"Hmph. Look at how smug he is. Does he really think that just because he now holds the title of Golden Lion, it actually means anything?"
Outside the conference room, after Shiki walked in, Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane exchanged glances before snorting coldly.
Their expressions were filled with undisguised displeasure—barely concealed resentment toward someone who had risen beyond their reach.
"…"
Standing beside them, Hiruzen Sarutobi—the Third Hokage—simply watched in silence.
He didn't say a word.
But in his heart, he understood one thing clearly.
Shiki's name in the ninja world had already surpassed his own.
Even as Hokage, his prestige could no longer compare.
'I hope something goes wrong…'
Yes.
Hiruzen did not want these negotiations to proceed smoothly.
If Shiki successfully handled this matter, his reputation within Konoha would rise even further. And when that happened, the authority of the Hokage—his authority—would inevitably weaken.
In recent days, Hiruzen had already begun to consider a troubling possibility.
If he could no longer maintain his position as Hokage forever…
Then at the very least, he needed to ensure he retained the power and influence he deserved.
…
Inside the conference room.
The moment Shiki entered, the Third Raikage's eyes lit up.
"Hahaha!"
He let out a hearty laugh.
Behind him, his son—A—and Killer B stood obediently, silent and composed.
Only Yugito Nii looked at Shiki differently.
Her gaze lingered on him.
There was something strange in her eyes.
It was a look Shiki had seen before.
Tsunade had looked at him that way.
Kurenai Yuhi had looked at him that way.
It was unmistakable.
Admiration.
Shiki shook his head inwardly, suppressing the thought.
Impossible.
She was the Two-Tails' jinchūriki of Kumogakure. Someone of her status wouldn't look at him like that for such a reason.
"I heard," Shiki said calmly as he took his seat, his tone indifferent, "you wanted to speak with me?"
His posture was relaxed.
His expression was calm.
It was as if he didn't regard anyone present as a threat.
Yet no one in the room felt offended.
On the contrary, everything felt natural.
Kumogakure revered strength above all else.
To them, power defined truth.
If you were strong enough, you could do as you pleased.
If you were weak, even your correct words meant nothing.
"Ahem."
The Third Raikage cleared his throat.
"This time, Kumogakure wishes to establish an alliance treaty with Konohagakure."
"An alliance?"
Shiki raised an eyebrow slightly.
He was no stranger to such arrangements.
But—
"If it's merely an alliance treaty," Shiki said casually, "you should be speaking with the Hokage. He's the leader of Konoha."
After all, Hiruzen Sarutobi was still Hokage.
But upon hearing this, the Third Raikage scoffed.
"Hokage?"
He spoke bluntly, without restraint.
"It was you who defeated us."
"Kumogakure acknowledges strength."
"And the one we recognize… is you."
Outside the door, Hiruzen's expression stiffened slightly.
He heard everything.
Koharu and Homura remained silent, pretending not to hear, their expressions neutral.
But inwardly, their thoughts churned.
They didn't care about Hiruzen's humiliation.
They only cared about one thing.
Whether Shiki would succeed in these negotiations.
If he failed…
They would seize the opportunity.
They would undermine him.
Smear his reputation.
Even if they couldn't destroy him completely, they would make sure his rise wasn't smooth.
Inside the room, Shiki remained calm, unaffected by anything happening beyond those walls.
"In that case," Shiki said, "let's hear the terms."
Kumogakure was an extremely powerful village.
Second only to Konoha in overall strength.
With two jinchūriki under their control, their military power was not to be underestimated.
Not everyone possessed the strength to subdue tailed beasts as easily as Shiki did.
"But how do you intend to structure this alliance?" Shiki asked.
All alliances had a hierarchy.
Equality was an illusion.
There was always someone in control.
"It's simple," the Third Raikage replied immediately, clearly having prepared in advance.
"As long as you remain in Konoha…"
"Kumogakure will never declare war against Konoha."
He paused briefly.
Then continued.
"My son, A, will become the next Raikage."
"And this treaty…"
"…will remain in effect for as long as you live."
Shiki blinked slightly.
Interesting.
This wasn't an alliance between villages.
This was an alliance with him personally.
Outside the door, Koharu and Homura's expressions darkened instantly.
Hiruzen's gaze became complicated.
But from another perspective…
This was a tremendous recognition of Shiki's power.
At that moment, A stepped forward.
"Shiki-san," he said respectfully, "we all accept the terms my father has stated. But I have one request."
"Go on," Shiki replied.
A's voice was steady.
"I want to fight you."
"Once every few years."
"Only by challenging the strong… can I become stronger."
Silence fell.
Shiki studied him carefully.
Then he smiled faintly.
The reasoning was obvious.
The first part of the request was the truth.
The second part—the excuse about becoming stronger—was merely justification.
A wanted to measure Shiki's strength.
To ensure that if the day ever came when he surpassed him…
This treaty would become meaningless.
What a bold and honest ambition.
"As expected of the Raikage's son," Shiki said with approval.
"A tiger does not raise weak offspring."
A scratched his head, smiling awkwardly.
He knew his intentions had been seen through.
He had expected rejection.
Yet—
"I agree," Shiki said calmly.
"…Huh?"
A froze.
He had been exposed.
Yet Shiki still agreed.
He looked at Shiki again.
At his calm eyes.
At his unwavering confidence.
And suddenly—
A understood.
This was absolute confidence.
The pride of someone who did not fear being surpassed.
"Shiki-san," A said solemnly, "the alliance between Konoha and Kumogakure is now established."
Shiki simply smiled.
He said nothing more.
With the agreement concluded, Kumogakure's delegation should have departed.
But at that moment—
Yugito spoke.
"Um…"
Everyone turned toward her.
"This alliance has just been established."
"Perhaps… I could remain in Konoha for some time."
"To promote cultural exchange between our villages."
As she spoke, her eyes briefly flickered toward Shiki.
But when she noticed him looking at her, she immediately averted her gaze, returning to a serious expression.
"…."
Something felt off.
The reasoning made sense.
But something about it felt… different.
The Third Raikage looked at Yugito.
Then at Shiki.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
A, however, reacted completely differently.
"Yugito…!"
He looked at her with clear emotion.
"Wouldn't that be too much of a sacrifice for you?! I—"
"BANG!"
Before he could finish, the Third Raikage punched him squarely on the head.
"Idiot!"
He glared at his son.
His expression was full of exasperation.
Was this boy truly his son?
Even he could see the truth behind Yugito's words.
Yet A remained completely oblivious.
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