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Mugen handed over the succession documents of the Whirlpool Daimyo to Karin for safekeeping. This purchase, costing thirty-five million ryō, marked his official ascension as a true national ruler.
Likewise, as his younger sister, Karin naturally assumed the title of "princess." Though the title amused her, it held little significance beyond novelty. Their actions weren't meant to prove their superiority—they simply sought to convey one message: what the Uzumaki had lost, they would reclaim with their own hands.
Karin tucked the appointment document securely into her robes, her smile unwavering. "Mugen-nii, we're one step closer to igniting the next Great Ninja War."
"Indeed," Mugen chuckled lightly. "We still don't know how the other villages will react—whether their ambitions have been stirred by the weakened state of Konoha. But even if they haven't, secular forces will compel them to join the fray. As competent villains, we can't rely solely on one possibility; that's something only heroic fools would do. Whether it's the shinobi or the daimyos, one side will inevitably spark the war."
Tilting her head curiously, Karin asked, "But what if neither side acts?"
Mugen grinned. "That's where our next move comes in. Let's go find an old friend."
He signaled, and an hour later, a Grass Village ANBU operative delivered an intelligence scroll to him.
"Let's go. Our old friend is about to enter Fire Country."
---
As the defeated nation, Sunagakure faced strict limitations when submitting a diplomatic application to Konoha. Their delegation was capped at five members—a far cry from the usual size. Given Suna's betrayal during the previous conflict, Konoha no longer trusted its so-called "allied village."
To demonstrate sincerity, Suna reduced their delegation further to just three individuals: Chiyo, the primary envoy; her brother Ebizō, the deputy envoy; and Maki, the commander of Suna's ninja forces, who served humbly as the carriage driver.
Chiyo had initially intended for Maki to remain in the village to oversee affairs, but Maki was deeply concerned about Gaara's condition. Despite being relegated to the role of a mere driver, he insisted on accompanying the group.
Ebizō gazed up at the stars and addressed Maki. "I thought I'd retired for good, yet here I am, cleaning up your messes again. Where are we now?"
Maki, trying to keep his voice low, replied, "We're still within the Land of Rivers. We should reach Fire Country by morning."
Ebizō nodded. "Ah, this route feels familiar—it's the same path we took while fleeing after our defeat."
Maki's face darkened. He began to regret tagging along.
"Ebizō, stop teasing the boy and focus on what we'll do once we reach Konoha," Chiyo said, poking at the campfire, sending sparks flying.
Ebizō sighed deeply. "Sister, we've been retired for so long—we shouldn't have come out of hiding. From what I've gathered, this situation reeks of conspiracy. One wrong move, and these old bones might not make it back alive."
Chiyo raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Have your informants across the nations sent word already? What did they say?"
"Well… uh, Sister, I mean…"
Before Ebizō could finish, both he and Chiyo turned sharply toward the shadows ahead. Sensing danger, Maki immediately assumed a combat stance.
From the darkness emerged Mugen and Karin, their fiery red hair unmistakable. "May weary travelers rest by your fire for the night?"
"Uzumaki!"
Maki tensed instantly. "What are you doing here!?"
Ebizō cut in. "Sister, my instincts tell me not to listen to them. It'd be better to kill them outright."
"The Fourth Kazekage's corpse is in my possession."
"Agh, he actually said it…" Ebizō groaned, shaking his head in disappointment. Much like Shikaku Nara, Ebizō possessed an uncanny intuition—a deadly combination of intellect and instinct honed through years of leadership and espionage.
Mugen's words immediately ignited Maki's fury. "What!? The Kazekage is dead!? How did this happen!?"
Chiyo placed a calming hand on Maki's shoulder. "Calm down. If they've come all this way, they'll surely explain themselves."
Turning to Mugen, she added, "Isn't that right, children?"
Though the term made him slightly uncomfortable, Mugen nodded. "Indeed. I'll answer your questions—but first, allow me to present my demands."
A faint smile crossed Mugen's lips, sending shivers down the others' spines. "I request that Sunagakure formally declare war on Konohagakure."
