Chapter Twenty-Three: Never Interrupt Your Enemy…
Land of Seas had been chosen, having stable trade relations with both villages presently in contention, and decently spaced between the two larger nations to avoid accusations of favoritism.
Thinking of the last time he had been in the country, Obito's skin itched in anticipation for what might happen. Being in the rain forests of the Land of Seas' western end did little to alleviate the sentiment.
He had joined the Hokage, along with a small detachment of guards who would stand ready to respond. Nearby, Hiyoshi Hyūga, Hiashi and Hizashi's uncle stood rigidly, with an air of disdainful disinterest, as if he had something else he would rather be doing. He had been chosen to represent his clan, as Hiashi was deemed too close to the matter and emotionally compromised after the death of his wife. And to avoid potentially putting him in arm's reach of Kumogakure's revenge, should they decide to skip the diplomacy and go for his throat.
"Watch closely, Obito-kun," said the Sandiame. "There is no greater lesson than experience, though I hope you're never in a position like this in the future."
Seeing that the Hokage had already set his game face for the occasion, Obito took it as a sign to focus on the proceedings and his surroundings. Three tables were arranged in the clearing, one at either end, the third situated in middle where the Land of Seas' ambassador was sitting as the mediator. Plain-faced, but properly dressed for his station, Obito might have accidentally dismissed him as just another bureaucrat, complete with an air of boredom that was marred by a hint of tension around the shoulders.
"I, Minister Koeriyū of Land of Seas, hereby open this mediation. Representing the interests of Kumogakure, the Sandiame Raikage, ⸢A⸥, who is accompanied by his son, Hiroki, as well as Giriko Kurogetsu, brother of ⸢T⸥."
Across the way, the Third Raikage stepped into view, flanked by his own men. One of which looked to resemble the late Tengen, if somewhat brawnier. Taller, too, if Obito wasn't mistaken. Hiroki was just as much a towering bulwark of muscles, though that in turn paled compared to his father. Still fit and muscular, though by his apparent age, it had to be a massive contest of will for the Raikage to maintain his physique. Put together, the three of them looked as they were over 350 kilograms.
What do they feed them over there, Obito wondered.
"And representing Konohagakure, the Sandiame Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, accompanied by Hiyoshi Hyūga and Obito Namikaze."
At this, three of Konoha's delegation stepped forward, taking their places at the table, remaining standing when the mediator gestured towards them.
"⸢A⸥-san," The Hokage greeted, casting a disarming smile, "It's been a long time, hasn't it?"
"Not long enough, I say," The Raikage retorted, then made a show of looking around before sneering. "And where is the murderer?"
Hiyoshi cleared his throat, and answered, "My nephew is at home in contemplation on how his actions reflect on his village, clan, and personal honor. I will stand in his place for this occasion in representing the Hyūga."
"You mean he hides like the coward he is? Pah!"
"What I understand," said the Hokage, "is that one of my most prestigious Jōnin defended his home and family from an intrusion, and ⸢T⸥ happened to be the one holding his daughter, and responded accordingly."
"Lies! Transparent deceptions to deflect blame to your victims!"
Koeriyū lightly tapped his gavel. "Raikage-sama, I would caution you to refrain from such open belligerence. You requested my mediation in this matter, and my country by extension. We are not here to argue over what has happened, nor to assign the blame. As it stands, it is unlikely that any evidence will be accepted, so I recommend you present your terms."
⸢A⸥ crossed his arms and huffed, dismissively. "Very well. Let us first discuss the return of my men."
This part, Obito figured would be tricky. They had already presented a list of the Kumo nin that had accompanied ⸢T⸥ to Konohagakure. All of the Lightning Daimyō's men had already been sent home as a gesture of good will, but the first round of negotiations had been done with pen and paper. Here, it would be key to keep the reins on tempers.
Next to him, the Hokage's mouth was set into a grim line. "Your men remain in the best of care in Konoha, even as prisoners. They will be returned to you unharmed under the a satisfactory outcome. We have already returned the remains of your comrade as intact as possible, given the manner of his death."
"After you have already violated his corpse to glean village secrets, no doubt!" the Raikage blustered, suddenly on his feet.
The mediator banged the gavel once more to intervene. "Peace, please," he ordered. "If this is too much for you to abide by, by rights, I could easily declare this meeting at an end here and now, and consider your proposal null and void, and leave you to work out matters on the battlefield."
The Raikage frowned, mulishly returning to his seat. "War is not in our daimyō's interests at this point in time."
"Neither is it so for ours," The Hokage answered, levelly.
