"Jūri, let me tell you—my little performance today wasn't just about putting Konoha in their place. It's about fighting for a seat at the table in the new shinobi world. Sure, we came here to make money, but that doesn't mean we need to crawl. We're going to stand tall and still get paid. Watch this—ptui!"
Amamiya spat a grape seed with a snap of his tongue. The seed shot out like a bullet, embedding itself deep in the solid wood table.
For a grape seed—soft and brittle—to punch into hardwood without shattering? That wasn't something just anyone could pull off.
Amamiya admired his handiwork, a satisfied smirk on his lips.
"Don't clean up this table later. Leave it for the Konoha staff to find. Let them see what real strength looks like."
"Will Danzo even notice?" Jūri asked.
Amamiya chuckled. "Trust me, I've studied Danzo's files. He obsesses over details but always misses the big picture. He'll notice, all right."
Jūri nodded, then hesitated. "But, my lord… judging by the faces of Konoha's higher-ups today, none of them looked pleased. Won't that affect our cooperation?"
Amamiya just shook his head, still smiling. "They're unhappy? I'm even unhappier! If you're going to beg for help, at least look like you're begging. The shinobi world's power structure is changing. If we play this right, Takigakure will finally have a real seat at the table. Konoha can't boss us around anymore."
"But Sunagakure's been beating Konoha over and over. Their strength is nothing to sneeze at."
"I know that," Amamiya replied, straightening his sleeves. "I've read the battle reports on Kazekage Jinghang's campaigns. Honestly? The guy's brilliant. I couldn't pull off something that clean if I tried, and I respect him for it."
Jūri blinked—his master almost never praised anyone.
Amamiya seemed to catch his surprise. "I know myself: proud, stubborn. But when someone's got real skill, I'll admit it. These days, there's only one and a half people in the shinobi world I actually respect. Jinghang's one."
Jūri played along. "And the half?"
"The Third Raikage, A."
"Why just half?"
"He's getting old—one foot in the grave. If this was ten years ago, he'd count as a full one."
Jūri nodded thoughtfully. "But, my lord, the people you respect are both on the other side. Why not ally with Sunagakure and Kumogakure? Wouldn't it be easier to carve up Konoha together?"
Amamiya shot him a look of mild approval. "Not bad, old man. You're sharper than you look. I think you've got another ten years in you as Interior Minister."
Jūri bowed humbly. The Interior Ministry in Takigakure was no small post—equivalent to the Finance and Secretary Departments combined in Sunagakure.
"Look, if we went running after Jinghang and A now, we'd just be picking up their scraps. Even if we bled ourselves dry helping crush Konoha, we'd still end up as their flunkies. Back in the day, Lord Kōrō bowed to Konoha because we needed time to build up strength. But now? We don't need to play second fiddle to anyone."
"Of course not," Jūri agreed.
"But helping Konoha is different. That's throwing them a lifeline. We don't even need to win—if we can just force a draw with the Wind-Lightning Alliance, Konoha will owe us big. They'll be the ones dancing to our tune. Takigakure will finally have a place among the Five Great Villages."
Amamiya broke into a wide grin. "This move gets us money, territory, revenge for Lord Sōryū's defeat, and wipes away Lord Kōrō's humiliation—all at once. Four wins for the price of one. Why wouldn't we?"
"My lord is wise, but…" Jūri hesitated.
"But what?"
"The Wind-Lightning Alliance is tough, and our ninja haven't seen real combat in years. I'm worried…"
Amamiya didn't deny it. "That's exactly why I'm dragging our troops out here—to get some blood on their hands. You can't grow strong just running missions all day. There are more wars coming. The Wind-Lightning Alliance is just a whetstone."
"I just hope this whetstone doesn't grind the blade down to nothing," Jūri said, deliberately pushing back. He'd served this master for years and knew Amamiya wasn't the type who only wanted to hear flattery. In fact, he seemed to enjoy shooting down dissent—it gave him a sense of superiority.
Sure enough, Amamiya just shook his head, flashing a "you only know half the story" smile.
"I'll admit, the Wind-Lightning Alliance can fight. But they've been at war for a year—even the toughest ninja get tired and sloppy. We're the fresh blood. That gives us the edge."
Jūri nodded, pretending to consider it. "That makes sense."
"So what should we do next?" he asked.
"Do? Nothing for now. The next few days will be strategy meetings. I'll handle those. You take Miyamoto and Itō, drill our boys, get them used to the battlefield, and start working on tactics. Konoha's footing the bill for supplies—eat and drink all you want."
"Won't Konoha complain?"
"If they do, tell Danzo to come see me! That cowardly, scheming snake wouldn't dare. If I don't give the word, he'll never get a single Takigakure ninja to move!"
"But how are we supposed to fight? We can't just show up and do nothing, or Konoha won't pay up."
Amamiya patted Jūri's shoulder. "Jūri, you've seen your share of battlefields and rebellions. How haven't you figured it out yet?"
He leaned in, voice low. "This war's in its final act. Both sides' bottom lines are clear. Jinghang never meant to destroy Konoha—he couldn't even if he tried. He just wants to force them to bow. Danzo? He's too stubborn to give in. What they really need is a mediator."
Jūri's eyes widened in mock realization. "Oh—I get it. You're the mediator."
"Exactly. But we still need to fight at least one battle—and win if possible. Otherwise, our bargaining power disappears, and peace talks get a lot harder."
With the plan laid out, Amamiya crossed his legs, then casually picked up a book from the table.
"'The Golden Fish Eagle Chronicles'? I see you always carry this around. What, still reading old classics?"
The book was one Jūri had left on the table, never expecting Amamiya to pick it up.
"Lord Takikage, classics never go out of style. Kirigakure Saizō's loyalty and sense of duty have always inspired me."
Amamiya flipped through a few pages, found nothing out of the ordinary, and set the book down with a satisfied smile.
"Good. Saizō's spirit is worth emulating. All right, you can go—I need to rest."
"Yes, my lord."
Jūri bowed deeply and slipped out of the room.
As soon as the door closed, he let out a long breath, murmuring to himself, "Another day survived. Turns out Kirigakure Saizō was right—anyone who rises this high isn't a fool."
He ran a hand fondly over the book in his grasp.
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