Scarlet Justice: Full Blossom - ep. 79
"Sacrifices"
[Exchange Rate, Part 2]
Having memorised Kurotsuchi's chakra signature earlier, I freshen up after my nap and make my way through the hotel. She's inside a quiet hall, containing a bar manned by one gentleman. He serves her as she sits with her legs crossed on one of the cushioned wooden stools. The bar surface is made of dark, polished wood that shines with the light above it. A refined and cool atmosphere, perfect for those who wish to unwind with a smooth drink in hand.
She turns her head to regard me with one of her pink eyes, before smiling and lifting her glass in acknowledgement.
"Seat's not taken."
"Thank you." I take the stool next to her and toss back my hair.
"Came for something to perk you up before dinner?"
"It would be nice. I'm not quite at the legal age yet, just old enough to sneak in some wine with family. Better not to cause trouble."
"Gotcha."
"What might I get you, ma'am?" the bartender asks.
"Sparkling cider, please. Light on the ice."
"Coming up, ma'am."
"Wanted to try out the gin and juice while I was here. Good stuff," Kurotsuchi says as she takes a sip. "So, the world famous Scarlet Viper. Or Crimson Nightmare, maybe. A woman of many titles."
"Indeed."
"Can't lie and say that I'm not impressed. Shame you decided to throw your lot in with Leaf, we could definitely use a big girl like you on our team."
"That sentiment has probably been expressed a million times by now."
"Way too low a number," she jokes. "You know who I am by now, but it doesn't hurt to introduce yourself properly. Kurotsuchi, of the almighty Hidden Rock Village. Old Man Oonoki is my grandfather by blood, and Akatsuchi is my long-time battle buddy. I've got a hardass dad who you might know, too."
"Kitsuchi, if I remember correctly."
"That's him. I love him to bits, but he's a right prick when he wants to be. Everyone tells him as much, but you can't argue with the results he gets." Curious to hear. I wonder why Kurotsuchi is lined up ahead of him, then. Maybe he's disinterested in the same way that Jiraiya is, despite being qualified. It would make sense.
"Lilith Kobayashi, jounin of the indomitable Hidden Leaf Village and owner of many oppressive titles," I say while extending my hand. "The Leaf's Scarlet Viper, as you've doubtless heard over the years." She shakes my hand firmly.
"Slaughtered a bunch of bandits in one go on your first mission, apparently."
"Yes. I'll let you guess at the real number, like everyone else."
"Saucy, aren't we? I like it."
"I will say the same to you. It's always nice to meet someone who can be spirited while avoiding crass behaviour."
"Tell me about it. Speaking of being spirited, you're liable to make a less confident gal jealous with that kind of outfit."
"I do love compliments."
"I bet you do. Got it going on, all the way around," she says while looking me over. "Maybe you should put me on to whatever you're doing."
"If you ask nicely enough, I might reveal one or two of my many secrets," I say while crossing my legs.
"Ha. You know good and well that I'm way too prideful to take advice from another woman, especially some bombshell from Leaf who might muscle in on my turf." She takes another sip of her drink and sighs. "Well, let's put that losing battle aside for now. I'm guessing you came by to keep an eye on me and pull up some information?"
"If it works out that way," I say.
"Heh. Well, it'll be the usual stuff on my end. I'm a bit touchy like Gramps, and I'm thinking of the best way to keep our team out in front. You know how it is."
"Yes, I do." The bartender delivers my glass of cider.
"We're pretty appreciative that you guys took the time to come out. Wary, of course, but appreciative. We're not super interested in throwing down at the drop of a hat. You know our position, and we know that you're loaded up with crazy fighters of all kinds. What was her name...Asagao, I think? Reminds me a lot of a girl that used to be in our village, born to some normies but got a bloodline limit that skipped generations, or so I heard. Han used to come around and tutor her whenever he bothered to be in town." She shakes her head. "Stubborn guy. But he was nice, even after everything he went through his whole life. He didn't deserve to die in a cave surrounded by psychopaths." A sniffle. "Mostly psychopaths, I guess."
Might as well ask, then. "One of the more prominent missing-nin in Akatsuki is Deidara, from your village. Did you know him in any capacity?"
"Hm." She takes another sip from the glass, her expression softening a bit. "Guess between you and me...I wish I could have kept Deidara-nii in the village. Dunno what exactly made him up and leave aside from his art stuff. He was...good to me. I watched him make all those clay sculptures and stuff. He was really talented, but he went out and stole that forbidden jutsu. I thought I understood him, but I guess I didn't." She finishes the rest of her drink and taps on the bar. The bartender takes her glass and gets a new one for her next drink.
