Chapter 794 : Shikaku makes a move! (Patreon)

Just like in Sunagakure, the council met in Konoha. In the absence of Hiruzen and his successor, the head seat was left empty. Fujin's seat was also empty, as were the seats of the civilian council members.

Koharu started the meeting by asking, “Did Suna receive the message?”
Shikaku nodded, “They should have received it by now. Their reply should come in a few hours. There isn't much suspense as to what it'd be.”

Everyone agreed. Under the current circumstances, there was no way Sunagakure would refuse to talk. Senju Hiromasa asked, “Shikaku, were you the one who started the discussion currently happening throughout the village?”

Shikaku answered, “Yes, though it wasn't my decision entirely. Lord Third had asked me to do it before the attack.”

Hiromasa replied, “Thought so, this feels like his work. Spread it outside of the village as well, especially in the Land of Wind. Though it won't have a direct impact on Sunagakure's council, it'll reinforce the fear in the hearts of their ninjas. Though intangible, it'll increase the pressure on their council, which would help us during the negotiation.”

Shikaku smirked and said, “Don't worry, it is already set in motion.”

Hiromasa chuckled and replied, “I should have expected that.”
He turned his gaze towards others and said, “Now then, it's time to discuss whom to send to negotiate with Sunagakure. Have you thought about it as well, Shikaku?”

Shikaku nodded, “Yes. As the two most experienced ninjas as well as the ones who have dealt with such matters the most, I believe Elder Homura and Elder Koharu would be the optimal candidates to lead our team. In addition, we'll also need to send a few Clan Leaders. Any of you want to volunteer?”

He turned his gaze to his fellow Clan Leaders. Tsume was the first one to speak up, “I'll go. I want to see what those geniuses were thinking to attack us.”

Inoichi said, “Well, I doubt they'd risk sending anyone important due to my clan's abilities. So, chewing them won't get us any useful intel, though I suppose it'll be great for applying more pressure. I'll go too to add to the pressure.”

Hiromasa said, “I'll go as well. It's been a long time since I left the village. I want to see what this generation of Sunagakure's leaders are like.”

Shikaku said, “Alright, that should be plenty. Fujin will join the negotiating team as well. You can meet him directly at the Fire Capital. I have already explained to him his role. It'll be similar to what he did against Kusagakure, except he won't be leading the team.”

Tsume suddenly sighed and asked, “Are you trying to give away my job, Shikaku? How am I supposed to chew them off if he scares them?”

Shikaku chuckled and said, “It'll be good to have a partner in crime once. Be careful though, his threats generally cross several lines at the same time. I'm sure Elder Homura can attest to that.”

Everyone glanced at Homura, who immediately recalled the nightmarish moment he experienced in Kusagakure. His expression alone was enough to make the council wary of Fujin. Thankfully, there wouldn't be any direct danger this time. Shikaku added, “I have asked him to rein himself in, but I'm not sure how much he'll follow. However, he usually has a positive impact on the village at the end of the day. So, he shouldn't be too much of a problem.”

Everyone nodded, not thinking too much about it. Unknown to them, Shikaku sighed internally, ‘Finally, someone else will have to endure that troublesome kid. Even though he was the one who conducted the operation in the Land of Rice, I was the one who spent several sleepless nights to ensure that nothing went wrong. Even if he does something crazy in the Fire Capital, I'll push the responsibility and work on the Elders. Let them deal with his crazy ideas for once. If they do a good enough job, I'll let them deal with his future shenanigans too.’

For the first time since the meeting began, Hiashi asked, “Have you decided how to approach the negotiations? Fujin's recent expedition to the Land of Rice should have increased the pressure on Sunagakure's council. So, drawing out the negotiations would be a good way to make them buckle under pressure.
However, there is a hidden risk. As good as the move to eliminate Otogakure was, it was also a huge slap to the Tsuchikage's face. In addition, Kumogakure has been very unstable for some reason. The Raikage might look for a war to divert the focus of their public. There is a possibility of a three-way alliance between Sunagakure, Iwagakure and Kumogakure if we stall too long.”

Hisashi pointed out the worst-case scenario for Konoha. He wasn't incorrect. With Konoha winning three wars in a very short time, the pressure on other villages would increase. It could force them together. Of course, all three villages had a lot of hatred between them, making any alliance between them brittle. However, the risk to Konoha was real.

Considering that the main reason they weren't attacking Sunagakure was to avoid a three-front war, the negotiations would be pointless if they were to result in the same. Shikaku replied, “Yes, I have already calculated. From my analysis, the three villages should be contacting each other right now.
However, a proper alliance is unlikely at this moment. Neither Sunagakure nor Kumogakure are in a position to start a new war. And, Iwagakure wouldn't lead the war. So, the only danger is if Kumogakure launches a suicidal attack. Fortunately, that is very unlikely unless something else changes.

So, we have time to stretch the negotiations. Preferably, we could extend it to 3-5 rounds in the span of 2-3 weeks. Any longer, it'll become disadvantageous for us. I'll keep an eye on the movements of other villages and keep the negotiating team informed.”

Homura and Koharu nodded. The council began finalizing their demands for the first round. Needless to say, at the start of negotiations, quite a few of their demands would be rather unreasonable, so Konoha would have some space to negotiate.



While the council discussed the demands, the people in Konoha were discussing some matters as well. In a bar, a group of ninjas were enjoying themselves when one of them said, “Did you hear? Councilman Fujin led an army to the Land of Rice and annihilated Otogakure!”
“Ha, who hasn't heard of that? I heard from my clan leader that he eliminated over 700 Otogakure ninjas! Orochimaru's forces are finished!”
“Yeah, I heard even Orochimaru tucked his tail between his legs and ran away when Councilman Fujin reached his base. Order should be restored soon in the Land of Rice and we'll likely get all the missions from that country. Hehe, Councilman Fujin surely is great.”
The group laughed, realizing that plenty of high-income missions would soon be available to them.

One of them said, “I used to think the rumors about him were exaggerated. Now, it seems like even they didn't do him justice. Councilman Fujin is insanely good. No one even knew that he made a move against Otogakure until it was over. His moniker is truly appropriate. A swordsman who appears and disappears like a ghost. Whoever called him ‘The Spectral Swordsman’ did a very good job.”

The Nara ninja in the group shook his head and said, “While the name is good, we can't use it. Besides, why should we use the name our enemies gave him?”

Everyone looked at the Nara ninja as he continued, “When Orochimaru interfered in the second round of the Chunin Exam, Councilman Fujin faced him alone and forced him to retreat.
When the village was attacked by the combined forces of Sunagakure and Otogakure, Councilman Fujin stepped up and annihilated 3 divisions before they understood what was happening. He also stopped the Edo Tensei summons and sealed all of them. He even stopped the legendary White Fang and protected us.
And, he also led our forces to swiftly take revenge for the injuries Orochimaru inflicted on Lord Third. No matter who our enemies are or what the situation is, Councilman Fujin strikes them down. He is the sword that strikes fear in our enemies. We should call him Konoha's Sword instead! Only such a title could do justice to what he has done for our village!”

The ninjas around him were moved by his passionate speech and immediately agreed. The ones around them heard the passionate speech too and soon the entire bar cheered to Konoha's Sword.

Similar discussions were happening throughout the village due to Shikaku's moves. By the end of the day, everyone had heard the title and referred to Fujin by it. It would soon spread throughout the Land of Fire and the ninja world.

Fujin, who reached close to the Fire Capital with his army, was completely unaware of the two new monikers he gained. Only time would tell how he'll react to this move made by Hiruzen and Shikaku.

[A/N: Break tomorrow.]