The Bird's Nest

[OOC: This is now a flashback due to my inhability to consistently post during this week.]

Shin Kazehana was the first to arrive at the den. Against the advice of the elders of Sunagakure no Sato, he had come alone. This was for two reasons. The first one was because he didn't want to lower the manpower in the village by a single soldier. And the second was, that if this meeting failed, chances were both Iwagakure and Sunagakure were going to be wiped out on the long term. And should the meeting fail and a conflict occur, again Shin didn't want to risk the loss of manpower.

Alas, he waited, sitting at the table. The Kazekage would wait for as long need be, for his body never tired.

(Agreed)

Nee-san was late. The man was not late accidentally as he always arrived precisely when he meant to. Shin had chosen the meeting place to be closer to Sunagakure which he took as a strategic psychological gesture indicating his dominance in negotiations. The Tsuchikage would in term respond by arriving up to half an hour late. When he entered the den he noted that Shin was sitting down without a single guard in sight. He grinned knowing full well that he had not brought any guards either. They were similar in their approach to governance it seemed. The Lizard King walked up to the single table that stood in the center of the room and took a seat opposite Shin. He eyed Shin for awhile before placing a folder on the table.

"Its been a while hasn't it Shin?"

Nee-san remembered their last battle. He wasn't completely surprised that the young man had ascended to the station of Kazekage. He was by far the best puppeteer he had ever fought and arguably the strongest shinobi that he had fought period. He made no apologies for his lateness but for some reason he found himself tensing up. There was something different about Shin. Remarkably different. The man had a robotic quality to him and Nee-san began to ponder what manner of enhancements he had gained since taking the position. Sunagakure was the birthplace of puppetry and he did not doubt that there were Kugutsu secrets that it held beyond even his own comprehension. When they fought previously it had been to a draw. The battle was ceased by necessity and it was one of the few times Nee-san could not predict the outcome with anything approaching comfortable certainty. How would things play out years later now that Shin was a man grown with all the power and knowledge that came with his position. Nee-san had grown a lot since then as well but he was keenly aware of the ceiling looming over his head in his old age. Nee-san pushed the thought out of his head. He was not afraid of fighting Shin or any of the other Kage. It would be a waste of chakra but he had confidence in his abilities. The mark of a true leader was not victory in war but in negotiation. He had requested to meet with the Kazekage in order to propose a mutually beneficial treaty.

"Shall we get straight to it then?"

Shin noticed on how the Tsuchikage had not brought along any bodyguard as well. If he hadn't met the man before, shin would have been tempted to begin wondering why Iwagakure no Sato's leader decided to leave the bodyguards at the village. Perhaps he had the same reasons as the Kazekage? Perhaps there was just not enough manpower in the village? Or maybe he didn't consider Shin or Sunagakure no Sato a threat at all.

But Shin Kazehana had met this man before. In fact, he had tried to kill him before. It is quite the sensation, to have the man you previously tried to kill right in front of you. And from another perspective, the man who had tried to kill you as well. It elevated both ninjas and their conversations to a level well above those had by ordinary civilians. Not just because they were each the leader of their respective villages, but because their relationship-whatever that was, had been forged by battle.

"Yes, quite a while indeed. I have to say, I'm surprisingly content with seeing you alive." Shin stated. Having this man on the position of Tsuchikage could either be extremely useful or extremely dangerous depending entirely on the outcome of this meeting. But considering what the previous Iwagakure shinobi he'd met told him, Shin had a feeling this would go the way he wanted it to. Despite that, this was still a negotiation and there was a certain...ritual, to these things.

Shin smirked when the man in front of him spoke for the second time. Despite having changed a lot on his body, there were still many features so Shin that made him resemble a regular human. And one of those features were the facial expressions he managed to mantain.

"Let's hear it then, Tsuchikage. What urgent business do you have for me?"

Nee-san grinned at Shin's comment. He was content seeing him alive which the Tsuchikage took as a compliment. It was good seeing Shin alive as well and it was proof to him that Sunagakure's political leadership had some sense about it. If they could be trusted to make a wise decision in selecting their military leader then they could be trusted to make a wise decision in geopolitics. Shin wanted to get right to it and get right to it they would. Nee-san produced a folder with his plan and slid it towards the the Kazekage.

