Jiraiya and Kakashi moved swiftly through the changing landscape as they left the Land of Fire behind and entered the Land of Storms. The further they traveled, the more the terrain transformed. The dense forests and flowing rivers of the Fire Country gave way to rugged mountains and rolling hills, with the sky above them darkened by constant, heavy clouds. The wind carried the scent of damp earth, and the distant rumble of thunder was a reminder of why the land had earned its name.

  Kakashi pulled out a map and scanned it carefully. "We're on the right track. The meeting point isn't too far ahead," he confirmed.

  Jiraiya sighed. "Good. The sooner we get there, the sooner we can get this over with."

  A few hours later, they arrived at the designated location, where they found the Hokage waiting for them. Hiruzen Sarutobi, despite his advancing age, carried himself with authority as he reviewed documents inside the temporary command tent. His expression lightened slightly upon their arrival.

  "Jiraiya, Kakashi, you're right on time," the Hokage greeted them.

  "Of course, sensei," Jiraiya replied. "So, how's our position looking?"

  Hiruzen stroked his beard thoughtfully. "It will not be an easy negotiation. Onoki is a shrewd man and won't agree to our terms easily. We must be prepared for a prolonged discussion."

  "Lovely," Kakashi muttered under his breath. "And what about Nobaku?"

  "For now, Shisui, Guy, and Itachi remain on standby," the Hokage answered. "If negotiations go well, we will release Nobaku as a sign of goodwill. If not… you know the alternative."

  The next day, the delegation from Iwa arrived at the neutral meeting ground, a large stone building erected specifically for diplomatic talks. The interior was sparse, with only a long table and chairs filling the otherwise empty hall. The Konoha delegation—Hiruzen, Jiraiya, Kakashi, and a few key advisors—sat on one side, while Onoki, flanked by his bodyguards and strategists, took the other.

  Onoki wasted no time. "Let's be direct, Hokage. What is Konoha's price for peace?"

  Hiruzen remained composed. "We require reparations for the attacks orchestrated by Nobaku. Iwa funded and supplied his forces, leading to significant damage and loss of life."

  Onoki scoffed. "You ask for reparations when you have taken one of our own captive? If anything, we should be the ones making demands!"

  Jiraiya leaned forward. "Nobaku was acting under your orders. That alone makes you responsible for his actions. But let's not waste time arguing what we both already know."

  Onoki folded his arms. "And what price does Konoha set?"

  Hiruzen placed a scroll on the table. "A three-year ceasefire, a trade agreement favorable to Konoha, and financial reparations for damages caused by Nobaku's forces."

  Onoki snorted. "That is absurd. You are asking too much. If anything, we should be negotiating for Nobaku's immediate return."

  Kakashi, watching the exchange, sighed inwardly. This was going exactly as he had expected.

  Onoki continued, "Iwa will not agree to such lopsided terms. I can agree to a ceasefire, but three years is too long. One year at most."

  Jiraiya shook his head. "One year is nothing. That's barely enough time to rebuild what your forces destroyed."

  Onoki's expression hardened. "Then lower the financial reparations. Iwa does not have the resources to fund Konoha's rebuilding efforts."

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  Kakashi finally spoke. "Then give us something else of equal value. Military resources, strategic trade routes, something that compensates for what we've lost."

  The discussion continued for hours, with neither side willing to concede enough to reach an agreement. Onoki tried every possible tactic—deflection, argument, counteroffers—but Konoha remained firm in its demands. By the time the sun had set, no conclusion had been reached, and the first day of negotiations ended in frustration.

  That night, both parties met separately to discuss their positions.

  In Konoha's camp, Jiraiya stretched his arms with an exhausted sigh. "That old man really knows how to drag things out."

  Hiruzen remained calm. "This was expected. We are dealing with a nation that values pride above all else."

  Kakashi leaned against a nearby pillar. "If they won't pay in money, they'll have to pay in something else. We should prepare alternative proposals."

  Jiraiya nodded. "I agree. Maybe we can use leverage from our recent trade deal with the Land of Iron."

