Silence engulfed Sunagakure''s council room as the council members pondered seriously. While Konoha was attacking Otogakure and the rebels in the Land of Grass, Sunagakure was continuously preparing for an all-out assault from Konoha. They had deployed thousands of ninjas strategically throughout the desert and planted tens of thousands of traps. Sunagakure had been transformed into a fortress.

    When the news of Otogakure''s destruction arrived, they believed Konoha would turn their forces to them. However, they received an invitation to negotiate instead. The council wasn''t sure how genuine Konoha was, whether they truly wanted to negotiate, or if it was just a trick to lower their guard before the real assault began.

    Goza sighed and muttered, "If this is a genuine invitation, it might just save our village. However, is it? Konoha''s schemes run deep and they must be pissed off at our betrayal. I''m afraid that this is a trap to eliminate some of our top ninjas to make their invasion easier. After all, from our sources, both Konoha armies are making their way to the Fire Capital, where the negotiations will happen."

    The Council had solemn faces. Ebizo said, "It''s unlikely that Konoha would harm our negotiators. They have a reputation to maintain. The Hyuga incident showed us that. Even in the worst case, they would just arrest the ones who go there."

    Tojuro said, "Don''t forget their Yamanaka clan. Even though we attacked Konoha, our Kazekage was killed by Orochimaru and used by him with the Edo Tensei jutsu. Konoha isn''t sure if we attacked them or were fooled by Orochimaru into attacking them. Perhaps, the negotiation is just a way for them to read the memories of whoever we send to negotiate and decide whether to attack us or not.

    Even though others wouldn''t be sure whether Konoha is telling the truth or not, Konoha, right now, is strong enough to not care as long as they know it. To make matters worse, the external conditions are excellent for them.

    The civil war in the Land of Water is entering a crucial stage. They can''t interfere elsewhere. Kumogakure is suffering from some internal trouble too. They were our biggest hope but they have been a disappointment so far. We can''t count on them. The only forces that are intact are Iwagakure. However..."

    The Suna Council was well aware of Onoki''s nature. Despite such an insult, he hadn''t made a move. Instead, he had already recalled the forces he deployed on the borders with the Land of Grass. As such, the Sunagakure''s situation had become far more grim.

    Suddenly, Chiyo said, "I don''t think Konoha would read the memories of our council members. Well, at least not as long as the more mature figures are making the decisions. However, the risk is indeed high. We can''t send any council member to negotiate."

    Ryusa argued, "If we don''t send any council member, Konoha would assume we aren''t serious about negotiating. That could force them to act even if they don''t want to due to the losses and the potential of a wider conflict. After all, even though Kumogakure is in disarray and Iwagakure is watching, they would be wary of what Konoha did in the Land of Rice!"

    Chiyo nodded and said, "Of course. That is why we need to expand the council and accept two new members who aren''t sure of what really happened. And, in order to prove that they aren''t just scapegoats, they will be treated as full-fledged members even in the future. They''ll have as much power as any of you here."

    The council room grew quiet once again. Expanding the council wouldn''t mean they would magically get new responsibilities, power and resources. Instead, the current members would have to give up some of their power to ensure that the new members stand on par with them. It would be a huge loss, something that none of them would accept without resisting under normal circumstances.

    Unfortunately, these weren''t normal circumstances. Even though they were unwilling, no one opposed Chiyo''s suggestion. After all, their lives were far more important. One by one, everyone agreed. Knowing how ugly political conflicts could get, Chiyo and Ebizo made everyone decide what they would give to the new members.

    Once everything was settled to their satisfaction, Ebizo turned his gaze to Sajo and asked, "Is it done?" No?v(el)B\\jnn

    "Holy crap! What sort of demon is he?"

    "Shit! Calling him Sand Slayer is correct. I hope he never visits this village."

    Everyone around him nodded promptly. While they weren''t ninjas, none of them wanted to see Sunagakure fall. Similar discussions were happening throughout Sunagakure, giving Fujin a new moniker, The Sand Slayer. Ironically, the number of Sunagakure ninjas Fujin slaughtered was nowhere near the number of Kumogakure ninjas he killed.

    Unlike the civilians, who cheerfully indulged in gossip, most of the ninjas were tense. They realized that there was a high chance that they would have to go to war. Hearing the rumors about Fujin, fear gripped most hearts.

    One of those ninjas frowned while roaming the streets and hearing the rumors. He thought, ''Bullshit! Those council members were definitely supporting the attack. The ninjas had been training for nearly half a year to prepare for an assault. There''s no way Rasa was controlled by Orochimaru for all this time.''

    This person wore Sunagakure''s headband and Chunin vest but was actually a Konoha spy. He decided, ''I need to report this to the village. They have finally relaxed the security around the village since most forces are preparing for the defense. I''ll also mention the rumors as it seems like Sunagakure doesn''t want a war right now. They are very weak after the death of Rasa and all those elites.''

    [A/N: Next chapter in 6-8 hours.]

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