CHAPTER 219: THE POLITICS OF PEACE
Konoha Camp. Commander-in-Chief's temporary conference room.
Hatake Sakumo looked approvingly at the two figures before him, genuine satisfaction warming his chest.
Those two were, naturally, Jiraiya and Orochimaru.
"The situation forced your confrontation with the Rain ninja, but returning alive matters most." He paused. "Where is Tsunade?"
The absence of one of the three Sannin from this meeting—minor as it was—struck him as curious.
"Not sure, Captain." Jiraiya shrugged carelessly. "She had something to attend to when we returned. Didn't say what."
"Hehe." Orochimaru's smile carried a knowing edge. "In my opinion, Tsunade likely went to see her brother."
"Ah, that makes sense." Jiraiya nodded. "Nawaki is her little brother. Of course she'd want to check on him."
"A reasonable explanation." Sakumo nodded as well.
But Orochimaru's smile remained—mysterious, as if he saw beyond the surface. As if things weren't quite that simple.
He didn't elaborate. Some understandings were best kept to oneself.
Sakumo chose not to dwell on the matter. "You've returned, and the Rain ninja have agreed to surrender. The next priority is negotiations with Iwa, Suna, and Ame. What are your thoughts?"
"We're the victors!" Jiraiya blurted. "We call the shots, Captain."
Sakumo's gaze shifted. "Orochimaru. What do you think?"
Orochimaru considered carefully. For Sakumo to actively seek his counsel meant the matter wasn't straightforward.
Unlike Jiraiya, who possessed no political sensitivity—or whose ideological awareness simply wasn't developed—Orochimaru was a thinker.
A moment's reflection illuminated the implications behind Sakumo's question.
"I'm uncertain about the Rain ninja's position," Orochimaru said slowly. "But I suspect the Tsuchikage and Kazekage will ally in negotiations. They'll seek to divide the Rain Country's interests between themselves."
Sakumo nodded approvingly. Orochimaru's answer aligned perfectly with his thinking.
The ANBU captain had already considered potential successors. In his view, Orochimaru was the most suitable candidate for the next ANBU commander—a direct disciple of the Third Hokage, politically astute, strategically minded.
Before coming to the Land of Rain, Sakumo's wife had been pregnant. Not long ago, word arrived from home: a son had been born.
As a father, Sakumo couldn't remain in ANBU indefinitely, conducting covert operations in the shadows. Eventually, he would transition to visible duties—standard administrative work within Konoha Village.
He had several candidates in mind for the ANBU captaincy. But looking ahead, Orochimaru stood as the most fitting choice.
As for Ragnar...
It wasn't that Sakumo hadn't considered grooming him as successor. But witnessing Ragnar's performance on the battlefield made him hesitate. Thrusting the boy into the complex world of Konoha's power structures too early might hinder his growth.
Beneath Konoha's peace and prosperity lurked invisible currents—political machinations, shadowy dealings. Sakumo didn't want Ragnar exposed to those darknesses prematurely.
Perhaps the best course was to classify all records of Rakshasa as top secret upon returning to Konoha. Seal the information away.
Ragnar was still young. He had room to grow. Perhaps the most suitable path was simply letting his ninja career develop naturally.
For a moment, Sakumo's thoughts wandered far.
But while he spoke without deeper meaning, his listeners interpreted differently.
Hearing that the Tsuchikage and Kazekage might conspire against Konoha, Jiraiya's face reddened.
"Captain, Iwa and Suna lost! How dare they claim any share of the Rain Country? We've sacrificed as much as anyone in this war!"
"This isn't about sacrifice." Sakumo smiled gently, unperturbed. "Orochimaru, explain it to Jiraiya."
Orochimaru turned to his teammate, faint amusement playing across his features.
To Jiraiya, that expression was nothing less than mockery.
As destined rivals, Jiraiya couldn't permit Orochimaru to best him—in anything. It was a matter of pride. Of manhood. Of eternal rivalry.
Orochimaru, who cared nothing for such things, continued as if Jiraiya were merely furniture.
"First—negotiations and battlefields are separate arenas. Negotiations involve political interests. The battlefield merely displays a nation's military strength. If we refuse all concessions regarding the Rain Country to Suna and Iwa... we implicitly antagonize the Land of Earth and Land of Wind."
"So what if we antagonize them?" Jiraiya scoffed. "Who would dare challenge Konoha? The Land of Fire?"
"One of them wouldn't dare. But two? Three? Four? If all the great nations aligned against the Land of Fire, Jiraiya... what then?"
Jiraiya's expression shifted. His voice grew less certain. "That... that wouldn't happen. They'd never unite like that."
"Sufficient interest can unite anyone." Orochimaru's voice was soft. "Even against the Land of Fire. Against Konoha."
"Orochimaru speaks truly." Sakumo interjected. "The Land of Fire must display the dignity of a great nation. As the largest ninja village, Konoha must demonstrate magnanimity. Peace has always been our primary pursuit."
He leaned back slightly.
"Besides—our nation already possesses the most fertile, most expansive territory among the five great lands. Compared to us, the Rain Country is a poor, rainy little nation. What need has the Land of Fire for such territory?"
"We can't just give it to Iwa and Suna!" Jiraiya protested.
"Who said anything about giving?" Sakumo's smile widened. "Gifts come with conditions. Exchanging the Rain Country for peace treaties with two great nations—that is the wisest bargain we could strike."
Jiraiya sat stunned. Some parts he understood; others remained murky. But he gave a sincere thumbs up.
"High-level stuff. Brilliant, even."
Orochimaru's soft laugh carried clear mockery.
"If matters develop as we've discussed..." Sakumo's expression grew troubled. "There remains a complication."
"Captain." Orochimaru's eyes sharpened. "You're concerned about Sansho Hanzo."
"Hanzo again?" Jiraiya scratched his head. "What's he got to do with anything?"
"Hanzo voluntarily surrendered, ending the war, because he recognized the overall situation favored Konoha." Sakumo's voice grew heavy. "But if we allow Iwa and Suna to divide the Rain Country between themselves... I fear we'll only ignite new conflicts."
(End of Chapter)
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