Since the alliance was proposed by Sunagakure, it seemed reasonable to let the Kazekage Rasa choose the meeting location.
But the chosen desert was exactly where the ruins of Rōran were located.
There was no doubt Rasa intended to stir up trouble together with Shimura Danzō.
Natsume could appreciate his spirit of not wanting to be a gold miner.
But if they were going to scheme, they couldn't blame him for being excessive in return.
"Pass this news down."
Natsume instructed, "Also draft a roster for the alliance envoy. Try to include every clan and as many ninja as possible."
He planned to use the opportunity to flex military power.
So the audience couldn't be too small, and it had to be representative.
That would help his PR.
"Understood."
Kurenai Yūhi nodded. "Our secretariat will discuss immediately."
She turned and went back to the Hokage secretariat office.
Soon, the news spread throughout Konoha.
People were quite happy about Sunagakure initiating an alliance.
The only hope was to secure good terms.
Konoha had participated in several previous wars, but win or lose, the outcomes had been unsatisfactory.
…
Hyūga Clan.
After hearing the report, Hyūga Hiashi's face turned pensive.
The envoy requirements were rather odd.
Normally, such a mission would be accompanied by the Hokage Guard or ANBU.
Why have all the major clans participate?
Hiashi knew Natsume well enough to sense something unusual.
"Is something wrong?"
Hyūga Rinka noticed his expression and poured him a cup of tea.
"It's nothing."
Hiashi's face softened a little. "For this mission to Sunagakure, how about sending Hizashi? What do you think?"
"Hizashi?"
Rinka blinked. "He's a Hokage advisor now. For something this minor, we should pick someone else."
By rank, a Hokage advisor was even above the Hyūga clan head.
An alliance wasn't exactly minor, but the spotlight would be on the Hokage anyway.
The accompanying ninja were mostly for show.
"This is actually what the elders want."
Hiashi sighed. "Because Hizashi is a Hokage advisor, the Branch House has been looking rather prestigious lately, nearly outshining the Main House."
"In that case, let Hizashi go."
Standing behind him, Rinka massaged his shoulders. "The elders are being unnecessary."
"Watch your words."
Hiashi patted her hand and said gravely, "They have their reasons too."
"Fine, I won't bother with this."
Rinka changed the subject. "Hinata recently completed an S-rank mission—virtually unheard of among genin."
"Her jonin leader is Lord Natsume."
Hiashi wasn't surprised at all.
"Is Natsume really that strong?"
Rinka caught his implication.
He believed Hinata's team completed the S-rank mission because of Natsume.
She thought so too, but Hiashi's attitude felt a bit unusual.
She had sensed this earlier, actually.
By rights, the Hyūga's strength spoke for itself.
What was a Hokage?
He still had to rely on them.
The Third, Fourth, and Fifth had all done so.
There was no reason for Hiashi to change his stance under the Sixth.
"It's not about whether he's strong."
Hiashi wouldn't tell Rinka the true reason. He cleared his throat. "Natsume is young—he can serve as Hokage for a long time. And he's our future son-in-law, so we should maintain good relations."
Rinka thought for a moment and smiled. "You're so strict with Hinata, but you do care."
"You make it sound like I don't love my own daughter."
Hiashi protested. "I treat Hanabi the same."
"What about Hanabi's Caged Bird?"
Rinka suddenly smiled bitterly.
"…"
Hiashi frowned. "I'll delay it as much as I can."
By timing, Hanabi should already have received the seal, but he had held off.
He used the undecided heir as a reason to postpone it.
"I don't want the sisters turning against each other."
Rinka knew how close Hinata and Hanabi were.
She had also witnessed how Hiashi and Hizashi drifted apart step by step.
Even blood brothers couldn't withstand the Caged Bird.
"Maybe we can ask Natsume for help."
Hiashi steadied himself.
His thinking was simple.
Since Natsume was strong, he wouldn't fear pressure from the elders.
Rinka's eyes lit up.
Inside the Hyūga, it was nearly impossible to avoid branding Hanabi.
It was tradition.
Even the clan head couldn't break it.
But Natsume was different—he was the Hokage.
She only worried whether he had the resolve.
"It's a pity Hanabi isn't older. Then she could study under Natsume like Hinata."
"There's no helping that."
Hiashi sipped tea, pondering how to connect Hanabi to Natsume to silence the others.
Compared to the Hyūga's careful deliberation, the other clans agreed much faster.
Except the Shimura.