"…However, blood must be paid in blood! A life for a life! Your man killed one of my men, I expect the culprit in return."
Obito snarled. "One of your men, your most senior Jōnin broke all rules of hospitality to try and abduct one of our children before stealing into the night like a common thief! Are you faulting a father from dispatching any would-be kidnapper with anything less than extreme prejudice?"
A bared his teeth in a vague approximation of a smile while giving Obito a flinty stare. "Sarutobi, keep your whelp on a tighter leash when in the presence of his betters." He snorted derisively and shook his head. "And I am simply stating the terms requisite for letting this incident pass without a greater loss in life."
"And the life of the girl's mother is inadequate?" the Hokage asked, an eyebrow raised.
"Was she a Jōnin? Did she command the loyalty of your ranks? Had she fought any battles to preserve her village's strength and reputation in a contest of might and arms?"
Giriko's mouth twisted minutely, as if biting into a lemon, looking away from the proceedings.
"Esteemed Kage," Hiyoshi interjected, "If I might propose an alternative arrangement?"
Koeriyū seemed to weigh the merits of the suggestion, and then gestured for him to continue, to which Hiyoshi stood.
"As I see it, this is something for my clan to address. It was the impulsive actions of my nephew over a perceived slight, rather than an effort of the village to deprive you of a valuable resource in manpower and experience. Furthermore, as you and are unlikely to accept any reassurance that intelligence wasn't gathered during the autopsy, I would offer due recompense for…damages incurred."
"Are the Hyūga not of Konohagakure? Have you not sworn loyalty to your village? What compensation can you offer that your village would not be responsible for?"
Obito refrained from glaring at Hiyoshi or the Hokage, but only just. Fixing his eyes straight ahead, he saw Giriko eye the Hyūga elder suspiciously.
"The Hyūga clan would assume responsibility for this sordid affair by offering a payment in the culprit's blood. We will see to his execution so there's no undue suffering, and the body will be turned over to Kurogetsu-san in pristine condition, to do with as you wish. And if the offer is to your satisfaction, anything else gained from the exchange is the Kurogetsu clan's to offer to their own village at their discretion."
"HA! You would so callously throw your own kin on the pyre to avoid war."
"In the interests of peace, some sacrifices must be made. This is what you wish for, and what we're willing to offer. You may accept the offer, or-"
"You're a heartless bastard, aren't you, Hyūga. And Sarutobi, for you to just let this happen…just how desperate and cowardly are you to try and avoid a fight? Hah! It is of no consequence. On behalf of Kumogakure, I accept this generous offer."
Suffering only a moment of shock, Koeriyū turned to the Hokage one last time. "Are these conditions acceptable, Hokage-sama?"
All eyes fell on Sarutobi, who stared at ⸢A⸥, levelly and unblinking.
"With great reluctance, I accept these terms."
"Very well," Koeriyū said, finally, slightly pale and green around the gills all at once. At the banging the gavel, both parties rose and left, Obito casting a glance the same time as Giriko. Locking eyes with the man, Obito could have sworn he saw a spark of something as he turned around once more to follow the Raikage.
[NRE]
It had been a long, uncomfortably quiet trip home, and the Hokage evidently realized that Obito had a lot on his mind and more to say when he invited him into his office. Once in private in the village, Obito wasted little time in venting about the matter, something ensured by the security seals in place for the occasion, leaving only the pair of ANBU to witness the conversation.
"I can't believe you're giving Kumo what they want on a silver platter," Obito growled.
Sarutobi had already doffed his hat and was busy filling his pipe as he evenly answered the accusation, "There are several degrees of misdirection at play, and if you will hear me out, I would have you judge me for all of the sins I've committed. First of all, nothing is being done that will compromise village security."
"And at what cost?"
"While the details are only known by generalities, Hiyoshi has offered every assurance that Hizashi will not suffer for this, nor will Kumo's own researchers easily glean whatever else they might seek."
Obito ground his heels into the floor. "Hizashi-san. You're giving them Hizashi?!"
"As a member of the branch clan, it falls within his duties to act as a body double in his brother's place. And Hiyoshi-san only offered him the blood of Kurogetsu's killer. There was no wording that specified that it be Hiashi in particular."
"…Okay, a clever bit of wordplay, I'll give you that. And ⸢A⸥ must be really arrogant or ignorant not to catch that."
Sarutobi inclined his head ever-so-slightly. "Never interrupt an enemy when they are making a mistake."
"And why are we giving them anything in the first place!?" Obito snapped.
