The Start of the Meeting
Xu Fan withdrew from his inner world. The light from his strikes shifted subtly, as though something within him had changed.
Following the surrender of the Thunder Dragon—a formidable summon from another realm—Xu Fan obtained the true form of his Zanpakutō.
Of course, like all Zanpakutō, its true power remained sealed unless released through Shikai. In its dormant state, it appeared ordinary.
"It's already dark," Xu Fan muttered, glancing out the window.
He decided to rest early, conserving energy for the meeting scheduled for the next day.
The night passed uneventfully. After waking, Xu Fan enjoyed a breakfast rich in the Iron Country's local flavors before departing for the summit hall alongside the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Sarutobi had changed into formal robes appropriate for diplomacy.
Regardless of who bore fault for the incident at hand, he was fully aware that today's meeting would influence the future of relations between Konohagakure and Kumogakure.
Even though the two villages had signed alliance treaties before, Hiruzen still hoped this negotiation would bring lasting peace.
"Lord Hokage."
General Mifune, leader of the Iron Country, had also made early preparations.
If Konoha and Kumo went to war, the Iron Country's territory could easily become the battlefield—a prospect Mifune was determined to avoid.
To ensure everything proceeded smoothly, he brought his trusted retainers, Okisuke and Urakaku, to serve as witnesses and guards.
"Lord Mifune," Hiruzen greeted him politely. The two leaders walked side by side toward the meeting room.
"With all due respect..." Mifune's deep voice broke the silence. Before the summit had even begun, he had gathered intelligence from multiple channels and pieced together the cause of the conflict.
Konoha and Kumo had been preparing to renew their alliance and end ongoing tensions. To demonstrate good faith, Kumogakure had sent a high-ranking emissary to Konoha.
But that emissary—an elite shinobi with immense status in Kumo—was found dead shortly after arriving.
To Kumogakure, this was not just a political disaster, but an outright insult.
The Fourth Raikage, enraged, threatened to abandon diplomacy altogether and reignite war if justice wasn't served.
"If Konoha is willing to show accountability," Mifune said solemnly, "I will do everything in my power to facilitate peace."
He paused, then added, "Though the Iron Country has always maintained neutrality, we too have known the pain of war."
"Sometimes, compromise is not weakness, but wisdom for the sake of a better tomorrow."
Sarutobi hadn't expected Mifune to speak in favor of Konoha. He thought the general would maintain strict neutrality.
But it made sense. Only by standing outside the conflict could Mifune evaluate matters without bias.
Since the end of the Third Great Ninja War, both Konoha and Kumo had focused on rebuilding—but their progress differed greatly.
Especially after the Nine-Tails' rampage.
The Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, and many other ninja had perished that night, dealing a massive blow to Konoha's strength.
In contrast, Kumogakure had swiftly recovered under the leadership of the Fourth Raikage. Not only did they stabilize internally, but they also raised two perfect Jinchūriki: Killer Bee and Yugito Nii.
Though Mifune respected Hiruzen as a seasoned shinobi and statesman, his sympathies leaned slightly toward helping Konoha recover from its decline.
He believed that, if Hiruzen were just a bit more conciliatory, he could salvage the alliance.
Peace was paramount.
Soon, both parties arrived at the grand chamber. The Fourth Raikage, Ay, was already seated, flanked by his retainers: Darui, C, and Yugito Nii.
Xu Fan noted Darui's characteristic nonchalant expression, contrasting with the tension that radiated from C and Yugito.
As he and Hiruzen entered the room, C's eyes immediately sharpened, clearly wary of Xu Fan.
"Raikage," Hiruzen greeted with a courteous smile, removing his Hokage hat and setting it on the table before sitting.
Mifune, as the neutral mediator, took the central seat.
But the Raikage showed no warmth in return. He crossed his arms and scoffed, making his disdain clear.
Xu Fan and Yamanaka Fuu stood silently behind Hiruzen.
"I believe everyone here understands why we've gathered," Mifune began, trying to ease the room's tension.
He didn't get far.
"The shinobi who died in your village was second only to me in rank within Kumogakure," Ay said harshly, cutting Mifune off.
"He was tasked with finalizing the alliance agreement—yet he died under your watch."
Ay leaned forward, his voice thunderous. "Sarutobi Hiruzen, if you wish to continue this alliance, you'll need to show us your sincerity."
"Where is the one responsible for his death?"
Bang!
Ay slammed his palm against the table, the sheer force echoing through the hall.
From behind him, Yugito and C stood tall and stern, a clear show of unity.
Regardless of the emissary's mission, the fact remained—he had died in Konoha.
Kumo held the advantage.
Ay's demand was simple and brutal: the Hyūga clan, especially its leader, Hiashi Hyūga, must answer for the crime.
Kumo had claimed the emissary's death was no accident. They insisted he had been murdered while attempting to abduct Hinata Hyūga—something Konoha had kept quiet.
Kumo wanted Hiashi's body in exchange.
"If Konoha can't even do that," Ay growled, "then this meeting is a waste of time."
He leaned back, locking eyes with Hiruzen, pressing him to make a choice.
Konoha, weakened since the Nine-Tails attack, was no longer the dominant force it once was. War would destroy them—and Ay knew it.
This wasn't a negotiation. It was a shakedown.
Yugito and C stood silently, but the pressure in the room was suffocating. Even Mifune remained quiet, his expression unreadable.
It seemed, at that moment, that Mifune had taken Kumo's side.
After all, what was the value of one life compared to the prospect of peace?
Hiruzen sat still, his eyes closed, weighed down by responsibility.
Just when it seemed like he would cave to pressure—
Xu Fan, who had remained silent behind him, finally spoke.
His voice was quiet—but sharp as a blade.
"Even if we're assigning blame… shouldn't we first question why Kumogakure attempted to kidnap Hinata Hyūga?"