The full moon was like a silver platter.
Yōkō stood at the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Whirlpools, looking up at the bright moon.
This was the last full moon of Year 39 in Konoha's calendar. In another 15 days, the New Year would arrive.
In the distance, a group of people was leaping swiftly through the trees.
It was Mitokado Homura and his four assistants.
Upon reaching the border line, Mitokado Homura looked at Yellow Dog with a pleased expression.
"Yellow Dog, you've done well."
Yellow Dog quickly said, "Lord Advisor, thank goodness you're here. Has the war in the Land of Earth ended?"
Mitokado Homura said, "I have already signed a ceasefire agreent with Ōnoki.
Iwagakure busied themselves for nothing, lost many shinobi, and the Land of Grass's Daimyō's Guardian Ninja will still be held by Konoha shinobi.
The Land of Grass's mission share also belongs to us in Konoha, sa as before the war.
When I left, Iwagakure and Kumogakure were still fighting. Let them be; it's best if they weaken each other, even better if more die.
Orochimaru has already set off with the troops to return to the village. I left two days early to co here for peace talks with Kirigakure."
Mitokado Homura glanced at the bandage-wrapped twin swords on Fox's back.
Yōkō hurriedly handed the twin swords over.
Mitokado Homura hefted the swords, gauging their weight, and said:
"So these are the Twin Swords: Hirakarei? Not bad. These swords will beco one of the important bargaining chips in the peace talks."
After handing the swords back to Fox, Mitokado Homura, along with his guards and the Yellow Dog Battalion, proceeded to the negotiation site.
In the original story, by the ti the plot began, Advisors like Mitokado Homura were already old.
Besides Danzō, who refused to accept his age and constantly sched, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, stationed in the village, were high-level figures with great influence.
In their middle age, they had all served as overall commanders in wars, shedding blood and expending effort for Konoha.
Their prestige wasn't solely reliant on their status as high-level advisors.
For instance, the current Mitokado Homura, overall commander of the Land of Grass war, who also fought in the Land of Earth—though Orochimaru, as deputy commander, handled many of the combat missions—could still be called a hero of Konoha.
Yōkō looked at the large scroll on Mitokado Homura's back, wondering what was sealed inside.
The group arrived at Ryojin Port in the Land of Whirlpools.
Outside a three-story building by the sea, officials from the Land of Whirlpools were already waiting at the entrance.
The officials ushered Mitokado Homura and the others into the building.
Mitokado Homura, two of his assistants, Yellow Dog, and Yōkō went up to the third floor.
Kirigakure's Elder Genji and his party had already arrived at the venue earlier.
Presiding over the peace talks in the main seat was the Grand Minister of the Land of Whirlpools.
"Lord Mitokado Homura, it's been a long ti."
After a few pleasantries, the Grand Minister invited Mitokado Homura to take his seat, then said:
"Regarding the peace talks between the two great shinobi villages, Konoha and Kirigakure, whatever the outco, my Land of Whirlpools will abide by it. Please begin, Lord Mitokado Homura and Lord Genji."
Facing shinobi villages wielding top-tier military power, the nobles of the Land of Whirlpools could only offer polite persuasion, being extrely courteous.
The Grand Minister quietly awaited the outco of the negotiations.
Behind Genji stood the head of the Hōzuki clan, Hōzuki Rinzuki, and the tall Hoshigaki Kisa.
Hoshigaki Kisa had the Great Sword Sahada strapped to his back. It seed the Hōzuki clan had suffered another beating from Kirigakure, forcing them to hand over the Great Sword Sahada to the village.
Hōzuki Rinzuki glared fiercely at Yōkō, or more precisely, at the Twin Swords: Hirakarei on Yōkō's back.
Mitokado Homura spoke first: "Genji, you are soone I deeply admire.
Originally just a Kirigakure advisor, you created the position of 'Elder' for yourself, below the Mizukage but above the advisors.
You hold the reality of the Mizukage's power without the title.
