Naruto: The Hyuga Mastermind

Chapter 228: The Power of Veto

"The United Nations is an international organization composed of member states, aimed at fostering peace, security, and cooperation among nations. It serves as a platform for dialogue and negotiation. Please, everyone, speak freely and without hesitation."

Tsunade's calm and authoritative voice echoed in the hall as she delivered her opening remarks. Her composed smile concealed the weight on her heart.

While both she and Shikaku had suspected that the Land of Water might be a problem, the invitation to the summit had been extended to all nations of the ninja world.

This summit served as both a peace effort and a test of allegiances.

Under such circumstances, any country that didn't send a representative was essentially declaring its stance—and its fate.

"The countries in the northwest of the ninja world… Not a single representative has shown up. It seems they've all been claimed by Hyuga Fuji," Tsunade thought grimly, sighing inwardly.

The Land of Water had also failed to attend. Although she had speculated that they might have allied with Hyuga Fuji, she had still held out a sliver of hope.

But now, it was clear—there was no hope left.

As Tsunade sat down, the atmosphere in the hall grew lively.

The summit's purpose was peace. To achieve this, it was necessary to address the issues plaguing each nation and resolve the conflicts that arose from competing interests.

With the great powers leading the way, every representative present saw an opportunity to air their grievances and pursue solutions for their respective nations.

This, after all, was one of the key roles of this new alliance.

"As Lady Tsunade mentioned, this summit is dedicated to the peace and future of the ninja world," the Fourth Raikage declared, seizing the moment to speak.

"Old grievances and disputes must be settled for us to move forward. To demonstrate our sincerity, the Land of Lightning will take the first step."

At his words, the hall's doors swung open once more, and a white-haired figure strode in reluctantly.

Gasps of surprise rippled through the room.

"The legendary Sannin, Jiraiya?"

The attendees exchanged bewildered glances.

Some of the representatives, especially those with ties to the underground market, were already aware of Jiraiya's disappearance. They had also heard whispers linking the Land of Lightning to his capture.

But none of them had expected Jiraiya to still be alive.

Did this mean the Land of Lightning had captured him alive? Or had Jiraiya surrendered voluntarily, recognizing his defeat?

Either way, the revelation sent a clear message—if the Land of Lightning could capture someone of Jiraiya's caliber, their military strength was formidable.

Those who had initially planned to curry favor solely with the Fire Country began to reevaluate their approach, casting more serious consideration toward the other great powers.

As Jiraiya felt the weight of their stares, even his famously thick skin began to falter. He suddenly had the urge to flee the hall altogether.

He understood exactly why the Fourth Raikage had chosen this moment to present him.

With the Fire Country's dominance on the battlefield against the Land of Wind and their alliance with Hyuga Fuji, the Fire Country's reputation had skyrocketed.

Even though the Land of Wind's defeat could be attributed to Hyuga Fuji, his origins in the Fire Country only added to the nation's prestige. Many now viewed the Fire Country as an unshakable power, overshadowing the other great nations.

By parading Jiraiya before the summit, the Fourth Raikage was not only signaling the Land of Lightning's commitment to peace but also reminding everyone of their strength.

At the same time, it was a subtle favor to the Land of Earth, boosting their collective standing.

But for Jiraiya, the situation was mortifying. Being displayed as a captured war prize in front of representatives from across the ninja world—he couldn't imagine a worse humiliation.

Still, when he caught Tsunade's cold, piercing gaze, Jiraiya sighed and resigned himself to his fate. He didn't want to create more trouble for her at this crucial summit.

Swallowing his pride, he walked to the center of the hall. Standing before Tsunade, whose aura had grown even more commanding since he last saw her, he said with mixed emotions, "I'm back."

"Stand behind me and stay out of trouble," Tsunade snapped, her tone curt and dismissive.

She closed her eyes, unwilling to look at him any longer.

The Fourth Raikage had, of course, informed her in advance of his plans to present Jiraiya.

If the Land of Lightning wanted to bolster its image, she had no objections. What mattered was maintaining the overall balance.

Besides, perhaps this public embarrassment would finally teach Jiraiya a lesson about his reckless behavior.

And no, she absolutely wasn't doing this out of petty revenge for his crocodile tears during their last encounter. Definitely not.

Jiraiya scratched the back of his head sheepishly and retreated to a corner, taking on the role of a silent guard.

"This is the Land of Lightning's gesture of goodwill. We hope it will contribute to the peace of the ninja world," the Fourth Raikage declared.

After glancing at Tsunade and seeing her subtle nod of approval, he continued, "Additionally, we propose collaborating with the Fire Country to develop a new form of transportation: electric trains. These will make inter-nation travel and communication more convenient, fostering mutual understanding and cooperation. Once developed, we will offer this technology to other nations at a low cost…"

When the Raikage finished and returned to his seat, Onoki stood up to share the Land of Earth's plans for contributing to peace and stability.

The representatives listened closely. It was clear that the great powers were offering substantial concessions to demonstrate their sincerity and set the tone for the summit.

But… were they being too generous?

As the Raikage, Onoki, and Tsunade outlined their respective initiatives for building a peaceful and prosperous ninja world, unease began to creep into the hearts of the smaller nations' delegates.

Stop, stop! This sudden goodwill is making us nervous!

These were seasoned representatives, handpicked for their keen political instincts. They knew full well that the great powers wouldn't offer such concessions without an ulterior motive.

"We also propose establishing comprehensive medical systems across all nations," Tsunade said. "Fire Country will assist in training medical personnel, allowing other nations to send students to learn advanced techniques.

"To ensure these initiatives proceed smoothly, and to prevent conflicts from escalating due to disagreements, I propose granting the Fire Country, the Land of Lightning, and the Land of Earth veto power in critical decisions. Does everyone agree?"

Here it is.

The small nations' representatives exchanged resigned glances.

What choice did they have?

They lacked both the strength and resources to oppose the great powers. With the concessions already on the table, refusing would only make them appear ungrateful.

Still, the term "veto power" carried enormous weight. It would shape the new alliance's dynamics, ensuring that the smaller nations remained subordinate to the three great powers.

Then again… hadn't things always been that way?

Realizing this, the delegates reluctantly voiced their agreement.

With the small nations' approval secured, Tsunade, Onoki, and the Fourth Raikage exchanged satisfied nods.

By securing veto power, the three great powers had safeguarded their interests in this new alliance.

As the summit continued, other representatives took the floor to share their perspectives and discuss pressing issues. Topics ranged from technological support and conflict resolution to educational exchanges between ninja villages.

The first global summit of the ninja world was well underway, brimming with heated debates and collaborative efforts.

(End of Chapter)

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