NADESHIKO

Ha!

His reckoning had finally arrived…

Shizuka's heart fluttered with gleeful schadenfreude as Lady Mikoto angrily guided her towards her husband's lair. Despite his efforts to hide it, news of Sasuke's return to Nadeshiko eventually broke. Apparently, he had been here for three days without word to anyone of his arrival.

Like Shizuka, the Uchiha Matriarch was understandably indignant. Eager to witness the arrogant man that was husband be humbled by possibly the only one capable, Shizuka gathered herself and stuck to Mikoto's side like a barnacle to the hull of a ship. With hurried steps, they descended the complex cave system via an entrance not far off from the village itself.

The air grew cooler and damper with each step deeper into the earth. The last tendrils of sunlight, weak and reluctant, retreated behind them, replaced by the faint, ghostly glow of bioluminescent fungi that clung stubbornly to the jagged stone walls. They cast eerie, wavering shadows, making the ground seem to shift and writhe underfoot.

Drip. Drip. Drip. The sound of water falling echoed through the cavern, a relentless, rhythmic symphony that underscored the oppressive silence. Stalactites hung from the ceiling like ancient, jagged teeth. Even the air felt odd, thick with the scent of damp earth and decay, mingling with a faint, metallic tang.

As they ventured further, the tunnel narrowed until it ended in a three-meter-tall metal vault door. This was the first time Shizuka had been to this place, only having heard word of its construction from her aunt. Apparently, her husband had demanded rights to construct the facility some time ago as part of her dowry.

"I wasn't expecting you two," a familiar voice said from behind them. Freezing in place, Shizuka peered at Sasuke's face sticking out from the side behind her. His expression was stoic save for the crook of his left brow.

He seemed intrigued.

Lady Mikoto was less impressed, eyes narrowed in disapproval. "Son," she intoned, her tone stern.

"...Mother," Sasuke replied hesitantly before panning his gaze back to Shizuka. "Shizuka. How have you two been?"

"Displeased," Lady Mikoto sniffed. "Where have you been, son? What could have been so important that you would abandon your wife here all by herself?"

"Apologies," Sasuke replied. "There were some leftover matters with Konoha that I could not afford to leave unattended. I hope my absence hasn't been too detrimental?"

The Uchiha Matriarch's expression softened at that. "Not particularly. Has the matter been resolved?" she asked.

"Mostly, yes. What's left can be delegated to others to handle; I am long past the point of having to do everything myself."

"Still," Mikoto pressed. "You've been here for several days, have you not? Yet you did not deem it fit to inform us of your arrival? Not even with a clone?"

"...That was an oversight on my part," he said. "Sorry. I was going to check in this evening to see you after I was done with my tasks. Either way, come. This place is too deary to be having conversations of this manner."

Sasuke reached out for their hands. Shizuka eyed the outstretched appendage before sharing a glance with a strangely suspicious Mikoto. "...What are you hiding in there, son?" the Matriarch eventually asked.

Sasuke smiled lightly in response. "I'd rather we not talk about that, Mother," he said.

The two held each other's gaze for a long moment before Mikoto finally heaved a tired sigh. "Let's go," she said taking Sasuke's hand. Shizuka followed suit and the next moment they reappeared in her residence.

Something strange was going on down there, but Shizuka wasn't sure if she truly wanted to know what it was.

***

Jinrui sat at a low lacquered table. Across from him, Mei mirrored him with a grace that belied the simmering anger beneath her calm exterior. Her presence was regal, yet restrained, a warrior forced into the role of a diplomat.

"Thank you for agreeing to meet," Jinrui began, his voice smooth and detached. He gestured for a maid to pour tea, the delicate clinking of porcelain the only sound breaking the silence.

Mei accepted the cup. "Are you satisfied?" she asked.

"Satisfied?"

"Nearly a thousand lives were wasted to lose an island of debatable importance… At your behest. You must have known it was impossible for us to hold Whirlpool with the sort of manpower Konoha was willing to field. Yet…"

Jinrui nodded, his expression unchanged. "It was a calculated risk. Losing the island was always within the realm of possibility. But to suggest I would derive some queer pleasure from such a wanton waste? I am disappointed. Sacrifices are a necessary component of war, Mizukage. You must know that."

Mei's eyes narrowed slightly, the only hint of her frustration. "It's my people that bear the cost of this loss. Yet, here you are preaching about sacrifice."

The room seemed to hold its breath as Jinrui seemed to consider her words. Finally, he spoke, his tone pragmatic. "An olive branch then, since you are so displeased. I will retract my request to retake Whirlpool. That might have ended in another failure either way. Instead, Kirigakure will continue to amass troops in the Land of Waves to protect my interests here. My shipping fleet and overseas installations will also all fall under your purview."

Mei's expression hardened at how comfortably he seemed dictating Kirigakure's foreign policy, but she remained composed. "And your offensive against Konoha? Was that just a whim you decided on without much thought?"

Jinrui set his cup down, leaning forward slightly. "Watch yourself, Mei," the shinobi warned. Terumi held his gaze for a long moment. Slowly, she brought the cup she was offered to her lips and took a sip.

"The offensive on Konoha will be taken over by the Tengu, Funato and Miko clans," Jinrui continued. "I take you have more amicable relations with those three than the other clans in the Land of Water and an alliance with them shouldn't be that repulsive to your people's sensibilities?"

"...We had an agreement."