I'd really like to force Hiruzen to compromise and create an Elder position for myself in Konoha too, haha."
Mitokado Homura was extrely relaxed, even in the mood to tease Genji.
Genji, however, had an unpleasant expression. Mitokado Homura was mocking him for being unworthy of the Mizukage title yet coveting the power and position.
Genji said, "Mitokado Homura, it's a surprise Ōnoki didn't crush your bones to ashes."
"Heh." Mitokado Homura said, "You only have the advantage of Kirigakure being isolated overseas, with no major conflict with Ōnoki. With your feeble strength, Ōnoki would truly crush your bones to ashes."
The two went back and forth, showing no intention of negotiating, simply trading insults.
This was the unadorned reality of real peace talks. Yōkō even suspected these two had so personal grudge from their youth.
The Grand Minister quickly signaled the maids to serve more tea, so the two wouldn't get thirsty—insulting each other was quite tiring.
Mitokado Homura primarily attacked Genji for being unworthy of his position, unfit to lead Kirigakure, saying that even Hōzuki clan head Hōzuki Rinzuki was more suitable to be an elder or even Mizukage than Genji.
Genji mainly attacked Mitokado Homura for being a dog following behind Sarutobi Hiruzen.
It wasn't that Yōkō lacked class; these were Genji's exact words.
After half an hour of mutual insults, Genji finally couldn't take it anymore. He said:
"This is simply a waste of tea. Shut up already. Say sothing useful. What is Konoha prepared to offer for my Kirigakure to withdraw our troops?"
Mitokado Homura said:
"Then listen carefully. Konoha has withdrawn over 1,500 shinobi from the Land of Earth.
In another month, these over 1,500 shinobi, led by Hatake Sakumo and Orochimaru, will co to the Land of Whirlpools.
Is that enough of a contribution from my Konoha?"
Genji, Hōzuki Rinzuki, and Hoshigaki Kisa all changed their expressions.
Hatake Sakumo plus Orochimaru, along with 1,500 Konoha shinobi tempered by the wars in the Land of Grass and Land of Earth—if these forces entered the Land of Whirlpools, how could the Mist ninja continue to fight?
Mitokado Homura said: "Genji, hear Konoha's conditions.
First, Kirigakure announces an unconditional ceasefire, and all Mist ninja withdraw from the coasts of the Land of Whirlpools.
Second, the Land of Whirlpools' mission share and the Land of Whirlpools Daimyō's Guardian Ninja position belong to Konoha.
Third, Kirigakure pays Konoha 240 million ryo in reparations.
Fourth, the Land of Water pays the Land of Whirlpools 200 million ryo in reparations.
If you disagree with even a single word, wait until our reinforcents have rested and entered the battlefield. You will thank for my rcy now, and you will regret not agreeing to my terms at this mont."
Genji's face turned ashen, his eyes darting around, his mind extrely unsettled.
Mitokado Homura continued: "Of course, I still have to consider your face, Genji. When the reparations are delivered to Konoha, I can return the Twin Swords: Hirakarei to you."
The third-floor hall was exceptionally quiet.
The Grand Minister looked out through the wide-open doorway at the rolling waves of the sea.
The Grand Minister began to lose focus, his thoughts wandering.
If the Land of Water could pay 200 million ryo to the Land of Whirlpools, that would be excellent.
He could find a way to set up a reconstruction project, estimate the costs... he could have at least an extra 30 million ryo in inco next year.
If he could skim 30 million ryo from the reparations, what should he do first?
Buy a ship. The Great Shinobi War seed to be ending; buying a ship would bring greater returns.
His plans grew more detailed. Unconsciously, five minutes passed.
Genji suddenly stood up, startling the Grand Minister.
"Fine. Since you are willing to return the Twin Swords: Hirakarei, my Kirigakure is willing to withdraw our troops."
The Grand Minister's heart leapt with joy. The 30 million ryo was secured.
It has to be Konoha.
***
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