"Impossible!" Maki shot back without hesitation. "Even if you possess the Kazekage's body, we cannot afford another war with Konoha!"
Chiyo's expression hardened. "Continue. You must have more leverage prepared, yes?"
"Naturally. In return, we will help Suna rescue your jinchūriki, Gaara."
Maki hesitated, his face flickering with uncertainty. Ultimately, he shook his head. "Even so, we cannot agree to your terms."
Mugen's lips curled upward. "Patience. That was merely my offer—not my threat."
If persuasion failed, coercion would suffice. After all, threats targeted what people cherished most.
Ebizō stepped forward. "Then enlighten us. Share your 'threat.'"
"First, take a look at this." Mugen produced a token and a diplomatic document. "Allow me to reintroduce myself. I am now the special envoy of Fire Country, tasked with visiting Wind Country to meet your so-called 'confused Daimyo.'"
The revelation stunned the trio. They couldn't fathom how someone orchestrating a global conflict had secured official status from Fire Country—had he bribed high-ranking officials?
Yes. The highest-ranking one.
"Now, here's my first threat. This diplomatic document demands war reparations from Wind Country. The exact amount will be determined based on Wind's financial capacity—and I assure you, it will exceed what the Daimyo can accept. This will force him to cut funding to Suna once again. After all, the blame for initiating the last war lies squarely with you, doesn't it?"
Chiyo's expression grew grim. Wasn't their current predicament caused precisely because Suna lacked the funds to pay reparations? If Wind Country slashed funding further…
"Second, I'll sell the Fourth Kazekage's corpse to rival factions. Even though he's long dead, certain parties may extract classified information about Suna from his remains. When the Great Ninja War erupts, leaked intel could render Suna the first casualty."
"Third, Fire Country will pressure Konoha to deny returning the Ichibi jinchūriki to you. They may even suggest extracting the Ichibi from Gaara, adding another jinchūriki to Konoha's ranks to compensate for their losses. Trust me, this proposal will gain widespread support."
"Fourth…"
"Enough!" Chiyo interrupted sharply.
Loss of funding, loss of the Kazekage, compromised intelligence, and finally, forfeiting their jinchūriki altogether—such a village could no longer claim its place among the Five Great Shinobi Nations. She feared hearing more, lest she lose the resolve to refuse Mugen's demands.
"Konoha won't act so shortsightedly. Their losses are too severe—they know peace with us is the best option!"
"Yes," Mugen agreed, nodding slowly. "Konoha's losses are immense. But what do you intend to offer as compensation? And how much are you willing to sacrifice to redeem your jinchūriki? Even if you manage to scrape by temporarily, how long before Suna falls from the ranks of the Five Great Villages?"
A sinister smile spread across Mugen's face. "And when that happens, do you think Iwa and Kiri—who waged war against you in the past—will hesitate to annihilate you completely?"
"Are you willing to gamble the survival of your village on their mercy?"
"Besides, my goal is simply to ignite the Great Ninja War. Whether it's Konoha or Suna who triggers it makes no difference to me. If you wish to replace Konoha as the focal point of the shinobi world, I have no objections."
Mugen's words plunged the group into silence.
After a moment, Ebizō nodded solemnly. "It seems we're cornered. However…"
His eyes sharpened dangerously. "If we hand you over to Konoha, all our problems will vanish!"
Sand swirled violently around Ebizō as Chiyo raised her hands, summoning several puppets from the ground to encircle the two intruders.
Mugen laughed. His decision to eliminate Shikaku earlier proved prescient. Geniuses like Ebizō always found solutions, even in dire straits.
By neutralizing Mugen and Karin, everything they'd threatened would become moot. Presenting their heads to Konoha might even reduce Suna's reparations, easing their crisis.
Realizing this, Mugen grinned menacingly. "Hmph, very well. Then allow me to show you the true power of the Uzumaki!"
BOOM!!!
In an instant, both Mugen and Karin unleashed the fourth gate of the Eight Gates Technique. A torrent of chakra surged forth, glowing ominously from their eyes and grinning mouths in the darkness.
Like two eerie, grinning faces in the night.