The howling winds of the Land of Iron had quieted into a steady whisper by the time Mizukage Hiroshi and his two escorts reached their assigned quarters. The thick layer of frost clinging to the wooden beams shimmered under the dim torchlight, casting long, distorted shadows along the icy pathway. The guards stationed at their door stiffened as Hiroshi passed, though they quickly lowered their heads in deference.
Hiroshi did not acknowledge them. He had more important matters to consider.
Compared to the elegant quarters provided to Konoha's delegation, their accommodations were decidedly less luxurious. The walls were plain, absent of the intricate engravings found in the Hokage's residence. The samurai of the Land of Iron had made their favouritism clear—Konoha was the honoured guest, while Kirigakure was merely a participant.
Hiroshi let out a low chuckle, his breath misting in the cold air.
'Amusing.'
As they stepped inside, the door sliding shut behind them with a muted thunk, the silence stretched for only a moment before Hideki finally spoke.
"Was that really wise, Mizukage-sama?"
Hiroshi, who had begun untying the pearl-studded sash of his robes, paused for a fraction of a second before turning to glance at his bodyguard. His lips curled upward.
"Ah, Hideki," he drawled, "so quick to question my methods. What a loyal soldier you are."
Hideki did not react to the veiled amusement in his tone. His sharp eyes remained locked onto his leader, the tension in his stance barely concealed beneath his high-collared cloak.
"I'm merely asking if it was worth it," Hideki clarified.
Hiroshi quirked an eyebrow as he stepped forward, lowering himself onto a cushion by the small lacquered table in the centre of the room. He reached for the sake flask that had been left by their hosts, pouring himself a cup. The liquid shimmered under the lantern's glow, pale gold against the dark lacquer.
"Of course, it was worth it," Hiroshi said, taking a slow sip. "It was up to Hiruzen to accept or decline. I simply played my part."
"That's not what I'm referring to," Hideki pressed. His voice remained calm, but there was an edge to it.
"I'm talking about Kumo."
At this, Hiroshi stilled.
Sayaka, who had been silent until now, took a step forward, her arms folding neatly across her chest. Her green eyes flickered toward Hideki, then back to their Kage.
"Kumo will already know that we visited Konoha's quarters," she pointed out. "It won't take long for their spies to piece it together. Since we're the ones who initiated contact, they'll see it as a provocation."
Hiroshi let out a short, bemused laugh.
"Oh no," he said mockingly, placing a hand against his chest, "not a provocation! Whatever shall we do?"
Hideki's expression darkened. "With all due respect, Mizukage-sama—this is serious."
Hiroshi waved a hand dismissively. "I know, I know. But you both seem to be under the impression that angering Kumo somehow puts us at a disadvantage." He set down his cup with deliberate ease.
"It does not."
Sayaka's gaze remained steady. "They could use this as an excuse to escalate tensions with us."
Hiroshi leaned forward slightly, resting his elbow on the table. "Tell me something, Sayaka. Has there ever been a time when Kumo did not wish to encroach upon our lands?"
She hesitated.
Hiroshi smirked. "Exactly."
Hideki exhaled sharply. "You're saying they were always going to move against us?"
"Of course," Hiroshi said simply. "Kumo is a nation that survives by conquest. Whether we provoked them or not, they would have found a reason to challenge us sooner or later as they are doing with Konoha. Our situation happened earlier because we share borders." He poured himself another drink. "The only difference now is that we are setting the pieces on the board—not them."
Sayaka frowned. "And your next move?"
Hiroshi took a slow sip before answering.
"I intend to visit Iwagakure's camp next," he said, watching them over the rim of his cup.
Hideki stiffened. "You're offering the same proposal to Iwa?"
Hiroshi placed his cup down with a soft clink. "Why not?"
"It makes us look like we're scrambling for alliances."
Hiroshi's smile did not waver. "No, Hideki. It makes us look like the ones controlling the game." He tilted his head. "If Iwa accepts, we gain an ally. If they refuse, we gain leverage—because we can turn around and inform Konoha of their rejection."
Sayaka's lips pressed together. "And if Iwa outright refuses us?"
Hiroshi exhaled, leaning back against the cushion.
"Then we did our best to create the perfect battlefield," he said smoothly.
There was a beat of silence.
Sayaka's brow furrowed slightly. "And if persuasion fails?"
Hiroshi's smirk widened.
"Then we move forward with our plans."
A chill passed through the room, one that had nothing to do with the cold outside.
Hideki's hands twitched at his sides, but he did not speak. Sayaka, too, remained quiet, though her eyes darkened with understanding.
The Kage Summit was a fragile thing—a stage where alliances were born and betrayals were whispered.
If diplomacy failed, then Kirigakure's hand would move from the shadows.
Hiroshi stretched his arms lazily, as if they had just been discussing the weather.
"Enough talk," he declared. "You two should rest. It's been a long day."
Sayaka hesitated before nodding. "I'll retire first," she said, stepping toward the adjacent room.
Hideki did not move. "I'll take the first watch."
Hiroshi smirked, his eyes glinting. "Ever the diligent one."
Without another word, Hideki slipped outside, leaving only the Mizukage and the flickering lanternlight behind.
Hiroshi swirled the last of his sake in his cup, watching it with a contemplative gaze.
The night deepened.
The snow, once untouched, was now a shifting sea of white, the wind carving patterns into its surface. The stars above were faint, their light muted by the heavy clouds rolling in.
Hideki stood just beyond the entrance, his breath misting in the cold air. He kept still, his eyes scanning the surroundings with the patience of a predator.
For hours, nothing moved.
Then, without a word, he lifted his hand and formed a silent seal.
A second later, a clone materialized beside him. It remained still for only a moment before dissolving into the snow itself, disappearing like a whisper into the night.
And then—
Movement.
Faint. Imperceptible.
The snow rippled unnaturally, shifting in ways the human eye could barely detect. It flowed like a silent river, bypassing the patrols of the Land of Iron's samurai.
No one saw it. No one felt it.
Not even the most advanced fūinjutsu defences detected its passage.
Beneath the glow of the moon and the shroud of drifting clouds, something left the village.
Something unseen.
Something dangerous.
Kirigakure's secrets had taken flight into the darkness.
And no one knew.
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