The young Sannin really knew not what to think. Overall, the commotion of Hao and the criminal organization Shichiouza had died down, at least for the time being. Thus, he knew his purpose had changed. That purpose he was given at the time which seemed so long ago, now....

I leave for peace.

And yes, he left. To the place that most would find unthinkable: Iwagakure no Sato. The country that was the Sand's sworn enemy, the place where he was, in the end, a hostile no matter what front he put on. Thus, he would have to convince them somehow....the Sannin of Iwagakure entrusted his final wish to Hodaka. He had to do this....whatever the cost.

I am a servant of the world.

He had put in his notice to the Hidden Sand Admin Duties Office. Frankly, he could do pretty much anything he wanted. After the inexplicable disappearance of the Kazekage, everyone answered to him....which he hoped would not be the case soon. Either way. He would have to push his own Sannin title for the relations between Suna and Iwa. Things needed to be fixed.

For this shinobi world....he could not fail at this. No matter who he loved or hated, no matter what country he pledged his allegiance to, no matter how he needed to go about it, he had to do this. And after this, he would travel.



He crossed the threshold of the Hidden Sand's southern gate. It was time....

With nothing but his books in hand, he would set out across the desert. Rather a routine thing, considering he was a high-ranking ninja in the Wind Country's hidden village (one who actually did ninja missions, to boot). Past the Meeting Cactus, past the place that was once the Door to Hell (which now was slowly filling in with sand), and past a few oases. It was not too long to the border of Earth Country and the Land of Wind.

Slowly, slowly....the tiny granules of sand gradually widened into gravel, then into walkable stone. Yes, it was the outskirts of the Village Hidden in the Stones. His dream---no, not just his. The dream of so very many, the dream of international relations being calm. And he was approaching step one of that.

The gates, Bastion Adamantine of Iwagakure, the staple landmark. Immediately, the guards were standing at attention. And he knew why.

I speak for peace.

This Black Coat, the hood drawn....yes, he was the spitting image of Zenchi. He would have to deal with that later....For now, he had to just keep up the facade. Five years of missing-in-action status would not go unnoticed. Using his knowledge of Zenchi from the Wayward Bestiary, he simply used the Transformation Jutsu to change his voice to that of his seconds-long mentor's. "I would like an audience with the Tsuchikage in a few hours. There are a few things I might talk with him or her about.....Has the position changed hands?"

"A-affirmative, sir! The Tsuchikage has been twice changed, from Arashi to Tomio, then Tomio to Kanetsu Kazu."

This, of course, Hodaka knew. He was one to keep his ear on global affairs. But one such as Zenchi....he would be unknowing but inquiring. Yes, such was his mind. And such was the Gowa-Ken's.

I will bring about peace.

Pacing through the Hidden Stone that he reminisced about in his writings, only in memory, he was happy to see it bustling and thriving. It was only a good omen for things to come. And then....he had seemingly just wound up at the Roku-Daime Tsuchikage's Complex. It was just about time for him to go up to catch his appointment.

I am peace.

[640]