C702 Spider-Man (Patreon)

As Peter announced that they would like to join the peace talks, the realization dawned on everyone present: Peter wasn’t asking for permission. He was declaring it.

The assembled Kage understood immediately that they had no choice in the matter. “…”

With Peter and Madara seated at the table, the balance of power in the room had shifted dramatically. Both of them were the strongest individuals there, likely the strongest in the entire ninja world.

After all, might makes right, and right now, Peter and Madara held all the cards.

Minato nodded in acknowledgment of Peter's declaration and tapped his fingers on the desk—a subtle signal.

*tap tap…*

In response, the Anbu, who had been silently observing, materialized out of nowhere with two additional chairs, placing them at the table before disappearing again.

Peter casually took his seat at the head of the table, across from Minato, a slight, confident smile playing on his lips. Madara followed suit, sitting beside him, his expression unreadable but his presence undeniably imposing.

After settling in, Peter spoke. "The reason we’re here is simple. We want to bring the ninja world to lasting peace."

The room fell into a stunned silence at Peter's statement. The Kage exchanged glances, each processing the weight of his words. Onoki, the Tsuchikage, broke the silence with a dry, cynical laugh.

“Peace?” Onoki scoffed, his voice dripping with skepticism. “Lasting peace? Impossible!”

Madara’s eyes narrowed at Onoki’s dismissal, his gaze icy and intense, causing the small, elderly Kage to feel an uncomfortable chill run down his spine. The room tensed, the unspoken threat in Madara’s glare palpable.

But Peter remained calm, seemingly unperturbed by Onoki’s reaction. He met Onoki’s gaze evenly. “Why don’t you think it’s possible, Onoki? Can’t you all act like grown men and put the past behind you? Why hold onto grudges when countless lives could be spared?”

Onoki snorted, crossing his arms over his chest. “Grudges? You think this is about grudges?” He shook his head, a bitter smile forming on his lips. “You have no idea what you're talking about. The wars aren’t just about old rivalries or petty grudges—though those certainly play a part. The real reason is much more pragmatic: resources.”

The other Kage nodded slightly in agreement, their expressions grim as Onoki continued.

“Look around this room,” Onoki said, gesturing first to Rasa, the Kazekage. “Sand,” he stated flatly, his voice heavy with the weight of long-standing difficulties. “The Land of Wind is nothing but endless deserts. No fertile land, scarce water. The people there struggle just to survive.”

Rasa, who had been quietly listening, gave a solemn nod, his eyes reflecting the harsh reality Onoki described.

Onoki then pointed at A, the Raikage. “Mountains. The Land of Lightning is rugged, inhospitable terrain. Their people are isolated, the land difficult to cultivate. They have some resources, but nowhere near enough to support a healthy population without difficulty.”

A’s expression remained stern, but there was a faint flicker of agreement in his eyes.

Next, Onoki gestured toward Gengetsu Hōzuki, the Mizukage. “Muddy and rain. The Land of Water is plagued by constant storms and dense fog. Agriculture is a challenge, and the terrain is treacherous. The people of the Hidden Mist face not only external threats but also the very land they live on.”

Gengetsu nodded slightly, his expression as impassive as ever, but his silence spoke volumes.

Finally, Onoki pointed to himself. “And stone. The Land of Earth is barren, rocky, and infertile. Farming is nearly impossible, and resources are scarce. My people work hard, but it’s never enough. We are forced to fight for what little we can get because, without it, our people starve.”

Onoki’s voice grew more intense as he continued. “All of us have our own predicaments. But Konoha? You occupy the best land in the world. Lush forests, fertile soil, abundant water—everything you could possibly need. But of course, you would never give any of it away. So, we have to fight for it. We have no choice. If we don’t, our people suffer, starve, and die. Our wars are about survival, not just old grudges.”

The other Kage nodded in agreement, their faces grim. Even the Raikage, who was known for his fiery temper, seemed subdued by the harsh reality Onoki laid out.

Peter listened intently, his expression thoughtful. He could see the truth in Onoki’s words. The other villages were fighting not just for power or revenge, but for the survival of their people. It wasn’t just about pride or grudges; it was about necessity.

Onoki leaned back in his chair, his gaze hard as he looked at Peter. “It’s easy for Konoha to say, ‘Let’s bury the hatchet and forget the past,’ but it’s not all about grudges for us. It’s about survival. And until you understand that, there can be no lasting peace.”

Peter nodded slowly, taking in everything Onoki had said. The room fell into a heavy silence as everyone awaited his response. Madara’s expression was unreadable, though it was clear he was weighing Onoki’s words carefully.

