Land of Wind, Sunagakure.
Kazekage's Office.
"What did Konoha say?"
The Second Kazekage looked toward the Anbu who had come to report.
Konoha had actually dared to kill Sunagakure's shinobi in broad daylight — they were clearly treating Sunagakure as if it were nothing!
They had to demand an explanation from Konoha.
An apology and compensation were absolutely necessary!
If Konoha didn't pay them at least several tens of millions of ryō, it would be a loss for Sunagakure.
"Ka... Kazekage-sama..."
The Anbu stammered, unable to speak clearly.
"What happened? Don't tell me Konoha is refusing to compensate us?"
The Second Kazekage frowned.
But he quickly dismissed that thought...
Although Sunagakure had been at fault in the first place, Konoha's response had been a little excessive.
Both morally and politically, Konoha should apologize and offer compensation.
Unless, of course, Konoha was prepared to bear the wrath of Sunagakure!
"Kazekage-sama, Konoha said they absolutely refuse to accept any apology or compensation..."
"What?"
Before the Anbu could finish, Shamon interrupted him furiously.
"How dare Konoha refuse to compensate us?! Are they not afraid we'll start a war?"
Sunagakure hadn't yet recovered from the last war — of course they didn't actually dare to start another one.
But using the threat of war to pressure Konoha into submission was still a valid tactic.
It was a trick commonly used by the Kage of every nation...
From what he knew, anyone who could become Hokage wasn't an idiot — there was no way they'd start a war over a bit of compensation.
After all, compared to the losses a war would bring, compensation was insignificant.
No sane person would choose to lose big over something so small.
But clearly, Danzo and Renya weren't the kind to play by those rules!
"Kazekage-sama, Konoha said that if we dare to start a war over this, they don't mind fighting us..."
Shamon's face instantly darkened to a shade of iron, his fists clenching in rage.
"Good! Good! Good!"
He hadn't expected the Hokage to play so unpredictably — they would rather risk a war than pay compensation!
Since Konoha refused to pay, there was nothing Sunagakure could do but swallow the humiliation.
They couldn't possibly go to war over a few dead shinobi, could they?
Sunagakure hadn't recovered yet and didn't have the strength to challenge Konoha!
They had no choice but to strategically back down.
But this wasn't over!
One day, they'd make Konoha pay for this!
"Send out the order — no Sunagakure shinobi are to travel to the Land of Fire for the time being. Also, inform Konoha that in order to maintain friendly relations between the two nations, Sunagakure will no longer pursue this matter."
He practically ground his teeth as he said those words.
Shamon knew perfectly well that the newly appointed Third Hokage was a mad dog.
It was best not to provoke him further...
Otherwise, if they pushed that mad dog too far, the losses could be even greater.
Sunagakure had no choice but to swallow this humiliation, not even daring to utter a single complaint.
After all, the Third Hokage has no sense of restraint.
Shamon worried that if they provoked Konoha again, war between the two villages would truly break out.
...
Land of Fire, Konoha Village.
When Sarutobi Hiruzen heard that Sunagakure had abandoned their demand for an apology and compensation, he froze completely.
He hadn't expected Sunagakure not to start a war — it made him doubt his own judgment.
Danzo snorted coldly.
"When dealing with people like them, you can't afford to be weak, or they'll think they can walk all over you!"
He had known Sunagakure only knew how to demand — they didn't have the guts to actually start a war with Konoha.
Even if war really did break out, he wouldn't be afraid in the slightest!
Only by completely breaking their will could such situations be prevented in the future...
"I understand, Danzo."
Hiruzen lowered his head in guilt.
Renya had been right — he really should learn from Danzo.
"Enough. Let's continue reviewing the documents."
Danzo didn't press the issue further. The two of them returned to handling paperwork.
After this incident, Hiruzen's objections to Danzo's decisions had clearly lessened.
It had to be said — when it came to external affairs, Danzo's handling was flawless.
...
Senju Tobirama's residence.
From a distance, Renya could already see Senju Tobirama waiting for him by the gate.
The moment he had entered the village, a certain sensor-type shinobi had detected him immediately.
And of course, that someone knew he hadn't gone straight home, but had first stopped by the Hokage's office.
"Old man, catching some sun out here?" Renya teased.
Ever since gaining the memories of his second personality, he had gotten used to calling Tobirama "old man" instead of "san."
It just rolled off the tongue better.
"You're back."
A flicker of warmth passed through Tobirama's eyes. He chose to ignore Renya's irreverent tone and the nickname "old man."
After four months and three days, the kid had finally returned to the village!
Two months earlier than he'd expected — a pleasant surprise indeed.
"Yeah, I'm back."
Renya nodded and walked into the courtyard.
Tobirama silently followed him, then asked quietly,
"Still angry at me?"
"No. I stopped caring about that a long time ago."
Renya waved his hand dismissively.
Sure, Tobirama had kept things from him — but hadn't he done the same?
No need to go into who he'd been living with these past few months outside the village.
He only hoped that when Tobirama learned the truth about Hashirama and Madara someday, he could forgive Renya the same way Renya had forgiven him...
In essence, they both had secrets the other didn't know.
Tobirama had simply been the first to be exposed.
That's why one shouldn't push people too hard — leave some room for understanding, and you'll meet again as friends in the future.
Hearing that, Tobirama couldn't help but smile — a rare sight indeed.
Since Renya wasn't angry, that meant he'd already forgiven him.
Although Tobirama's experiments hadn't been done with malicious intent, doing them behind Renya's back had been morally questionable.
Fortunately, Renya had let it go.
"What's that you're carrying?"
Tobirama looked curiously at the bulging pack on Renya's back.
"I bought some gifts for you guys during my trip to the Land of Iron."
Renya put down his backpack and took out a teacup.
"How thoughtful of you."
Tobirama hadn't expected Renya to buy him a gift. His face softened with genuine warmth as he accepted the cup.
He decided that from now on, he would drink only from this cup.
The tension between them seemed to dissolve completely.
Renya had prepared gifts for everyone he was close with.
He had just forgotten to give Hiruzen and Danzo theirs back at the Hokage's office.
He'd give them later when he had the chance.
"Brat, have you eaten yet?" Tobirama glanced at the clock on the wall — it was just about lunchtime.
If Renya hadn't eaten, they could share a meal together.
It had been months since he'd last tasted the kid's cooking.
Renya, of course, saw right through the old man's little plan. He turned and headed into the kitchen.
"Not yet. I'll cook something now."
Tobirama watched as Renya skillfully tied on an apron and stepped into the kitchen.
From beginning to end, the smile never left his face.
He had spent all this time worrying that Renya might never forgive him.
Thankfully, his worries had been unfounded.
Renya was still the same Renya as before...