"By strictest of technicalities, we aren't doing anything, Obito-kun. Whatever else may come, it is up to the Hyūga and the Kurogetsu clan to determine appropriate compensation; my benediction was largely a formality. In return, we hand over the surviving delegation, and our respective daimyō will consider the matter closed with no further action required." The light scrape of a match being lit echoed in the room. "And any further action subject to harsh penalties should they be broken."
"But they're the perpetrators in this!"
Sarutobi took a long, slow draw from his pipe, holding it just past the point of tolerance before letting it out again.
"That is true," he answered, "and it pains me to make use of these tactics, but to make a small correction to what was said at the summit: war isn't merely not in our interests, it's nigh-impossible for us to reasonably pursue at this juncture.
If war was declared, we would have to cleave through the mountain passes to get into onto the peninsula. Or travel by sea to circumvent the highlands. Casualties would be significant, regardless. A defensive posture would be worse. Our numbers and supplies wouldn't be able to sustain it for long, and certainly not long enough to assure victory, and not enough to justify the payment in blood and tears."
Obito nearly rocked back from the pronouncement. "…It's really that bad?" he asked, suddenly subdued.
"We had already strained ourselves at the end of the last war. Minato had done a magnificent job in cowing our enemies afield, but with him gone, some are beginning to test the waters. And after the Kyūbi attack, we are keeping up with the duties and expectations placed on us, but only just. I despise the act, and I'm sure my punishment for allowing it will be most severe, but one life-"
"Two."
"Yes, two lives ultimately weigh less than the thousands who would perish in the war that would transpire." Hiruzen leaned his elbows onto his desk, tenting his hands in front of his face. "By now, they will have discovered the subterfuge, but they can't push any further without looking like the opportunistic ghouls they are; their story is already stretching the imagination. This bit of theater cost them dearly in political capitol with the Lightning Daimyō, and will have alienated many of their allies. Which should give them pause before they try anything else. Not even Iwa would idly throw their lot in with them after this. Not when they might be the next target of such predations."
"And what about the Hyūga? Losing two of their own to this ordeal can't be good."
"Nom," Sarutobi admitted. "I will be meeting with Hiashi, and the rest of the clan heads to clarify what this exchange will ultimately mean in the ground scheme of things. And even then, I believe the Hyūga will have to deal with that largely on their own."
"Would they turn on one of their own elders?"
"Hiyoshi is an artifact of my generation, and guilty of many of the shortcomings. Though in this, he proved useful. If the Hyūga wish to hold him accountable for arranging this exchange, that is entirely their prerogative."
"'Useful'? Pfft."
Ignoring Obito's derision, Sarutobi continued.. "We have external sources of revenue and allies willing to lend aid, which according to current projections will see as recover faster than I had ever dreamed possible. We also have a solid relationship with our daimyō, something that reports indicate as more turbulent for Kumo, if not already in the process of fraying.
If it came to war, I would gladly stand on the front lines if it meant that fewer children had to face what you and your peers did. But I refuse to open hostilities for something that would ruin us in the end, if victory was remotely possible." A wan smile cracked the Hokage's visage. "And it might be that those in Kumo will deal with the matter all on their own in short order."
Obito considered the explanation. "Kurogetsu's brother. He didn't seem happy having his brother's death exploited, did he?"
Sarutobi nodded, and flashed his smile a bit wider. "Well-spotted, Obito-kun. I was briefly worried he might say something, but it appears that ⸢A⸥ had taken steps to keep him from deviating from his script." And then the old man was back to business. "A bit of advice for when you take up the hat: reputation is the bedrock for any Kage. How you shape your rule will establish what your people will expect from you. Should you fall short of those expectations, it might be that they look to others for satisfaction. And if your reputation rides on your invincibility, a single defeat could see you abandoned in a heartbeat."
"He's fairly young, though. Isn't he?"
"So was Minato before he was seriously in consideration for this position. Kurogetsu-san is not that much older than you, actually."
Obito began pacing, the pieces coming together to paint the scene. "So that's what this is. A poisoned chalice."
"⸢A⸥ sacrificed an important, high-ranking leader of his shinobi and the international reputation of his village for nothing to show for it, and he was hoodwinked into accepting it. For the immediate future, and likely for as long as he remains alive and in power, he will have to redouble his efforts in maintaining control, and will be preoccupied with looking for sedition he sowed into his own ranks."
"His reputation on the field is still a proven thing," Obito argued, though only for the sake of arguing.
"All the better for us, but even a Kage can't fight every battle himself, and he certainly can't hold every defensive position at once. One way or another, he will run out of those willing to support and fight for him. And he isn't as young as he once was. With luck, Kumo will tie themselves up with infighting for months, if not years, sapping away resources they could utilize against us or our allies."