"He seemed to take his art very seriously, and enjoyed it from what I could see."
"Guess he's happy like that, then. Not much I can do about it from here. Maybe...if I could face him myself one day, I could knock some sense into him. Make him change his mind. But I might not get there in time. It is what it is." She nods her thanks as her new glass of gin and juice arrives. "Village first. That's what's most important. Always has been."
I take a sip of my cider.
"Any way you slice it, Akatsuki's gotta go. For what they did to us, and what they're gonna try to do to the shinobi world. Can't be anything good."
"To that end, what do you think of the state of negotiations so far?" I ask.
"Better than I thought, honestly. We're making pretty good progress...new travel corridors are fine, changes to trade are good. The non-aggression stuff was what we were hoping for most, and your old man delivered on that part. We just want to make sure you and your band of battle monsters don't pounce on our throats when things go bad."
"That's always helped by a bit of actual leverage. The Hokage is eager to solve your problems without bloodshed or anything aside from minimal hassle. That's how he has been for an age."
"Yeah, and everyone respects the hell out of him for it. I'm the same," she says. "It's one thing to play the nice guy, but to actually be like that for the most part...well, it's one of the only actual things keeping this continent of paranoid freaks together. Papers and agreements don't count for all that much." She traces circles on the bar with one finger. "Which presents a problem, I guess."
"What kind of problem?" Maybe it's related to what I've been sensing in the background.
"That's the thing. I'm not entirely sure. Gramps has been pretty quiet about what extra things he wants, but I'll find out at dinner tonight, or after that."
So she's at a loss, too. Hopefully whatever this is, it's something we can deal with and not something that will cause a sudden seismic shift in our talks.
"Have a feeling it's more than material stuff." She shrugs. "What can you do? Your man Sarutobi should be able to deal with it like he's done all the other times. Which brings a question to mind."
"Ask away."
"Thanks. You're pretty close with the Hokage, seeing as he brought you up here and has you stick close to him. That's aside from your whole helping him knock off one of the Three Shinobi, which I'm sure he rewarded you for."
"You might be able to say that."
"Right, right. So I guess I want to know how invested you are in this peace thing. Woman to woman."
"More than serving my purposes better than any wave of violence could, I think it's the right thing to strive for. Shinobi can always find another road or purpose, I believe. We've been built up as warriors, trained to fight and kill since an early age. All because of mistakes made decades ago, on the road to following the dream that Hashirama Senju laid out for this shinobi world. I think we can be more than we are now, and I hope to make that come to pass in the future. But of course, there needs to be a world left to change, so this is one of the necessary steps."
"Fair enough. A pretty intriguing answer, really. Serving your purposes, hm?"
"Yes. I suppose once we bring you darling puppies to heel in the future, you'll get a proper look at what those will be like."
"Puppies. The only ones who are gonna be doing any barking are you little Leaf dogs."
"Good luck with that."
She scoffs at me playfully before we go back to our drinks. There's a bit of silence between us, with only the bartender milling about in the background.
"Hope this thing works out. Would be a real dumb waste of time otherwise," Kurotsuchi says.
"I feel the same," I reply.
"Though even if we get peace now, it's temporary. One of the old men here is gonna die soon enough, and get replaced with someone else. They've gotta respond to the wishes of their councillors and daimyo. And who's to say that the generations after us will see things the same way?"
"I agree wholeheartedly."
She looks at me, surprised. "You do?"
"Yes. Peace as it is now, held through a series of agreements, through treaties and signed scrolls, through diplomacy and the wishes of government officials...it's fragile and fleeting. The reason we sit here together is because the meaning of borders and ceasefires is transient. The form of peace we have now might not even survive this generation, as hard as Lord Hokage has worked for it. Peace treaties and war games and everything else...they only hold the meaning assigned to them, and each person and organisation assigns their own meanings on a whim. For land, for resources, for money, and even purely for national pride."
"So what's your solution? I mean, if you have one."
I think for a moment before looking at her squarely.
"My solution would be to create a lasting peace through connection with each other. A true understanding of each other's goals would allow us to find the right path."
"Connection, huh." She chuckles lightly. "Yeah, that'll happen."
"You don't see it the same way."