"I have in mind a mutual treaty designed to safeguard our interests and bring peace and prosperity to our respective countries. The first element of the treaty is a mutual defense pact for our countries as well as those within out sphere of influence. If the Wind Country is attacked Iwagakure will come to her aid. If the Earth Country is attacked we expect you to reciprocate. Likewise, any of the minor countries that share a border with us are our 'friends' and 'allies'."

By "friends" and "allies" Nee-san truly meant that they were pickings that would be divided amongst them in due time when their military and finances would allow it. The phrase was used in a speech by a Kazehana Emperor shortly before invading and brutally subjugating several client states. Nee-san expected that in due time they would evenly split their pickings based on what was mutually beneficial but for now it was enough to declare that they were under the protection of Iwa and Suna. Should Konoha choose to attack one of them, the village would need to contend with the combined might of the two villages.

"The nations in question are marked on a map. Each nation is within our sphere of influence and in time we may come to a complete consensus on which nation are a client state of Iwa and which are a client state of Suna, regardless these nations are off limits to the Fire Country, Lightning Country, and even Water Country if they are so bold as to reach across the continent"

The nations would be marked as followed: Land of Birds, Land of Rivers, Land of Grass, Land of Waterfalls, and the Land of Iron.

Nee-san sat back in chair and gazed at Shin to see how he would react to the first element of the treaty.

Shin listened carefully to what the man had to say. His first phrase came to confirm a hope of the Kazegake, but a "mutual treaty" could mean a lot of things and Shin wasn't entirely sure they would agree on everything. Even so, that was why they were here, to negotiate. Although it did seem kind of ironic that two men who had been trying to kill each other in the past were now aiming to reach greater heights together. This reflected the importance of knowing where to point our guns at. Shin couldn't help but smirk when the Tsuchikage ended his first speech speaking of friends and allies. The Kazehana had a feeling he knew exactly what the man was talking about, and if that proved to be true the Kazekage would have to be impressed at the Tsuchikage's history knowledge. Then again, it wasn't to be that unexpected, Sunagakure and Iwagakure's history were closely intertwined together, so knowing a country's history was knowing half of the other's.

The Tsuchikage was playing a dangerous game, however. The last Kazehana Emperor who uttered such words was a great military leader, but his people suffered for it. Shin was unwilling to do things in the same manner- if there is a history of mistakes, only a poor leader wouldn't learn from it. He took the case with documents and began reading, as the Tsuchikage continued his speech. Shin's mind was sharp enough to pay close attention to both the document and the man's voice.

Shin could see where the man was going with this, and joining forces to resist the might of villages such as the Hidden Leaf or even the Cloud was a good idea. But there was a fundamental problem with this plan: There were two identities. Two villages basically functioning as one and that was a problem. It represented a fundamental efficiency issue that their enemies would not have.

"I'll be blunt." Shin said, as if he wasn't always blunt.  "I can see what you are trying to achieve with this, but it's not enough. If we are trying to maneuver on the same scale of the other Great Nations, we'll need a maneuverable armed force, subject to a single command." It seemed Shin was also playing a dangerous game, possibly even offensive. But truthfully this wasn't his intention and he could only hope the Tsuchikage saw that. "To put it simply, a puppet cannot be properly controlled by two puppeteers unless they know each other extremely well." It was true, and a fundamental flaw. While greater in numbers, the two nation's armies would not be efficient or coordinated enough to pull what they were trying to accomplish. Shin had managed to put it in terms both puppet masters could fully understand. "And let's be honest. We neither know nor trust each other to that extent." He made a pause, and closed his eyes reflecting for a little bit. This was true, but this occasion was also the closest opportunity both the Land of Earth and the Land of Wind had in years to become a terrifying power of unimaginable might. A chance to shift the balance of power between the Great Five Nations and achieve an ever-lasting peace. Shin let out a small sight. This was either madness or one of the greatest historical moments of their time.

