Shimura Danzō was without question one of Ebizō's most detested individuals.
After all—
those who walk the same shadows inevitably become enemies.
For years, the two had clashed within the hidden underworld of the shinobi world. And more than once, that bastard Danzō had pushed Sunagakure to the brink of catastrophe.
If this boy before him truly belonged to Danzō, then Ebizō could not afford even the slightest carelessness.
After a brief hesitation, Ebizō raised his hand and waved it once.
At once, the Sand ANBU concealed throughout the surroundings silently withdrew.
Some conversations were best kept far away from listening ears—even trusted ones.
"So," Ebizō said at last, a cold smile tugging at his lips,
"it turns out you're one of Danzō's dogs."
"Has that old vulture finally lost his nerve? Afraid to come himself?"
After the Land of Rain incident, what courage would he even have left…
Ren kept that thought to himself, maintaining a calm expression as he replied:
"Lord Danzō did not wish to disturb your leisure, Elder Ebizō.
Matters of this scale are more suitable for someone of my generation."
Ebizō snorted.
So even his fishing habits were known now?
What the hell is wrong with Sunagakure?
How has Konoha infiltrated us to this extent?
"Enough," Ebizō said impatiently.
"Tell me—what kind of cooperation does that bastard want this time? I don't have the luxury of wasting time."
"Please don't undervalue yourself," Ren replied evenly.
"Sunagakure cannot function without you and Lady Chiyo."
Then—he moved to the core of the matter.
Balancing Hiruzen's mandate, Danzō's hidden orders, and his system objectives was no easy task.
But Ren had long since learned one rule of survival:
As long as the mind doesn't stall, there's always a solution.
"Elder Ebizō," Ren continued,
"we were initially concerned that Sunagakure might take extreme measures in its conflict with Kirigakure and Iwagakure."
"Oh?" Ebizō's expression stiffened.
"And what did you confirm?"
"That negotiations with Kirigakure are inevitable," Ren said calmly, pointing toward the silent woman beside him.
"And that Pakura is the bargaining chip—offered in exchange for Kirigakure's withdrawal, allowing you to focus entirely on Ōnoki."
Ebizō's face changed instantly.
Before he could speak, Ren added:
"There's no need to deny it. We already possess your internal reports.
By now, this intelligence has likely reached Konoha—and Kirigakure has begun verifying it as well."
"What exactly do you want?" Ebizō demanded, his voice low.
He wanted nothing more than to grab Ren by the throat and scream:
Do you have any idea what you're saying in front of her?!
But he forced himself to calm down.
Because he knew—
this was precisely the outcome Konoha wanted.
"And Elder Ebizō," Ren went on smoothly,
"we recently clashed with a formidable opponent."
"One whose puppet mastery rivaled Lady Chiyo herself.
One who created a Third Kazekage puppet retaining its original kekkei genkai."
Ren paused, then delivered the blade:
"And that man… was deeply connected to you both.
After all—he was Sasori, was he not?"
Silence.
Ebizō's fists clenched so tightly his knuckles whitened.
So the battle he had witnessed—
this boy had been part of it.
Not only that—he knew far more than he should.
"Oh, one more thing," Ren added lightly.
"This intelligence will also reach Konoha."
That was nearly enough to make Ebizō snap.
"Enough!" Ebizō barked.
"What does Danzō want? What does Konoha want?!"
He trusted neither Danzō's morals nor his bottom line—
men like them had only interests, nothing else.
If Konoha leaked Pakura's fate deliberately—
after she already knew the truth—
Sunagakure would erupt.
Add in Sasori's return and the assassination of the Third Kazekage, and neither he nor his sister would survive the fallout.
Killing Ren wouldn't solve anything.
It might only provoke Danzō further.
"Konoha wants a stable Sunagakure," Ren said at last.
"Not one prone to reckless adventurism."
"And as for Lord Danzō—he hopes to cooperate with you."
"The Fourth Kazekage is too impulsive," Ren continued calmly.
"The Third Shinobi World War proves that much."
That made both Ebizō and Pakura stiffen.
Interfering in internal affairs?
The audacity.
"Of course," Ren added smoothly, sensing the shift,
"this is merely a suggestion—one meant to build a foundation for deeper cooperation."
"Konoha will not interfere in another village's governance," he said evenly.
"But allies must trust one another. Cooperation should be mutually beneficial."
"After all—who would trust a village that sacrifices its most loyal shinobi to shift the blame for a war… and pins everything on Sasori and his family?"
As Ren spoke, a strange sense of déjà vu struck him.
Wait a second…
Isn't this exactly Danzō's own playbook?!
Suppressing the irony, Ren continued:
"Cooperation must be rewarded."
"We are prepared to share intelligence on Sasori—
he has joined a dangerous organization."
"In addition, Lord Danzō is willing to deepen the alliance:
partial mission access in the Land of Rivers, and financial compensation."
"May I ask for your thoughts, Elder Ebizō?"
Ebizō stared at him in silence.
Accepting meant scheming against his own Kazekage.
Refusing meant waking up to a shinobi world flooded with damning rumors.
And worse—
Konoha clearly intended to cripple Sunagakure's northern interests permanently.
"Damn you, Danzō…"
You truly deserve to die.
"The compensation is insufficient," Ebizō said at last.
"And this matter requires careful consideration."
"Understandable," Ren replied, nodding politely.
"I'm certain Lord Danzō will understand as well."
Only then did Ren finally relax—
his objectives were already complete.
The rest was merely post-mission accounting.
"One last question," Ebizō said suddenly.
"Why is Danzō doing this?"
Ren smiled.
"Lord Danzō's ambition has never changed."
"He seeks the title of Hokage."
He paused.
"Does Elder Ebizō truly claim he's never dreamed of being Kazekage?"
Ebizō nearly cursed aloud.
I'm over sixty years old, you bastard.
What dream of being Kazekage?!
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