NOVEL WEB Chapter 38: Negotiation
Two more days passed, and the group started growing restless. Guy, in particular, was struggling to contain his energy. A man of ceaseless motion, he found it excruciating to remain idle. Back in Konoha, he could train as loudly and as fiercely as he pleased, but in the capital, where nobles and wealthy merchants gathered, even a fraction of his usual intensity would have likely led to an overwhelming number of complaints—probably enough to get him suspended from duty.
Unfortunately, the responsibility of managing Guy's impatience fell on Kakashi. Every morning, he would accompany his energetic friend far from the city to let him vent his energy.
And today was no different.
Kakashi wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead as he observed the aftermath of their sparring session. The once-pristine forest clearing was now a battlefield of destruction—splintered trees, deep craters, and torn spiderwebs spread all around. Nearby, Guy lay sprawled on a thick tree branch, his chest rising and falling in exhaustion. It was rare to see him so worn out.
Kakashi, equally drained, chose a tree adjacent to Guy and rested against the trunk. He did a quick self-assessment. Most of his wounds were superficial, but they weren't healing as fast as he would've liked. His body was reaching its limit, and if he had to estimate, he would need at least a day or two to fully recover.
"The fight ended in a draw again," Kakashi muttered under his breath.
Guy chuckled, albeit weakly. "You say that like it's a bad thing, my eternal rival."
Kakashi closed his eyes, thinking. Both he and Guy had held back slightly—neither of them willing to push beyond safe limits. But if they ever fought to the death, would a true victor emerge? He wasn't sure.
He sighed.
"Sometimes, I think I'm invincible," Kakashi admitted, a rare moment of openness. "Then I remember people like you exist."
Guy turned his head slightly, regarding Kakashi with a knowing smile. "It's not about invincibility, Kakashi. It's about constant growth! You, me, Shisui, Itachi—we all push each other forward."
Kakashi remained silent, but Guy's words struck a chord.
He had trained under the Spider Sage, pushed himself beyond his previous limits, and emerged stronger than ever. And yet, here he was—seeing first-hand that if he hadn't learned Sage Arts, Guy would have surpassed him. Shisui and Itachi weren't far behind either.
"This is bad," Kakashi thought to himself. "I've become stagnant. My Sage Arts have reached a plateau. The Spider Sage warned me that from the second level onward, my progress would only come through real battles, but maybe I've been too cautious. Maybe I need to push myself further."
He exhaled and opened his eyes, staring at the sky through the gaps in the canopy.
His mind wandered further.
"My Chidori is still incomplete… I stopped developing it when everything else got in the way. Maybe I should resume my work on it."
They lay there in silence for several minutes. The only sounds were the rustling of the leaves and the distant chirping of birds.
Eventually, Kakashi sat up. He had regained enough chakra for one last use of Sage Mode. He activated it briefly, walking over to where Guy was still lying down. Placing a hand on his friend's shoulder, he transferred a small amount of nature energy into him. It wasn't much, but it would speed up Guy's recovery and give him just enough vitality to make it back without struggle.
"Hey," Guy muttered, cracking an eye open. "Are you saying I'm so exhausted I need your help to move?"
Kakashi smirked. "No, just making sure you don't start complaining halfway back."
Guy let out a loud laugh, sitting up with a wide grin. "Hah! I knew you cared, Kakashi!"
Kakashi merely rolled his eyes before turning back toward the capital.
Meanwhile, in the Land of Storms, deep in the wild mountains, a large open tent had been erected. Inside, two individuals sat across from each other at a long table.
On one side sat the Supreme Lord of the Land of Iron, Yrrehc Ekoc, a towering man with a reputation as one of the strongest samurai. He was once a commoner who had risen through sheer strength and cunning, carving his own place in history. Some whispered that he had assassinated the feudal lord he served and seized power for himself, even marrying his widow to secure his claim. But those were just rumors—rumors no one dared to spread openly.
On the opposite side sat Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage of Konoha. His expression was calm but unreadable, a seasoned leader who had played this political game far too many times before.
The tension in the room was thick. Samurai stood behind Yrrehc, while ANBU operatives lingered in the shadows behind Hiruzen.
Between them sat a woman—Princess Karei of the Land of Storms. She had been abruptly pulled into this situation when she received a letter informing her that Konoha wanted a sit-down with the Supreme Lord. And, apparently, her land was to be the meeting ground.
She had wanted to refuse.
But who could refuse Konoha?
Sighing, she poured tea for both men, forcing a smile as she placed their cups in front of them.
Hiruzen took a sip before speaking. "It's been, what, three… four years since we last met, Supreme Lord Yrrehc? You're looking rather strong as ever. Sometimes, I wonder if you and the Raikage are long-lost brothers."
Yrrehc narrowed his eyes. "Are you mocking me, Hokage?"
Hiruzen chuckled. "That was a compliment. Who wouldn't want to be as youthful and strong as the Raikage?"
Yrrehc's expression darkened. "Let's skip the mind games, Sarutobi. Whatever that fool Batata did has nothing to do with me. It was an independent move made by a feudal lord blinded by ambition."
Hiruzen remained impassive. "Perhaps. But you should understand how this looks, Supreme Lord. How can I trust your words? More importantly, how can any of the Kage trust your words?"
Yrrehc clenched his fists under the table. He knew what Hiruzen was doing. If Konoha revealed the Land of Iron's involvement in an attempted coup against the Fire Daimyo, the consequences would be severe. The country's neutral status would be revoked, and the other nations—especially the daimyo of other lands—would demand severe repercussions. If such an attempt could happen in the Land of Fire, who's to say it couldn't happen to them?
"So," Yrrehc said slowly, "you came here to threaten me."
Hiruzen smiled, but there was no warmth in it. "Take it as you will."
Yrrehc exhaled sharply. "What do you want?"
Hiruzen reached into his robe and pulled out a parchment, sliding it across the table. Yrrehc picked it up and scanned its contents.
Standard reparations—money, priority on missions, and unrestricted access to the Land of Iron for Konoha shinobi when necessary. But then, two things stood out:
First, Konoha demanded that the Land of Iron supply them with weapons—not only as a priority, but at a 60% discount.
Second, the agreement would last for seventeen years.
Yrrehc's grip tightened around the parchment, his knuckles turning white. "You ask for too much, Hokage. A 60% discount for seventeen years? Do you take me for a fool?"
Hiruzen calmly took another sip of tea, his gaze unwavering. "Not a fool, but a man who understands leverage. This is the price for stability between our nations."
Yrrehc let out a harsh chuckle, tossing the parchment onto the table. "Stability? You think crippling my nation's economy for nearly two decades is stability? This is extortion!"
"Then make a counter-offer," Hiruzen said, folding his hands together.
Yrrehc slammed a hand against the table. "Ten percent. Five years."
Hiruzen didn't even blink. "Forty percent. Fifteen years."
"Twenty percent. Eight years."
Hiruzen sighed dramatically. "Thirty-five percent. Twelve years."
Yrrehc growled. "Twenty-five percent. Ten years. That is my final offer."
Hiruzen studied him for a moment before giving a slow nod. "Very well. Twenty-five percent for ten years."
Yrrehc exhaled sharply, his irritation barely contained. He had conceded far more than he had wanted, but he had no choice.
"And as part of the agreement," Hiruzen added smoothly, "Suzuki Batata will be returned to you."
Yrrehc's eyes narrowed. He already had a hundred different ways in mind to make that fool pay for his reckless actions. A small consolation for the price he had just paid.