"Sunagakure is not in a hurry for an answer. Go and think it through, ally."
Ebizō flicked a thin hand and two Suna shinobi appeared at the door, gesturing politely. Shuji's face stayed calm and unreadable. He dipped his head, turned with Anko and Itachi, and left.
As they stepped out, the corner of Shuji's eye caught another door along the corridor being opened for a man in dark Iwa attire at odds with Suna's colors. He was being shown inside. That must be the "generous gift" who arrived first.
The three were taken to a cramped waiting room.
Anko opened her mouth to speak. Shuji raised one finger. She fell silent. He still wore a small smile, and her flicker of anxiety eased.
The matter seemed serious. The key was to find the key.
There were two questions. Why did Suna choose to meet Iwa. Why did Suna choose to meet Konoha.
In purpose, Suna was trying to bid up the price. He was looking for the partner who would pay more.
So could Iwa pay. Or could Konoha pay.
Konoha could.
Iwa was not wealthy. It could not put much on the table.
By that measure, Ebizō was using Iwa to drive the price higher and to push Konoha to offer better terms.
Was that all.
The Cloud envoy incident spiraling out of Konoha's heart had triggered one crisis already. Outsiders were questioning Konoha's strength.
Questioning whether Konoha could handle the situation.
If that could not be settled, then the more Konoha conceded, the more Suna's appetite would grow.
That would be ruin.
So the least important thing was flashing chips. What mattered most was showing Konoha's stance and capacity to handle the incident.
When the door opened again it was only for food. None of them touched it.
Not until late at night were the three ushered back to Ebizō.
He did not even ask whether Shuji had decided. He laid out terms. "Sunagakure wants the entire mission quota in River Country…"
Ebizō watched Shuji's steady face.
He continued. "As compensation for helping Konoha through this war, Sunagakure requires…"
Shuji cut him off.
"I do not think there is any need for Suna to demand this and that, Advisor."
A hard glint rose in Ebizō's eyes.
"The Land of Wind is vast, but the oases that can truly feed a village and generate value are very few."
Shuji's tone did not change. "Under those conditions, Suna still maintains a shinobi force nearly equal to the other great nations. Your finances are already buckling."
"Konoha maintains this alliance because we share a basis of interest. Suna needs low‑cost grain and supplies to keep the village running. Konoha needs a quiet western line to recover."
"If it goes as you ask, Suna becomes a gold‑eater Konoha must constantly feed."
"If the price of peace exceeds the cost of war, then shifting what we give Suna to Iwa becomes an option for Konoha."
Ebizō's withered cheek twitched.
"The Land of Earth is not rich either. If Iwa has planned all this, what they want is only wealth."
The veteran who had been active since the founding era suddenly rose.
"Arrogant fool. Sarutobi Hiruzen truly is old and muddle‑headed to send you to speak on so grave a matter. Konoha's ruin will start with you."
"With three great villages attacking at once, what can Konoha do now."
Shuji's smile turned cold. "It is you who have it wrong. There was never any three‑village siege."
"Kumogakure no longer has the capacity for war. Cut their external grain and tell me, Advisor, how many shinobi are needed. Five. Or ten."
"Even if they burn everything, the Cloud will not get one grain from outside."
"As for Ōnoki of Both Scales, he must be a loyal ally."
"A loyal ally." Ebizō blinked, then threw back his head and laughed. "The brat from Konoha tells jokes now. Ōnoki, a loyal ally."
Before talk-no‑jutsu touched him, Ōnoki was a man who would sacrifice anything for Iwa's interests. If peace with Konoha profited him more than war, he would abandon Suna without a thought.
After laughing a while, Ebizō sat again.
"All right, boy. Enough merriment."
"Show Konoha's chips. Suna's patience is limited."
Shuji put away his barbs as well.
"The talks with Cloud were about to succeed. The grain embargo on the Land of Lightning had already been loosened. Now the situation has changed."
"Konoha will take the grain that can no longer flow to Lightning and resell it at the lowest price, directly to the Land of Wind."
"Your side's demand is a free grant."
That could not be haggled. It was what Suna needed most.
Shuji nodded.
"The River Country quotas. Suna wants two‑thirds," Ebizō said, holding up two thin fingers.
This was the portion River Country customarily awarded to Konoha.
"One‑sixth…"
The rest was table‑tapping and haggling until they had the outline of a deal.
Ebizō lifted a fist and thumped his lower back with a sigh. "Old. Truly old. Not as tireless as you youths."
He leaned back and let his eyes rest for a moment. When he opened them again there was a faint glint of amusement. "Do you want the generous gift."
"If you can call him over, so much the better."
Ebizō did not answer. He flicked one withered hand toward the door.
Silence. Then the door swung open.
The Iwa envoy walked in. His face wore the ease of a job completed. When he saw Konoha shinobi present, his expression changed.
Shock, wariness, a trace of panic tangled in his eyes. He took half a step back and opened his mouth.
A black gleam struck his throat without warning.
He could not form a single clear syllable. All questions and anger died in his windpipe.
Eyes bulged. His body spasmed. His hands clawed at his neck. Dark red seeped through his fingers. He pitched forward with a heavy thud.
Shuji, who had flipped the kunai, offered Ebizō a polite thanks.
"May the friendship between Konoha and Suna endure."
What a ruthless and cunning boy, Ebizō thought with a yawn.
Chapters in advance there: patreon.com/Thaniel_a_goodchild