"I grow tired of warring over rocks and sand." Shin spoke. "If you really want to do this, we'll do it. But with no half-measures. If we take this route and fail, both my people and yours will be annihilated. So I won't allow failure." Shin took out a map from the folder and unfolded it, placing it on the table between the two Kage. "The Land of Wind....and the Land of Earth. Our people speak the same language, have the same costumes, the same traditions...even the same war-philosophy and very similar combat Technique. " He said, referring to the puppet techniques. "For generations, we were one, and then the greatest power the world has ever seen- the Kazehana Empire. And yet, now here we stand, divided. Poking at each other for protection just in case the big bad wolf from the eastern forest decides to come hunt down upon our cattle." Shin raised his gaze from the documents and stared right into the Tsuchikage's eyes.

"Don't get me wrong Tsuchikage, I understand your position. It's very much the same as mine. Had you not come to me, sooner or later I would have come to you. But, we're not cattle. We're scorpions, snakes, lions, eagles. We're predators, both of our cultures go back a thousand years and I refuse to be scared cattle afraid of the wolves. " Shin pointed at the line dividing the Land of Wind and the Land of Earth, which was made out of minor nations. "This thing? We're going to erase it. And after the Land of Iron is put at ease, we'll have nothing to our backs."

From inside his cloak, Shin took out a piece of metal, placing it on the table with his hand on top of it, as to cover what it was. "As I've said before, I won't allow failures. No chance to divide us, and that requires something new. The causes of grief between our two nations comes from what separates them, from their differences. We need to change that. And that change will come only with sacrifice. First of all, we sacrifice our individual pride. No more shall Sunagakure's ninjas wear the eternal hourglass on their foreheads. And no more shall Iwagakure's forces wear the rocky mountains that support them. Together they will form the Heaven and Earth Alliance, with the Earth and Wind being its pillars." Shin removed the hand from the top of the metal and revealed what was hiding beneath it. It was a forehead protector, a beautifully crafted piece of metal sewed into black clothing. On it, there was a symbol engraved. The symbol of Yin and Yang.

"By bleeding together towards for the same cause, our shinobi forces will forge a bond of the strongest kind. Iwagakure and Sunagakure no Sato will remain, but their military might will be one, and soon the countries one as well." Shin went on.

"Know that if you agree, this can end in one of two ways. Either one of us backstabs the other and the survivor will be slaughtered by other nations on whatever remains of our fight... Or we stick together, conquer what stands in our path and achieve a peace that can last for a thousand years. What say you, Tsuchikage?"

The Kazekage had come prepared. He said that Nee-san's proposal did not go far enough and much too Tsuchikage's shock he proffered something far more radical. He did not want to fail, this much was evident from when he had fought Shin and it was now made apparent again. He had clearly thought this out judging from the forehead protector he had designed. Nee-san said nothing and watched his former adversary from behind his shades. He had learned early on that a neutral expression worked for negotiations like these and so he sat unmoving and without reaction. He did not expect Shin to propose such a bold and sweeping change especially with the Land of Earth's independence being so recent. Under ordinary circumstances he would have ended the meeting on the spot. The First Tsuchikage would have initiated lethal combat on the spot and his brother would have gone so far as to declare a war of annihilation. The Earth Country had long and painful memories of being one in the same with the Wind Country. The Kazehana Empire unjustly enriched a single clan at the expense of hundreds of small families. Many in Iwagakure were extremely emotional about the subject and that clouded their judgment. Fortunately, Nee-san was not one of those people. He had accepted the job partially because he had allowed his brother to convince him that few others of his generation had the forward thinking and cold calculating mindset to do the job well. Of course, Reisan probably didn't consider the proposal at hand to be "forward-thinking" it was no doubt appropriate when considering the matter at hand. Nee-san held no particular grudge against Sunagakure. He had not grown up fighting them and he had no sentimental feelings towards those who had spent their lives doing so, even his own family. He did fondly remember his mentor and predecessor but in truth Hòu Zhuān's way of doing things was not his own.

