Naruto: Maelstrom Of The Uzumaki

Uzumaki Raiden calmly stood up from his seat under everyone's gaze, looked around at the ninjas gathered in the conference room, and slowly said:

"Before arranging specific peace talks, there is some news you must know."

"When I led the team from Konoha to the frontline base, I encountered an Iwa-nin interception along the way!"

As Raiden's voice fell, the meeting room plunged into a brief silence. Danzo was the first to react, looking at Raiden in surprise as he asked, "Interception?! You encountered an Iwa-nin interception?!"

After Danzo reacted, many ninjas exclaimed:

"Iwa-nin actually tried to assassinate Uzumaki Raiden-sama! They have no intention of peace talks at all—this is just a cover!"

"Damn Iwa-nin! How dare they do such a thing!"

"If Master Raiden was intercepted, how did Iwa-nin know his route?"

"Spy! Konoha must have an Iwa-nin spy, and I'm afraid their rank isn't low!"

The discussions among the ninjas quickly filled the entire room. Suspicious glances were exchanged, and some began to silently recall whether they had noticed anyone acting strangely.

Raiden didn't stop their discussion but turned a sharp gaze toward Danzo. He had suspected Danzo of leaking his whereabouts to Iwa-nin, but Danzo's reaction made that seem unlikely. After all, while Shimura Danzo was selfish, betraying Konoha wouldn't serve his interests. Selling out Raiden wouldn't benefit him either. Everything Danzo did was to position himself as Hokage. If the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki were captured by Iwa-nin, it would not aid that goal.

"Quiet!" Raiden called out, turning his attention back to the group, halting their chatter.

"I'm not telling you this to make you suspect your comrades, but to let you know that Iwa-nin's intent behind these peace talks was never simple!"

"Yet, as of now, they've made no indication of canceling the talks. In fact, I heard that Iwa-nin sent envoys just a few days ago to confirm the timing of the negotiations."

Raiden's gaze shifted to Orochimaru with a questioning look. This information had come from Fugaku before the meeting. Fugaku overheard medical ninjas discussing it when he escorted his team members to the medical unit.

"Yes, an Iwa-nin envoy did inquire," Orochimaru confirmed in a hoarse voice. "I didn't block the news; everyone in the camp is aware of it."

"Our Konoha ninjas also desire peace!"

Orochimaru's response was a subtle warning, his final statement cautioning Raiden against letting his anger over the assassination derail the peace process. Although Iwa-nin's intentions were dubious, they still appeared invested in promoting the talks.

"Yes, Konoha ninjas yearn for peace too," Raiden acknowledged.

"Though Iwa-nin's motives are questionable, the talks cannot be postponed. Senior Brother Orochimaru, let's agree on a neutral location, perhaps in the Land of Grass or the Rain Country hinterland."

"Still, we must remain vigilant during the talks. Oh, and Onoki must attend in person! I think he can make time."

"As for the content, the details need to be negotiated. My stance is clear: compensation! We'll demand funds and ninjutsu. If Iwa-nin wants their Tailed Beasts back, let them pay with money and techniques."

Raiden picked up on Orochimaru's undertone. Initially, Raiden's plan was to coordinate an ambush on Onoki during the talks. He had fought Onoki before and understood his abilities. Combined with Fugaku's Mangekyō Sharingan techniques—one to neutralize buffs and another, Kageka Suigetsu, a powerful illusion—Raiden believed they could eliminate Onoki.

However, Orochimaru's comments made it clear he wouldn't support such a plan. Raiden had to abandon the idea, as the Konoha ninjas present weren't his direct subordinates and might not obey his orders. Still, he maintained hope. Requiring Onoki's presence at the talks provided a potential opportunity.

"These matters must be discussed with Iwa-nin. A strategist like Shikadai Nara should handle this," Raiden proposed.

"Your concerns about security are valid. I'll oversee the arrangements," Orochimaru assured, gesturing for Raiden to sit as he began adjusting border defenses and appointing envoys to contact Iwa-nin. Raiden silently observed, memorizing the chakra signatures of everyone present.

There had to be Iwa-nin spies within Konoha's ranks, and anyone aware of Raiden's route was likely a mid- or high-ranking operative.

The meeting stretched on for hours. Raiden's arrival brought major changes to Konoha's defensive strategy, shifting from offense to defense. This shift did not go unnoticed by Iwa-nin.

In the evening, at Iwa-nin's frontline headquarters.

While Onoki was resting in his dormitory, Kitsuchi pushed open the door and hurried in.

"Master Tsuchikage! Important news—Uzumaki Raiden has arrived in the Land of Rain, and Konoha has sent an envoy to discuss the specific terms of the peace talks."

"The envoy is currently in the meeting room with Atsuchi. He asked me to call you."

Hearing Kitsuchi's words, Onoki quickly snapped out of his daze.

"The envoy is here? What demands has Konoha made? Have we informed them of our terms?" Onoki asked while hastily getting dressed.

"I don't know. They just arrived," Kitsuchi replied, standing quietly by.

Onoki quickly finished dressing and left the dormitory, heading straight to the conference room.

When Onoki entered, he immediately noticed a group of Konoha ninjas. The delegation consisted of three members, led by Shikadai Nara, a member of the Nara family.

Shikadai Nara was the younger brother of Nara Shikaku. Despite his youth, he was renowned for his intelligence and had been entrusted by Orochimaru to handle this critical mission. Accompanying him were five guards: a Jōnin from the Akimichi clan, a Jōnin from the Yamanaka clan, and three Anbu operatives under Danzo's command. The guards stood silently behind Shikadai, not taking a seat.

As Onoki walked in, Shikadai and Atsuchi were casually chatting. Judging by their expressions, the conversation appeared lighthearted and unrelated to the peace talks. Onoki's arrival drew the attention of everyone in the room.

"Nara-kun, let me introduce you. This is Lord Tsuchikage of Iwagakure—Onoki," Atsuchi said with a smile. "Regarding the peace talks, you can speak directly with Lord Tsuchikage."

Hearing this, Shikadai Nara immediately stood and greeted him with respect.

"Lord Tsuchikage! It is an honor to meet you. I am Shikadai Nara, a Jōnin from Konoha, and I am in charge of the peace negotiations."

Shikadai bowed deeply, his etiquette impeccable. Yet, despite this, Onoki regarded him with a cold and displeased expression.

"There's really no one left in Konoha, is there? For such an important matter as the peace talks, you send someone so insignificant to negotiate with me?"

"If Konoha wants to talk, send someone with real authority! Sending a brat like you—is this an insult?"

(End of this chapter)

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