110 Engagement

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Back at the Hokage's meeting room, the atmosphere was thick with a mix of excitement and underlying tension. The Five Kages, Lord Mifune, and the Daimyos from various nations had gathered to discuss the outcomes of the Chunin Exams. The Daimyo of the Fire Nation, fanning himself, couldn't hide his enthusiasm. "The battles were so exciting," he exclaimed, "That Uchiha youngster was so fiery. How hot." He chuckled, fanning himself more vigorously.

Shisui, the Hokage, couldn't help but smile at the compliment directed towards Horyu. "He is the pride of our clan," he said, his voice tinged with a mixture of pride and satisfaction. This was exactly the outcome he had hoped for - not only had Konoha shone brightly in the exams, but the Uchiha clan had also been pushed to the forefront, thanks to Horyu's remarkable performance.

However, the other Kages didn't share this sentiment. Tsuchikage Oonoki, Raikage A, Mizukage Yagura, and Kazekage Rasa, while maintaining diplomatic facades, couldn't mask the envy and cunning in their eyes. They exchanged glances, each pondering the implications of Konoha's, and particularly the Uchiha's, newfound prominence. The success of Konoha's ninjas, especially that of an Uchiha, posed a complex challenge to their own villages' standing and influence.

Raikage A smirked as he observed Shisui, his thoughts laced with cunning. 'You're still too young for political moves,' he mused silently, before speaking up. "Fire Daimyo-sama, you have an elite group of shinobi, The Twelve Guardian Ninja, right? This Uchiha youngster would be a fine addition," he suggested, his voice dripping with a slyness that didn't go unnoticed.

Shisui, catching the implication, returned Raikage's gaze with a dry look. He was well aware of the Raikage's ploy to isolate the talented Genin from Konoha. The Fire Daimyo, now turning towards Shisui with expectation, clearly found the proposal intriguing. This was a clever trap laid by Raikage; if Shisui refused, it would upset the Daimyo.

Especially now that other Daimyos were present, if the Fire Daimyo were to be refused so blatantly, he would lose his standing in front of his peers. The room was a chessboard, and Raikage A's suggestion was a clever move, putting Shisui in a tight spot. The other Kages observed with concealed satisfaction, their eyes gleaming with hidden malice at Shisui's predicament. This was more than a simple suggestion; it was a power play, a way to unsettle Konoha's rising prestige.

Shikaku, with his sharp intellect, quickly assessed the situation. He leaned forward, addressing the room in a calm yet firm tone. "Honorable Fire Daimyo-sama, while the proposal of Raikage A to include Horyu in the Twelve Guardian Ninja is indeed flattering, we must consider the unique circumstances surrounding Uchiha Horyu."

He paused, letting his words sink in before continuing. "As you may be aware, Uchiha Horyu is not only a prodigious talent but also a key figure in an ongoing, highly sensitive mission for Konoha. This mission is directly tied to the security of our village and, by extension, to the security of the Fire Nation itself. While the details are classified, I can assure you that his role is irreplaceable and his presence within the village is imperative."

Shikaku turned slightly, giving a respectful nod towards the Fire Daimyo. "As such, while we are honored by your consideration, I believe that Horyu's current duties to Konoha and the Fire Nation must take precedence. His involvement in the Twelve Guardian Ninja, although an honor, would unfortunately impede his crucial mission."

The Fire Daimyo, understanding the gravity of Shikaku's words, nodded thoughtfully but it was clear he was upset with the rejection. "I see. The security of our nation and its allies is indeed paramount. It would be unwise to interrupt such a vital mission for the sake of this appointment. Raikage A, I appreciate your suggestion, but it seems we must look elsewhere for a new member of the Twelve Guardian Ninja."

Seeing that the Daimyo was still somewhat reluctant and slightly offended by the turn of events, Sarutobi, the former Hokage, stepped forward from behind the crowd. His timely intervention was like a seasoned player entering the game at a critical juncture. "To be honest, Daimyo-sama," Sarutobi began, his voice carrying a hint of mischief, "Shikaku and Shisui are hiding something." The Daimyo's gaze sharpened, and he turned towards Sarutobi with a raised eyebrow. "Oh?" he inquired, clearly intrigued.

Sarutobi chuckled, his eyes twinkling with slyness. "It's not a big deal, Daimyo-sama. Uchiha Horyu and um, what was her name?" He glanced at Shikaku, who internally cursed as he understood Hiruzen's plan. Sarutobi had just tossed him into the deep end of this political game. Whichever name he gave would now be engaged to Horyu, and now he was forced to make a delicate choice.

Shikaku, however, was not one to be easily outmaneuvered. He walked up to Sarutobi and whispered in his ear, "You know better, Sarutobi-sama." Sarutobi, caught off guard but trying to maintain his composure, coughed slightly before continuing. "Yes, her. Well, young Horyu and Ino Yamanaka have a close bond." He said this while shooting a pointed look at Shikaku, who was now cursing under his breath once again. Ino was his best friend's daughter, and now Sarutobi had casually thrown her into the midst of these political machinations because he refused to give a name and let Sarutobi choose.

Shisui, observing the unfolding scene, looked intrigued but remained silent, his expression unreadable. The Daimyo, meanwhile, clapped his hands, his face lighting up as if he were watching a particularly enthralling drama unfold. "Uchiha Prodigy and Yamanaka Heiress. A great match!" he exclaimed, clearly delighted by this turn of events.

Tsuchikage Oonoki's wrinkled face twisted into a frown. "Young love in the ninja world, how... quaint," he remarked dryly, his tone dripping with sarcasm. His eyes, however, were sharp, calculating the potential impact of this alliance on the balance of power.

Raikage A's heavy brows furrowed, his mind racing with strategies to counter this unforeseen development. "Such alliances could shift the dynamics significantly," he muttered, more to himself than to anyone else.

Mizukage Yagura kept his thoughts hidden behind a serene facade, but the gears were turning in his head. 'An Uchiha and a Yamanaka,' he thought. 'A formidable combination if true.'

Kazekage Rasa, his face always a hard, unreadable mask, gave nothing away. But his eyes, cold and calculating, were fixed on Shisui, as if trying to peer into his mind and unravel his plans.

Lord Mifune, observing the interplay of ninja politics, remained silent, his samurai stoicism a stark contrast to the undercurrents of tension in the room. The room was charged with a palpable tension, each leader weighing the implications of this revelation. It was more than just a matter of a budding relationship between two young shinobi; it was a chess piece moved in the grand game of power and influence.

After talking about other details, the Five Kage Summit, convened for the Chunin Exams and more, ended on a high note. The five nations agreed on Shisui's terms to return Kyubi or its vessel if found, as well as apprehend and return the traitors Namikaze Naruto, Namikaze Himawari, and Namikaze Hirato. With potential to acquire more missions in the future, Shisui sent away his guests and sat behind his desk. "I was planning to marry Horyu to an Uchiha, but this is good too. He is a strong and talented young boy, he can have multiple love interests. We must keep his bloodline pure, and we can use him to bind Yamanaka to Uchiha. This is great," he mused to himself.

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