Shin asked for his opinion on the matter and the Tsuchikage sighed in response. Shin had quite a lot to say. The boy's speech was riddled with truth and hard facts. He detected no lies and he was smart enough to recognize that the Empire existed mainly out of necessity than any inherent will to dominate. Both nations lacked resources but had powerful militaries. It was inevitable that they would gobble the strip of nations in between them and exert control over the other. The Kazehana had been fortunate in that they were able to do so and do so with sufficient haste and competency for it to last as long as it did. Regardless of his feelings on the subject, Nee-san's hands were tied politically. A military-economic alliance he could sell to the Daimyou...a political re-integration? Hardly likely. Nee-san could very well be killed on the spot for suggesting something like that. He assumed that Shin had either: 1. Brutally killed anyone on his council that had opposed an integrated military. 2. He had sprung this without their permission. If he had done the former without facing an rebellion than the lad was far more valuable than Nee-san had dared hope. There were few leaders who could manage such a feat. If it was the latter then Shin was more or less in the same position as Nee-san. After a silent pause, Nee-san considered his options and choose to counter-offer.

"You are correct. But accuracy and expediency are two different things. The Earth Country has painful and bitter memories of life under the Kazehana Empire's rule. Even if this reunion was under equal terms it would be almost universally despised unless...." Nee-san could see only one way of this deal being viable."I was selected to lead it.". Nee-san paused to let the weight of what he was asking sink in. One army needs one leader. There is no path to this alliance's success where the Earth Country is not in the driver's seat. If only for a small bit of time, the people of the Earth need to believe that they aren't being forced into colonization. If you want to make what you propose a reality, you will make me this Alliance's Kage and make our Daimyou its political face. This need not be a permanent situation but we must take the past into account. The blood of the Divine Nine demands we assert ourselves in any future relationship with the Wind Country and this would be no different. Once people have become amenable to the idea of being equal partners with the Wind Country, I would have more flexibility in working out something mutually beneficial but until then I'd need to assert our might in order to satisfy my interests"

By Divine Nine Nee-san was referring to those nine clan leaders that had survived the Bloody Emir's assassination attempts. They were the founders of the Iwagakure independence movement and were revered as national gods in the country. Nee-san did not think of them as such. They were men and women who responded intelligently and rationally to a political crisis. His admiration for their success was by no means ideologically and completely practical. Ironically, Nee-san had loathed his increasingly large burden as Tsuchikage and almost cursed himself for suggesting that he take the role of running two villages at once. However, all he did he did for a reason. Nee-san's ultimate goal was not necessarily the preservation of Iwagakure and the Earth Country (although that had become a critical necessity for future planning) but rather the ascension of mankind itself to a state of Godhood. Whatever secrets with respect to puppetry and engineering that Sunagakure held would potentially be his by right. It was a drastic assumption of responsibility but if a deal could be agreed upon it had the potential to be a huge boon for the Work.

Shin mentally grinned as the Tsuchikage kept a neutral expression. The man was clearly not negotiating for the first time and he refused to give a clue regarding whatever it was he was thinking. Shin didn't expect anything less from the leader of a hidden village, but it was still rather annoying. He was used to reading men and women, and it sort of a rock in his shoe when they refused to be read. Alas, he could try to guess what the man was thinking. Shin realized the proposal he had made was half mad, especially when it was directed at none other than the Land of Earth. But the Tsuchikage had been the one to come to him and that showed interest in a mutually beneficial agreement. If there ever was a time to make such a bold and perhaps mad proposal, it was now. At this time, Nee-san was Kage and Shin could only hope the man could see well beyond the pride and history of his lands. It was no longer a matter of pride but rather a matter of survival.

After Shin's speech and question, a long sigh came. Shin expected no less. Perhaps even a moment to digest everything he had proposed. But how long would that take? How long would the Tsuchikage take to come up with a way to turn the ta-Ah, it didn't take long, fortunately. But before we get to that, it's important to detail how Shin managed to convince the voices of council who opposed his idea. To put it bluntly, he didn't. There were no voices of discord. Of course, when he first suggested this everyone called him a fool, but that much was to be expected. But being the Kage, Shin had the power to order men to quiet down and listen. And when it came to whether or not an alliance was a good idea, it was a matter of numbers. To put it in simple terms, there was no room for debate. The other Lands had far more resources that both the Western Lands combined, and they held enough historical records to know where that path consistently led to. No, an alliance was certainly the right way to go. As for going beyond that... Shin had only asked that they trusted him even if only for a couple of months to see how it all went. And that much, they could do.