  Meanwhile, in Iwa's camp, Onoki sat deep in thought, his burned hand resting on the arm of his chair.

  "They're not budging," one of his advisors noted. "Their demands are steep."

  Onoki sighed. "Konoha holds all the cards right now. If we can't lower their demands, we must find a way to gain something out of this as well. We cannot afford to appear weak."

  Another advisor spoke up. "Perhaps we can offer strategic concessions instead of monetary reparations?"

  Onoki considered it. "We'll see what we can work with tomorrow."

  The second day of negotiations began with both sides arriving at the meeting hall with a renewed sense of determination, but the weight of the previous day's failed talks lingered in the air. The tension was visible in the tight expressions of the Iwa delegation and the measured calm of the Konoha representatives.

  Onoki began, his voice gruff but measured. "We have considered Konoha's terms overnight, and while we acknowledge the damage done, we cannot accept the financial burden you are asking of us. Instead, we propose a compromise—reduced reparations in exchange for increased trade benefits."

  Hiruzen met his gaze evenly. "Increased trade is beneficial, but it does not directly compensate for the lives lost and the destruction caused. We still require a ceasefire lasting no less than three years."

  Onoki scowled. "Three years is excessive. We cannot afford to bind ourselves for such an extended period. One year is more than reasonable."

  Jiraiya exhaled sharply. "One year means nothing. If we rebuild, only to have another conflict arise immediately after, what have we gained? We need stability, not a mere pause."

  The room fell into a heavy silence. The Iwa strategists whispered among themselves, and Hiruzen leaned slightly toward Kakashi, exchanging a glance that spoke volumes.

  Onoki eventually spoke again. "Then let us find an alternative. If money is an issue and time is a dispute, what else can we offer? We have strategic trade routes, valuable ores, and—"

  Hiruzen raised a hand, cutting him off. "We are listening. What exactly are you willing to part with?"

  A murmur spread through the Iwa side, and one of the advisors spoke cautiously. "We could allow Konoha exclusive access to the northern trade routes for five years. That would ensure a lucrative advantage."

  Kakashi leaned forward. "That is something, but it still does not account for our losses. Nobaku's attacks set us back significantly. If we agree to this, then we must also ensure that Iwa does not attempt to circumvent the agreement by employing mercenaries or rogue elements in future conflicts."

  Onoki narrowed his eyes. "You doubt our word?"

  Jiraiya smirked. "History speaks for itself."

  The air in the room turned frigid. Onoki took a deep breath, visibly restraining himself. "Then what do you propose as an assurance?"

  Hiruzen calmly placed a document on the table. "A written agreement, signed and sealed, with immediate consequences should it be broken. Furthermore, if trade is to be part of the compromise, then Konoha should receive a percentage of Iwa's export profits for the next three years."

  Onoki's fist clenched. "That is outrageous! We are already offering trade benefits, and now you ask for direct compensation on top of that?"

  Kakashi's voice remained cool. "You speak of fairness, but you forget—it was Iwa that funded Nobaku's actions. And it is Iwa that now sits at this table seeking leniency."

  The negotiations stretched on, each side pressing and pushing, but neither willing to yield enough. By midday, tempers had flared, voices had risen, and yet no resolution was in sight.

  Hours passed, the conversation cycling through the same offers and refusals. Onoki attempted to lessen the burden, but Hiruzen would not allow Konoha to be shortchanged.

  As the second day neared its end, the weariness in the room was evident. Onoki sat with a deep frown, his hands gripping the arms of his chair. Hiruzen remained composed, though the frustration in his advisors' expressions was clear.

  Finally, as the last proposals were exchanged, it became undeniable—there would be no agreement.

  Hiruzen slowly exhaled. "It seems we are at an impasse."

  Onoki stood. "Indeed."

  The room remained silent as both sides acknowledged the inevitable failure. No words of parting were needed. As the sun set beyond the hills of the Land of Storms, both delegations knew they would return to their villages empty-handed.