Who could have predicted that Konoha's rapid recovery would exert such crushing pressure on the other villages?
The Hidden Stone began leaning toward the Hidden Cloud for a potential coalition, while the Hidden Sand sought shelter and alliance under Konoha's wing. Meanwhile, the Hidden Mist lingered on the periphery, like a predator waiting for the perfect moment to strike. If these three—Stone, Cloud, and Mist—were to actually unite, the trouble would be monumental.
In the original timeline, a true tripartite alliance never formed; the Stone and Cloud simply took the lead in hostilities, with the Mist joining later to scavenge for spoils. Those conflicts were localized, balanced by mutual restraint. All sides eventually exhausted themselves and settled for a stalemate.
But now, the situation was spiraling toward a full-scale Great Ninja War. This was exactly what Hiruko wanted to avoid. He wanted to reform the shinobi world, but without an "overpowered" ability like Kotoamatsukami, he couldn't forcibly rewrite the attitudes of Ay and Ōnoki.
If they've decided this is the only way, then so be it, Hiruko thought. Better to strike one decisive blow than to dodge a hundred petty ones.
To be honest, Hiruko had no desire for a mass slaughter. With his mastery of poisons, any battle against weaker shinobi would be less of a war and more of a one-sided extermination. Konoha's eyes were now fixed firmly on the Cloud and Stone borders.
But before the storm broke, there was a crucial task: receiving Lady Chiyo. Her arrival at this specific time spoke volumes. Though her options were limited, Konoha still had to treat her with the utmost hospitality. Sarutobi Biwako, the Third Hokage's wife, was the natural choice to host her.
While this didn't directly involve Hiruko, he suspected Chiyo might ask to see Pakura. After all, Hiruko's "detainment" of the Scorch Style hero was an open secret in the shinobi world.
As the Konoha machine whirred into motion to gather supplies, Chiyo's delegation drew closer to the village. Accompanied by elite Jonin, the group included a small child and a young woman who bore a striking resemblance to Nohara Rin—this was Pakura's disciple, Maki.
The moment Maki heard Chiyo was going to Konoha, she had begged to go along. She knew her master wasn't dead; she was in Hiruko's hands.
Three days ago, after the Hidden Sand's high-level council meeting:
The setting sun filtered through the windows of the Kazekage's office. Chiyo sat with her hands folded, tapping her knuckles against the desk as she looked gravely at Maki.
"Maki, you've heard... about your master." Chiyo's voice was low and heavy with authority. "The cooperation between the Sand and Leaf is set in stone. And Hiruko's personality... you know what is expected."
Maki kept her head bowed, her fingers twisting the hem of her clothes. The desert wind howled against the stone walls outside, echoing her internal turmoil. As an elite candidate of the Sand, she never imagined she would face such a choice.
Chiyo's gaze lingered on the girl. Despite the harsh desert life, Maki's skin was delicate, her features carrying a youthful, clear beauty. She wasn't as radiant as Pakura, but she possessed her own maidenly grace.
"Lady Chiyo, I..." Maki's voice trembled, her ears turning a deep crimson. "I will do my best to convince Master... and, and... serve Lord Hiruko alongside her."
The words seemed to sap every ounce of her courage. Just yesterday, the village elders had given her an emergency "education." The explicit diagrams, the blunt descriptions, and the meaningful smirks of the older kunoichi... it was enough to make the innocent girl want to die of shame.
"...It's too shameless!" Maki shook her head violently as she ran across the dunes, trying to dispel the face-flushing images in her mind. But the more she resisted, the clearer they became. Master... what should I do?
The group of Jonin moved at a blistering pace. While the veterans were used to the strain, Maki was struggling, and the small child in the group was reaching her limit. Noticing the little girl's ragged breathing, Chiyo signaled the group to halt.
She walked over and unfastened the child's cloak, her face softening with concern. "Are you alright?"
The little girl squeezed out a brave smile despite her exhaustion. "I'm fine."
Chiyo felt a pang of pity. "Your father and I fought side-by-side. I truly wished a different fate for our children. But in this world where the strong devour the weak, the powerless have no choice. The Land of Wind and the Hidden Sand must survive. We do what we believe is right."
The little girl looked at her with steady eyes. "If it's for everyone... I'm willing!"
Chiyo was left speechless, tears welling in her eyes as she pulled the child into a silent embrace.
The following day, Sarutobi Biwako and her retinue met Chiyo's group ten miles outside the village.
It was only upon arrival that the Konoha side realized Chiyo hadn't come alone—she had brought Maki, and even Temari, the daughter of the Fourth Kazekage.
Biwako was puzzled. Why bring a three-year-old girl to a high-stakes diplomatic negotiation? What was the intent? A sense of unease settled in her gut. She didn't think Hiruko was the type to be interested in a toddler—everyone knew he preferred mature, developed women. Still, assuming a child couldn't cause much trouble, Biwako kept her thoughts to herself.
Biwako wasn't alone; the village elder Utatane Koharu was also present. The two sides met with practiced warmth, the atmosphere seemingly harmonious.
However...
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