Afternoon, Konohagakure, Ninja Apartment.

  "Are you moving out?" Temari asked, looking surprised at Link standing in the doorway of his nearly empty apartment.

  "Do you need something?" Link asked, turning his head. He had already sold the apartment. Being the you and most talented special jonin of Konoha, selling the pce was surprisingly easy. After listing it, it took barely over a week to sell it for 20% above market price.

  He hadn’t realized before how petitive Konoha’s real estate market was. The process of selling aing a new pce had taught him ohing: living in Konoha wasn’t easy.

  "By the way, the iations ended yesterday, right? Why are you still in our vilge?" he asked, suddenly recalling this detail and tilting his head in curiosity.

  The peace talks between Sunagakure and Konoha had beeively straightforward. Sunagakure had lost nearly everything, so whatever Konoha demahey had no choice but to agree. With all their top brass, including the Kazekage, captured, they had no leverage.

  The iations dragged on for over a week mainly due to internal disputes within Konoha about the terms of the new alliance.

  To Link’s surprise, many of the jonin—especially those with more militant views—demahat Konoha exploit the situation to its full extent. Meetings turned into chaotic debates in the Hokage’s office. Evewo elder advisors had g opinions. Koharu Utatane firmly opposed any measures to support Sunagakure or dey reparations, arguing it would make Konoha look weak. Meanwhile, Homura Mitokado agreed with deying reparations but wahe Kazekage to stay in the Land of Fire to help develop gold mines.

  That’s when Link learhe Kazekage’s "disappearance" was due to him being forced into hard bor.

  Danzo, oher hand, proposed areme pn: execute the prisoners, ihe Land of Wind, and ahe Land of Rivers while Sunagakure was vulnerable.

  The Land of Rivers had always been a buffer betweewo great nations. With Sunagakure’s military power effectively decimated, it seemed ripe for the taking. However, this move could trigger war with nearby nations like the Land of Rain and the Land of Grass.

  The Third Hokage firmly opposed this idea, but the debates dragged on endlessly until the Land of Fire intervened, demanding the immediate release of the Kazekage.

  The iations ed up quickly after that, signaling the daimyo’s support for the Third Hokage’s more moderate approach. By yesterday afternoon, the Land of Wind delegation, along with the Kazekage, had already left Konoha.

  So why was Temari, the Kazekage’s daughter, still here?

  "Acc to the reaty," Temari said, folding her arms, "Kankuro, Gaara, and I are to remain in Konoha."

  A cession of the jinchūriki, huh?

  Link quickly uood the treaty’s implications.

  "And then?" he asked.

  Keeping enemy jinchūriki in Konoha was a dition Danzo and the two advisors had strongly advocated for. The Third Hokage had relutly agreed, knowing it was a logical precaution—especially given Konoha’s own jinchūriki was free to wander.

  The downside, of course, was that this would likely attract the Akatsuki.

  "You still haven’t answered my question," Temari said, recalling her versation with Baki-sensei.

  …

  "The dee of our vilge is iable. A new era is on the horizoher it’s one of war or peace, we’ll likely bee subordio Konoha."

  "Don’t be saddened. Our harsh enviro ensures no one will ever truly quer us."

  "Temari, that boy’s abilities are of strategic importance. With his talent, he may even bee a Hokage someday."

  "You must try to influence him. At the very least, ensure he remains friendly to our vilge like the Third Hokage."

  …

  "Yes, I’m moving," Link said, pg the spare key ihe apartment before closing the door. Moving had been ridiculously easy for him—he’d simply waited for a dark night, the out all 113 of his shadow es to pad transport everything to his new p orip.

  "gratutions," Temari said with a bright smile, her hands behind her back.

  "Thanks." Link turned and started walking away. His new pce was already set up by his es, and he couldn’t wait to test out the raining room. He had no time for small talk.

  "Hey!" Temari called out, hurrying to catch up. "As a gift, how about I treat you to dinner?"

  "I already have pns," Link replied, speeding up and vanishing with a body flicker teique.

  "Hmph."

  Temari stomped her foot, annoyed, but then smiled mischievously.

  …

  Evening, Yakiniku Q.

  "grats, boss!"

  "grats!"

  Iris and Ami cheered, raising their drinks, while Sasuke smiled and Sakura nodded in agreement.

  Link ked gsses with them and took a sip, casting a wary g the table where Shikamaru and the others sat.

  Typically, after moving, you’d invite friends over for a meal. However, since he had too many acquaintances, he decided to host the celebration at Yakiniku Q. He had braced himself for the expense, given that the sale of his old apartment had left him with a good k of savings.

  But he hadn’t ated for Chōji. Or the fact that his fellow jonin weren’t holding back at all.

  Kurenai Yuhi was already ohird bottle of sake.

  Despite her refined demeanor, her favorite drinks turned out to be sake and vodka. The prices at Yakiniku Q’s bar weren’t cheap, and Link could practically hear his wallet screaming.

  Catg him looking her way, Kurenai smiled warmly, her cheeks flushed, and raised her gss for a toast before downing it in one go.

  "Building es requires sacrifices," Link told himself, resigo the expense.

  "Maybe I should be o Temari ime. She’s probably a rich girl anyway."

  Bleam