Chương 20: Peace Agreement
Mirai gently carried the exhausted and tearful Naruto to his room, carefully tucking him into bed. As Naruto's breathing steadied, Mirai watched him for a moment.
Stepping out into the courtyard, the cool night air greeted him. The moon hung low in the sky, casting a soft, silvery glow over everything. Mirai sat down in a meditative posture, the serene surroundings contrasting sharply with the turmoil inside him.
Meeting Minato had not weakened his resolve. If anything, it had intensified his rage. Minato had sacrificed everything — his life, his very soul — to protect Konoha and his son. He had given up even the possibility of peace in the Pure Land, trapping himself in an eternal battle with the Yin-half of the Nine-Tails, all for the sake of his village and family. Yet, despite this immense sacrifice, his son had been scorned and subjected to isolation. Naruto had grown up without knowing his parents, without the legacy that was rightfully his.
Mirai's fists clenched at the thought. He had seen firsthand the pain and loneliness Naruto had endured. The villagers' ignorance and fear had deprived Naruto of the love and respect he deserved. It was an injustice that burned deeply within Mirai, fueling his rage. This anger was not a hindrance but a source of strength. It reminded him of his promise to Minato and the vow he had made to himself.
"I won't let your sacrifice be in vain." Mirai whispered to the night. "I'll protect Naruto, and I'll protect Konoha. I'll become Hokage and ensure no child suffers like he did. I'll be the torch that burns away the darkness."
…
In the Hokage office, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, sat smoking his pipe as usual and rubbing his aching temple.
The past month had been tiring, with constant skirmishes on the borders. The Cloud Village (Kumo) had been testing Konoha's reaction with their persistent attacks, keeping the village on edge.
Not only did he have to deal with the village's day-to-day affairs, besides dispatching ninja to the battlefield. Managing the defenses and ensuring the safety of the village consumed most of his time and energy. He barely had a moment to himself.
As Hiruzen took a deep drag from his pipe, he couldn't help but think about Mirai whom he didn't have much time to be concerned with.
Ever since his return, Mirai had stirred up conflicts, but recent events had kept Hiruzen too preoccupied to dwell on his activities. The turmoil with Kumo left no opportunity to deal with Mirai cleanly, and any hasty actions could have repercussions.
Looking at the scroll spread open on his desk, Hiruzen's frown eased into a smile. This scroll, a peace agreement he had sent to Kumo earlier, had finally been accepted.
Their peace treaty would put an end to the war that had lasted for several long years. At the end of the Third World Ninja War, all the major villages had withdrawn their forces. Except Kumo, which remained headstrong, still engaging in small battles in border areas.
As he leaned back in his chair and took another puff from his pipe, Hiruzen reflected on the strategic concessions made in the agreement. It hadn't been easy, but the terms were fair and beneficial for both villages. The cessation of hostilities would allow Konoha to refocus its efforts on internal matters and other potential threats. Then, the door to his office creaked open, and his advisor, Homura Mitokado, entered. Noticing the smile on Hiruzen's face, Homura raised an eyebrow. "Good news?"
Hiruzen nodded, holding up the scroll. "Kumo has accepted our peace agreement. For now, we have a respite from their aggression."
Homura's stern expression softened slightly. "That is indeed good news, Hiruzen. This will bring much-needed relief to our forces and allow us to focus on internal matters."
Hiruzen continued. "We need to prepare to welcome Kumo's envoy. It's important that we show them Konoha's generosity and commitment to this newfound peace."
Homura nodded again, understanding the importance of diplomacy in this delicate situation. "I'll make the necessary arrangements."
…
The next day, Mirai took Naruto for lunch at Ichiraku Ramen, a favorite spot of theirs. As they settled into their seats, Mirai couldn't help but notice the unusual buzz of excitement and chatter among the villagers. The atmosphere was lighter, filled with laughter and animated conversations.
He raised an eyebrow, curious about the source of this sudden joyfulness. The villagers seemed genuinely happy, which was a stark contrast to the usual tension that had gripped the village for months due to the ongoing skirmishes with Kumo.
As Mirai resumed eating his bowl of ramen, his mind wandered. It was peculiar for Kumo to accept Konoha's peace terms so readily. In his experience, Kumo ninjas were notoriously stubborn, preferring to resolve conflicts with their fists rather than through diplomacy.
Taking another bite, he contemplated the dire situation. On that fateful night, his brother and many of the village's finest ninjas had been killed, delivering a crippling blow to Konoha. Hiruzen's and Danzo's harsh policies only compounded the village's woes, further sapping its strength. Countless geniuses had their potential snuffed out before they could truly shine.
Nowadays, Kumo hold the position of the strongest village, a status they maintained without much competition. With the Fourth Raikage, A, and his brother, the Jinchuriki of the Eight-Tails, Killer B, at the helm. Kumo had little reason to acquiesce to a peace treaty without exacting significant concessions.
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