Chapter 74:

The Hokage gave Fuyōna a very serious look as he put his pipe back into his mouth.

"That is top-secret information, and a very serious subject, Lord Mizukage." He said, taking a puff on his pipe.

"I understand that, but I can assure you. You will want to hear this." Fuyōna said before he took a sip of his tea.

Meanwhile...

Haku, Kimimaro and Koyuki were currently onboard a ship that was sailing them towards the land of fire.

They had been invited to attend the chunin exams in the hidden leaf village, having set off from the village hidden in the mist after getting prepared.

The three of them were excited, to say the least, wondering what kind of tests they would be faced with.

Kaga was sat with his arms crossed over his chest, watching his students as he chewed on a piece of tobacco, watching as their nerves seemed at ease.

"These three should have no problem with these exams. I can't think of any other genin who have experienced as much as the three of them in the whole village." He thought, remembering each of their accomplishments and strengths on each mission they had faced together.

"No matter what we face, we won't fail," Kimimaro said, standing with the others as they looked over towards the land of fire that was slowly coming into view.

Haku and Koyuki also nodded, feeling confident with his words.

"Alright you three, get some rest," Kaga said as he stood to his feet.

"We still have a long journey to the leaf village, and you will have plenty of time for theatrics later."

Haku and the others turned and nodded to their sensei, each of them taking a seat, trying their best to relqxe their mind.

"We won't let you down, Fuyōna sensei." Haku thought as he looked over the sea one last time before he finally sat down with the others.

...

"You can't be serious... He's dead." The Hokage said, almost speechless at the information Fuyōna had just given him.

"Obito Uchiha..." The third Hokage said, still not believing it.

"But why would he target the nine tails and kill his own sensei no less?" The Hokage asked.

Fuyōna remained silent. Deciding to let the Hokage use his mind to work things out a little.

"And Madara Uchiha you say... He can't still be alive... After all these years. He was killed by the first Hokage himself." He said almost seeming angry and worried at the same time.

"I know this information might seem disturbing, but we have reason to believe it was Obito who was controlling the fourth Mizukage. In fact, I can confirm it was him, as I fought him myself." Fuyōna then said.

The third Hokage sighed, seeming troubled at the news.

"And you're saying that it was Obito that caused the nine tails to attack the village and kill Minato."

"I am," Fuyōna confirmed.

"The fourth Hokage did indeed leave me information before he died, believing the attacker to indeed be Mardara... But I never thought it to be true." The Hokage said, interlocking his fingers as he became lost in thought.

"Why tell me this? Why do you come to me with such information?" The Hokage then asked, wondering why Fuyōna would do such a thing.

Fuyōna had to think about that himself. Could he really trust the Hokage to keep this information secret? Or would Danzo steal the show and use this information to his own gain.

Could he prevent a war? Start an entirely different one? He would have to have a very serious think about what path would be best to follow.

Fuyōna also had to ask himself where he wanted this to go. He couldn't solve the hidden leaf's problems all alone. Was it even something he wanted to do?

So much was still meant to happen that would set the chains of future in motion, with the next thing being the slaughter of the Uchiha clan.

He would have to choose his next words carefully, knowing what had to be done having thought about it.

"I tell you this as an offer of friendship between our nations." He said, with a slight pause.

"Too long have our nations been at war, hating and taking petty gains all at the cost of their citizen's lives. I believe that we should cast aside our differences and join forces. Perhaps that way we can create a world that contains less hatred." Fuyōn said, leaving the Hokage with almost a speechless expression.

"Are you suggesting what I think you are suggesting, Lord Mizukage?" The Hokage said after a moment to think about his words.

"I am, Lord Hokage," Fuyōna said, placing his teacup down.

"I am offering an alliance between the Mist and the Leaf. What say you, Lord Hokage? Do you accept my offer?" Fuyōna then said as he crossed his legs.

The third Hokage had a serious expression on his face for a moment, taking his pipe as he struck a match, lighting it and taking a large puff.

"Fuyōna Yuki... The ice devil of the mist. The Kage killer and perfect jinjuriki. Not only did you achieve great renown at a young age, but you also killed the fourth Kazekage. Then going on to overthrow your own Mizukage, who you had swore to serve." The third said, clearly having done his homework on Fuyōna.