…
In a dim secret chamber,
The current clan head, Shimura Chūdō, paced anxiously, face taut with unease.
Not long ago, he had received a secret letter from Shimura Danzō, saying he would meet him privately tonight.
How to put it…
He hoped Danzō would return to Konoha, but knew it was unlikely.
So he had led the Shimura to fully back Sarutobi Asuma, hoping to stage a comeback.
Unfortunately, he misplayed his hand and Natsume snatched the Hokage seat.
Fortunately, the Shimura had always been low-key and left no handle to be seized.
Just as he planned to lie low for a while, Danzō resurfaced.
It made him miserable.
There was hope—but more fear.
He knew Danzō.
This time, he hadn't come just to see him; he was here to stir up trouble.
If they succeeded, fine.
If they failed, they might drag the Shimura into an abyss.
Time ticked by.
Outside, a cane tapped against the floor.
Chūdō snapped to attention, hurriedly opened the door, and greeted, "Uncle, long time no see."
Yes, he and Danzō were distantly related by blood.
Far removed.
Mainly, Danzō had spent his life pursuing the Hokage seat, never considering women, so he had no descendants.
To be honest, Chūdō couldn't understand that.
In his view, if you can't do it yourself, cultivate a son—that's clearly the right path.
"Hm."
Danzō nodded coolly and took the head seat.
"Uncle, what brings you back tonight?"
Though a bit displeased, Chūdō held his tongue and poured tea.
"I heard you supported Sarutobi Asuma for Hokage at the jonin council?"
Danzō didn't even glance at the cup. He gripped his cane and asked evenly.
"Yes."
Chūdō's heart skipped. "After you left, we lost our pillar. We had no choice but to support Sarutobi Asuma."
"Hmph. A fool unfit for strategy."
Danzō sneered. "He's not worth one of Hiruzen's little toes. How could he defeat Natsume?"
He also looked down on Natsume, but that night's Sage Mode plus Water Style had left a deep impression.
At least in terms of strength, Natsume was far beyond an ordinary jonin.
He had partnered with Rasa to unseal the Dragon Vein out of respect for Natsume's power.
More importantly, as insurance.
Miss this chance, and there might not be another.
"You're right."
Chūdō immediately flattered him.
"Hiruzen is old; Asuma is unfit. If you want to topple Natsume, you must follow my lead."
Danzō raised his head, straightened his back. "Then he is doomed to die."
Chūdō was infected by his confidence. "What's your plan?"
"I've been in Sunagakure lately."
Danzō smiled coldly. "Do you understand?"
"You mean the alliance was your design?"
Chūdō looked shocked.
He hadn't expected Danzō to still wield such methods.
To cooperate with Rasa and scheme for the Hokage's seat together.
After shock came elation.
He half-knelt. "The Shimura clan stands ready to follow Uncle's command."
"Good."
Danzō was pleased with his sense. "Send several members skilled in seals and barriers. When the time comes, we'll seal Natsume in. With inside-outside coordination, we'll kill him."
"Yes!"
Chūdō was thrilled.
He had long awaited this day.
Most importantly, Danzō's plan looked highly feasible.
With Rasa involved, they could use the One-Tails' jinchūriki, too.
With such an advantage, how could they lose?
…
The next day.
Natsume reviewed the envoy roster.
Unexpectedly, the Shimura sent four members, all jonin.
Not as heavyweight as the Hyūga sending Hizashi, but still outrageous.
If he didn't already know Danzō was scheming, Natsume might have thought the Shimura were making nice and swearing fealty.
But instead of being angry, he was pleased.
Kage of Pots—truly his bosom friend.
He could weep.
To go this far, Natsume wanted to erect a monument for him.
"Lord Natsume, any changes needed?"
Seeing him ponder, Kurenai asked quickly.
"No need."
Natsume shook his head. "Use this roster. Go inform them to prepare."
After Kurenai left, he went to see Tsunade.
Because this involved the Dragon Vein, he might disappear for a while.
That would cause no small stir.
Especially for Tsunade.
If she got worked up and something happened, that would be bad.
Natsume planned to explain the situation so she'd be at ease, and ask her to manage Konoha temporarily while he was away.
As for how he knew about the Dragon Vein, he'd chalk it up to Namikaze Minato.
Tsunade wouldn't doubt him.
And it was real anyway.
Convincing Tsunade took a long time, but with his patient persuasion, she finally agreed.
Mainly because she had personally experienced Natsume's strength.