Stopping in place, Obito looked at the Hokage once more. "And what about us?"
"I will be meeting with the clan heads or other department leads to convey much of what we've discussed just now, and begin any preliminary planning for contingencies. With any luck, pitiable as it is these days, it will assure them that this is ultimately going to pan out to our favor in the long run."
Finally taking a seat on the couch, Obito sprawled out. "Is it always this dirty?" he asked.
"More often than you or I would like, but less often than you might imagine. Still, war is diplomacy by other means, and diplomacy is war by other means. A victory in either means nothing if you sacrifice your ability to continue in a single battle when the rest of the war is looming over the horizon." The Hokage leaned back into his chair. "In the meantime we will rebuild, we will watch and we will wait. And hope that Kumo's internal workings are less insulated from internal strife than our own."
[NRE]
Kakashi – or rather, Dog – eyed the passing countryside as they made their way through the Land of Lightning.
It had been months since the Hokage assigned this mission to Teams Ro and Hai. Hai had been assigned to swap out spies and observers, and then supply those currently operating across via predetermined drop points, and Ro was to offer combat support. To that end, it was important that their travel papers and manifest read to match their cover.
Great care had been but into their disguises. They had to look the part of some down-on-their-luck merchants taking a chance on some Lightning Country markets, merely passing through a hidden village to restock on rations and top off on water before they dared the mountain pass.
They were all from a medley of odd, but conveniently unverifiable backgrounds, and disguised accordingly. Shisui had to do a little more makeup, part of his cover's ties to some Wind Country clan, with some old tribal tattoos adorning his face. Yamato and Kai had an easier time, taking to the look of country bumpkins quite easily, it was almost embarrassing. Kakashi and Yūgao had to dye their hair and take other steps to hide their appearance.
The real problem arose when passing travelers took notice of Yūgao among their company. They had already been forced to deal with some handsy drunk being overly forward towards her, along with two separate offers made for her hand. After the first stop, they had modified their travel arrangements that had Yūgao listed as being married to Kakashi, at Horse's direction.
He and the rest of his team were distributed across the wagons that made up the caravan, each finding ways to pass the time without lapsing their vigilance, doing their best to be disinterested in the landscape while simultaneously taking in every detail.
After so long on the road, and a tidy profit made, Kakashi felt himself tensing at the prospect of the most dangerous part of the mission as assigned. As merchants, they would gather plenty of rumors and hearsay, but that would still prove useful in gauging what plans to be made. And there might be a few nuggets worth gathering through the dross.
Coming around the last bend of the pass, Kumogakure rose from the mountains before them.
Kakashi had done his Chūnin Exams in Kiri, just before the outbreak of war. This was the first time he, and everyone else on his team, saw the place. The pictures he had seen painted of the place did little to actually prepare him for seeing it in person.
Kumo built tall. Winding structures stretched up to the cliffs and hilltops, and then into the stonework and mountainsides from there. There were probably tunnels running between some of the more important structures, shielded and shored up in to prevent a casual intrusion, and possibly even shelters in the event of an attack.
The stop at the gate was harsh, guards looking over them with a critical eye. If there was a single discrepancy, or even the hint of who they were, they wouldn't be leaving alive, and the Hokage's entire plan would likely backfire to a catastrophic degree.
But to everyone's quiet relief, nothing was found amiss, the senior shinobi at the gate addressing Horse directly.
"You will be escorted to the markets," he said, gruffly. "From there, you will send four representatives of your choosing to the arena."
"For what purpose?" Horse asked.
"I suppose you haven't heard." The guard smiled, savagely. "⸢A⸥, the Third Raikage, had been challenged for his right to lead Kumogakure. It's going to be a massacre, but the Raikage wants witnesses."
"I'll my people chosen before we arrive at the markets." Turning around, Horse discretely signed, "It looks like the Hokage's plans are bearing fruit." He Then chose Kakashi and Yūgao to join him and Mantis in following the guards.
[NRE]
The walk to the arena was accompanied by a tension and energy from the crowds.
"This is preposterous!" someone grumbled. "What is this upstart thinking, interrupting business with this farce!"
"It's the law, Ojisan," a younger man answered, tiredly.
"It's foolishness is what it is," the old man grumbled. "⸢A⸥ brought the Hachibi down by himself! How is any mere mortal suppose to match against that?
"That was years ago, Ojisan."
"Hmph. He's never been defeated in the field."
"Then there's nothing to worry about, Ojisan. He'll defeat Kurogetsu-san, and this farce will be over, and we can go back to what we were doing afterwards."
