"Hey, hey—don't ignore me, you two! What I'm about to say is very important! Can you please pay attention?"
Nara Shikaku rubbed her temples, looking utterly exhausted.
"Yes, go on," Uchiha Ran said calmly, turning his gaze toward her.
Shikaku nodded. "Kirigakure has sent an envoy. They claim to have an important matter to discuss and have requested that you personally come forward."
"Kirigakure?" Ran frowned slightly. "What kind of matter?"
Konoha had only just stabilized, yet Kirigakure was already making contact. Whether this was good or bad was unclear. Moreover, the Fourth Mizukage was still under the control of Uchiha Obito.
Did Obito start plotting again after his escape? If he can't win openly, is he trying to play dirty?
As Ran pondered, Shikaku added, "Hokage-sama, the messenger refused to explain anything. He said he would only speak after meeting you in person."
Ran raised an eyebrow. "So secretive? Fine. Let him in. Let's see what they want."
He sat back on the Hokage's chair, legs crossed, arms folded. His long hair draped over one eye, leaving only his left eye visible.
If Uchiha Izuna were here, she might very well drop to her knees and shout, 'Brother!'
After exchanging a look, Hatake Kakashi and Shikaku stepped outside and escorted the Kirigakure envoy to the office.
—or rather, to where the door used to be.
The door lay flat on the ground.
The envoy froze. When he arrived earlier, the door had been intact. How could it be destroyed in less than half an hour?
Was there really someone reckless enough to attack Hokage-sama?
Kakashi didn't give him time to think. "Go in. Don't keep Hokage-sama waiting."
With that, Kakashi resumed his guard position outside.
The envoy still wanted to ask questions, but Kakashi shoved him forward.
The moment the envoy stepped inside, his expression changed drastically.
Cold.
An overwhelming, bone-deep chill—like his fate was being gripped by the throat.
"I—I am a jōnin under Elder Gen'ya of Kirigakure," the envoy said, dropping to one knee, his voice trembling. "I have come to discuss cooperation with Lord Hokage Uchiha Ran."
"Raise your head," Ran said calmly.
The envoy shuddered and looked up, meeting Ran's aloof gaze and imposing posture. He hurriedly bowed again.
"Greetings, Hokage-sama."
Ran's lips curved slightly. If they're this timid, negotiations will be easy.
"Elder Gen'ya sent you to discuss cooperation," Ran said, adjusting his robes and resting his hands at his waist. "I'm here. Speak."
The envoy glanced nervously at Hyūga Hiashi and Shikaku.
Ran chuckled. "Relax. They're on my side. You can speak freely."
"Well… this…" The envoy hesitated.
"You're worried that Kirigakure's internal situation will be exposed," Ran said casually.
"The talent drain caused by the Bloody Mist Era, and the fact that the Fourth Mizukage is being controlled. You wanted me to dismiss everyone else—am I right?"
The envoy trembled, staring at Ran in disbelief.
Ran slowly stood. "Surprised?"
Silence.
"Don't be," Ran said leisurely. "I know the internal affairs of every major hidden village—not just Kirigakure."
He walked up and placed a hand on the envoy's shoulder. "In my eyes, you have no secrets."
He then turned his back to him. "Speak while I'm still in a good mood."
The envoy's expression was complicated. So were Hiashi's and Shikaku's. Neither had expected their Hokage to possess intelligence so deep that even secrets capable of determining a village's fate were laid bare.
"Yes, Hokage-sama," the envoy said stiffly. "Elder Gen'ya has confirmed that the Fourth Mizukage is being controlled—and deduced that it's due to the power of the Sharingan."
"We hope you can remove the control and restore the Fourth Mizukage to normal."
Ran nodded. "I understand your request. Now tell me—what are your terms? What is Kirigakure offering in return?"
He smiled faintly. The moment their request was revealed, the initiative shifted to him.
The envoy presented the lowest of the prepared conditions.
"Kirigakure will offer two hundred million ryō after you defeat the Fourth Mizukage and解除 the genjutsu," the envoy said, bowing deeply.
"Two hundred million?" Ran leaned back. "Not enough. That sum doesn't match the risk I'd be taking."
He was certain there were higher offers.
Veterans like Elder Gen'ya were masters of negotiation—no one would reveal their highest price first.
This envoy needed pressure.
"Go back," Ran said calmly. "Tell Elder Gen'ya that he underestimated me—Uchiha Ran."
The envoy panicked, about to speak.
Ran made a dismissive gesture.
Hyūga Hiashi stepped forward without a word.
The envoy's pupils shrank.
"W–wait!" he shouted, hurriedly straightening his clothes. "I—I may have remembered incorrectly! Elder Gen'ya's condition wasn't two hundred million!"
"My fault—this is my fault!" the envoy apologized repeatedly.
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