"Nah." She sips from her glass and gives me a smile. "But I can't say I hate the idea, you know. I figure...if you can prove that your idea of connecting with others has legs, people like me would join you just to see what things could be like. Until then, it's a wild idea. Trust doesn't take you all that far in the shinobi world."
"I see."
"I can tell that you're not some bubblegum pageant queen, Kobayashi. I think the idea of shinobi nations coming to trust and understand each other in reality is nonsense, but I respect the determination you have. You've thought things through. And you're not willing to sit back and be a footnote in history. You wouldn't be by Sarutobi's side if you were."
She sighs.
"The weight's heavy, but I'm willing to carry it. So are you, in the end."
"I couldn't be upset with you," I say. "After everything you've seen, it's a fair attitude to have. This world isn't built for those with just kind hearts. You're right in that I'm going to use my power to create history, rather than simply being a part of its flow."
I smile and raise my glass to her.
"And perhaps one day, we'll sit across from each other for a proper drink. As women who command the world itself."
Kurotsuchi smiles back and raises her glass. "I think I can look forward to that, Scarlet Viper."
We tap our glasses together and drink.
The recliners from earlier are replaced with a long table and chairs so that we can properly eat. Tonight's dinner consists of hearty fried pork bowls, complete with rice, vegetables, and boiled egg. A variety of sauces has been poured into bowls for use. Next to them is a basket of steamed meat buns. Tea and chilled water have been poured into our cups, with large vessels available to refresh them.
We all acknowledge each other before taking our seats, Rock on one side and Leaf on the other. I make sure oyaji is settled and comfortable before breaking apart my chopsticks and eating. Everything is cooked well and seasoned nicely, and we all seem to be enjoying ourselves. Akatsuchi is of course a big eater, but there's more than enough food for everyone, and we can call for more if need be. I make sure to eat my fair portion as well. Nothing wasted.
"I guess I'm looking at one of your secrets to success," Kurotsuchi says as I finish eating. "Never seen a gal your size keep up with Akatsuchi before."
"It's only right for a young maiden to eat her fair share," I say. "That's how you get a healthy body like this."
"Ain't that something. Gramps, think you can give me a pay bump when we get back? Meat ain't exactly cheap these days."
"Your diet is just fine, girl. Don't let a Leaf woman drag you into foolishness."
"Yeah, yeah. I'll remember. Besides, I don't think I'll be behind the curve for too long." She winks at me. Well, unbeknownst to her, I'm hoping for the same outcome. Maybe I can properly charm her in a few years, once she's reached her full potential.
"Shall we get back to business, Hokage?"
"Of course, of course. We were speaking on sections relevant to Grass Country earlier?"
"Yes, we were. As stated before, we can draft our proposal and tailor it to their recommendations, but they're as eager as we are to see an agreement come into being," Oonoki explains. "So unless we posit extremes, they're likely to agree to whatever we have."
"Very good to know."
"There's also Sand to consider, which I touched on in the earlier meeting..."
"Yes, our alliance. We likely won't have to adjust too much."
"Are you sure? They have a child in that office, you know."
I resist the urge to frown at his address of Gaara, and it serves me well as his gaze flickers towards me again. Akatsuchi seems as relaxed as ever, sipping on tea. Kurotsuchi gives me more friendly looks than earlier over the table, and makes sure to pass the sweets over when they come around. I refresh her water and tea while the old men talk. It seems we've built a good rapport, which I'm enjoying. I really have come to like her, as often as our villages are at odds. Maybe she might be amenable to my future plans in full. That is, if Oonoki ever steps down, which is as likely as the sun freezing over at this point. If she has his ear as a top advisor, that might be small comfort.
The old men are trying to tamp down things regarding the Sand and Leaf alignment. Gaara has been fair and cooperative with us, and is doing a good job bringing his village back from the brink of destruction. Between him and Baki, the village is destined for future success. Sand's proximity to Rock is the major issue, along with Gaara being a jinchuuriki - one to Rock's none at the moment. We haven't had to tap into any truly outlandish schemes like we discussed at the home of our agent family in Earth Country, which is a great relief.
We have enough for aid. Tsunade will grumble but involving her in training to help bolster the medical corps will be a good thing, and she'll see that it's done well. With proper placation, of course. I'll have to get a list of good Earth Country alcohols, and there's an expert across the table from me right now.
"..."
