The Millennium sat quietly to the side, expression calm. For her, politics no longer mattered. The only thing she cared about was whether she would see her grandchildren again.
After a long silence, one of the Sand elders finally spoke.
"…Very well. It's impossible for Sunagakure to decide this matter alone."
"That's settled, then."
"Let the two elders handle it."
The remaining elders hesitated, but in the end, they nodded. If there had been any other choice, they would never have summoned Qian Dai and Hai back into the open.
---
Wind Country — Wild City
A few days later, Qian Dai and Hai arrived in Wild City without escorts and went straight to the city lord's residence to formally request negotiations.
The one who received them was Xiao Dajing, captain of the Celestial Shadow's intelligence unit.
"I didn't expect it would be the two of you," Xiao Dajing said with complicated emotions.
He had once served under Hai. After the elders withdrew from Sunagakure's affairs, the village's internal balance collapsed, leading directly to its current disaster.
"So you've attached yourself to Celestial Shadow," Qian Dai said coldly.
Xiao Dajing smiled bitterly.
"I didn't betray the village. I survived."
Hai sighed.
"The past doesn't matter anymore. We're here to represent Sunagakure and request negotiations with the Peacock King."
"I've already sent word to Celestial Shadow," Xiao Dajing replied. "You'll be received soon."
"Hmph. 'Celestial Shadow'… what an inflated title," Qian Dai snorted.
One of the Celestial ninja nearby frowned.
"If you dislike the title, you may voice that during negotiations."
Qian Dai glanced at him.
"I was on the battlefield before you were born."
Before tensions escalated, Xiao Dajing waved them off.
"I'll handle things here. Please wait."
---
Celestial Country — Celestial Shadow Office
Chen Xing sat behind his desk. Across from him were Summer Star and the Third Celestial Shadow.
"The Sand messengers have arrived in Wild City," Summer Star said with visible relief.
"This war is finally ending."
The Third Celestial Shadow exhaled slowly.
"Good. It's time to set terms."
Chen Xing nodded.
"Who did Sunagakure send?"
Summer Star handed over a report.
"Qian Dai and Hai."
"So it's them…" Chen Xing murmured. "Sunagakure really has no one left."
He closed the file.
"Bring them here. I'll negotiate personally."
---
Earth Country — Iwagakure
Ōnoki, the Third Tsuchikage, stared at the intelligence report in silence.
"So Sunagakure has bowed its head…"
Originally, he had planned to let Sand and Celestial Shadow exhaust each other before striking. But Chen Xing's display of power—defeating and capturing the Fourth Kazekage—had shattered that plan.
If Iwagakure acted now, the losses would be enormous.
And Kumogakure would never miss such an opportunity.
Ōnoki clenched his fist.
"…We wait."
At that moment, a girl with short black hair rushed in.
"Grandpa! Why was Deidara's wanted rank raised to S-class?!"
"Black Soil…" Ōnoki sighed.
"Deidara hasn't reached that level yet! Are you really trying to kill him?"
Ōnoki's expression hardened.
"He defected. His explosion techniques are too dangerous. Personal feelings don't matter."
---
Celestial Country — Hell Valley
Two days later, Qian Dai and Hai arrived at the outskirts of Celestial Shadow Village, led by Celestial ninja.
Looking at the poisonous mist filling Hell Valley, both elders were stunned.
"A natural barrier…" Hai muttered.
A Celestial ninja handed them masks.
"Please wear these. The poison here can kill a jonin in minutes."
After putting them on, the two elders crossed the valley via the stone bridge, heading toward the village.
---
Celestial Shadow Village
As they stepped inside, Qian Dai and Hai stopped in place.
In front of them stood Chen Xing.
For a moment, neither spoke.
The rise of Celestial Shadow—and the fall of Sunagakure—had truly begun.
---