Discimer: I don't own Naruto or the Gamer. Please support the official release.

  March 16th.

  The su above the Horizon, bathing Tanzaku Town and its luxurious resort in soft golden light. Set against the backdrop of rolling green hills and calm waters, the resort rivate oasis of tranquility. It was a fitting location for the serious discussions that y ahead.

  Ryoma was on his baly gazing at the beautiful sery in front of his view. He let out a deep breath of air and closed his eyes. After a few moments of mentally preparing himself he turned and looked to the two ninjas tasked with proteg him.

  "You two ready?" Ryoma asked with a grin.

  "Of course. I'm actually looking forward to this." Daichi replied with a smile while his sensei just nodded.

  With that the trio moved to the lower floors. The resort had set up a giant pavilion in the rge private garden outside for the gathering aiween all those present.

  Whehree people arrived downstairs in the rge hall the family members of the two corporations were present along with their guards. The head of the 'Paradise Inn' was also present along with a maid in the er. They all turowards the three as they arrived.

  Ryoma had a charmi anding presence as he ehe hall. His two bodyguards also drew some eyes.

  The head of the Satoru corporation Mr. Tsuyoshi Satazed at the diplomat with attentive, gentle brown eyes. He sported a ly trimmed, graying beard that framed his square jawline and it added to his dignified persona.

  'So he's Ryoma the Dealmaker. A ing man known for his iation tactid diplomatic skills. With him here… Could it be possible?' Tsuyoshi Satoru thought about the future of his pany and decided to see what would happen these few days.

  Mr. Yamamoto Hideshi, the president of the Rising Sun corporation, looked at the new arrivals. 'Ryoma the Dealmaker huh. Time to see if the rumors about you are true or not… Hmm… I o make sure my father's legacy is safe.'

  One of the guards apanying the family reized Kakashi. 'There's no mistaking it. That's Kakashi Hatake. But he only has oher ninja with him. Is that kid a in?'

  Just as everyone had their eyes on the mediator, he too was examining all parties present with a critical eye. He looked to the left and his eyes roamed the group of people. 'It looks like all the main family members of the Satoru corporation are here. The head of the family and president of the pany Tsuyoshi Satoru and his wife Hana Satoru. His three children and if the information is correct then the manager and business advisor Taichi. Then there are the guards. There is someone else but he seems too young and I don't have any information on him… Must be a distaive or a friend of the children.'

  It only took Ryoma a few seds to gaze at everyone and take in their attire. A habit he picked up a from his shinobi life. He then looked to the right and saw the sed party.

  'The Rising Sun corporation with the president of the pany Yamamoto Hideshi. His wife, and two sons. Yakumi and Yamaha Hideshi along with the head manager Kotei Nanaji and their guards.'

  Ryoma smiled at everyo he was already thinking of slightly adjusting his iation tactics to better his advahe diplomat g Kotohaku and the man gave a small nod iurn.

  Ryoma smiled and slightly spread his arms and began. "Wele everyohank you all for ing to the meeting and beioday. I'm sure you all uand the significe of this venture. So let's not waste anymore time."

  Everyone nodded and just as they were about to move to the rge pavilion, Ryoma spoke. "I would like Mr. Tsuyoshi and Yamamoto to join me for a private meeting first. Just the two please. You may each have one guard apany you. The rest, please make yourselves fortable in the pavilion. Our meeting might take a while."

  With those words Ryoma moved to a different private room guided by the resort's mahe two heads of the families looked at each other and then quietly followed the man. Kakashi and two other ninjas also followed behind them and soon they all disappeared from everyone's view.

  Daichi and the others slowly moved to the pavilion outside. The Genin stood in a er and was using 'observe' on everyone in his view. 'The guards are all between Level 75 to 85. Guess these rich guys have some muscle.'

  There were some curious eyes from several people on Daichi but none of them made a move to i with him. The Genin preferred it that way as he looked through the information his spying skill showed him. And as he did he found a couple of iing people.

  'Yusuke Satoru. Age 24 and the you child of Tsuyoshi Satoru. He's jealous of his brother and sister. His micro expressions indicate that he's unhappy… And then there is his friend. Yuta Genjira. Age 24. Civilian and son of a wealthy mert. Hmm…. nothing more signifit about him. For some reason he seems angry that Ryoma took the two family heads out of the room. I'll have to keep an eye on those two.'

  Daichi stood calm and looked around. 'The guards are keeping an eye oher and they even have me in their peripheral. Seems they're all cautious. With observation I find a threat far soohan anyone else. I really love my gamer powers… But man, standing around like this is s. Oh well, I'm sure Kakashi sensei must be bored as well right now. He 't even read his book. If he looked like he was distracted doing his thing then it would reflect badly on the t. So I guess that's a win for me.'

  —-

  With Ryoma.

