Diplomacy

The finals of the Chunin Exam has arrived.

Right now, Konoha is on high alert.

Suna's Jinchuriki has killed the Aburame and Inuzuka heirs, made Lee a cripple, and is really unstable, having his final fight with Sasuke Uchiha.

Konoha has suffered huge losses. Orochimaru has kidnapped the Hyuga heiress Hinata, and put his curse mark on Sasuke.

But, the Chunin Exam can't be cancelled. It will only show weakness to the world.

The finals participant list has been decided:

1. Sasuke vs Gaara

2. Shikamaru vs Temari

3. Naruto vs Neji

4. Karin vs Haku

5. Sakura vs Kankuro

And, the Chief Guests of the Chunin Exam Finals are the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, and the Queen of Holy Empire, Shiina.

There isn't much information on who this 'Shiina' is, but according to the intelligence report received from Land of Fire borders, she has an incredibly powerful chakra. She is hiding her face in a viel, and wearing a red kimono, with flowing black hair and pale skin.

She had landed in the Land of Fire's capital with an aircraft, met with the Fire Daimyo, and is now on her way to Konoha.

Inside her carriage, 'Shiina' sighed as she watched the familiar path from Fire Capital to Konoha.

She has entered Konoha a lot, but that was with Flying Thunder God Formation.

It has been years since she has actually travelled from this path.

Sadly, Konoha couldn't become hers because of the geezers, so she had to move out and create her own Empire on another continent.

As she reached the gates of Konoha, she looked at Hiruzen, and the people with him who have come to receive her.

Genma and Guy, her students apart from Konan. While Guy has also become an S-rank ninja, Genma is still a special jonin. That guy doesn't have much motivation even though he was teammates with Guy.

Guren came forward, and held out her hand to help her get off from the carriage.

She got off, staring at Hiruzen.

Wearing someone's skin really helps in not getting detected. No wonder Hiruzen didn't know that it wasn't Rasa, but Orochimaru all along who was sitting next to him in the og series.

"Welcome to Konoha, Queen Shiina."

Hiruzen came forward and welcomed her, and she nodded, not bowing to him at all. Technically, she is Royalty, far outranking the leader of a ninja village.

"I didn't expect the Kage of Konoha to be so weak. Konoha has truly declined after little Hashi died huh."

She muttered amusedly, trying to be all mysterious and pretend to be an elder of Hashirama. Hiruzen didn't show any expression, but everyone else was really surprised.

Guy even directly asked her, "You knew the First Hokage!?"

"I met him once, I think when he was just 15-16 years old. He did a pretty good job at the work I had given him. But, he lost all the payment when he suggested gambling with me.

He really has impacted my life. Despite holding the strength to unite the whole world under his rule, he was far less greedy and more noble than anyone.

It's such a pity that his successor is so weak, shameless, and has caused the decline of Senju, Uzumaki and Uchiha clans. Konoha isn't much better than Kiri."

She said teasingly, and tossed him a scroll.

"Third Hokage, I dare you to try poking around my aircrafts again. You clearly don't know your limits and manners.

Kumo has shown interest in buying it. I guess you don't want to buy it too huh?"

"What are you talking about? I swear upon myself as the Hokage that no one from Konoha has tried to touch anything that doesn't belong to us. It maybe Kumo who is trying to trick you."

Hiruzen didn't respond to any accusations from before, and deflected any blame. But in his mind, he already knew that Danzo might have been trying to figure out how to make an aircraft like that. Afterall, not many ninjas can fly. Currently, only Onoki, people with Ink Super Beast Scroll Jutsu, and summons which can fly can fly.

And it seems that Kumo is already trying to buy it.

'Shiina' looked at him in disgust, and started getting back in her carriage.

"It seems that little Hashi's dream village has gone into wrong hands. Guren, take back the kids. We are leaving. The Holy Empire will not longer interact with Konoha."

"Please wait a moment! I am sure there is a misunderstanding-"

'Shiina' didn't look back, and got into her carriage. Guren, along with Team Shadow, gave Konoha a look, and joined the procession of the Holy Empire in leaving Konoha.

