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Resets Weekly! [Monday]
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The setting sun dipped below the horizon, and nightfall crept in.
In the meeting room of the Hokage Building, Hiruzen Sarutobi sat at the head of the table, faint wisps of white smoke curling from his pipe.
Around him, Danzō Shimura, Koharu Utatane, and Homura Mitokado sat with stern expressions, their gazes fixed on the table in front of them.
The first day of negotiations had concluded.
Hiruzen puffed on his pipe, his eyes scanning the other three before exhaling a long stream of smoke.
"Let's hear it. What's everyone's opinion?"
As his words fell, Koharu and Homura exchanged glances, just about to speak, when a sharp voice cut through the air.
"Hiruzen, there's no need for discussion. Detain their delegation and let the Third Raikage come here himself to retrieve them!"
Danzō's tone was as resolute as ever. As if still unsatisfied, he unrolled the scroll in front of him, jabbing his finger at the text.
"Look at this! What kind of terms are these?!
Cheap grain export treaties?!
Priority purchasing rights for our trade goods?!
Three or more sealing techniques?!
And in exchange, they offer us a measly five-year peace treaty?!
We haven't even settled our score with them for what they did to Tobirama-sensei!"
The more he spoke, the angrier he became. Danzō slammed the table in fury.
"Have they not had enough trouble from that brat Rinjin from the Northern Plains?!"
Hearing this, both Homura and Koharu nodded in agreement. Homura spoke calmly:
"We agree with parts of Danzō's assessment. This kind of treaty, which brings us no benefit, cannot be signed.
Kumogakure clearly has ulterior motives. I believe all they want is our sealing techniques!"
"Sealing techniques must not be given!" Danzō growled.
"If they succeed in sealing the Two-Tails, it would further enhance Kumogakure's strength!"
Hearing this, Hiruzen took another deep drag from his pipe, remaining silent.
Seeing Hiruzen's silence, Koharu glanced at Homura before speaking slowly.
"Actually, if it's just sealing the Two-Tails, the Five Elements Seal would suffice. But that is a secret technique of Konoha and absolutely cannot be traded lightly.
Twenty years. A twenty-year peace treaty! That would be worth negotiating."
Hearing this, Hiruzen nodded silently.
Indeed, a twenty-year treaty would be worth considering.
The previous war had taken a toll on Konoha, leading to a serious issue: a lack of seamless transition in mid-to-high-level combat power.
In simpler terms, there was a generational gap.
Even ten years of development would suffice;
Hiruzen firmly believed that with Konoha's geographical and economic advantages, coupled with his governance, the village would enter a period of great prosperity.
After mulling it over for a moment, Hiruzen spoke slowly.
"As for the grain issue, reject it. Even if we control the surrounding grain supply, we cannot sell it cheaply to Kumogakure.
Hmm... push this matter to the daimyo. Let the Daimyo of the Land of Fire and the Daimyo of the Land of Lightning discuss it.
As for the priority purchasing rights for trade goods? What are your thoughts?"
Hearing this, Koharu, who was in charge of finances, sighed and looked at Hiruzen.
"We need to negotiate which specific goods are included. By the way, Hiruzen, do we have any intelligence from Kumogakure's spies?"
At this, Hiruzen paused, and a young face flashed in his mind.
The intelligence received this time mentioned nothing specific beyond the Raikage's desire for sealing techniques.
But then again, Rinjin couldn't be blamed. It had been less than a year—how could he possibly infiltrate the upper echelons so quickly?
Even novels wouldn't dare be so unrealistic!
Shaking his head at the thought, Hiruzen sighed.
Seeing this, both Koharu and Homura sighed as well.
This made things difficult.
If they were to sign a peace treaty with the Third Raikage, the only option would be to trade sealing techniques.
It wasn't that Konoha couldn't defeat the Land of Lightning; rather, Konoha was always at a disadvantage in negotiations.
Of course, this was under the premise that the village no longer had Hashirama Senju or Madara Uchiha.
With those two around, Konoha's geographical position would be the best in the world, capable of challenging anyone.
Without them, however, Konoha's position became awkward, unable to act decisively against anyone.
The other four great nations were like a pack of hungry wolves, with Konoha as the fat meat in the middle. At the slightest sign of weakness, these four would pounce, splitting this fertile land among themselves.
The Land of Lightning, on the other hand, was in a completely different situation. Located in the northern reaches of the ninja world, it faced little pressure.
Its northern and eastern borders were vast seas, while its western side was separated by a strait from the neutral Land of Iron.
Only a small portion of its southern border touched the minor Land of Moon, making defense relatively easy.
Moreover, the rugged mountains within the Land of Lightning made large-scale battles nearly impossible.
In comparison, despite the Land of Fire's larger territory and Konoha's greater strength, they were at a strategic disadvantage against the Land of Lightning.
The Third Raikage had clearly seized upon this point, making outrageous demands to pressure Konoha.
But at this moment, Hiruzen was no longer dwelling on this.