"You are correct. But accuracy and expediency are two different things. The Earth Country has painful and bitter memories of life under the Kazehana Empire's rule. Even if this reunion was under equal terms it would be almost universally despised unless...." Shin could almost hear what came next. If he still had his mortal body's lungs, he would have probably sighed. Fortunately, the complex mechanisms that brought oxygen to the areas where it was needed were far more advanced than the body of a mere human and allowed him a far greater degree of control over his own body. He still raised an eyebrow as the Tsuchikage said it, however.

"I was selected to lead it." There was no helping it...this much was to be expected, although Shin had still somewhat held to the false hope that the Tsuchikage would not make such a proposal. But alas, if the Kazekage had the right to come up with such a bold plan, it was half expected the Tsuchikage would make one as well. Shin let the man finish, before he too paused for a moment and replied.

"We ninjas, have been using hawks to communicate for many centuries. We consider ourselves above them, and use them for what we please. But truly, there is much we could learn from such fantastic beasts." It could seem like Shin was suddenly changing the subject, but he would slowly get there. It was important to try as much as he could to not offend the Tsuchikage, but some words could not remain unspoken. "Their bodies are far more advanced than ours. They can fly for days without tiring, and they are designed to be the top predators of the sky. And without using barely any chakra at all." Shin gazed throughout the window, through which he could see one of such beasts was flying in circles above a forest. Certainly Nee-san would notice it as well. "There is certainly much and more we can learn from them. But...do you know what I admire the most in these beasts? Their eyesight." Shin made a pause, and then continued.  "When the hawk takes to the sky to hunt and rule above its fellow birds, nothing escapes its sight. What the little birds see below, he sees. The rabbit running over the hill? It will not escape. Even snakes crawling closer to the earth will fall prey to it. And you know why?" Shin's gaze returned to the Tsuchikage's.

"Because no matter how high the soaring beasts rises, its eyes allow it to know what is happening well beneath it. And when smaller birds rise too high without looking up....it snatches them, too." Shin made another pause. This was in no way a threat, but rather an analogy. It was important that the Tsuchikage understood it as such.

"I may be a bit young, but I like to believe I'm far from being a fool. I know your country's history, Tsuchikage-dono. It is closely intertwined with mine own. I know well enough how your people were ruled under the Kazehana Empire and how they feel about it. But, if we're taking history into consideration...Not once were you aggressors." These next words were harsh, but ought to be said. "Not once did you enter our lands and put our capital in danger. All of the war, all of the fighting, all of death...it happened in your country, or at the borders. Am I expected to surrender control of a country and its lands to someone who did nothing to obtain them? Who didn't spill blood upon our earth? You expect too much of me." Shin stated. It was true. If on one hand, Iwagakure's leader's hands were tied...The Kazekage's hands were also tied regarding this subject. Quite honestly, Shin didn't expect to even utter such proposal to the council and live to the tale.

"You expect things I do not expect of you." Shin smiled, for the very first time. It was now or never, the time to turn things in the right direction. "You misunderstand me, Nee-san. I did not ask you to submit. Nor will I." Shin's expression turned serious again, the words he was about to say could be considered...well, high treason. "I'm asking you to soar to the skies with me. I've told you once before, I will not allow this plan to fail. If people have to die, so be it. Let me tell you what will happen if you agree to my proposal." Shin cleared his throat.

"If you agree to my proposal, the Land of Wind's Daymio will die in exactly 3 months. In that same day, the Land of Earth's daymio will also stop breathing and life will leave its body. We will be the cause of that. Within 1 month, however, they'll both be very well alive, celebrating the marriage of heirs that seals the military alliance we've agreed with on this place. I've seen the princess heir, lovely child, fit to marry a prince. I happen to have one of those. She is a single heir however, as is the prince. Two months later, by an incredibly said coincidence, they'll both inherit a kingdom greater than the ones their fathers held." Shin paused for a moment. It was important to make sure he wasn't, well, being stabbed for suggesting treason.