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Jinrui's lips curved into a thin smile. "Yes, but it's obvious now Kiri is incapable of handling all of my requests, hence I am doing you a favour by allowing others to handle the least pleasant of said requests."

A maid entered silently, refilling their cups. Mei's eyes followed her for a moment. She returned her focus to Jinrui. "Retaking Whirlpool is a fool's dream," she finally said. "You are only sending them to their deaths."

"You don't listen, do you?" Jinrui replied. "My interest in Whirlpool has waned. Retaking the island isn't an endeavour I am willing to fund."

Mei stared at the odd man across from her. "Without Whirlpool, invading the Land of Fire would be an even greater pipe dream."

"Then we adjust," Jinrui replied. "It might not be common knowledge, but recently the Land of Tea has been a severely neglected country. Their allies to the north have been less faithful to their treaties of late; it's funny what little value a signed scroll has in the face of complete annihilation."

"...You want to take the Land of Tea? With three clans? Are you mad?"

Jinrui Tanaka merely smiled in response. He was a madman, Mei realised. A stupid, mad man. She had, all this time, been dealing with a fool. Better to take this minor win she had managed to etch out and run for the hills. With that thought, she stood, her decision made. "It's none of my concern. This agreement is acceptable. Let the clans continue your invasion; Kirigakure has no interest in intervening. Now if you would excuse me, I must leave."

Jinrui smiled as she fled. "Keep in touch, Mizukage," he said. "I might be in need of your services again soon."

***

Tsunade sat behind her desk, the dim light of her office casting long shadows across the room. Papers were scattered in front of her, reports of troop movements, supply shortages, and the increasing unease amongst the populace in the wake of the impending conflict. The weight of leadership bore down on her, but she bore it with the stoicism expected of a kage. The door creaked open, and Shizune stepped in, her expression one of urgency and dread.

"Tsunade-sama," the girl began. "There is a merchant in the waiting room. He said Sasuke Uchiha sent him."

Tsunade's eyes narrowed. She motioned for Shizune to let the man in, her mind already racing through the implications. The Uchiha had been surprisingly true to his word and stayed the majority of the conflict for the duration he promised. Alas, the deadline was just a few hours away, hence she could already tell what his messenger bore.

The merchant entered—a young, nondescript fellow, carrying a sealed scroll. He approached the desk, bowed deeply, and presented the scroll with trembling hands.

Tsunade took it, breaking the seal with deliberate care, her eyes scanning the words written in a familiar, yet chillingly unfamiliar, code. The Uchiha's flair for dramatics seemed as strong as it always has. This was the first variation of the cypher he used to encode all his diaries. The same cypher the Intelligence Division wasted six years decrypting. A cheeky callback, it seemed.

Perhaps, a warning as well…

Subconsciously, Tsunade began decrypting the code, having learnt long ago the structure of all decrypted variations of his signature encryption. The standard procedure for anyone in high command, more so now that it has been established that he was an enemy of the state.

"To the Leaders and Citizens of Konohagakure," it read.

"In the name of retribution, I, Sasuke Uchiha, the living Patriarch of the Uchiha Clan, hereby declare war upon The Village Hidden in the Leaf for the heinous crime of genocide perpetrated against my clansmen. The blood of the Uchiha soaks the soil of your village, and the anguish of my kin cries out for vengeance.

For too long, the truth has been hidden, shrouded in darkness and deceit. The massacre of the Uchiha was not an act of necessity but one of fear, incompetence and betrayal. It was a calculated extermination, orchestrated by those in power to eliminate an ill-perceived threat. This atrocity, this unforgivable act of violence, shall be avenged.

Konohagakure, you have shown no remorse, no acknowledgement of your sins. Instead, for years, you thrived upon the ashes of those you have wronged. This injustice shall no longer stand. I will bring the might of the entire known world down upon you, and the pain you inflicted upon my family, my clan, will be returned a thousandfold. Prepare yourselves, for the time of reckoning is at hand. The shadows will rise, and from them, a storm of fury and destruction will descend upon the Leaf. This war is not merely for vengeance but for the honour of my fallen kin, and for those to come.

Let it be known; the Uchiha will rise again. We will not be silenced. We will not be forgotten. We will not be defeated."

Signed, "Sasuke Uchiha. Living Patriarch of the Uchiha Clan. Harbinger of Destruction. May the heavens witness this declaration, and may the fires of my fury purify the sins of the Leaf."

The room fell silent, the only sound the rustling of paper as Tsunade's fist whitened, curling angrily around the edges. She looked up. "How many of you were sent?" she asked the merchant, her voice cold.

"...Hundreds, Hokage-sama," the man replied, his hesitant, fearful. "I was instructed to deliver this to you personally. The others were dispersed on other routes; I know not where they were sent."

Tsunade nodded, folding the scroll and setting it aside. "Escort this man out," she instructed Shizune. "Make sure he is treated well."

The merchant bowed again and quickly followed Shizune.

"The boy is cruel," Lady Mito commented as she emerged from the shadows behind Tsunade.

The younger Senju said nothing as leaned back in her chair, her fingers steepled under her chin.

"We must prepare," Lady Mito added.

"And the people?" Tsunade asked, her concern extending beyond the military. "They will know. The sick bastard won't stop until all of them know.

"Then tell them the truth," Lady Mito replied. "They deserve to know what's coming. We can't afford to hide this. They need to be prepared, just as we are."

The die was cast, it seemed. There was no turning back.