Why is that unease climbing? It's not showing on my face, thankfully, but I'm getting increasingly worried. I don't want this thing to fall apart, even though it seems we have a clear path to the finish. Akatsuchi goes to the washroom for a bit, and I follow a bit later while the old men try to sort out the types of lumber that can be shipped at a good volume and sustainably.
Washing up at the sink, I look into the mirror. Nothing on my face but worry.
"What the hell am I missing?"
Kurotsuchi's talk about our combat forces comes to mind. Rock isn't so easily taken, especially not from the southeastern side where there's that massive range to cross. Allying with Sand might help us in that regard, but if we keep them off the board with our own agreements, there's nothing there. Using Waterfall as a staging area? Unlikely. They don't want problems, either. And if they go in, it might mean trouble with Cloud. All the while, Mist is in silent chaos.
"We can't overthink it at this point. Just forge ahead, like the old man wants."
I sigh and run my hands through my hair. My cloak is still looking fine as I shrug it back on, and I leave the bathroom.
"Hey, fancy that." Kurotsuchi greets me as I exit.
"Still at it in there?"
"Yeah. But they're really cooking, since they're pecking at some of the finer details right now. I think we're on our way."
"Good to hear."
"Tiny favour for me?"
"Depends on how much you're willing to pay," I say with mischief.
"Tch. Lash comb? I'll get you the fancy pecan ice cream before we ditch this place tomorrow."
"Deal." I find my small makeup purse in my jacket pocket, and fetch one of my lash combs for her. "Don't worry about handing it back, it's a fresh one."
"Sweet. Thanks a milli, Kobayashi. See you in a bit."
"Cheers."
I head back and find that the old men are indeed going over strange little details, but things are going well enough.
"Ah, Colonel. Would you mind scribing what we have already?" Hiruzen asks.
"Yes, my lord."
"The instruments are right here...yes, good. Tsuchikage, let's go over what we have now."
"Very well," Oonoki replies. "Make sure you can keep up, girl."
"I'll do my best, sir," I reply with a tiny bit of snark. Kurotsuchi laughs as she picks up on it, settling into her seat again.
"Hmph. See that you do." Arrogant old man, isn't he? Once this peace process is done with, I might have to fix his attitude a little more.
I write down everything that we have so far. All of the planned projects, the regional arrangements, the ever building number of pieces that will bring this peace process together. Rock gets military assurances, some aid, assistance in training programs, economic favours, designated trade routes and other miscellaneous things. We have the grudging approval of the warhawks in Leaf to do what we can to keep Rock from doing any amount of stupid things.
Slow, and temporary maybe. But it will give us time, and stave off worse things. Most of all, it will mean no Summit, no chaos between nations, and no chance of giving Akatsuki extra room to breathe. We need to counter their threat. I won't let any more tailed beasts get taken away, especially not Naruto. He's come too far to meet such a disgusting end.
I finish writing and read back the items in order.
"Not bad for a Leaf brat."
I give him an exasperated look.
"Come on, Gramps. Not often you see a gal with her talents who's good at being a kunoichi, too," Kurotsuchi says.
"I suppose. Sarutobi, this was good work today."
"Indeed it was. I'm glad we could work together on this, Oonoki. We'll have copies of the agreement made and readied for tomorrow morning, in which we will both sign."
"The Silver Vine Treaty," Oonoki says.
"A good name. Then until tomorrow, good sir."
"Until tomorrow." They reach over the table and shake hands. Hiruzen looks to be more satisfied than Oonoki is. And from the small glances I take...Akatsuchi is as happy as his master, but there's a subtle unease on Kurotsuchi's face.
Unfortunately, it's an inappropriate time to try and get anything out of her.
We bid each other good night. The Leaf ANBU file up the stairs after us as we get there.
"Wonderful," Hiruzen says. He looks so happy. Do I tell him about my thoughts? That I'm feeling uneasy?
"..."
It's about more than making him happy, or sad. I don't know what this feeling is, and it could very well be paranoia. Shinobi aren't supposed to implicitly trust each other, after all.
"I'm glad everything is going well. You've done an incredible job, my lord."
"Part of my confidence comes from knowing that you're next to me. Thank you for that, Lili. It's time for us to get some proper rest, before we conclude everything tomorrow."
"Tomorrow, then. We'll be able to move towards a better world."
He nods and waves before heading inside of his room. I go into mine and close the door before leaning against it.
"Oonoki is known for being ruthless at times."
It seems to be untangling the webs slightly.
"He's agreed to the terms in principle, but something can always happen at the last moment. An attack? Worst possible time. He's getting so much of what he wants from us."
