rasa's recent actions had directly wasted all of Sunagakure's achievements over the past eight years.
If she didn't still have two thousand ninja troops under her command, Chiyo dreaded to imagine how Sunagakure would resist an invasion from the Land of Rain. Would the village be destroyed? Would the Land of Rain take over Sunagakure?
After thinking it over repeatedly, the light in Chiyo's eyes grew dim and unreadable. She looked at her son once more, thought of her little grandson, and the hesitation in her eyes vanished. She stood up and looked solemnly at Minato Namikaze.
"Please convey this message upon your return. I, Chiyo, support this matter. However, whether it succeeds or not in the end will depend on the attitudes of the individuals involved. If it does not succeed, I ask the Hokage not to be angry. Sunagakure is willing to offer compensation and is willing to pledge allegiance to Konoha." As Chiyo spoke, she carried herself with a certain dignity, making surrender sound like victory.
Minato Namikaze nodded. "Understood, Lady Chiyo. I will relay your words exactly to the Hokage." After speaking, Minato turned, intending to leave the Sunagakure camp.
"Wait. Chiron, you go and see Minato out. Remember to be courteous." After giving the order, Chiyo looked at her son, Chiron.
Chiron nodded, extended his left hand in a gesture of invitation. Minato saw this and nodded. The two walked out of the tent, one after the other, heading towards the camp entrance.
After the two left, Elder Chiyo sighed. Then she asked her brother to leave. "Ebizō, you go out first. I have some words I wish to say to Pakura alone. Wait outside the door. When Chiron returns, have him wait outside as well."
Ebizō wore a serious expression. "Yes, sister!" After speaking, Ebizō stood in front of the tent, looking straight ahead, prepared to stop anyone from entering.
Seeing this, Chiyo immediately switched to a smiling face. "Pakura, come, sit here." Elder Chiyo got up, sat in the main seat, and gestured for Pakura to sit beside her.
Pakura didn't understand why, but she obediently sat down. The moment her bottom touched the seat, before the chair was even warm, Chiyo suddenly grasped her hand. "Little Pakura, you're over twenty now, aren't you?"
Although somewhat confused, Pakura still replied, "Yes, I'm twenty-six now."
"Grandma wants to ask you, is there any boy you fancy?" Chiyo smiled kindly.
Hearing this, an image of the handsome Izuna Uchiha suddenly surfaced in Pakura's mind. She actually blushed a little, feeling shy.
Chiyo thought to herself, 'Oh no, this girl, could she already have someone in her heart? This is troublesome.' But after thinking about Konoha's aid and support, Chiyo gritted her teeth and spoke.
"It's like this, Pakura. The Hokage's letter just now said he wants you to marry into Konoha, to marry Izuna Uchiha. This way, he can protect Sunagakure, provide material and economic support to Sunagakure, and also release the several thousand captured ninjas. But, since you already have someone you like, Grandma will refuse this matter for you." Chiyo sighed, her body hunched over like a candle in the wind, appearing utterly pitiful.
Pakura's eyelids twitched upon hearing this. "Grandma? Who did you say?" She couldn't believe her ears. Who did Grandma say the Hokage wanted her to marry? Izuna? And it would protect Sunagakure, provide supplies, economic support?
"Izuna Uchiha. He is also the one who contributed the most in this battle between Konoha and Sunagakure. Their Hokage seems to intend for you and Izuna Uchiha to marry. This way, they will not hold Sunagakure responsible and will provide support to Sunagakure."
Chiyo's lips moved. She was acting all of this, to make Pakura agree. Moreover, she only told half the story. Everyone had their own selfish considerations. As for the matter of supporting Chiron and backing him for Kazekage, Chiyo did not mention it, and could not mention it.
Ryun Uchiha had precisely anticipated that Chiyo definitely had selfish motives. Her son was still alive now. Although his strength and talent were somewhat lacking, he was her own flesh and blood. The current Sunagakure was in tatters. The only presentable combat strength was Pakura and her son, Chiron.
Well, she, Chiyo, counted as half, and she was already old. Rasa had also run away. So, the candidates for Kazekage were Pakura and Chiron. In terms of strength, Pakura was slightly stronger. At that time, who would win and who would lose was still unknown.
