Naruto : Rise From The Rain

After completing the detailed handover with the Rain Village representatives, Yahiko began going through a pile of documents, seeking advice from Asahi and even asking him to simulate the negotiations as if he were a representative from Konoha. However, every time, Asahi effortlessly took control of the conversation, leaving Yahiko feeling discouraged.

"Yahiko, your presence at the negotiating table is too weak. You need to recognize your position—Konoha isn't our ally yet," Asahi pointed out.

Yahiko sighed, "I know... I just... I'm too used to being kind to others, too gentle. I've never really had an enemy before."

If this continued, Asahi could already foresee how the negotiation would go tomorrow: once Yahiko presented the terms from the Hidden Rain, Konoha's representatives would quickly dismiss them with just a few words.

Looking at the various documents on the table, Yahiko suddenly turned to Asahi. "What if... you take the lead tomorrow and negotiate with Konoha on our behalf?"

It was a crucial mission, and Yahiko figured it was more important to ensure its success than to worry about his personal involvement. He could simply learn from the experience.

Asahi frowned slightly. "Yahiko, there will be more than just Akatsuki members at the meeting tomorrow. There will be Hanzō's subordinates as well. This task was entrusted to you, not me. Do you understand why?"

Yahiko hesitated, his expression complex, but he remained silent as he returned to his notes.

Asahi couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed—Yahiko still had much to learn.

Sensing Yahiko's uncertainty, Asahi gently placed his hand over Yahiko's notes. "Actually, there's a simpler solution."

Yahiko looked up in surprise. "What do you mean?"

"Just be direct," Asahi said. "If Konoha refuses, then we don't form an alliance."

Yahiko blinked in confusion. "But..."

Asahi continued, "These documents are about the situation between Konoha and Iwa, but Konoha already knows all about this. They need us right now, and we understand that, but they don't know exactly what we need. They can't read our bottom line, so the more decisive you are, the more uncertain they'll be. Now it's them who are in need of us."

Yahiko thought about it, finding Asahi's words quite convincing.

Asahi smiled. "Yahiko, are you a petty person?"

Yahiko blinked in surprise. "What do you mean?"

"Before, Konoha treated us with such disdain. Tomorrow, when you see them, you should make a sarcastic remark or two," Asahi suggested.

"But isn't that too disrespectful? We're representing the Hidden Rain Village, we should be careful about our actions and words," Yahiko protested.

Asahi shook his head. "No. Only if you show that you're petty and hold grudges will they try to ease your frustrations right from the start. That way, you can take control of the negotiation from the get-go."

Yahiko's eyes widened as he suddenly understood. "I see... Asahi, you're so smart!"

Just then, Konan entered, carrying a fruit platter and tea, which she placed on the table in front of the two.

"Thank you, Konan," Yahiko said.

"Thanks, Konan," Asahi added, taking a sip of the tea as he gazed out the window.

Yahiko listened to the sound of rain outside and looked at the clock. "What time is it?"

"It's already past eleven," Konan replied.

"Has it really gotten so late?" Yahiko asked, glancing at the pile of papers on the desk.

"Asahi, if you're tired, you should head back to rest," Yahiko suggested.

Asahi thought for a moment before replying, "Yahiko, negotiations aren't something that can be settled in one day. It might take several days, so don't strain yourself. Take it slow."

Yahiko smiled. "I understand."

Asahi stood to leave, giving a small nod to Konan. However, Konan didn't meet his gaze and simply lowered her eyes.

After leaving the room, Asahi's figure slowly disappeared into the night.

Yahiko remained staring at the door, deep in thought.

"It's truly fortunate to have him with us," Yahiko murmured.

Konan, sitting beside him, spoke softly, "You should rest soon. Don't overexert yourself."

Yahiko chuckled lightly. "I know, I won't stay up too late. I'll sleep by midnight. You should rest first, Konan."

"…Alright," Konan replied.

The next day, after meeting with the Rain Village's representatives, Yahiko and his group headed to the negotiation room inside the village. When they arrived, the room was empty, so Yahiko took a seat and waited quietly for Konoha's representatives to arrive. Despite remaining silent, Yahiko couldn't help but clench his fists in anticipation.