A bit more.
"All day, he kept glancing at me. More than Akatsuchi or Kurotsuchi did. He sees me as an...obstacle? Threat?"
It feels like I'm nearly there, but missing a piece.
"Or is it...something I don't want to consider at all?"
I shake my head and start to get out of my clothing. A hot bath and then some reading before bed. That missing piece will reveal itself tomorrow. All I can hope for is that the old man can use his experience to figure things out.
"But I'll be at your side, oyaji. No matter what happens."
The second day. And hopefully, the final one.
We still have time to do another go around if needed, but from what I understand further details will be smoothed out once the initial treaty is signed. Worrying about the exact numbers, and things of that nature. This framework is what will be key, and necessary for everything to work.
Hiruzen and I head downstairs, dressed neatly and refreshed. The ANBU head off to their positions. We enter the conference room, which is back to the earlier configuration plus a new addition: a table with documents on it, and a brush next to an ink vessel.
Oonoki and company are present already, sitting down. We acknowledge and sit ourselves.
And as I look over at our counterparts, I know that something is seriously wrong.
Akatsuchi has a neutral look. Oonoki seems to be quite serious, more than before. And Kurotsuchi...her expression is stony. I can see in her eyes some level of sadness, of regret. Is this going to be a betrayal? Are they backing out of the deal? More than that, she seems slightly stiff. The relaxed posture from yesterday is gone, and she sits upright near the edge of her seat, feet on the ground and hands on top of a short sword. It looks to be ceremonial, wrapped up in a gold and white sheath.
"Hiruzen."
Oonoki removes his hat, and places it in his lap. Hiruzen follows suit, giving the other man his full attention.
"I want you to realise the respect I have for you, as Hokage, and as a shinobi. You have done many great things in your time, and have continued to advocate for peace over these past decades. You have fostered and facilitated peace across the shinobi world, even if it hasn't succeeded in its entirety. I say this to you, with all sincerity. In this world of death and shadows, you have proven yourself to be the best of us. You truly are the God of Shinobi."
"Thank you, Oonoki."
"I am also one of the Five Kage. I have been so for a long time, and hope to be so for a while longer. As Tsuchikage, my concern is my village, and the people of my nation. I seek its defence, and its prosperity. Beyond my existence, as well. Hard decisions must be made, at any given time. Resilience, and endurance...these are the threads that bind shinobi, and give them reason to be. You have reflected on such, as part of the Chuunin Selection Examinations that you use to tie countries together."
"Yes."
"Then I hope you can understand my position, and my reasoning for what I am about to do next. What I will demand of you, Hiruzen Sarutobi."
Kurotsuchi rises to her feet, then kneels on the carpet and presents the sword in her hands to Oonoki. He takes the sheathed sword and floats over to the table before setting it down, ahead of the teapot and cups and towards our side.
"What is this?" Hiruzen asks. That bad feeling is almost at its peak. Why is the Tsuchikage presenting this sword to us? I look to my Hokage for answers, and he has none.
"You know the limits of any treaty, Hokage. How easily they can be broken, or manipulated. It was the same long ago for you, wasn't it?" Oonoki asks. "The event that took place within your village, and forced you to make a painful sacrifice. It was thirteen years ago."
My eyes widen. Hiruzen looks back at me, fully realising what it means.
"The Hyuuga Affair," he says, quietly.
"In order to stave off war, you made a hard choice. You honoured that treaty, as wrong as it was, as it would ever be. You turned away from anger in order to preserve peace. You gave up one of your mightiest shinobi from one of your mightiest clans."
Hina turned three that very day. A peace accord was signed between Leaf and Cloud, to put an end to what seemed like endless war. The Head Shinobi of Cloud snuck into the Hyuuga Estate by night, intending to kidnap Hina for her Byakugan. Hiashi, with every right and justification on his side, struck down the attacker. When the kidnapper's identity was found, Cloud demanded recompensation. It was a lie. A sham. Hiashi avoided death, only because his brother conspired against him to be the sacrifice instead. It hollowed him out. It warped Neji's mind. It cast Hina down into despair, and she was so close to death herself, to wanting to take her own life because of the endless grief. Her father had forgotten to love her, and she had forgotten to love herself.
It makes me seethe just thinking about it.
"How far does your resolve go, Hiruzen Sarutobi? How much would you sacrifice for true peace?"
Kurotsuchi is seated on the couch again, hands clenched on her lap. A slight trembling. Guilt as she looks at me.
