Yako stepped into Hatake Sakumo's tent and immediately noticed both Sakumo and Mitokado Homura seated behind the central table.
A brief glance told him all he needed—unease lined the faces of the surrounding strategists. It was clear the two high-ranking shinobi had just finished a less-than-pleasant exchange.
'You'd think after a decisive victory, things would be calmer,' Yako thought.
Homura's voice still carried a trace of anger. "Fox. Bring an ANBU squad. You're coming with me to the negotiations."
"Understood, Lord Mitokado Homura."
Together with four aides, Yako, and the Blossom Deer Squad, Homura left the temporary camp.
Yako reflected briefly—perhaps he was a little biased. He treated White Ram and Blossom Deer far better than Hippo and Yak Squad. But it wasn't discrimination. He had simply never been able to entrust missions of this caliber to the latter two.
For important tasks, his trust instinctively leaned toward White Ram and Blossom Deer.
On the way, Homura asked, "Fox. This conflict may yield three or four new jōnin. Any recommendations?"
In an instant, Yako understood why Sakumo and Homura had butted heads.
A massive victory like this should've brought nothing but praise—but clearly, Sakumo had submitted jōnin promotion recommendations.
Sakumo had accomplished much, but he still hadn't grasped a truth of power: merit doesn't always demand reward.
"I recommend White Ram," Yako replied calmly.
White Ram's mastery over the Parasitic Devourer Insects had grown immensely. Especially with his command over the Ten Seal, he could rapidly spawn massive swarms in short time spans.
More insects meant more mutation. More mutation meant greater diversity. Selective cultivation of stronger strains was the Aburame Clan's core technique.
Even if a shinobi hit their personal limit, a single breakthrough in insect variation could catapult them into new realms of strength.
Homura glanced at him, prompting Yako to add:
"White Ram is an Aburame. Full name: Aburame Kinka. He has completed three S-Rank missions, meeting the requirements for jōnin promotion. He's still in a steep growth curve. His strength will only continue to rise—I wholeheartedly recommend his promotion."
Homura nodded repeatedly. "Far better than the ones Hatake Sakumo recommended—Shinma and Hayama Shirakumo. The Shimura Clan lost two jōnin in the Grass Country. And now in this conflict, they've got a tokubetsu jōnin waiting on a promotion."
"We'll promote one from ANBU too—balance things out. Since ANBU was streamlined to four squads, we've been aiming for a lean elite structure. Having jōnin lead those squads is more than fair."
"As for Sakumo, he put forward two names. We'll likely approve one and reject the other."
Yako smiled inwardly. Not a bad trade.
On paper, Sakumo would lose one promotion—but with White Ram counted among the field forces, he'd still gain face.
They arrived at a city in the Land of the Moon. Led by samurai escorts, Homura and Yako entered a grand estate.
A local noble had donated his manor for the negotiations.
It was a strikingly terraced residence, each courtyard elevated half a level above the one before. The whole compound climbed gradually upward—classic mountain architecture.
Noblemen might live precariously, easily targeted by ninja assassins—but their day-to-day comfort was undeniably enviable.
Being a self-styled warlord in a town like this... not a bad life.
Inside the audience hall, Homura and Yako sat cross-legged on floor cushions. Behind them, the aides and Blossom Deer squad stood silently.
Opposite them sat Kumogakure's advisor Gomoi and Tōtai, assistant to the Third Raikage.
Yako's gaze passed over Tōtai. His abilities were mediocre, and Yako had no use for his Rubber-Style Kekkei Genkai. His attention shifted to Gomoi instead.
The tall, wiry middle-aged man was a Lightning Release specialist—and a trusted advisor of the Third Raikage.
'Does he know Lightning Body Flicker?' Yako wondered. With Root still a threat, he needed reinforcements for his "White Ghost" alt identity.
Suddenly, Gomoi slammed a fist into the ground. The wooden floor cracked loudly. "Mitokado Homura! Konoha has gone too far!"
Yako pressed his palm to the ground, reinforcing it with Earth Release chakra.
The floor within two meters of Homura remained pristine.
Homura gave a slight nod of approval and responded evenly: "Oh? And how exactly have we gone too far?"
"You ended the war by sending White Fang to ambush our Two-Tails Jinchūriki, Ryuuren, at the port—and then sent Orochimaru to infiltrate our village, resulting in the death of Eight-Tails Jinchūriki!"
"You killed Darui, the third's disciple! Are you trying to start a war? You want to start a Third Shinobi World War?!"
Gomoi's rage was palpable. But Homura remained composed.
"No need to shout. You Kumo shinobi are always so impatient. Let's go through this step by step."
"Darui died on the battlefield—because he wasn't strong enough. We're shinobi. If we die in battle, do we expect our villages to avenge us? Don't be so naïve, Gomoi."
"You—!" Gomoi clenched his teeth, unable to refute the logic.
Homura pressed on. "As for the Jinchūriki incidents, maybe you should reflect on your own actions first."
"Kumo's spies never gave up on the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki. You nearly kidnapped them once already. Call this retribution if you must—at most, it makes us even."
Tōtai's breathing grew heavier. He knew about that kidnapping attempt.
Back then, a Kumo spy learned of infighting within Konoha—the village's ties to the Senju Clan had frayed. Kumo planned to take advantage of the chaos to abduct the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki.
They almost succeeded.
But the plan was foiled by a random classmate of the Jinchūriki—one who single-handedly defeated the Kumo agents.
Namikaze Minato. It was the first time his name was recorded in the Raikage's files.
Homura continued. "We heard you developed a Perfect Jinchūriki. We doubted it. So we tested it."
"And now we've confirmed—you're just blowing smoke. Puffed-up lies to make yourselves look good."
"If that's the case, why run your mouth in the first place?"
Gomoi's tone dropped dangerously low. "You really don't get it, do you? You're pushing us to the brink of war!"
"Kumogakure will not swallow this disgrace. The Hachibi's Jinchuriki's death—Darui's death—Konoha will pay for them."
But Homura's aura suddenly surged, his voice crashing like thunder.
"Konoha doesn't fear war. If a Third Shinobi World War must erupt within the year—so be it. If it's war you want, it's war we'll give you."
Yako's eyes widened slightly.
'Homura... that strong-willed?'
From the side, Tōtai finally spoke: "Mitokado Homura. Let's just exchange ceasefire agreements."
"I know you're bluffing. Konoha lost over 4,000 shinobi in the Second Shinobi World War. You really think you're ready to spark another with just a few thousand more?"
"If another 2,000 of your ninja die, what then? You six—cowards who fled the Land of Lightning like dogs—and now eager to rush back to Konoha to snatch power—how will you keep it?"
Yako noticed Homura's face tense.
Despite the intensity, the negotiation was completed.
Mitokado Homura and Gomoi exchanged ceasefire documents amid the smoldering hostility.
Neither side demanded reparations.
Two months of bloodshed, countless lives lost—and in the end, the war ended with nothing to show for it but ink on a scroll.