Hiruzen couldn't really do anything in this situation, except loosing his reputation and figuring that he will have to somehow have someone steal the aircraft making process.

For someone who didn't do anything when Kumo balantly tried to kidnap the Hyuga heiress, and then asked for Hyuga clan's head when it failed, failing in diplomatic talks with a new country all the way across the ocean could be simply blamed on Kumo.

Actually, Konoha doesn't loose much on this. The aircraft she has been showing off would soon enough be copied, and since Shadow Village has withdrawn, they wouldn't be able to showcase their strength in front of the wealthy people.

The so-called Queen of Holy Empire was clearly lying about knowing Hashirama. There is no way she could have lived that long to call Hashirama himself 'little'.

Once Kumo, who is interested in buying the aircraft copies it and starts producing on its own, she will quickly realise her arrogance in turning away from Konoha will lead to consequences.

And anyway, he is going to die today anyway. Orochimaru will certainly attack him in front of everyone today. And, he doesn't have the confidence that he will survive.

The Fifth Hokage can deal with this mess.

"It seems that Kumo has played us from obtaining a valuable ally."

He muttered for the people around him to hear, and sighed deeply.

As 'Shiina' left, she formed a smile. She of course didn't have any petty goal like trying to destroy Konoha.

While she is certainly a lot stronger than Orochimaru, she is not as strong as Pain, much less people like Madara and Hashirama.

This is not the world of fanfiction where a reincarnated MC can surpass them before even turning 18, while not being Naruto or Sasuke. She doesn't even have a system.

But, this doesn't mean that she can't quitely become strong enough to surpass Hashirama and Madara, all while using her knowledge.

And while doing so, slowly destroying Land of Fire's economy and colonize this continent, expanding the influence of her Empire.

"Zetsu from Akatsuki, right? You can come out."

She smirked as a shocked White Zetsu, with Black Zetsu with him emerged from the thick wall of her carriage.

Did she sense him?

No.

But, she expected him to be lurking around, and trying to find ways to manipulate her into helping out the Akatsuki.

"Do you know how to get on the moon? The satellite I launched got destroyed by some kind of barrier. Someone is living on the Moon, right?

I want to hire the Akatsuki in helping me out. Even the leader. And well, that's only if you can show me how to get to the moon."

Kiyohime herself, Konan, Kakuzu, Sasori, Guren, about a hundred Shin Uchiha clones with Mangekyo Sharingans, Kiara Uzumaki, clone of Shisui, Fugaku, Kushina, Minato,... with these guys, she has more strength than Akatsuki.

And well, if they try anything, she can already resurrect Hashirama as an Edo Tensei at 50% of his strength using one of the Shin clones as a vessel.

Akatsuki wouldn't try to go against her own Shadow Garden, considering their strength.

Why won't Black Zetsu instead try to have a backup resurrection plan for his mother, just in case?

"Should I consider that I can hire Akatsuki? The payment will be 100 kgs of gold. And a one-time cooperation from me in your plan.

But, during the whole mission, Akatsuki will be under my command. No trying to take anything mine and poking it's nose where it doesn't belong.

Moon is mine, part of the Holy Empire. You can take over the Shinobi continent, I don't care. Tell your little 'Madara' that if he tries anything funny, the world will know who was behind the Kyuubi attack 12 years ago."

She smiled and told Zetsu her 'request', and put her hand forward for it to shake.

"You must know how to get to the moon, right?"

"Yes. Madara-sama told me about it."

"Then I will arrive in the Rain Village two years from now on with the gold."

Zetsu was shocked by her knowing this much, and because he became cautious of her.

Still, he shook her hand.

"I am Kiyohime Senju, tell Pain and Madara about Akatsuki's employer. That both need to come."

"I will tell them that."

Black & White Zetsu sank into the carriage walls and left, leaving Kiyohime satisfied.

Afterall, she has just obtained a White Zetsu. Just what she will need to summon her Grandpa at 80-90% of his strength in case of an emergency.

Zetsu has just given her the best gift that she wanted for a long time.