I understand now.
I understand what that feeling was. I understand why Oonoki kept glancing at me, calculating things in his head.
"It's me. Isn't it?"
"Lili?" Hiruzen looks at me with concern.
"I'm the one in the way. I'm the one blocking the path to peace," I say. "Isn't that the case?"
"If this treaty falls through, then I will seek my own path in talks with the Five Kage," Oonoki says. "But if you want this to succeed, and create a new era of peace, then you will deliver the order...or carry it out yourself."
"Order?" Hiruzen asks.
"The life of Lilith Kobayashi, in exchange for an enduring peace."
"Something like that...Oonoki-"
"I will agree to any terms you wish. You might even bind me to never war against your nation again, Hiruzen. Nearly anything you want, if I were to go home with this task completed," he says. "Scarlet Viper, I bear you no ill will. But it is the truth that many shinobi and their masters seek your death. You are the one they have come to fear above all."
It's a terrible ask. Something like this...unbearable.
To put that onto his soul. My life...the life of a child he loves so dearly, that he meant to sacrifice himself for years ago...my life, for peace.
"The one who took out a tailed beast," Kurotsuchi says quietly. "It's the kind of power that strikes fear into the hearts of shinobi, across the nations great and small. Even with all of our precautions, all of our agreements and best wishes, we have no means to bind someone like you with certainty. The only thing to do, the only right thing to do, to ensure the future of our village, is to force your hand. To see just how much you wanted peace in this world."
"I understand," I say. "I have no anger towards you. Any of you. You are shinobi, and you endure. Such is the truth of this world."
I take up the sword and unsheathe it. My hand lightly grips the blade as I stand, holding it out towards my Hokage.
"My lord. The choice must be made, here and now. I am ready. I always have been, for your sake."
He slowly stands, taking the sword from me and looking at it in his hands.
"Thank you for believing in me the way that you have. For looking after me. For fighting for me. And for loving me, in only the way that you could."
"Lili."
"The choice is in your hands, Lord Hokage. The fate of a world, unsettled and frantically searching for peace."
"There is one more option available for you."
We turn our heads to face Oonoki. Akatsuchi and Kurotsuchi look surprised, just as we are.
"Tell the world that the legend was a lie. Agree to denounce those travellers on the sea," he says. "Dissolve the Scarlet Viper's legend. We will sign the treaty without incident then, and you can return home as you were."
Kurotsuchi turns her head, unnerved. "Gramps...that would-"
"Destroy the reputation of the Leaf for an age. Long enough for the Rock to return to superiority," Hiruzen says. "We would lose clients immediately, and the enemies of Leaf would be on our doorstep. Lili would be disgraced. So would I. The name of Hokage would be nothing but mud in the eyes of the shinobi world. Worse still, the civilian populace would see us as monsters, never to be trusted with anything ever again. The government would be in shambles. But we could rebuild. We could wait out the coming storm, and eventually, eventually...become a village of worth again."
"With the legend turned to ash, your desired peace would come to life. Your favoured child, your title...your village. A sacrifice. What do you choose, God of Shinobi? Would you destroy your village to save this girl's life? Or would you take this girl's life to preserve your village? Or would you walk away, and have the peace you sought burned away in an instant? I would risk the fate of this world, in order to protect my people at the Five Kage Summit. This is the pride of the Tsuchikage."
"..."
"You have lost brilliant lights. Seen them fade away in service of others. And even allowed some to be taken away. All for this world's peace. Sarutobi...what makes this different, in the end?"
A cold, merciless logic. But there's nothing to deny. He is right. If one person's death could preserve peace, why not take that life? It's been done before. It will be done again.
Itachi made that choice, when he killed his own parents and erased the Uchiha Clan. Hashirama before him fought his former friend to the death, in order to protect the Hidden Leaf. History repeating, over and over again. What price will we pay for the world's peace? How much before we say it's enough?
"Above all else...I remember one thing," Hiruzen says to me.
"What is it?"
"The strength to shape the future...only comes to those with courage."
"..."
"And so, I will gather up my courage today." He turns to Oonoki. "This woman next to me has grown from a lonely sapling into a mighty tree that supports brilliance and life. Her branches reach towards the heavens, and her roots into the darkness of the earth. She is this world's hope, the one to finally finish the work that Hashirama began decades ago. My choice is made. If you insist upon her death as a condition for peace, then I will take my own life afterwards."