And that was based on the premise that Konoha intended to hold them responsible, intended to sanction them. Chiyo was then inclined to have Pakura and Chiron lead Sunagakure together. But now, Konoha had made its attitude clear: they would not sanction them, and were even willing to form an alliance with them.
This made the scales in Chiyo's heart tip from supporting both Pakura and Chiron, towards allying with Konoha – that is, marrying Pakura off. This could both satisfy Konoha's demands and solve the current difficulties facing Sunagakure. It could also... also allow her son to ascend to the position of Kazekage, a position that would be absolutely safe and stable.
Therefore, she performed this act, hoping Pakura would feel sorry for her, feel sorry for Sunagakure, and give up the person she loved to marry into Konoha.
Pakura was initially somewhat excited hearing the proposed marriage partner was Izuna Uchiha. But soon, reason took over. If she married out, what would happen to Sunagakure?
Then, after hearing the conditions stated by Elder Chiyo, she suddenly felt that getting married might not be so unacceptable. With Grandma, Chiron, and Elder Ebizō in Sunagakure, plus Konoha's support, Sunagakure might actually become better.
She would marry into Konoha, marry Izuna Uchiha. Izuna Uchiha was Ryun Uchiha's grandfather. Ryun Uchiha would, for Izuna's sake, probably take better care of Sunagakure, right? Most importantly, she and Izuna were truly in love!
However, she couldn't appear too obvious, otherwise it might make Grandma suspicious or give her an opportunity to drive a hard bargain with Izuna. So, after taking a few deep breaths, Pakura put on a serious expression and said, "Grandma, for the sake of Sunagakure, for the future of the Suna-nin, I, Pakura, am willing to accept the marriage alliance."
Her expression carried three parts tragedy, three parts helplessness, and four parts righteous determination. Chiyo was taken aback. Finally, Elder Chiyo cried. "You've suffered, child. For Sunagakure, you're sacrificing your own happiness! Rest assured, Sunagakure will always be your ally. If Konoha bullies you, this old woman will declare war on Konoha even if it costs me my life!"
Chiyo was truly a veteran player; her acting skills were enough for those young idols to learn for a lifetime! Of course, our Miss Pakura was not bad either. At this moment, her eyes were red. "Grandma, thank you! You must come to visit me!"
Well, both were heavyweight actors. Chiyo's acting was mellow and flawless. Pakura, though younger, acted vividly and genuinely, all to ensure her future husband wouldn't have to pay an exorbitant price to marry her.
The two embraced and cried, but in their hearts, each had their own calculations. However, there was one point on which they were united: everything was for Sunagakure, everything was for the future of the Suna-nin.
It was precisely because of this common ground that both could accept Pakura marrying into Konoha, for the sake of Sunagakure.
After a while, the two adjusted their emotions. Chiyo spoke, "Good girl, let them come in. They should also know about this matter."
Pakura nodded. "Okay, I'll go now!" After speaking, Pakura stood up, her eyes red, and invited Chiron and Ebizō inside. Then Chiyo repeated the story. Chiron was puzzled. Was it necessary? He was about to speak, but Ebizō grabbed him, giving him a look to shut up!
Ultimately, Chiron followed his uncle's advice and didn't speak, only feeling a deep sense of guilt towards Pakura in his heart. He never thought that under the leadership of the Third and the pseudo-Fourth Kazekage, Sunagakure would fall to the point of marrying off a woman to ensure safety.
This left Chiron feeling somewhat disheartened. Chiyo also noticed this and then changed the subject. "Alright, everyone, prepare yourselves. The negotiations are in one hour. Everyone go wash off the grime. Later, we will face Konoha in the negotiations with our best appearance."
After speaking, Chiyo took Pakura away, continuing to prepare her mentally: after going to Konoha, remember to live well with Izuna; if there are conflicts, try to endure them if possible. She also went to prepare a dowry for Pakura.
Ryun Uchiha's intention was for Pakura to quickly follow the Konoha ninja forces back to Konoha. This way, Konoha's support funds could also quickly reach Sunagakure, helping them develop their economy.
Pakura didn't feel any antipathy towards this. On the surface, she was mature and steady. Internally, she was overjoyed, thinking, 'Izuna, this time, I'm coming to find you!'
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
📖 Like the story? Read 120 chapters ahead!
🔗 patreon.com/atomelectron
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━