He was pondering whether the sealing techniques were truly what the Raikage wanted.
Or was it someone else's desire? He couldn't help but think deeply about this.
Rinjin had once written a letter addressed to Lady Mito Uzumaki.
In the letter, aside from extending greetings to Lady Mito and inquiring about his sister, he had expressed a desire to learn sealing techniques.
At that time, Hiruzen had decisively shared his concerns with Lady Mito and successfully dissuaded her.
But now, half a year later, the Raikage was sending envoys to negotiate for sealing techniques?!
At this thought, Hiruzen suddenly recalled a report from not long ago about sightings of the Two-Tails in the Land of Lightning.
Memories surged in his mind.
Rinjin had once released the Two-Tails and, through his entanglement with the beast, managed to infiltrate Kumogakure and earn the Raikage's favor.
And this time?
Hiruzen had every reason to believe that if Rinjin's target was the Two-Tails, then its recent escape was undoubtedly linked to him.
His initial concern had been that Rinjin's theft of the Two-Tails might expose him and spark a war between the two villages.
Now, it seemed that this kid still harbored ambitious plans!
This realization left Hiruzen feeling stifled.
But what could be done?
This was an open conspiracy, a straightforward punch that couldn't be dodged but only parried—a knockout blow.
Originally, Rinjin had been just a clever orphan from Amegakure;
He had relied on Konoha's sympathy to tread cautiously on a tightrope, step by step.
But now, the boy felt different.
Not just smarter, but more sophisticated.
When he wanted something, he no longer beat around the bush. Instead, he reached out openly, in a way that couldn't be refused.
And now, the pressure was on Hiruzen's side.
If he didn't give the Raikage what he wanted, it might lead to war, and Rinjin would undoubtedly cause even more trouble, giving Hiruzen more headaches!
If he did give in, Rinjin would surely take the Two-Tails and potentially become its Jinchūriki.
At that point, would they fight Kumogakure?
No!
Suddenly, a sharp light flashed in Hiruzen's eyes. He quickly set down his pipe and stood up.
"The sealing techniques can be given, but only if Kumogakure offers more in return!"
"Hiruzen!" Danzō growled.
"It's fine. Trust me!" Hiruzen replied firmly.
Even if Rinjin's actions were exposed, he could claim ignorance.
At that point, he could secretly have Danzō leak Rinjin's information, redirecting the Raikage's wrath toward Amegakure.
What he didn't know was that Rinjin had the same idea.
In the chaotic decades of the Second and Third Ninja Wars, Konoha was a mess.
This was also why Rinjin hadn't killed Ayawai. He was waiting—for an opportunity to sever his ties with Konoha.
And Ayawai was the key to that explosive revelation.
As for when and how to ignite the explosion? That was simple.
By openly attacking members of Ayawai's clan in Kumogakure, she would inevitably blow up!
While Hiruzen was busy discussing negotiation details, Rinjin had also left the guesthouse.
Under the cover of night, Rinjin headed to the northern part of the village, near the Naka River, where the Uchiha clan resided.
Navigating through the alleys, Rinjin walked openly, showing no intention of hiding.
Finding a particular wall, he bent his knees, applied a bit of force, and leapt over it.
This was a spacious residence, with a small rock garden in the backyard surrounded by a trickling stream.
Behind the rock garden stood a small, traditional Japanese-style house, simple and serene.
Rinjin didn't bother hiding his presence. As if visiting an old friend, he took off his shoes and stepped onto the wooden veranda.
At that moment, a figure emerged from the shadows at the end of the corridor.
"Who are you?" A young male voice rang out.
Rinjin grinned and was about to greet the person when the world suddenly turned black and white.
Before he knew it, he was bound to a wooden cross, like a crucified saint.
"Huh? Where am I?"
Rinjin looked around, bewildered, shaking his head from side to side.
Just then, a man in a male yukata with crimson eyes appeared before him.
"Kagami? Why the hell did you tie me up?!"
Hearing this, Kagami Uchiha snorted coldly. "Don't call me Kagami. I don't know any shinobi from the Land of Lightning.
Speak. Why did you sneak into my house? Planning to kidnap my son?"
At this, Rinjin sighed helplessly.
"It's me, Rinjin. I'm Rinjin from the Northern Plains!"
Damn it, Kumogakure's reputation for kidnapping was really widespread.
And this guy had actually trapped him in a Tsukuyomi genjutsu. Unbelievable!
Hearing Rinjin's words, Kagami paused, then covered his face with one hand. His muffled voice asked:
"You claim to be Rinjin. What proof do you have?"
"We've discussed how to achieve harmony between the Uchiha and the village!"
"That doesn't count. Plenty of people know about that!" Kagami shook his head mercilessly, his face serious.
Seeing this, Rinjin's expression darkened.
Fine. Since you want to embarrass yourself, don't blame me.
"Heh, Kagami! Your wife says you're weak but love to play!"
At these words, Kagami instantly looked around nervously and rushed forward to cover Rinjin's mouth.