Chapter 127: The Price of Alliance (3)

Chapter 127: The Price of Alliance (3)

"Hahahaha, catch me if you can!" A brown-haired girl gave a toothy smile, revealing that she lacked her front two teeth as she ran away with another girl chasing after her. Sky rarely cleared near the border of the Land of Rain more than the constantly raining country, at the very least. So, the villagers would take the chance to come out more under such pleasant circumstances.

And it was pleasant indeed.

[Earned 25 SP.]

For Kai, at least.

Contrasting to the sunny and boisterous environment outside of one rundown dingy hut on the outskirts of the village, the interior of it was quite... gloomy. The pressure itself was exerted upon the masked individuals as it revolved heavily the most around two individuals.

You may think it would be the old man in a large canopy-like hat with a red flaming pattern and a sharp-eyed, tan-skinned youth in a similar white robe with an equally wide hat No.

Two individuals who stood behind the only two seated individuals across the table watched each other. The masked man, standing tall with his defining feature a white ponytail, stared at a hunched and masked old woman who was a head or two shorter than him. Oh, how Kai would want to wear his octopus mask...

BUT...

There were two obstacles.

First, that would give his identity as the Dragon Sennin of Konoha to others including the shinobi of Konoha. The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))

Second, he wasn't stationed in this dingy little meeting place.

Only Sakumo tagged along with Hiruzen while the NEW Kazekage was tagged along by an advisor of his. It was very clear by now that this individual was already expected to take up the mantle should anything happen to the Second Kazekage, as Hiruzen predicted.

And while his real body stuck along with Tsume and Minato, his clone stuck along with Sakumo in his shadow as a very tiny version of his own. Again, others couldn't really sense sages due to their ability to naturally blend into the surroundings instinctively.

Adopting his usually calm and peaceful smile, Hiruzen commented in an ostentatiously sincere tone, "It's regretful for the Second Kazekage to pass away... in his sleep."

At least, that's what he'd been informed by the Third Kazekage sitting in front of him... to an Old Kage, older than the Second Kazekage, who had yet to pass in his 'sleep,' too.

The youth still wet behind the ears narrows his eyes at the comment yet keeps to his silence. He'd been informed... to be prepared for the worst, after all. And being one of the best in the village meant acquainting himself with the worst side of this occupation despite his young age.

"Kazekage Shaku," Hiruzen let his hum drift in the damp ditch as if he couldn't see Chiyo's glare from under her mask while Sakumo had a much more severe disposition. That old woman herself was an elite but... Shaku, too, was dangerous. They've heard reports on him.

Not only of his uncanny pioneering talent in chakra but also his nature.

"I'm sure you know why we're here," Looking the youth in the eye, Hiruzen states in a flat tone, "Iwa is breathing down your neck but no matter their harassment... they will NOT attempt to destroy a shinobi village privately... even if they can," this earns the old man a sharper glare from the youth and there it was... the ability to remain calm despite brewing a storm within. This is why Shaku is dangerous despite his unheard abilities.

Shaku's gaze, for the first time, shifted and his eyes widened which elicited Hiruzen to chuckle.

"Did you think I'm not aware of the clan bred by the First Kage of yours? It's a nice idea to not have a last name. However, it's an open secret to other kages that this role in Suna is not as democratic as believed but a monarchy. The First Kage, Reto, was the Second Kage Shamon's first brother. And Shamon is your uncle, or, I believe, WAS your uncle."

Seeing Hiruzen dismantle his secret family line known only to the likes of advisors such as Chiyo made Shaku more stifled than the heavy chakra itself. But... Hiruzen spoke the truth. The Sunagakure was ruled by a monarchy of a clan that has no name. In fact, their Jinchuriki

"Not to mention your Granduncle housing Ichibi," Hiruzen hums softly.

"Insubordination is not an option," Shaku states firmly and cuts off whatever Hiruzen was about to speak as the difference in the duo finally showed. Of course, there were a few well-kept secrets that would make Hiruzen equally flustered but the difference is the fact that Shaku was privy to none.

Still, reigning his anger within, Shaku leans forward and touches his hat, "I believe we can still enter an actual alliance. This was an idea... from Shamon. Your reputation for advocating peace, indeed, is not enough. But... what if Sunagakure supports your claims by... let's say, opening the village to another one?"

Sakumo's and Hiruzen's gaze shifted for a second. Indeed... they were a peace-loving bunch with their hands so red that no sin can turn it any darker... but if it is possible to keep their children's hands from turning equally red...

They are willing to, at the very least, hear the notion out.

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Alternate Title: Nameless Monarchy of Suna; Only Danzo Gets to Manhandle Hiruzen; The Red of Peace

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A/N: Alright, where do I begin? First, I think that only Konoha truly follows giving the position of Hokage to a somewhat more suitable successor. Other villages are blunter about passing down this power to their children while Suna can be a bit hidden about it? I mean, Rasa, Gaara, and Shaku have magnet release but I don't think it's a bloodline limit as much as it is learned. Boruto's new magnet release user and the other guy in the war who used large shurikens showed that much. And, I have something possibly cool (?) planned to explore other villages since Konoha is almost done save for one, particularly op Kinjutsu.

Second, the name Shaku for the third comes from Jishaku which means magnet according to Google Translate, and also has a hidden tribute to Shukaku The First tail magnet and wind-style beast.

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