"I think I'm a little nervous," Yahiko whispered.

Asahi, trying to comfort him, replied, "Remember what I told you yesterday?"

Yahiko nodded seriously, trying to focus on Asahi's words.

Konan, who had seated herself beside Asahi, noticed Yahiko's unease but chose not to comment.

Soon, the door opened, and several figures entered. Everyone looked up to see familiar faces—Mitokado Homura, the Konoha advisor, and Utatane Koharu, another Konoha advisor.

Kyusuke and Konan stood up to exchange pleasantries, but they noticed that Yahiko remained seated, unmoving. Asahi, too, looked at Yahiko with a mix of surprise and amusement.

"How unexpected. It's a pleasure to meet you both again," Asahi remarked with a smile.

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu did not get angry at Yahiko's lack of formality and instead nodded politely.

"Yahiko-san, it seems we're quite fortunate," Mitokado Homura said as he and Utatane Koharu sat across from Yahiko and the others.

Yahiko gave a half-smile. "We didn't reach an agreement last time. I recall that you, Lord Homura, said we in the Rain Village had too high demands. So, what brings you here today to seek us out?"

Mitokado Homura calmly responded, "The alliance is beneficial for both our countries. We were simply at odds over the details before. Unfortunately, Yahiko-san left too early, and we didn't have the chance to resolve those differences."

Yahiko raised an eyebrow. "Sounds like it's really our fault, doesn't it?"

Kyusuke, sitting at the end of the table, looked puzzled. This was the first time he had seen Yahiko act so assertively. Was it because of the grudge they held against Konoha after the last encounter?

However, Kyusuke felt that Yahiko's approach wasn't entirely wrong—Konoha had been too dismissive.

Mitokado Homura sighed and admitted, "Being on the front lines, with the tension of war, there were many things we overlooked. I hope Yahiko-san can forgive us."

Yahiko, however, wasn't ready to let it go. He sneered, "I noticed you were speaking quite amiably with the Sand Village's envoy before. If the war was so pressing, why didn't you overlook them as well?"

Mitokado Homura frowned slightly, clearly annoyed, while Utatane Koharu quickly interjected, "Yahiko-san, this alliance is necessary for both our sides. Let's discuss the matter seriously."

Yahiko gave Koharu a look, then folded his hands and leaned back in his chair. "Alright. Let's hear your demands."

Mitokado Homura paused briefly before speaking. "We have three main demands. First, Rain Village must not refuse to send troops like last time. There must be military support between us. When necessary, we want your troops to join the battlefield."

"Second, once the alliance is formed, Rain Village needs to face the same enemies as us—specifically the Iwa Village."

"Third, our Konoha ninja must be allowed to move freely within the borders of the Rain Country, enabling us to expand the front lines and influence the battlefield. Of course, we won't disturb your citizens, and we'll assist in protecting Rain Village."

Yahiko listened carefully and found these demands in line with what he had anticipated. Konoha essentially needed two things: military support and the use of Rain's geographical position to threaten Iwa's rear lines. Of course, this would turn the borders of Rain into a battlefield, but it was within Hanzō's agreed terms.

Mitokado Homura continued, "These are our main demands. We can work out the specifics later. If Yahiko-san doesn't have any objections, you may present your own requests."

Yahiko lightly tapped the table, his tone measured. "We need economic and material aid."

Mitokado Homura immediately agreed, "Of course. We will provide you with the maximum assistance."

The Land of Fire was vast and rich, and although the war had lasted for so long, the country could easily afford the costs in terms of resources. What had truly been depleted was its manpower.

Yahiko asked, "How much can you provide?"

Mitokado Homura looked Yahiko in the eyes, and after a brief pause, he responded, "We can provide three times what your side requested last time."

Upon hearing this, Yahiko let out a small laugh and mocked, "Is this what you call 'the greatest aid'?"

Mitokado Homura remained calm. "If you're not satisfied, we can renegotiate."