"I understand that the boy is, well, a boy. And that such will grant us an "advantage" so to say in the eyes of the Land of Earth's council. That is why the Royal Family will move to Iwagakure no Sato and rule from there aided by a council of 6 people, 3 from each village. Seeing the two of them together should appease the people, and the lad is sharp and knows well enough how to earn the heart of the commoners. And the council gets to keep an eye on him as well. Be warned tho, he is not one to be mindlessly manipulated. In the meantime, the sudden tragic death of our lords will leave our countries in a seemingly fragile state, which will require action from the military and-Oh, that's us. " Shin faked surprise, almost as if hadn't planned the whole thing in advance.

"Our young king and queen will require a great military might to protect them in their fragile state, of course. And this is the key point. There is no point in choosing a Kage to rule the army. The Iwagakure ninjas will not follow me, and the Sunagakure ninjas will not follow you either. Choosing one would be setting us up for failure. Instead, we will both rule our respective villages. But, we will start a program of joint missions and training drills to improve the coordination of our armies and their efficiency together on the field. Perhaps mixed teams, maybe a few battle contests. It is vital that they form a bond on which they can rely on the battlefield. The best time to do this is now, that we're not at war and the lower efficiency of our joint army doesn't have greater implications. Additionally, we'll set up a complex communication system on the western lands far from the potential enemy. " Shin paused. He would try to evaluate the Tsuchikage's reaction, but would go on.

"I understand an army usually requires a single commander but... we don't have an army right now, not for what we intend to accomplish. Not a real, capable, one. Adding to that, the sheer amount of effort and work that comes with what we wish to accomplish...I've deemed it far too great for a single man to do it. My suggestion is that each of us leads a force of mixed shinobi of a size fit to the task at hand when the time comes. I don't think you capable of leading thousands of men through the desert half as well as I do. And I do not think myself capable of leading such men through the rocky mountains with the same efficiency you do. As water fits the river, we will adapt to the situation at hand. But let's not get ahead of ourselves... we will have time to set up protocols and codes for our army, but first we'll need an army. That is,"

Shin's face looked casual now. As if he was inviting his fellow Kage for a coffee. "...if you say yes."

Shin shifted gears and looked to the natural apex predator of the region to make a new point. Nee-san followed his eyes to a hawk that was circling the air near the building. They were magnificent creatures that were endemic to the Sunrise Desert and the Wind Country as a whole. The Kazehana spoke of how they were renown for their sight and how it made them lethal beasts of prey. Nee-san found the analogy amusing in that if he understood it correctly they were meant to be the hawks in that nothing happened without their notice or leave. The analogy was funny to Nee-san in that he styled himself more of a Lizard than a Hawk but that was neither here nor there. He made no facial expression about the analogy but he did lean forward when Shin began to propose treason. Shin was not willing to submit to Iwagakure's rule and Nee-san did not necessarily expect him to but he could see no other means of peacefully integrating the two militaries. Shin apparently had no use for peaceful methods.

The Kazekage boldly proposed that they kill their Daimyou. Impersonate them and then wed the two only children who conveniently happened to be of opposite genders. Once the union had been formed, the pair would rule the nations side by side but would reside in Iwagakure no Sato with a joint council to advise them. The eventual result being that the political union would be solidified but a joint military. Nee-san blinked behind his sunglasses a bit surprised that Shin valued an alliance over the life of his Daimyou. Nee-san could not blame him however as he had come to find his own Daimyou was as useless as a safety lock on a kunai. If it came to it he would not mourn that man's death but all the same there were a few problems with Shin's problem. The "Daimyou's" support for his child's marriage might play well with most citizens. The man was extremely popular and he could claim solid ancestral connections to the Independence Movement. No one would think him a sketchy opportunist if he blessed such an alliance. Unfortunately, the bulk of the population and military were not the only ones that Nee-san had to appease. The hardliners within the village would protest. Many would use this as an excuse to attack him for weakness and other still would claim that the disparity in power since Wind Country would lead the alliance through the male lineage. Nee-san cared little for such token trivalities. The fools were rabbits and snakes to use Shin's analogy. They could not and would not see the grander picture. What was a last name to the opportunity of re birthing an alliance with the Wind Country on equal footing? What was primogeniture to a chance to dominate world affairs as a single economic, military, and political union? Nothing. He'd need their support or at least enough concessions to pacify them.

