Naruto: Echoes of a Distant Home

On the bustling street, a group of young boys and girls gathered together, standing out with a radiant energy amidst the crowd. These Konoha shinobi, inheritors of the Will of Fire, passed down from one generation to the next, would become the pillars of Konoha in their time. It was likely they would one day grow strong enough to become Ye Zi's future obstacles.

They… possessed talent and aptitude comparable to Ye Zi's; they only lacked time to grow.

If they were given enough time to mature and if they stood on the opposite side of Ye Zi, what would that scene look like?

Pakura, leaning against a wall, bit off the last dango on her skewer, placed the stick back into the paper bag, then pulled out another dango skewer and turned to walk in a different direction.

"Such a nice atmosphere."

She thought to herself, and after walking some distance, she tossed the paper bag full of skewers into a trash can.

The next day, in the public meeting room, Pakura sat as a guest, with two young Sand shinobi standing silently behind her.

Minato, wearing the Hokage's signature hat, sat across from her, with Shikaku standing behind him.

The purpose of the discussion was to form an alliance, and the goal of the alliance was to take action against the Akatsuki.

Simply put, Sand had an absolute reason to act against the Akatsuki, and Konoha also had reason to act against them, though Konoha's motivations weren't as definitive as Sand's. Ultimately, Konoha's acceptance of the negotiations was influenced in part by Jiraiya's urging and partly due to the rogue shinobi, Ye Zi.

Since Sand had come to Konoha seeking this alliance, Konoha wouldn't easily agree without reaping some benefit in return. The meeting the previous day was merely an initial show of goodwill and interest; today's negotiation would be a chance for Konoha to seek some additional gains.

Regarding the Akatsuki, Konoha would certainly put forth effort, but if they could secure some advantages in the process, why not?

"If you can agree to this sum, Konoha would be pleased to facilitate this alliance," Minato said, his hands clasped on the table, smiling at Pakura.

That gentle, spring-like smile now appeared particularly irritating to Pakura, who, though stifled, maintained her own smile and said, "We very much hope to establish this alliance. However, isn't the amount you're asking for rather steep?"

Were it not for her current position, Pakura would have fired back with a few biting remarks.

Konoha wanted to benefit from the alliance, so they framed the terms in a mission-like manner, making the Sand shinobi, who had sought the alliance, seem like clients.

Sand had anticipated Konoha's demands and had a rough estimate for their limits on what they could offer. However, Konoha's requested amount exceeded their limits, but not by so much as to be unacceptable.

It seemed as if Konoha had calculated this figure precisely, leaving Sand suspended in an uncomfortable dilemma, neither able to fully accept nor outright refuse.

Minato smiled, saying, "Every sacrifice comes with its own reward. In this matter, Konoha will give its all."

With Jiraiya's constant updates and the information Kushina brought back, coupled with the bit of intelligence Pakura shared the day before, Konoha was already inclined to take the Akatsuki seriously. Even if Sand hadn't approached them, Konoha wouldn't sit idly by regarding the Akatsuki.

With Sand actively seeking an alliance, it was all the more advantageous.

As Minato said, once the alliance was established, Konoha would indeed give its utmost effort; this much was unquestionable.

"Giving your all? That's easy to say," Pakura replied coolly.

"Of course." Minato's expression turned serious as he said, "Konoha's White Fang will be among those involved."

At his words, Pakura's eyes lit up. Konoha's White Fang was well-known, and along with Ye Zi, the two were often called Konoha's top mission machines—at least by shinobi from other villages. Having White Fang on their side would give them a strong backing.

Even so, agreeing to Konoha's steep demands would still require some consideration. While the priority placed on securing the alliance was higher than that on financial costs, the amount Konoha was asking for wasn't so prohibitive as to derail the negotiations.

"Not just White Fang, but also elites from the Hyuga and Uchiha clans will be included," Minato's calm, gentle voice was like a ripple of water, nudging Pakura slightly.

Hearing this, Pakura immediately stood, walked over to Minato, extended her hand, and said, "We sincerely hope this cooperation between Sand and Konoha proves to be a wise decision."

Minato also stood up, and under the watchful eyes of the two Sand shinobi and Shikaku, reached out to shake her hand with a smile, "It will be."

With the alliance confirmed, it only remained for the agreed-upon terms to be met before they could begin sharing intelligence and confirm the list of shinobi to be assigned.

After the meeting concluded, Pakura and her young subordinates departed, while Minato and Shikaku stayed behind in the conference room.

"Sand really went all in this time," Shikaku remarked to Minato, a bit impressed.

"Yes," Minato nodded, saying, "Given their current situation, for Sand to seek our help at such a high cost shows how much the Akatsuki's recent attacks have pushed them."

"This way, there are a lot of people who want Ye Zi dead. Why does he do it? What's his motive? I can't figure it out." Shikaku sighed. Even after piecing together all the information on Ye Zi, he was left with nothing but a vast fog of mystery.

The Sand, Mist, Stone, and even Konoha had made Ye Zi a public enemy of the four main shinobi villages.

Ye Zi had infiltrated the Stone Village, killed the Tsuchikage Onoki's daughter-in-law, and inflicted serious damage, which had incited Onoki's determination to see him dead. If not for internal opposition in the Stone Village restraining Onoki's actions, the Stone might have taken direct action already.

Additionally, during the war, Ye Zi, for reasons unknown, infiltrated the Sand Village and released the One-Tail Shukaku, causing severe losses for Sand and forcing them to surrender in desperation—a deed that created a blood feud.

These actions seemed to benefit Konoha, but was that really his intention?

Shikaku didn't believe that Ye Zi's goal was to help Konoha; he suspected deeper reasons, though he couldn't guess them.

Honestly, Shikaku didn't hold any ill feelings toward Ye Zi, considering that Ye Zi had saved them during the war. For that alone, he felt gratitude. But fate had taken a different turn, and now they stood on opposing sides, leaving no other choice.

Now, as an Akatsuki member, Ye Zi had also targeted and successfully taken down the Mizukage of the Mist. From the Mist's perspective, they certainly wouldn't let this slide.

Judging from these recent actions, the Akatsuki seemed to be after more than just money. Coupled with Jiraiya's reports, it appeared they sought to disrupt the balance of the Five Great Nations and establish a sixth village to rival the Five Great Shinobi Villages.

Given Ye Zi's background, this did make some sense.

"Some things don't need to be overanalyzed. Right now, Ye Zi is a rogue Konoha shinobi, and many of our own people have been killed by him. That's a fact," Minato said, his gaze hardening. "Even if he once saved us, such actions can't be excused."

With Kushina no longer a concern, he could no longer afford to hesitate.

"Agreed," Shikaku replied, though there was a trace of regret in his expression.

"I'll put together a list of personnel as soon as possible. Afterward, I'll be leaving for a while," Minato said, though his focus was on Ye Zi rather than the leader behind the Akatsuki.

How far had Ye Zi, who could perfectly wield the Wood Release, progressed?

"Understood."

Shikaku wasn't surprised, as he was one of the few aware of Minato's upcoming departure.

"I'll leave things in your capable hands." Minato smiled.

Shikaku nodded.

Once this matter was handled, Minato planned to temporarily transfer his duties to the Third Hokage, then accompany Jiraiya to train, with no set time for his return. In the meantime, Shikaku would take on the responsibility of supporting the Third Hokage.

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Currently on Chapter 345 - Slowly Deducing A God's Power