The three from Hidden Rock stare at us, eyes widened in shock. Oonoki seems to lose stability before floating properly again.
"Hiruzen. You would..."
"If this is the remainder of my strength as a shinobi, and as Hokage, then let me use every ounce of it in earnest," he says firmly. "You will have both of us perish."
"Untenable," Oonoki manages to say. "An impossible thing to accept."
"Then we reach the final outcome. I refuse your demands, Tsuchikage. If there is no peace to be found here, then the fate of this world will be balanced at the Five Kage Summit." Hiruzen takes my hand and sheathes the sword, before presenting it to Oonoki. The other man nods and takes it before handing it over to Akatsuchi. Kurotsuchi lets out a long breath, tension leaving her body as she rests her head in her hands.
"You made the only correct choice, in the end."
"Even with everything...this treaty wouldn't last more than a week in the hands of your councillors," I say to Oonoki. "You knew for a long while."
"It is so, Scarlet Viper."
"You asked something difficult of me," Hiruzen says.
"Only that I would ask of myself. I admit to misjudging you, Hiruzen. You've changed since last we met, within the burning conflicts of war. A choice not to be made lightly. If I were in your place...I would choose death before such dishonour. You valued this girl more than a mere chance at peace, and you were right to do so. To waste the power of someone like Madam Kobayashi here would be beyond the pale."
"Tch. What're you saying, old man?" Kurotsuchi asks angrily. "That you'd fight the world instead of offering me up as a sacrifice? Even if it meant saving the village?"
"You insufferable girl. Perhaps you should worry more about cleaning your ears than fixing your makeup. I would be a fool to take the life of one so valuable, for her potential as my successor, and her bloodline."
"Real fuckin' pragmatic of you, Gramps. Nice to know that I'm valued for something." The blush on her face says enough, I think.
"If you believe that you can open the path to the future with your own power...then you'll have a chance to test that theory in a few weeks. The call will be put out as soon as we make it back to the Hidden Rock," Oonoki says.
"Understood. Then we will prepare accordingly," Hiruzen says. "I'm sorry that it had to come to this, but I understand your position. And I hold no grudge for what took place just now."
"Honestly, I get the whole God of Shinobi vibe now," Kurostuchi says. "No offence, Gramps...but Old Man Sarutobi absolutely ripped it just now when he told you to get bent."
"A colourful way of putting it," he mutters.
"I'm glad it turned out for the best. I want Leaf to be in tip top shape in the future, instead of a damn shambles with no reputation. Wouldn't be as fun to beat the brakes off of 'em," she says with a smug look towards me. "Tailed beast killers or otherwise."
"Should have hoped for the other outcome," I shoot back. "Because now your loss is guaranteed. I'll put everything I own on it."
"Guess it's time for us to leave, boss," Akatsuchi says. "Hopefully there are no hard feelings with you Leaf fellows."
"Rest assured, this conversation will stay between the five of us," Hiruzen says. "Oonoki, be well."
"The same to you, Sarutobi." They shake hands firmly and nod to each other.
"See you guys at the Summit. Gonna be a blast," Kurotsuchi says. "Gramps, let's stop at the bar before we do anything else."
"It's too early for your drinking nonsense," Oonoki says as his group leaves.
"Be serious, old man. After all the bullshit you put me through just now, I deserve to get trashed before we go home."
Hiruzen takes a seat on the couch, letting out a sigh. I pour him a cup of tea and light his pipe again properly.
"What an ordeal. I know what Oonoki meant to do, but..."
"It makes sense for those of the Hidden Rock to be the greatest drama queens known to man," I quip. After pouring a cup of tea for myself, I sit close to Hiruzen and lean my head on his shoulder. "You were very brave, and especially cool today, oyaji."
"Was I..."
"Absolutely. Saying that you would die along with me was wonderful to hear. Not that I thought for a second you would kill me, or yourself. Never in doubt."
"Indeed. I pinned my hopes on you a long time ago, Lili."
"And that's why I strive to never let you down. Or, at least after this." I frown. "I should have been able to figure out that I was the issue, but..."
"As if you could decipher that the Tsuchikage would ask you to die all of a sudden. You shouldn't worry much about the mad schemes of men like that."
"I suppose so."
"I believe it was you that said, all things under heaven and earth are not meant to be understood by the children of men."
"Oho. You old men are getting too saucy for your own good these days. Now you're using my own quotes against me."
"Well deserved for someone so stubborn."