Kakashi processed that tidbit of information. So this was how other hidden villages determined the right to rule? Or at least one way of reshuffling the hierarchy. More interesting was that no one seemed to have any faith in Kurogetsu.
"Who the hell even nominated Giriko-san?" another figure in the crowd asked.
"I believe it was Shimizu-san and Chinoike-san, as well as ⸢R⸥, I believe. See there?"
Following where his unwitting informant pointed, the ANBU spotted the trio, two men, one with beige hair and a lanky build concealed by Kumo-standard gear and some baggy clothing. The second man had platinum blond, with sharp, blue eyes, and a clean-shaven face. The last was a dark-skinned woman with faintly purple hair, an orange jacket over a black bodysuit, contrasted by a set of arm and shin guards, plus a breastplate, with a set of broadswords slung across her back, perched on one of the dividing walls while her contemporaries slouched or stood on the nearby stairs.
"And they count as 'Jōnin of good standing within the village'?"
"They probably won't be after this. Traitors. The lot of them."
"Shh!" a nearby shinobi hissed.
Giriko Kurogetsu is not without support, it would seem, Kakashi observed. He remembered some of the reports from the war, and both ⸢R⸥ and Shōto Shimizu had distinguished themselves during the fighting. And while the third figure wasn't readily identified, the name Chinoike was fairly well-known, having ties to the Lightning Daimyō from before the Hidden Village system went into place. Whether this was good for Konoha or not would have to be determined at a later date.
Following Horse into the arena seating, Kakashi compared it to that of Konoha. It was larger by at least one half, settled on a shelf of the mountain and carved inward, looking out into foggy ravines and craggy slopes. Many craters dotted the landscape below indicated that the arena served as a shooting range when not otherwise in use.
The seating was arranged perpendicular, engraved metal sheets forming a canopy that kept the rain out unless the wind came from either the south or west. An entire section of the stands was already filled, the rest rapidly following suit.
Staircases leading to the field itself were guarded by Kumo nin, with the only way to the field being the elevators hanging from the north and east sides of the arena, which lowered the two combatants in view of the audience to the tune of their shouts, jeers, and cheers
Both men stepped off, barely paying the spectators any mind as they stared the other down from across the field.
"I see you haven't withdrawn," said the Raikage, voice cutting over the roar of the audience.
"My candidacy would be invalid if I had," Giriko retorted. "I've committed myself to this. There's no sense in backing out now."
"More the fool you are for issuing the challenge in the first place."
Between the two, a Jōnin looked at each participant, and then raised his voice for the crowds,
"As per custom, Giriko Kurogetsu has challenged ⸢A⸥ for his position as Raikage. To all who hear: these proceedings shall transpire with express permission of the of the Daimyō of the Land of Lightning, with the understanding that all established contracts, debts, and provisions are to be maintained after the transition of power. Any who attempt to interfere from the outside will be put to death. The fight shall continue until the other is slain. Whomsoever prevails shall be affirmed as the Raikage. Kurogetsu-san, are you ready?"
"Yes." Sliding a foot back, energy began building off of him to the point Kakashi could feel it from the stands.
"Raikage-sama?"
Clenching his fists at his side, ⸢A⸥ bared his teeth into a deadly rictus. "Let's get this over with."
The referee leaped back to the sidelines, all but ready to hide behind the most sturdy piece of the arenas structure for cover. "In accordance with the laws of the land and the village, before the eyes of gods and men, the challenge for right to lead Kumogakure shall commence!"
Lightning flared across the field as both men charged one another.
A/N: Obito's getting educated on matters of state, even more than he's immediately realizing. In theory, Hiruzen would like to hand the reins over to him, but between his inexperience and being more useful in the field, that particular plan is being kept on hold.
The Chinoike clan comes from yet another Naruto filler episode, which was in turn spun off of one of the light novels (Sasuke Shinden: Book of Sunrise, which was adapted in episodes 484 through 488). On the flipside of this coin, the Shimizu clan itself is made up for the purpose of the story, but has members that are fully canon (minus Shōto), though at this point, one of them is just a Genin and the other is still a toddler.
Changes
- The Chinoike clan is an active part of Kumogakure instead of a remnant it would have been at this point in canon.
Coming Up:
- "IT'S TIME TO D-D-DUEL!"
Kind of feels like the train is running away right now, but I have no real reason to stop at this point in time. The story goes as the characters will. But if you have any questions, comments, concerns, or just want to blab about theories you've come up with, let me know with a PM or review. Constructive criticism is always appreciated.
Until next time!
Winterman, out.