Message To The Leaf

A/N: Triple Release (1/3). For a Double Release next Monday, let's hit 500 powerstones by Sunday. This story's continuation depends on your support—so don't forget to give the story powerstones! Goal: 500 Powerstones!

------------------

Having been alerted by Goro that he was ready to listen, Zetsu nodded, his white half being the first to talk. "I am from a group called the Akatsuki. I'm here to ask you what your plans are. You see, a large stream of our income used to come from this village, so I hope you understand our concern," he began.

Goro paused for a brief moment, his fingers halting mid-page. 'They want to know if I'm a threat. There's no other reason that he'd ask me such a question. I wonder, what do they plan to do if they consider me detrimental to their plans?'

Looking up from the papers, Goro met Zetsu's gaze directly, his eyes fierce and unwilling to yield to any. "This village will become one that is comparable to the Five Great Shinobi Villages," he began, his words filled with ambition. "And I'm familiar with your organization. After reviewing the finances of this village, I see that it has relied on your group for certain ninja work. However, we won't be needing you anymore. We've become independent from any village, and that includes your organization."

Zetsu's white half blinked, slightly taken aback by Goro's directness. "Then you understand the might of our organization, correct?" White Zetsu asked, leaning forward just a little, trying to gauge whether Goro was overconfident or simply foolish.

Goro set the papers down on his desk and leaned back in his chair, resting his hands on the armrests. "Like I said, I'm familiar," he replied, his expression indifferent, almost bored.

White Zetsu's face warped with confusion. "I can't figure him out…" he thought. "Is this confidence or stupidity?"

Before Zetsu could fully process Goro's words, Goro interrupted his thoughts. "I've given you my answer. Will that be all?" Goro asked, his tone signaling that the conversation was nearing its end.

'It's a good thing they came. It just reminded me that I should seal Black Zetsu away, so he doesn't cause me any future troubles…'

Zetsu furrowed his brow, realizing that pressing further would likely yield no more answers. "Yes, that'll be all," White Zetsu replied curtly, before the figure slowly began sinking back into the ground.

"We came here to figure out his intentions for the village, but we also wanted to gauge what type of person he is. The issue is, he didn't give us much. He's an interesting person, if we had more information I'd have invited him to join us…" Black Zetsu pondered.

Goro watched as Zetsu's form disappeared, the last remnants of him sinking into the floor. As the room returned to its quiet stillness, Goro sighed softly. 'The Akatsuki… If they know what's good for them, they won't get in my way. I'll be coming for them soon, but now isn't the time.'

Two weeks passed fairly quickly, as Goro continued to develop and strengthen the Hidden Waterfall Village. With his leadership, trade had increased, the infrastructure of the village had improved, and his personal involvement in training and organizing the village's shinobi began to solidify his reputation as a formidable ruler. Using his new Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu, Goro had been able to oversee multiple projects at once, ensuring rapid progress while keeping a close eye on key developments. He felt the village slowly transforming under his command.

'Today is the day I return to the Hidden Leaf. From the news I've been hearing, the Leaf has a new Hokage. Tsunade is back.'

As Goro stood by his desk, preparing to leave for the Leaf, the door to his office suddenly burst open. Aika stumbled in, breathless, her hands on her knees as she struggled to catch her breath.

"What's the matter, Aika?" Goro asked, raising an eyebrow at her disheveled appearance.

Aika, still panting, managed to get the words out. "The… Leaf… they've sent you a message," she gasped, holding up a scroll as she approached his desk.

Intrigued, Goro sat back down and extended his hand. Aika hurriedly passed him the scroll, and Goro unrolled it, scanning its contents.

"They're still looking to cooperate with us?" Goro muttered as he read. 'This isn't a bad outcome at all. I was expecting something more aggressive from them, but with the Kage Summit coming up and their lack of Jonin, they're in no position to make demands. Even so, this is humiliating. They are willing to extend their hand to a nation that betrayed them at their weakest point? You'd think Hiruzen made this decision, from how soft it is.'

A smirk spread across Goro's face as he finished reading. 'I knew they had no choice but to pursue the diplomatic route, but this... From how weak they're being, I can exploit their mercy. I'll push for them to recognize me as a Kage. With a war brewing between the Leaf and the Cloud, I have the upper hand in these negotiations.'

Satisfied with the message, Goro reached into one of the drawers in his desk and retrieved a blank scroll. Without hesitation, he began writing his response, carefully crafting his words to push the Leaf to acknowledge his demands while maintaining the upper hand in negotiations.

Once he was done, Goro rolled up the scroll and handed it over to Aika.

"I'm assuming the messenger hawks are ready, correct?" Goro asked.

Aika nodded quickly, her usual efficiency returning as she caught her breath. "Yes, Lord Takikage. The hawks are prepared."

"Good," Goro said, leaning back in his chair once more. "Have the message sent immediately."

Aika bowed respectfully and hurried out of the room, the scroll clutched tightly in her hands as she left to send Goro's response to the Leaf.

As the door closed behind her, Goro allowed himself a moment of reflection. "Things are coming along well," he said, his mind drifting over the progress he had made in the village. The more he thought about the village, the more his mind drifted to his own achievements.

'Using the system, I've managed to decrease the amount of chakra my shadow clones require. They now only take a fraction of my chakra and are just as strong. I can now continue running this village with all my clones, while also teaching each child within the academy, individually.'

Goro stood from his chair and quickly formed the hand signs for a Shadow Clone. With a puff of smoke, a clone appeared and took his place in the office, sitting behind the large desk.

Taking out another one of his kunai that had a seal attached, Goro put it into the back of the clone's head.

'And with that last act, it's time for me to return to the Leaf.'

------------------

Reminder: For a Double Release next Monday, let's hit 500 powerstones by Sunday. This story's continuation depends on your support—so don't forget to give the story powerstones! Goal: 500 Powerstones!