"You are lucky that I am the Tsuchikage. Shodai Tsuchikage Hòu Zhuān would attack you on the spot for proposing you murder his Daimyou. I don't have such sentimentality for upjumped feudal lords who imagine themselves our equal. Their impotence is only surpassed by their arrogance. Proximity to great power often creates the illusion that one wields it.  All the same...."

Nee-san paused and pointed to the Heaven Alliance headband that had been produced.

"He is an Earth Country citizen and under my protection. I cannot kill him simply because it furthers an illusory promise represented by a headband. This alliance  may or may not pan out when all is said and done. Your proposal is interesting but problematic. While I would love to host the prince and his bride, I cannot ignore the laws of primogeniture. A few interests will complain that this is the Kazehana Empire by a new name. The boy's surname will be carried by his offspring while the Earth Daimyou's dies with his daughter. You'll have to do better if you want me to sacrifice one of my own."

Nee-san had thought up and summarized a few critical concessions he'd like to win before agreeing to the proposal. Being rid of the Daimyou would give him broader flexibility and if spun correctly this marriage would soften the hearts of many but he needed more. The prince's stay in Iwa was a good start but there were other things that the Tsuchikage would liket o have.

"The Wind Country is currently harboring several war criminals from the independence movement. The abominations of the nature clan, head of banks that financed the massacres of our countrymen, traitors and loyalists to the dying Empire, and of course the Monk's Bastard"

By "Monk's Bastard", Nee-san was of course referring to the bastard son of a monk from the Chang Monastery who had set several holy temples ablaze and defaced many icons of the Divine Nine. He was a Kazehanaphile and had cursed independence has the worst thing to have befallen the nation. The bastard had been tracked and chased across the country but found asylum in the Wind Country. While Nee-san was certain the Wind Country political leadership had no love for him they must have found it quite amusing to give Iwagakure the proverbial finger by keeping him from Earth Country justice. That would need to be put to an end. If Sunagakure wanted to show good faith in its alliance it would deliver the cretin and other "refugees" to Iwagakure for swift and painful retribution. The move would raise Nee-san's profile and give him latitude in adopting a far more conciliatory position towards Suna.

"Secondly, there is the matter of the prince's name. He'll have to change it. He won't need to take on the surname of his wife but he will need something new. Consider it a symbol of the our new alliance and a demonstration of his commitment to putting the past to rest and forging a new future. I suggest something drawn from the word "Heaven". I'm sure it will play well with our new theme."

This would resolve concern that Earth Country was subordinate to the Wind Country. The prince's heir would doubtlessly inherent the alliance but he would be starting anew, as a separate family that was neither exclusively Earth Country nor Wind Country.

"Finally, the issue of us commanding separate militaries may be tabled for now but pursuant to your own claims it ought not be a lasting situation. I'm sure in time when our shinobi come to trust one another we can more formally integrate the army under a single village. I will begin drafting designs for a more permanent home for our army. Splitting resources and time developing two seperate villages is quite the waste and as soon as finances permit I insist that we take more concrete steps in bringing us under one roof so to speak"

Nee-san was wary of hosting Suna officials in Iwagakure even if they were drastically outnumbered. He would need to spend a not insignificant amount of money monitoring them for espionage. The faster the two armies became one, the faster he could lay aside concerns of espionage and sabotage. Suna would not be dumb enough to dismantle a village that they lived and worked inside, so for Nee-san it was imperative that the Kazekage agree to unifying the villages at some time in the not so distant future.

"If you agree to these terms then yes you have a deal Shin. Its time that our nations seized what is rightfully ours. We share history, culture, and even many fighting styles" At this juncture Nee-san would allow himself the slightest of smiles. He fancied puppetry to be one of the greatest gifts that the Kazehana Empire had bestowed upon their Earth Country subjects. "The path to success will be forged by our unity not division"

Shin chuckled lightly at the Tsuchikage's first phrase. The man wasn't wrong, and Shin knew well enough that what he had proposed would have very well set off the killer trigger on most of Iwagakure no Sato's previous leaders. It was alright, however. Shin had come well prepared for that, and well aware of the potential violent result of his proposal. Regardless of that fact, the game was now an all-or-nothing kind of game and Shin didn't mind playing. In fact he was quite enjoying it: Being able to lay down the cards on the table like that allowed for all sorts of talking that would otherwise be impossible. It was quite a twist to the usual boring social game.