"Be grateful that I'm still swooning over you right now, oyaji. I wouldn't let that go on another day."
"I'm sure." He puts his free arm around me.
"The words aren't enough, but they're the ones to carry what I have in my heart. I love you."
"I love you too, Lili. I always will."
The other possibilities never existed. I knew, as I always knew, that we would choose to fight the world together if need be. To sacrifice for a fragile, fleeting peace is beyond us.
No more half measures.
We're taking this world by storm. We are coming for everything.
"Yo."
"Yo yourself," I say as I open the door wider. I've just put on a bathrobe after a long soak, and intended to get some manga time in after a stressful day. Kurotsuchi has shown up in front of my room door. I make a brushing motion towards the ANBU who have poked their heads out of their rooms, and they head back inside obediently.
"Came to pay back that favour. We're gonna head out early, or late, whatever, and I'm gonna be too sloshed to do anything for you then." Judging from the heat spreading over her face, she's well on her way there.
"I appreciate that you thought of me." She hands me the bag, which contains two small buckets of the premium pecan ice cream they have downstairs.
"Like hell I'd keep myself in debt to someone from Leaf. Anyway...I'll see you around. Sorry again about the old man and his soap opera bullshit. He told me about the part where he would make Sarutobi choose, but not much other than that. Goddamn prick."
"It's fine. I know how dangerous I am, though I wouldn't choose something so underhanded."
"'Course you wouldn't. You're a proud member of the Hidden Scout Village," she says with a laugh. She lightly punches my shoulder before heading off.
"Kurotsuchi. Be sure to look after yourself."
"Got it~. You do the same, hot stuff." She waves over her shoulder. "When all this nonsense is over, I'll see you at the top, like we promised."
"I'll hold you to that."
I head back inside, place one bucket in the miniature fridge, and find a spoon for the other.
"Now, where was I..." I sit in the recliner with my frozen treat, and open up my tankoubon with one hand. "Oh, she looks even more delicious in colour, hmhm. We're in for something good."
Everything is packed. Room is clear, as I always like to have it. I make sure everything is in order, and that I look as lovely as when I came in.
Day three, mid-morning. Time to go home.
A thought comes to mind as I leave my room, and watch the Hokage step out with all of his merry ANBU following.
"Are we alright, Lili?" he asks me.
I shake my head.
"What seems to be the matter?"
"It's been a rough few weeks for us. Losing this often doesn't feel good, even if it's balanced with all the praise everyone has for me."
"Losing?"
"I'm responsible for this failure and the incident with Utakata."
"You're not."
"I am. Don't try to make me feel better."
"I am not placating you, I am stating a fact. None of that was your fault. Not this, or the earlier event in Water Country. Blaming yourself for things beyond your control is unhealthy. A habit that we should work on breaking in the near future."
I roll my eyes and follow him down the hall. We reach the lobby, hand over our keys to the receptionist, and then bid them farewell. The carriages from days ago are waiting for us in the village square once more.
"I was being entirely serious. I'm an obstacle towards good relations in this world and will continue to be such," I say to him as we walk. "You have to accept that much if you mean to lean on me in the future."
"Lili, it is not your fault. Do not blame yourself for the actions of others. It is not right," he says firmly.
"I'll leave it alone for now, then. We're not going to agree."
"We're not going to agree because you're wrong."
"Yes, sir."
He grunts with disapproval, but lets it go. We reach the carriages, do final checks, and separate into the groups we had before.
"Lili."
"Yes." I go over to Hiruzen, who takes my hand in his gently.
"I want to speak to you as someone who has lived a long life in this world."
"Yes, sir. I understand."
"Good. Taking responsibility is an admirable thing, and you lead with a firmer hand than I usually would. I appreciate and admire those parts of you. But please remember...you will not last if you are too harsh with yourself. The rivers that flow freely now are not what they once were. Do you understand?"
I nod. "I do, sir."
"Good. We might be in disagreement, but I have no issue with that. You will find your way, better than I could. That time will come to you soon."
He gives my hand a reassuring squeeze before letting go. I settle into my position next to the driver, who awaits my orders.
"Same path as before."
"Understood, ma'am. Heading off."
She shakes the reins and the children let out breaths before pulling us forward. All the while, I ruminate on what Hiruzen told me.
Be better to myself. Right...I'll work on it. And I'll snap this little losing streak on my own. I'll need Itachi freed up for the Summit, and I've got just the way to make it happen.