Chiyo's posture made Kamizuki Izumo and Akimichi Chōji instinctively hold their breath. Anko's gaze shifted quietly between Shuji and Chiyo. Based on her previous experience, the real negotiations were about to begin.
Shuji sat upright, his fingertips lightly brushing the rim of his teacup.
Chiyo was anxious, which meant Sunagakure faced considerable pressure. Whether this pressure came from Iwagakure's aggressive posturing on the western front or the Land of Wind's increasingly dire finances, it meant Sunagakure needed tangible benefits more desperately than anticipated.
They did need what this joint exam could potentially offer, but Konoha and Sunagakure's needs operated on entirely different levels.
Konoha aimed to use the exam's aftermath to redistribute mission quotas based on demonstrated strength, attracting long-term investment. Sunagakure, however, likely hoped for immediate cash or material support to alleviate their current crisis.
So could they provide support? Strategically speaking, yes. Letting Sunagakure continue clashing with Iwagakure on the western front served Konoha's interests.
Appropriate resource infusions could help Sunagakure better serve as this buffer.
But could this strategically-motivated support be bundled with Chūnin Exam participation as leverage to be offered now?
Shuji mentally shook his head. These were separate matters.
The Chūnin Exam was a platform Konoha constructed to demonstrate strength and reshape the order. Sunagakure's participation itself would bring them benefits—observing other villages' new generations, elevating their own shinobi's prestige, and potentially securing more high-level mission commissions. This was already a fair transaction.
Therefore, this account could not be conflated with the material support Konoha might later provide for strategic purposes.
Such concessions would only make Sunagakure's appetite grow larger.
During the previous diplomatic mission, Konoha had been in dire straits, willing to pay any price to stabilize Sunagakure and prevent total collapse.
The situation had changed now. The western front war had ceased. The eastern alliance had been signed. Konoha had gained precious breathing room.
Currently, the one wanting to break new ground through the Chūnin Exam was Konoha. But the one desperately needing external resource injections to relieve internal pressure was Sunagakure.
Since Konoha was not the anxious party, there was no need to rush negotiations.
Having made up his mind, Shuji's expression shifted into one Chiyo had become quite familiar with and detested.
He stood. "We are deeply grateful for Advisor Chiyo's hospitality. Sunagakure's sincerity has been genuinely felt."
"It is getting late, and we have traveled far. We should take our leave now."
Shuji turned to his three squad members. "Let us go."
Anko immediately followed. Izumo and Chōji froze momentarily before hastily rising and following suit.
Chiyo's eyes widened in disbelief. He had prepared the banquet and personally entertained them. This brat had eaten and drunk his fill, and now he wanted to simply walk away? Without even a proper response?
"Jōnin Shuji!" His voice rose sharply, carrying a threatening edge. "Is this how Konoha requests assistance from its allies?"
Shuji stopped at the doorway, turning halfway. Shadows from the corridor fell across half his face. "Advisor, Konoha's attitude has always been positive and sincere. Precisely because we value our alliance with Sunagakure, we must exercise caution with our words. Making rash promises we cannot guarantee fulfilling would constitute the greatest irresponsibility toward our ally. Would you not agree?"
He did not give Chiyo a chance to explode, leading the three directly out of the dining hall, leaving that suppressed fury behind in silence.
On the road back to the quarters, Anko leaned in and whispered, "Shuji, just walking away like that? That old man's face turned purple with rage."
"Mm." Shuji acknowledged with a sound, his gaze sweeping across Sunagakure's jagged buildings, barely visible through the wind and sand. "Let him deliberate carefully. Right now, the one who needs this meeting to achieve results is not us."
Upon returning to the quarters, Shuji said nothing about the negotiations, only instructing everyone to rest.
The next morning, Shuji asked the Sunagakure shinobi on watch duty if he could wander freely around Sunagakure.
The shinobi's face immediately showed difficulty, his refusal decisive. "My apologies, Jōnin Shuji. Village regulations prohibit foreign shinobi from moving about freely."
Showing no disappointment, Shuji merely nodded mildly. "If that is the case, then never mind."
Afterward, he made no further requests, as though the earlier words had been spoken casually.
For the entire following day, the Konoha squad genuinely remained in the quarters without venturing out. Shuji reviewed scrolls he carried with him. Anko idly polished her ninja tools.
Izumo and Chōji could not gauge the situation and could only pass the time as well. This was not quite what they had imagined diplomatic missions to be like.
This near-passive response left Sunagakure's side somewhat confused.
That afternoon, a Sunagakure shinobi came with a message that Advisor Chiyo wished to see the Konoha envoy.
Shuji did not even look up from his scroll. "Please convey to Advisor Chiyo that we are feeling somewhat unwell and need rest. Perhaps we should skip today. Our apologies."
The messenger froze, apparently never having encountered a foreign envoy who so bluntly refused an advisor's invitation. He opened his mouth, but under Shuji's calm gaze, he finally withdrew in stammering confusion.
