Chapter 115: The Sand Delegation
After finishing the performance tests on his puppet replica, Nan returned home.
Meanwhile, the delegation from Sunagakure had arrived outside Konoha's gates.
The envoy was not large—led by the siblings Chiyo and Ebizō, two of Sunagakure's elder advisors, accompanied by several diplomats and a handful of guards.
The Kazekage himself was absent. After the disappearance of the Third Kazekage, Iwagakure had seized the opportunity to ambush Sunagakure, leaving them heavily wounded. The last time the Kazekage personally acted—laying an ambush for Konoha—was already a reckless gamble. He would not risk leaving the safety of his village again.
Anticipating their arrival, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, stood at Konoha's gates with the village's senior leadership to greet them.
When the two groups met, their cordiality was striking. Warm greetings were exchanged, masks of civility firmly in place—as though they had not been locked in bloody conflict a mere half month ago.
Hiruzen was the first to speak:
"Honored guests of Sunagakure, your long journey must have been tiring. We have already arranged accommodations for you. Please, follow me."
Ebizō stepped forward politely.
"Then we must thank the Hokage for his hospitality."
Chiyo said nothing, but the faint look of satisfaction on her face showed she appreciated the formal respect extended to them.
Together, the groups walked into Konoha, chatting pleasantly as though they were old friends rather than former enemies. Chiyo, Ebizō, and Hiruzen had all been hardened by decades of life in the shinobi world—masters of concealing true intent behind perfect diplomacy. Whatever emotions they felt in their hearts, none of it was visible on their faces.
Once they reached the quarters prepared for Sunagakure's delegation, polite courtesies were exchanged again. Finally, Hiruzen excused himself with a warm smile:
"It grows late. I will not keep you any longer. Tomorrow, we will discuss the matters of reparations and the details of our alliance treaty."
The Sand representatives made no objection. After their long journey, they were grateful for rest. Hiruzen departed.
The young diplomat from Sunagakure watched the Hokage leave and murmured, astonished:
"I never imagined Lord Hokage would be such a kind and agreeable man. With someone like him leading the talks, surely the reparations and alliance terms will be resolved smoothly."
Chiyo gave a sharp, humorless laugh.
"Do not be so easily deceived. Sarutobi Hiruzen is known as the 'God of Shinobi' for a reason. He is far more dangerous than he appears.
And even if he is reasonable, Konoha's other elders are not. Especially Danzō Shimura. I have heard of that man—his methods are venomous, ruthless. Not one to be taken lightly."
The young diplomat paled. He suddenly realized how easily he had been lulled by Hiruzen's gentle words, almost lowering his guard entirely. If he carried that mindset into negotiations, he would find himself nodding along, agreeing to terms deeply unfavorable to Sunagakure without even realizing it.
Cold sweat broke down his back, and he silently thanked fate that two veterans like Chiyo and Ebizō had come with him. Without them, he would already be hopelessly ensnared in Konoha's political nets.
The next day, the delegation—rested and prepared—was led by an ANBU to Konoha's council chambers. This was where the matters of reparations and alliance would be formally settled.
The guards remained outside. Inside the chamber entered only Chiyo, Ebizō, and the diplomat.
Waiting for them were four of Konoha's most senior figures: the Third Hokage himself, elders Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane, and, of course, Danzō Shimura—his face hidden beneath layers of bandages.
Danzō's presence was expected. For something as critical as a peace treaty, the shadowy elder would not stay away. But unlike the others, he placed little value in such documents. To him, an alliance treaty was nothing more than a scrap of paper—a political formality to relieve short-term pressure, but one that might collapse at any time.
Still, he had insisted on attending. Konoha was the victor in this war, and by rights, Sunagakure would owe heavy reparations. Danzō feared Hiruzen's compassion might soften the terms, so he came to ensure nothing was "forgiven."
Yet there was something far more important to him than gold or reparations.
News of the mysterious battle outside Konoha—between Uchiha Han and a puppeteer from Sunagakure—had already reached his ears. Despite sending his Root operatives scouring the forests, Danzō had found no trace of Han. That left only one lead: the puppeteer who had fought him.
If Sunagakure knew who that shinobi was, then perhaps, through him, Danzō could uncover Han's movements. And the Mangekyō Sharingan was a prize worth more than any alliance or indemnity.
The negotiations opened with the expected exchanges. Hiruzen and Ebizō took the lead, with the others contributing where needed.
The first matter was reparations. Sunagakure still had many shinobi captured by Konoha. They were eager to ransom them back quickly—freeing manpower for their embattled fronts against Iwagakure and Kirigakure.
But after their defeat, the Wind Daimyō had grown furious, slashing their military funding drastically. While they could afford to pay, the cost would bleed them dry for years.
Thus, Ebizō's opening words were filled with lamentation—painting a portrait of Sunagakure's suffering.
"Our position is dire. The Wind Daimyō has lost faith in us, our funding has been cut, and the village survives only through the Kazekage himself, taking gold from the deserts with his own hands. Even the elders and high officials are forced to take missions to keep the village running. Konoha's demands, whatever they may be, will weigh heavily upon us."
Ebizō pressed his case further:
"So we hope that Konoha can show some leniency in matters of reparation. If we can preserve more of our strength, then once this alliance is signed, Sunagakure will be better positioned to restrain Kirigakure and Iwagakure—relieving the burden on your village as well."
For an instant, Hiruzen nearly let his disdain show. But before he could answer, Danzō slammed his hand on the table, his voice sharp with fury:
"Do you forget who the victor was in this war? It was Konoha! The only reason those prisoners of yours still draw breath is because of our mercy. And now you dare bargain for lighter reparations? Not a single coin less will be accepted!"
Ebizō, however, remained utterly unfazed. With a long, theatrical sigh, he shook his head, his expression one of weary resignation.
"If that is the case, then there is nothing we can do. The sum you demand is simply too great. We cannot produce it. If you wish to execute them, then so be it. Let it be their misfortune to die as captives."
As he spoke, he even let a few tears glisten at the corners of his eyes, as though genuinely prepared to abandon their captured comrades rather than yield further.
The four Konoha leaders fell into silence. They could see well enough that Sunagakure was not bluffing—at least not entirely. They truly had no intention of paying a vast indemnity.
Yet execution was impossible. If Konoha slaughtered so many prisoners, how could any peace treaty be signed?
But neither could they simply feed and house the captives indefinitely. Keeping hundreds of mouths alive was itself a heavy drain on Konoha's resources.
Reluctantly, though displeased with Sunagakure's stinginess, Hiruzen made his decision. He struck the table softly, ending the deadlock.
"Very well. Konoha will reduce the reparations. You will make a token payment to honor the agreement, and in return, we shall release your men."
Danzō's face darkened with suppressed rage. He did not voice his protest, but his silence was heavy with bitterness. To him, the issue was not money—Konoha was wealthy enough. What galled him was that Sunagakure's shinobi would be released so easily, as though the victory meant nothing.
Yet as he brooded, a darker thought comforted him:
This failure belongs to Hiruzen. His weakness, his softness—it will be remembered. His authority will wane. And when the time comes for a stronger Hokage, the village will know who to turn to.
Hiruzen, for his part, understood exactly what this compromise would cost him in reputation. But he was the Hokage. His duty was not to his pride, but to Konoha itself. In an era when the shinobi world seethed with chaos and looming wars, maintaining a stable peace with Sunagakure mattered more than appearances.
The treaty had to be signed, even if it meant swallowing bitter concessions.