"You could certainly attack me. It is your choice, and you're still on time to do so, if that is your wish. But, do that and everything will remain the same. Our villages will find a new cause to wage war against each other and we'll once again soil our lands with blood because two stupid leaders couldn't look past their pride." This comment was made during the pause the Tsuchikage made. The man then proceeded to explain why he could not simply kill the Daymio., Shin raised an eyebrow at that, genuinely surprised. "Can't you? " Shin sighed. "Personally, I would murder entire families for what this piece of metal represents. The promise of lasting peace and unification of the land. People are like breezes...they come and go. Once in a generation, a few stronger winds will rise, but eventually they all pass away. What they bring and leave behind however, remains. Regardless of whether they bring destruction and carnage, or the seeds that will feed the earth for the next season." It was Shin's turn to make a pause.

While Shin hadn't really thought about the surname issue, the Tsuchikage did have a point. Perhaps it was Shin's manner of looking at things: Banners and symbols spoke higher than mere names to him, and so he hadn't really considered that can issue. But perhaps the man was right to worry, and it would be wise to change the family name. He supposed he could concede that point. Nevertheless, Nee-san didn't let him immediately reply, and instead went on with another point. The following point regarded the War Criminals of the wars between the Land of Wind and the Land of Earth. Shin was aware of what the tales said, and that his village and land were both harboring quite a few of these people. He was also aware that some of these people had become part of his military, which turned this into a more tricky subject. Regardless, he was sure the two of them could probably reach an agreement.

"Very well, I will allow a detachment from Iwagakure no Sato to seize the war criminals living in the Land of Wind that I haven't taken care of myself yet...some of them tend to be more violent than my patience allows. I will need a list of men and their crimes however, as well as details on the investigations on these incidents, before I approve the operation. Additionally, be aware that no man who serves under Sunagakure's military will be seized regardless of their past crimes. These men are under my protection and have repaid their crimes by serving in the village. It would also become a rather complicated political issue if I suddenly allowed my soldiers to be taken away from their homes and executed in a foreign land." This was true. His men trusted him and the elders gave this thing a chance- but should Sunagakure start to willingly give up their men's lives just because Iwagakure asked so, Shin wouldn't last as Kazekage. As for the many men who'd left the Land of Earth after committing terrible crimes and were now living peacefully on the outskirts of the village....Shin couldn't wait for the opportunity to get rid of them.


"As for the issue of the boy's name, I agree that the boy should take on a new surname. " Shin made a pause tho, carefully examining Nee-san's choice of clothing. "But I'll have to approve such surname before we make it official. I'm sorry but those shades and lack of haircut...I simply cannot blindly trust your seemingly terrible taste. This is non-negotiable." If the surname was something that their winds would "leave behind", Shin needed to make sure it was something respectable.

The following issue was even more complicate. Shin listened to the Tsuchikage regarding the unification of the two villages, but he could not agree with that. "No." He said, bluntly. It was clear to him why this couldn't happen, but the moment of silence that would follow his no required an answer from him. "The two villages are our new nation's greatest weapon. Together I'd recon they produce nearly half a million ryo on taxes and tolls alone. Bringing us together under a single roof would reduce that amount in half." It was mathematical, really. Shin just couldn't see the point in uniting villages. "If a country has two population centers producing income, why would it want to bring them together at the expense of money and reduction of income? Developing the two villages is the logical step. There is no waste of money there. Both villages have the resources and manpower to develop themselves into larger constructs soon enough. To abandon one or the other now just create a huge hole in our joint budget." It was true. A country with two cities had no reason to bring them together.

The Kazekage shook his head. "I will not ask mine or your people to move out unless there is a significant advantage to be taken from that. And right now, the economic disadvantage fair outweighs whatever confusion in leadership our army can be trained to handle. If we do grow as planned, villages will be born all over the land. We cannot bring the world's population to a single point, it's not viable. I'd very much prefer if we learned to coordinate village armies now that there are only two of them than waiting and being forced to do it later in a hurry while at war."