This was expected, as they weren't initially willing to commit to sending troops. The conditions now were different.

Yahiko raised two fingers. "We want twenty times that amount."

Mitokado Homura paused, surprised. For a moment, he thought he had misheard.

"How much?" he asked again.

"Twenty times."

"…"

Before Mitokado Homura could speak, Utatane Koharu's face showed anger. "This demand is too excessive! Are you joking?!"

Yahiko leaned back in his seat, displaying a casual attitude. "If you can't accept that, then there's no point in continuing the discussion."

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu exchanged glances, both sensing the rising anger in the other's eyes.

Mitokado Homura spoke in a deep tone, "Yahiko-san, we came here with sincerity. We hope to see the same from your side. If you lack funds and materials, we can offer you a maximum of five times what you requested."

Yahiko, unhurried, picked up his tea cup and said in a composed tone, "In that case, there's no need to lower your offer any further. Let's end the negotiation here."

A shadow fell over Mitokado Homura's face. "This request is unreasonable. We won't agree to it. Continuing this is pointless."

Yahiko lightly chuckled. "It seems Lord Homura has misunderstood. What I meant was that if you can't accept it, then the negotiation is over, and there's no need for tomorrow's meeting."

Mitokado Homura's eyes widened with surprise. He looked at the young man across from him, who seemed like a completely different person from the one he had seen before. Was it all an act? Had the previous meeting been a ruse to sabotage their alliance with the Sand Village, and now Yahiko was waiting for a better offer?

Mitokado Homura gritted his teeth. "Eight times!"

Yahiko didn't respond.

"Ten times. No more. This is the maximum we can offer!"

Yahiko shook his head. "I've already said, twenty times. Not one less."

"YOU!" Mitokado Homura nearly lost control of his anger.

Utatane Koharu frowned and coldly said, "It seems you have no intention of forming an alliance with us at all."

Yahiko, unbothered, replied, "It's simply that you're unwilling to form an alliance with us. You've made so many demands, and we've only made one. Not to mention, you asked for Konoha's ninja to freely march through our land. If the situation were reversed, would Konoha agree?"

The two Konoha advisors' faces darkened.

Utatane Koharu coldly replied, "Do you really think Konoha can't survive without you? We're simply seeking your help to end this war as soon as possible."

Yahiko's heart skipped a beat upon hearing this, but his face remained calm. "Since you no longer need Rain Country, then there's no need to waste any more time."

Mitokado Homura sneered. "It's just Iwa. Do you really think that adding the Grass Village to the mix will turn the tide? Anyone who dares to oppose Konoha will pay the price. And those in the shadows causing trouble—everything will be accounted for!"

"…"

Yahiko frowned and asked, "What do you mean by that, Lord Homura? Are you threatening us?"

Mitokado Homura's expression turned cold. "Don't play dumb. Don't you remember what you did?"

Asahi, who had been quietly observing, suddenly sensed something was off. These two old men were far more troublesome than he had anticipated.

Yahiko pressed, "What did we do?"

Mitokado Homura narrowed his eyes and locked his gaze onto Yahiko's face. "The Sand Village's advisor, Ebizo, came to Konoha on a secret mission. At that time, only Konoha and your Rain Village knew of his whereabouts. His death… shouldn't Rain Village take responsibility for it?"

Yahiko froze, his mind racing. His pupils dilated.

Back at the Konoha camp, he had sent letters daily to Rain Village, updating them on the situation, and had mentioned the Sand Village envoy several times. Ebizo had ultimately died in the Land of Grass.

Konoha, trying to form an alliance with the Sand Village, wouldn't have killed him. But Iwa, as Mitokado Homura said, how could they have known about Ebizo's movements?

Hanzō…

Hanzō!

Yahiko felt a chill run down his spine as everything clicked into place. This was all orchestrated by Hanzō. From the very beginning, Hanzō had intended to get involved in the war. Was his true goal really peace?

Asahi, sensing that Yahiko had lost focus, gently nudged him under the table.

Yahiko, still lost in thought, gave him a confused look, making Asahi furrow his brow in concern.

This was getting troublesome…