  The manager/owner of the resort led the group of 6 people to a retively rge private room. In the middle of the room was a round table with three chairs pced equal distance apart. Ryoma gestured to the chairs and spoke.

  "Gentlemen. Please take your seats."

  Kakashi and the other two guards of the families each took a spot at the edge of the room but heir t. The two guards were keeping an eye oher and Kakashi but said Jonin stood nontly and looked like he had no cares in the world. He suddenly had the impulse to s he didn't move a muscle and held it down. 'Someone must be thinking about me. Please let it be a cute girl.'

  Ohe two heads of the families were seated Ryoma spoke. "Thank you freeing to my request."

  "Funny. It sounded more like a demand." Yamamoto slightly narrowed his eyes and replied.

  Ryoma chuckled. "Oohh but you see, there is a difference. When I make a demand… you'll know it." Ryoma's smile was the same but there was a sinister uoo it that no one missed.

  Kakashi uood the tactic being used by the man. 'Keeping them wary but not at the edge. This way they'll tread carefully and not make reckless decisions. Depending on how he proceeds this could be an opportunity or a problem.'

  The diplomat tinued as normal. "Now as I said before, I'm gd you two and your families have traveled all the way here from your homes. I uand the significe of your journey and the history both your families share. Your presence here is a testament to your willio look beyond past rivalries for the future prosperity of not just your corporations but also the Land of Fire."

  The two men g the other and turowards the diplomat.

  It was Tsuyoshi who spoke first. "My willio e here doesn't mean I trust him or my unditional agreement to an alliance."

  "Hmph! Same here. I don't trust this man. There have been some cshes betweewo of us these st few months and I don't wish to escate it further if possible. It's the reason I came. But if these iations seem unfavorable, I will not agree to anything." Yamamoto gave his thoughts as well.

  Despite what the two thought, Ryoma didn't bee angry after hearing that. He only kept smiling as he sipped his tea. His gaze swept across the table meeting each person's eyes in turn. "Trust is not an easy odity. And most of my previous ts were simir to the two of you. So I fully uand your situation. It's why I'm here after all. My duty is to create a sario where everyone leaves happy. Or at the very least make things better than when you came here."

  Tsuyoshi and Yamamoto heir heads.

  "Good. Now the reason I asked for a private audieh you two is to establish some ground rules. Before we delve into the intricacies of this potential alliance you two o abide by certain ditions." Ryoma stopped and looked at the two for any objes. Seeing none he tinued.

  "First and foremost, we will treat each other with respect. Sed, I request openness and hoy in these iations. Trust may be eweewo of you but if this alliance is going to work then it is an essential factor."

  The heads of both corporations gave a slight nod in uanding. A murmur of agreement echoed around the table.

  The eyes of the mediator sharpened and there was an edge to his tohat set the two family guards o. "Third, and the most important ohere will be no violeowards each other or towards me ducted on these premises and in this town. Viote that rule and there will be sequences. I hope I'm making myself very clear."

  Tsuyoshi and Yamamoto were people not easily threatened but they khat Ryoma was someone important in the Fire capital and if anythio happen to him the ministers or someone from the Royal court would get involved. It was not something they wahe two heir heads and a gentle smile was on the mediator's face again.

  "Excellent. Before we begin… A toast." Ryoma slowly pulled a small ste scroll from his sleeve. The guards of the two panies discreetly moved their hands to their pouch but a gnce from their employers stopped them from making a rash move.

  Ryoma smiled as he saw the se from the er of his eyes as he took out the tents from his scroll.

  Three white sake cups and a bottle. "I had this imported from the Land of Lightning. The Thunder Spirit Wine. Excellent stuff from what I hear. Never had the pleasure of tasting it so I'm quite eager." Ryoma said as he poured three cups. Ohe bottle ced in the middle of the table they each took a cup and looked at the other.

  "To a better future." Ryoma grinned and downed his cup. Seeing the man drink it without hesitatioher two g each other and drank it as well.

  Yamamoto let out a breath and pced the sake cup oable. "Not bad. This is certainly better than the one from the Land of Earth. What was that called….? Ah yes. The Bejeweled Earth ar."

  Tsuyoshi smirked and looked at the man beside him. "While this is certainly a good sake I believe the Bejeweled Earth ar is a bit better."

  "You 't be serious? It seems your taste buds must have finally given out due to old age if you think that." Yamamoto retorted.

  "If you believe this is better than the Bejeweled Earth ar then you certainly have gone senile. How I form an alliah a pany run by a senile man?" Tsuyoshi verbally struck back.

  "What'd you say?" A vein popped up in Yamamoto's forehead.

  Ryoma groaned loudly before they could escate their verbal attacks. "Good grief. You two 't even agree on a simple drink. No wonder your panies have su intense rivalry with each other…"

  The mediator looked at the two and then a grin formed on his face. "Well then, first things first. Let's settle this matter of the better wine."

  "And how do we do that?" The two raised an eyebrow.