"Shuji, is this really all right?" Chōji asked somewhat nervously.
The village's mission seemed to be inviting Sunagakure to participate in the Chūnin Exam.
"It is fine," Shuji said, returning his attention to the scroll. "Just wait."
Sure enough, not long after, somewhat hurried footsteps sounded outside the quarters.
The door was pushed open. Chiyo had come in person. No emotion showed on his face. "The Konoha brat feels unwell? It appears Sunagakure has been too negligent in hospitality."
Only then did Shuji set down the scroll, stand, and respond politely. "You exaggerate, Advisor. Just minor issues, nothing to concern yourself with."
Chiyo snorted and sat down uninvited. "I have come personally. Your health should have improved, yes? Regarding the Chūnin Exam matter, what exactly is Konoha's plan?"
Shuji did not answer directly. Instead, he said, "Actually, it is nothing serious. Just being indoors too long made me feel stifled. Unfortunately, your village seems to have regulations... Advisor Chiyo, we have made you laugh at us."
Chiyo's cheek muscles twitched. Is this your first time in Sunagakure? You did not act this delicate last time.
Should he beat him? Throw him out?
Chiyo immediately suppressed this impulse.
Konoha did not necessarily need Sunagakure to hold a joint exam. Sunagakure had no other fool to extort.
Silence spread. After a long pause, Chiyo suddenly stood. "Fine! I will personally accompany you for a walk and get some fresh air! Let us see if Sunagakure's sand-filled air has such miraculous healing properties!"
"Then I must trouble you, Advisor," Shuji said with a slight bow.
Thus, a peculiar scene appeared on Sunagakure's streets. The village's senior advisor, face dark, accompanied a young Konoha jōnin along with three somewhat nervous Konoha shinobi, slowly walking through the village.
Shuji's gaze seemingly casually swept across streets, buildings, and scattered pedestrians.
Sunagakure's scale remained unchanged, but the atmosphere seemed truly thinner than during the last visit. The occasional Sunagakure villagers they encountered mostly bore faces roughened by years of wind and sand erosion, along with indifference.
At a sheltered alley entrance, muffled sobbing could faintly be heard before quickly vanishing into the wind.
Chiyo clearly noticed these details too. His expression grew even uglier. His pace quickened somewhat, as though wanting to end this escort that made him feel deeply embarrassed as soon as possible.
Shuji remained composed, taking everything in, his suspicions about Sunagakure having recently suffered considerable losses gradually becoming concrete.
The cursory tour ended quickly.
Chiyo stared intently at Shuji. "Now, does the esteemed Konoha jōnin feel better?"
"Sunagakure possesses unique charm. It leaves a deep impression. Thank you for accompanying me, Advisor," Shuji replied courteously.
Another day passed. When negotiations reopened in the conference room, the atmosphere had completely changed.
Chiyo had lost his initial composure and could not even be bothered with extensive preamble.
Shuji brought up the Chūnin Exam topic again, but not the content Chiyo wanted to hear.
"Sunagakure's participation in this Chūnin Exam is itself an excellent display opportunity."
"At that time, daimyo, nobles, and wealthy merchants from various nations will pay close attention. Powerful shinobi villages earn more trust and more commissions."
Chiyo's eyes showed some displeasure. Still these empty platitudes.
Shuji continued. "Villages demonstrating outstanding performance are more likely to convince others of their capabilities. After the exam, there may be unexpected gains."
The old and young locked gazes. The coldness in Chiyo's eyes dissipated, replaced by resignation.
Discuss material aid only after the Chūnin Exam?
Though unable to immediately obtain what they wanted, receiving this clear signal seemed already a decent result.
Only this brat had become even harder to deal with than last time.
If they had agreed to jointly attack Iwagakure with Konoha last time, perhaps this old man would not need to suffer such indignity before a youngster now.
Chiyo recalled what Shuji had said before driving him back last time.
Then he cast the thought aside.
Sunagakure lacked such long-term capital and trust in Konoha.
"We agree to send people to participate in the Chūnin Exam," the old Sunagakure advisor said.
Shuji replied, "Then the remaining matters can be discussed after arriving in Konoha."
"Hmph. So be it." This represented a clearer signal. Chiyo heard it plainly. It also meant those sent to Konoha must be individuals with sufficiently high status and authority.
The Konoha squad remained in Sunagakure for two more days. On the eve of their scheduled departure.
The deep night sky held absolute silence, only the wind and sand's endless whisper.
Suddenly, night's tranquility was torn apart.
The four inside the quarters were instantly awakened. Shuji quickly moved to the window. A gigantic beast covered in cursed seal markings roared skyward.
"That is... the One-Tail, Shukaku..."
"Has it gone berserk?"
Chapters in advance there: patreon.com/Thaniel_a_goodchild