016 Reborn as the Third Kazekage

The towering Hokage Monument loomed closer in the distance. Arashi couldn't help but sigh with emotion. A dream twenty years in the making—it had all led him here, to the place where his aspirations began. Only two of the stone faces were fully formed on the mountainside, while the third was still under construction.

At the gates of Konohagakure, a large group had already gathered, forming neat lines in anticipation. At the forefront stood a figure wearing a red, conical hat. Startled, Arashi hastily donned his green hat and quickened his pace. If the leader himself had come out to greet him, it was an honor too significant to take lightly.

"Lord Kazekage, what a great effort you've made to come all this way. Welcome!"

"Lord Hokage, you're too kind. For the sake of peace and friendship between our villages, this journey is but a small price to pay."

Arashi shook hands warmly with Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage. He could feel the strength in the man's hands—scarred yet free of calluses, clearly honed for precision. This was no ordinary shinobi but a seasoned master who had risen through the ranks.

"Come, let me introduce you to our advisors. This is Mitokado Homura, one of Konoha's senior counselors."

"A pleasure to meet you," Arashi replied, offering a polite handshake.

"This is Uchiha Wataru, head of the Uchiha Clan and Captain of the Police Force."

"The Uchiha Clan is renowned across the shinobi world. A pleasure to meet you as well."

"And this is Hiashi Hyūga of the Hyūga Clan."

"The Byakugan and Gentle Fist are legendary. An honor."

One by one, the introductions continued—Aburame, Inuzuka, Akimichi, Yamanaka, and more. Arashi greeted them all with civility, but by the time he reached the end of the line, his expression had grown visibly colder. His entourage from Sunagakure shared his mood, their faces turning grim.

What's the meaning of this? Arashi thought. This is just a welcoming ceremony—does Sarutobi really need to parade every notable family in Konoha before me? Is he trying to intimidate me with their numbers? Hah! As if I haven't climbed out of my share of blood-soaked battlefields.

Arashi's thoughts crystallized into a decision. He extended his hand to his loyal comrade.

"Give me the blade."

"Understood." he immediately unsheathed the White Fang short sword and handed it to him.

This was a blade Arashi had taken from Hatake Sakumo during the Battle of Ishi. Though he preferred to use iron sand in battle and rarely carried a sword himself.

"Recently, our villages have had some... unpleasant clashes," Arashi began. His voice was calm, but the room tensed as he continued.

"Kumogakure and Sunagakure are neighbors, bound like brothers. Conflicts like these are not what our people desire. Peace should be the melody of our relations. To show our sincerity, I return this blade—once the weapon of a Konoha commander—as a symbol of our wish for alliance and harmony."

Arashi stepped forward, holding the sheathed blade in both hands, and presented it respectfully to Hiruzen Sarutobi.

So what if you have more allies? Numbers mean nothing. The same fate awaits them all if they cross me.

Hiruzen's face tightened as he accepted the blade. In a swift motion, he unsheathed it, examined the edge, and—with an audible snap—broke it in half before discarding the pieces.

"Tools of war are nothing but harbingers of suffering," Hiruzen declared. "Lord Kazekage, you are right—our villages should not have fought. Let us, as you said, smile and bury the past."

The two leaders shook hands once again, their grips firm and unyielding.

Despite the earlier theatrics, Arashi was taken aback by Hiruzen's strength. To snap the White Fang—a blade sharp enough to cut through steel—was a feat that spoke volumes about his power.

"Ah, it's nearly mealtime. Why don't you and your delegation join us in the village for lunch, Lord Kazekage?"

Arashi nodded, seeing little reason to decline. After all, this was a peace negotiation, not a battlefield. Linking arms with Hiruzen, he allowed himself to be led into the village.

The lunch was followed by a long, intense meeting in the Hokage's conference room. The topics ranged from ceasefires to territorial agreements to formal alliances. Most of the details were prearranged between Arashi and Danzo Shimura, so the finer points were left to their aides to hammer out.

When Rasa, one of Arashi's aides, gave him a discreet signal, Arashi rose to address the room.

"Konohagakure is the oldest ninja village in the world. Its founding was a landmark moment in shinobi history. When our First Kazekage, Lord Reto, established Sunagakure, he drew heavily from Konoha's model. In many ways, Konoha is like a role model for us."

The Konoha representatives nodded in approval, their expressions softening. Finally, a concession of humility. That's more like it.

"Through this alliance, Sunagakure hopes to deepen our cooperation. We will send a delegation of shinobi to Konoha's ninja academy, administrative offices, and medical corps for exchange programs. In return, we hope Konoha will do the same for us."

By the end of the meeting, the two villages had agreed on the following terms:

Sunagakure and Konohagakure will form an official alliance, ending all hostilities and solidifying current territorial boundaries.

1. Both villages will align their diplomatic stances in public statements.

2. Prisoners captured during the conflict will be returned to their respective villages.

3. Konohagakure will provide Sunagakure with an interest-free loan of 200 million ryō, to be repaid over ten years.

4. Both villages will grant each other most-favored-nation trade status, reducing tariffs on goods.

5. Regular exchange programs will be established for shinobi training and guidance.

The agreement was signed with due ceremony, the leaders shaking hands again in front of their respective delegations.

Later that evening, Hiruzen invited Arashi to a private banquet at his residence. Arashi accepted with enthusiasm, declaring that dining with the Hokage in such an intimate setting was far more prestigious than attending any official banquet.

The private feast was anything but formal. By the end of the night, the two leaders were draped over each other's shoulders, their faces flushed from alcohol, and their robes disheveled. The table was a chaotic mess of empty dishes and overturned cups.

"For peace!" Arashi slurred, raising his cup.

"For peace!" Hiruzen replied, mirroring the gesture.

"That Danzo of yours... watch him closely. He's... slippery."

"I know... he's... my problem."

"And that Onoki... he's tricky. If he moves, you'll... need to step in yourself."

"I know... I'll send Danzo... first. Keep... my distance."

The two laughed, their camaraderie growing as the night wore on.

"With me as Kazekage, you won't need... a single soldier on your western border."

"Not one soldier?"

"Not one. You can count on me."

"Good. I'll drink to that."

"To peace!"

"To peace!"

The night ended with Arashi trying to pry the secrets of the Eight Gates Technique from Hiruzen, only to be met with drunken, evasive answers.

"I can't teach you... because I don't know it myself!" Hiruzen confessed with a laugh, leaving Arashi incredulous.

The bond between the two leaders, forged through rivalry and respect, seemed destined to shape the future of their villages.