Chapter 54 – Peace Talks with the Rain
Ren stepped into Tsunade's room, arms full of the heavy tomes he'd just been given.
Next door lived Uzumaki Mito. She valued her peace and quiet, so Ren only came here when he was resting or reading—otherwise, he was either in ANBU or at the training grounds.
She had overheard his earlier conversation with Minato Namikaze. But Mito paid it no mind. Having lived since the days of Hashirama Senju, she had seen every kind of scheme and slaughter. If the young wanted to change the world, she considered that a good thing. The old should not always meddle.
Ren set the books on the nightstand, pulled a Hannya mask from the drawer—there'd be no time for reading today; he had work.
Stepping outside, he felt a lingering hunger and stopped at a street vendor just beyond the clan compound. Buying two roasted sweet potatoes, he ate one himself and set the other on the windowsill of the neighboring room.
"Mito-baasan, I just bought this sweet potato. Eat it secretly—don't let Granny Aya catch you."
He murmured the words, wiped the sticky sweetness from his lips, and formed a quick hand seal before heading off.
After he left, a single tail wrapped in scarlet chakra slipped out from inside and deftly whisked the sweet potato away.
Uzumaki Aya was meticulous about Mito's health, ensuring every meal was balanced and nutritious… but flavor was never the priority.
As for Ren—he cared about the emotional and culinary well-being of the elderly. Overall, his relationship with Lady Mito was quite good.
Activating a secret jutsu to enter the ANBU base, Ren began changing into his uniform. Unless something unexpected happened, today's schedule would be the usual: stand watch, eat, go home, read.
Of course, when you expect no surprises… that's when they arrive.
"Captain Hannya, you didn't go to the Hokage's office?"
Shimura Yū, freshly changed into uniform, blinked in surprise when he saw Ren heading into the changing room.
"What happened?" Ren frowned.
"Delegates from the Rain have come to discuss peace. The Hokage ordered all jōnin to attend the reception. You didn't get the summons?" Yū answered truthfully.
"Looks like only Minato and I didn't get the message. Go on—you're covering my shift today."
Ren swapped into civilian clothes, patted Yū on the shoulder, and walked off.
Yū shook his head. In his mind, Lord Danzō's pettiness knew no bounds. Was there really any need for such cheap little tricks?
By the time Ren informed Minato Namikaze and rushed with him to the Hokage's building,
the welcoming ceremony for the Rain ninja envoys was already wrapping up. Hiruzen Sarutobi stood in ceremonial robes, Hokage hat in place, shaking hands with the envoy. Both men smiled stiffly at the camera as the flash went off, sealing the moment in ink and memory.
Ren and Minato slipped quietly into the line of jōnin standing behind the Hokage. At the front of the line, Danzō gave them a glance and a cold, mocking smile.
Minato bared his teeth in irritation. Danzō's malice was never partial—if he decided to target you, you'd feel his hostility every single day.
Ren gave no reaction. His eyes were fixed on Hiruzen and the Rain envoy.
Konoha is still reinforcing the frontlines against Rain… so why a peace meeting now?
The camera clicked one last time. The photographer gave an "OK" gesture, and both leaders' smiles vanished instantly. Together, they walked inside.
The real business was about to begin.
In the meeting room, both delegations took their seats. Hiruzen's position was too high for direct negotiation—he would listen silently while Danzō and Sakumo Hatake led Konoha's side of the talks.
The jōnin present could either leave or stay to listen in; as the freest group in the village, they had the right to participate in political affairs if they wished.
Ren and Minato decided to stay.
"Our terms are these," the Rain envoy began without hesitation.
"Konoha will pay us five hundred thousand koku of rice as war reparations. In return, the Hidden Rain will cease raiding Konoha's trade caravans, withdraw our troops from your territory, and agree to a ceasefire and formal treaty."(1)
It was a brazen demand—especially since Rain hadn't even won the war.
One koku of rice could feed a civilian for a month. Five hundred thousand koku meant Konoha would be feeding the entire Rain village for the next year. Signing such terms would get you labeled a traitor before the ink dried.
Naturally, Danzō refused. With insults.
"You Rain-nin must have eaten too much salamander meat and poisoned your brains! Konoha's forces are strong, our geniuses countless—what are you compared to us? You dare demand reparations?"
Sakumo Hatake frowned. He was a pragmatist and genuinely hoped for a treaty, but with such terms, it was clear Hanzō had no real intention of peace.
Hiruzen puffed on his pipe, expression hidden beneath his hat.
"Then we will take a step back," the Rain envoy said calmly.
"The treaty will not use the word 'reparations.' Instead, we request twenty-five thousand koku of rice in humanitarian aid. In return, we will cede Mount Yūryō to Konoha. All other terms remain the same."
Ren's lips curled faintly. He'd fought in Rain before—he knew the terrain. Giving up Mount Yūryō while keeping hold of the Rain Whirlpool Gorge meant Rain had no intention of parting with its copper mines. They were trying to trade a barren mountain for a year's worth of food.
A jōnin familiar with Rain's geography whispered something into Danzō's ear. Danzō's face darkened further.
"I see you have no sincerity for peace. You may leave," he said coldly, standing to go.
He stormed out. Sakumo remained, hesitating. The offer had little to tempt Konoha—there was nothing here they could accept.
"Then perhaps this," the Rain envoy said at last, voice still flat.
"A short-term truce. Rain and Konoha will send no more reinforcements to the front. When spring comes, we reconvene to discuss permanent terms. Agreed?"
Sakumo's brow furrowed. He was about to respond when Hiruzen rose to his feet.
"Agreed."
His voice was firm, decisive—enough to make the Rain envoy blink in surprise.
With the short truce settled, both sides smiled for the cameras once more. After sending the Rain delegation off, Hiruzen called the jōnin back together.
Danzō had returned as well, face calm, as if he hadn't just slammed the door in the middle of negotiations.
"Sakumo. Ren. Minato Namikaze. Yamaoka Tōen. Nara Chikuma…"
The Hokage's call was unmistakable: the names of those bound for the front.
"You'll take your squads to reinforce our forces. Drive Rain's raiding parties back to the border—make Hanzō feel the pain. Your victories will be the leverage we need for spring's negotiations. We're counting on you."
"For Konoha! We would die without hesitation!"
Hiruzen bowed deeply. Sakumo followed, and most of the jōnin bent their backs in unison.
Only Danzō, Ren, and Minato remained standing.
They were past the point of being moved by speeches. Work was work—no extra emotional sugar-coating required.
Note:
1. One koku is a unit of volume, equivalent to approximately 180 liters or 5.12 US bushels.