-Chapter 2-

-Chapter 2-

-A Few Days Later-

-POV Sarutobi Hiruzen-

It had been a day since the ambassadors from Kusagakure arrived in Konoha, and Tobirama-sensei had kept them waiting before meeting them, aiming to gain more leverage during the upcoming negotiations about our involvement and theirs in our cooperation.

Some might call this maneuver despicable, but it was a small tactic that worked for everyone and allowed us to assess the psychological strength of the ambassador sent.

Initially, the meeting was supposed to take place only with Tobirama-sensei and a few select individuals, including myself, but after observing the calm demeanor of the young ambassadors, Tobirama-sensei decided to change his approach.

Instead of receiving them in a small committee, Tobirama-sensei chose to greet them in the presence of all the clan heads of Konoha to put pressure on them, and I was tasked with guiding them to the meeting.

Looking at the leader of the Kusagakure delegation, I didn’t find anything remarkable. He had an average appearance, but he was rather tall, his body was muscular like that of all his men, indicating physical training, and he seemed quite calm when he saw me.

'A good ninja, but nothing extraordinary overall.' 

The only thing that struck me as odd was his gaze. When he saw me for the first time, I thought I saw a glimmer of recognition, as if he already knew me.

'After all, it’s quite possible, I am the future Hokage' I thought to myself, reflecting on my goal and dream.

---

-POV MC-

When we arrived in Konoha, we were immediately greeted by the ANBU, who directly lodged us and surrounded us to restrict our movements, applying intensive surveillance.

I could have been indignant at this gesture, which was an insult, but I didn’t want to lose any points foolishly during my meeting with Tobirama, who was known to be a great strategist.

'I’d be destroyed in less time than it takes to say it' I thought, inwardly laughing at the very idea of shouting at the Hokage for disrespecting his ally by practically imprisoning him.

I requested five times to see the Hokage, but I was refused each time, with the only explanation being that "the Hokage is very busy."

I was furious inside, but I didn’t let it show, and I simply waited, practicing my chakra control as I always did when I had nothing to do.

This morning, I was finally allowed to speak and meet with the great Tobirama Senju, and I was surprised to find that my guide was Sarutobi Hiruzen.

The good old Sandaime himself.

I think he noticed something strange in my expression because he stared at me intensely before telling me to follow him.

Once we arrived, he didn’t take us directly to the Hokage’s office but to another room.

I frowned and said:

“Aren’t we going to the Hokage’s office?”

“No, Tobirama-sensei preferred to speak to you in the presence of all the village’s clan leaders as an apology for his delay.”

I nodded and took a deep breath to calm my anxiety and excitement.

Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled at me as he saw my nervousness, and once we were in front of the door, he said with a teasing smile:

“Ready?”

I nodded, and he opened the door.

I entered right behind him, and my men followed. The room was large, even too large for such a meeting. I imagined it was the war room or something like that, where all the important Jonin of the village gathered.

A huge rectangular table stood in the middle of the room, and on the right side of the table was Senju Tobirama surrounded by all the patriarchs. He was sitting in the middle of all the clan heads in a central position, probably to emphasize his role as the Nidaime Hokage of Konoha.

As I quickly scanned the room, I recognized only a few people, but with the hairstyles, clan symbols, and physical characteristics of certain clans, I identified several individuals, including Uzumaki Mito, the current Jinchuriki of Kyubi, Uchiha Yamato, the patriarch of the Uchiha clan, Hyuga Nashi, the patriarch of the Hyuga clan, and of course, Danzo Shimura.

Once we entered, no one stood up, and I didn’t acknowledge this latest slight. I simply took a seat at the center of the left side of the table, directly facing Tobirama Senju.

'We are weak; as long as I am weak, my pride is worthless, only dignity matters,' I told myself internally to maintain a steady mindset.

I looked at Tobirama Senju directly, with a bit of curiosity, as this was my first encounter with a figure of his level and my first meeting with this man whom some considered a Ninja God.

Knowing that I was in a position of weakness, I said:

“My name is Kojiro Uzarima, I am the ambassador chosen by my village, and we have come to discuss the terms of our alliance. The first point I would like to address is the financial and material aid you will provide to our village...”

“We have no intention of joining an alliance at this time,” Tobirama said, cutting me off right from the start.

Confused, as this was the main topic of the meeting and was supposed to be a formality, I said, still stunned by his intervention: “I beg your pardon?”

“We are not in danger because Iwa has only shown hostile intentions toward Kusagakure and has only crossed your borders. The alliance agreement that the Kusakage signed with my brother died with him,” said Tobirama Senju without blinking, in a calm tone, as if he were discussing the weather, while we were actually talking about the lives of my entire village.

'As well as those of everyone living in the Land of Grass' I thought, frowning in frustration.