Peter glanced at Madara, then back at the Kage. “You’re right, Onoki. But that doesn’t mean peace is impossible. It just means we need to find a solution that addresses those needs—a solution that ensures everyone has what they need to survive without resorting to war.”

The Kage looked at him with a mix of skepticism and curiosity. Peter had their attention…

“If I can fix the resources issue,” he said, his voice calm but resolute, “would you be willing to actually consider and work toward peace?”

The Kage turned to Peter, their expressions a mixture of disbelief and curiosity. A, the Raikage, was the first to voice the collective doubt. “How can you possibly fix it?”

“Unless you can persuade Konoha to surrender a portion of their land to each of us, I don’t see any way to resolve this…” Onoki remarked, his gaze shifting between Minato and Hiruzen, who remained silent, deep in thought.

“…” Neither Hokage offered a response. They had their own people to consider. If they surrendered such a significant portion of land to four different villages, would there be enough left for their own citizens? And then there was the matter of the Daimyo—the true rulers of the land—whose reaction could not be overlooked.

Peter leaned forward slightly, his eyes scanning the faces of each Kage before he spoke. “I can give you two options. The first option is that I can assist in bringing every ninja village into the Land of Fire, where you can all share the land and make a united ninja village. This village would be governed by a council of Kage from each village who would rule together.”

The Kage exchanged incredulous looks, clearly stunned by the proposal. Rasa, the Kazekage, was the first to speak up, his voice filled with skepticism. “How would you possibly do that? And how do you know that Konoha would agree?”

The other Kage turned their gazes to Minato and Hiruzen, searching their faces for any sign of agreement. Minato’s expression was thoughtful but open to hearing more, while Hiruzen’s was cautious.

Peter shrugged casually. “They’d have to agree, or I’d do it forcefully.”

The bluntness of Peter’s statement left the room in stunned silence once more. The idea that someone could force all the ninja villages into one united entity was almost unimaginable, but the sheer confidence in Peter’s voice left them questioning what was truly possible.

Seeing the disbelief in their eyes, Peter continued, “The second option, which is harder but still entirely doable, is that I can terraform the lands you currently live on. I can make them similar to the Land of Fire, giving you the same resources—fertile land, water, everything you need to prosper. But if you accept this offer, you must still form a council of Kage that meets regularly to solve any issues that may arise and to maintain the peace.”

The Kage sat in stunned silence, their minds reeling at the possibilities laid out before them. The idea of terraforming their lands, of turning barren deserts, rugged mountains, muddy rain-soaked lands, and harsh stone into something as prosperous as the Land of Fire—it was almost too incredible to believe.

Onoki, the oldest and most experienced among them, narrowed his eyes at Peter. “You expect us to believe that you can just change the very nature of our lands? Make deserts bloom and mountains fertile? It sounds like a fairy tale.”

Peter met Onoki’s gaze steadily, his expression unwavering. “It may sound unbelievable, but I’m not offering you a fairy tale. I’m offering you a future—a future where your people don’t have to starve or fight for survival. A future where peace is not just a dream, but a reality. But it’s up to you to decide if you’re willing to take that chance.”

The room remained silent as the Kage processed Peter’s words. The enormity of the offer, the sheer audacity of what he was proposing, left them grappling with their doubts and fears.

Peter let the silence stretch on, allowing them time to think. He knew that what he was offering was unprecedented, something that would change the very fabric of their world. But he also knew that if they truly wanted peace, they would have to take a leap of faith.

Madara, who had been silent up until now, glanced at Peter with a new sense of respect. He had never considered such a bold approach to solving the world’s problems, and though he still had his doubts, he could see the potential in Peter’s plan.

Finally, Minato, who had been deep in thought, spoke up. “If what you’re offering is possible, then I believe it’s worth considering. But this isn’t a decision we can make lightly. It will take time to discuss and come to a decision.”

Peter nodded in agreement. “Of course. I’m not asking for an immediate decision. Take your time, discuss it amongst yourselves, and think about what’s best for your people.”

Onoki, still skeptical but intrigued, leaned back in his chair. “If you can truly do what you say, then it would be foolish not to consider it. But I’ll believe it when I see it.”

The other Kage nodded, their expressions showing a mixture of hope and hesitation. The possibility of a future without war, without the constant struggle for resources, was something they had never dared to dream of.

Peter smiled, sensing that they were starting to come around. “I’ll give you time to think it over. But remember, the choice is yours. Peace is within your reach, but you have to be willing to take the first step.”

With that, Peter and Madara rose to their feet and exited the room, leaving the Kage to continue their discussions in private.

A/N: 1820 words :)