  "By finding out whie's the best. It's a good thing I brought some samples." Ryoma said as he pced some chakra into the ste scroll. Several small bottles of different colors and designs appeared.

  Kakashi looked at the se and internally smirked. 'I see. So that's his pn. He's clever.'

  It was only m but the start of the iations that had the potential to ge the dynamics of the Land of Fire's ey was underway in an unusual way.

  —-

  Daichi had been keeping an eye on everyone in the pavilion while stig to the shadows. A few curious people wao i with him but he didn't give them the bsp;'Not yet. It's still too soon.'

  The Genin was closely the surveilactics of the other shinobi. Daichi's goal was to see if he could learn anything new from them. But he made sure to keep iions hidden from them.

  —-

  Oher side of the pavilion a few members of the Satoru family were having their own discussions. Yusuke Satoru, the you child of Tsuyoshi Satoru, was having a small argument with his elder brother. "We should be in there with them. We should be by pop's side. What if that bastard Yamamoto influenced Ryoma? We don't know anything for sure so we 't trust anyone."

  Kazuki Satoru shook his head. "No. You're impatient Yusuke. The iations have only just started. And Ryoma is a man with an irreproachable record."

  Taichi, the head manager and the advisor of The Satoru corporation also weighed in. "He is right, master Yusuke. That man is trustworthy. It's one of the reasons we chose him."

  "It doesn't matter. We shouldn't be even talking about an alliah them. They're our enemies. Within a few more years we take over their business." Yusuke made his argument. He was against this whole thing and only came due to his father.

  "You gave up your position in the pany so you do not have a say in how these iations go. Don't fet that." Mika Satoru, the middle child and only daughter of Tsuyoshi, spoke looking at her little brother.

  Yusuke ched his fist hearing that argument. Several years ago he had made a grave mistake and it cost his pany a great deal. He had to pay for it by removing himself from the business his family had built.

  The young man ched his fist and walked away from his family. He came near his friend who was enjoying the drinks and food.

  "Yeesh. You look like you want to stab someone." Yuta Genjira, the close friend of Yusuke, spoke with a grin.

  The you son of Tsuyoshi calmed down a a ral expression. Yusuke knew he had to keep the arguments with his family under s. It rivate matter between his siblings. But even though he was keeping calm oside, inside he was very angry. "They don't even value my opinions anymore."

  "e on. Of course they do. They're family. Look. You guys might have arguments but I have no doubt that they value your tributions. Cheer up man. This isn't the end of the world." Yuta reassured his friend.

  Yusuke snorted and smirked when he heard that. "It could be for our pany if this allianes about. I won't trust the Hideshis to not stab us in the back."

  "You're being dramatic. Your father is a smart man. I'm sure he ha. Your brother and sister are with him and I'm sure they'll only make a decision only after hearing your opinions too." Yuta gave his friend a big smile and gave him a small gss of wine. "Here. For now, have this and rex."

  Yusuke grinned as he looked at his closest friend. "Well, at least I have you in my er." He grabbed the gss and the two had a small toast. "Let's get drunk."

  —-

  It was an hour after noon and at that moment he sensed several people entering the pavilion. Daichi immediately zeroed in on his t and saw that the man was slightly drunk but was still pletely aware of everything. The other two were also in a simir state but they couldn't hide their flush cheeks like the mediator.

  Ryoma cpped, gaining everyone's attention. "Apologies for the dey. There was an important matter that had to be dealt with. The iations will resume tomorrow. In the meantime you are all wele to enjoy this wonderful establishment."

  Saying nothing else, Ryoma turned around a walking with Kakashi beside him. In seds Daichi also joihe two.

  As they left everyone's view Kakashi spoke. "You deliberately chose that wi the beginning didn't you. It was your pn to get them to disagree with each other at first."

  Ryoma ughed when he heard that. "Yes. I did some extensive resear the two as soon as the matter was brought to me. I ksuyoshi liked the Bejeweled Earth ar. And Yamamoto was a fan of sake simir to the fvor of The Thunder Spirit Wine. I wahem to disagree so that I could bring them together."

  "By pulling out a wi the end that was eveer than all the previous ones. You didn't say which of the two wines were better. You just said to find the best one." Kakashi said as he walked.

  Ryoma nodded. "Yes. By getting them to agree to something even as simple as a bottle of wine, I've created a small trust betweewo. A small miniscule tiny wisp of trust. But trust heless."

  "And your stunt reduced the tensioweewo even by a little."

  The diplomat lightly chuckled. "That too." The smile slowly vanished a serious. "But from this point forward things will beuch more serious. There is a possibility that an attack will be ing. I'm not sure who the target is, but there are elements that want to see this alliance fall. That much I uood as soon as I walked into that hall. So be ready."

  Daichi and Kakashi he Genin was impressed. 'This guy has good situational awareness and knows how to read people. Impressive… This mission might not be as b as I thought.'