"How can I trust someone who has killed two Kage that I knew quiet well I might add." He then said looking into Fuyōna's eyes as he weighed him up.

"I second that." A voice said coming from the back of the room, one that Fuyōna recognised.

"Danzo? What are you doing here?" The Hokage said, not happy at his sudden appearance.

Fuyōna had a bad feeling about this, but had decided he would wait and see what Danzo had to say.

"Don't be a fool Hiruzen. We cannot trust a word the Mizukage says. He could be feeding you false information in order to infiltrate the village." He said as he came and stood next to the Hokage, using his walking cane.

The Hokage didn't look impressed and crossed his arms.

"Danzo, what are you doing here. This is a private meeting between myself and the Mizukage, who is a guest here at my request I might add." He said with a serious voice.

"To have already killed two Kage, one of which was his own in order to overthrow him no less!" Danzo said, glaring at Fuyōna as he said it.

Fuyōna had to admit, when all of it was put like that, it sounded pretty bad.

"I understand your concern over my endeavours. And I understand how it looks, killing the former Mizukage was not something I wanted to do." Fuyōna said as he slowly stood to his feet, looking into Danzo's eyes.

"However. I have achieved more than any Mizukage has ever done for my village and its people. Going above and beyond to make the village hidden in the mist, as well as the land of water, thrive." He said before he turned to look back at the Hokage.

"I understand your hesitation about considering my offer. So I am prepared to wait for a response." Fuyōna said, sitting back down as he crossed his legs.

"Why you." Danzo started.

"That is enough Danzo!" The Hokage shouted, causing him to go silent.

"I am the Hokage and this is my village. I decide what is right and what is within the best interest for it and my people. Not you." He said, glaring at Danzo.

Danzo clenched his teeth in anger but held his tongue.

"You're a fool Hurizen. You always have been." He said before he slowly turned and left the room.

"I accept your offer lord Mizukage. In fact, I welcome it!" The Hokage said as he turned to look at Fuyōna, standing to his feet and extending his hand.

Fuyōna also stood to his feet, taking the Hokages hand and shaking it in his own as the two of them sealed the offer with a handshake.

"Two great nations becoming allies. I never thought I would see the day." The Hokage said.

"It may prove difficult at first, with so much bloodshed in our past. However, with the two of us steering the ship, I believe we can overcome any hiccups we may encounter along the way."

"I agree. And with the chunin exams not far away. It will prove a great start to our villages cooperation." The Hokage said.

"To peace." Fuyōna then said.

"Yes, to peace." The Hokage then also said.

Fuyōna let go of his hand and took a small step back.

"I will have to head back to my village to begin the preparation. However, I will be back in time to watch how the exams play out." Fuyōna said.

"Of course, I will do the same. Besides. There are now matters that will need attending to." The Hokage said, taking another puff on his pipe as he thought about what to do next.

"I believe it would be best if we keep this information to ourselves for now. Perhaps waiting for Obito to make a move would be our best bet in finding him." Fuyōna said.

The Hokage agreed, knowing the troubles it would cause, not only for his village but certain individuals too.

"Yes, I agree."

"Alright. It has been a pleasure lord Hokage, thank you for the tea and your time." Fuyōna said, giving him a slight bow.

The Hokage nodded his head also, in a sign of respect, before he gave the signal for Kakashi and the others to enter the room.

The door opened and the four of them walked into the room, blowing their heads as they did.

"Alright you two, we are going back to the village," Fuyōma said to Kōgetsu and Kaiya.

They nodded, surprised that he had dealt with business so quickly.

"Be seeing you soon." Fuyōna then said to everyone, summoning an ice mirror as he did.

The Hokage looked a little surprised as he stepped inside, disappearing before both Kōgetsu and Kaiya did the same, watching as the ice melted and dispersed into the air.

Itachi was also surprised, seeing that he had completely disappeared. Kakashi on the other hand had seen this before.

"Sir, is everything alright?" Kakashi asked, looking to the Hokage as he seemed a little tense.

The third looked at Kakashi, knowing how much the news that Obito was alive would hurt him.

"Everything is fine Kakashi. But there is work to be done." He said, taking his pipe out of his mouth and smiling.

"What work is that sir?" Kakashi asked.

"Peace between the Leaf and the Mist." The Hokage said.

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That's the end of this chapter, as always thank you for reading!

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