Chapter 95: 95. Territorial Concessions and Reparations
Faced with Sunagakure's conditions, Danzo, of course, rejected them.
He expressed his anger at Sunagakure's lack of sincerity.
It was said that he even smashed the table in the command room.
Danzo also ranted about wanting to annihilate the Land of Wind and similar threats.
Then, a 500-strong Konoha force was stationed at the border between the Land of Rain and the Land of Wind, adopting a combat-ready posture.
This terrified Sunagakure.
Having lost over a thousand ninjas and still engaged in a war with Kirigakure, Sunagakure's available forces were severely depleted.
If Danzo were to launch an attack on the Land of Wind, they would have no choice but to resort to guerrilla warfare, relying on their vast territory.
Thus, Rasa hastily convened a meeting.
"Did Konoha's spies really see Danzo furious over our terms?" Rasa asked, his brow furrowed.
He wasn't sure if Danzo's aggressive stance was merely a pressure tactic or if he genuinely intended to continue the assault on Sunagakure.
After all, the mining areas Danzo wanted were only about 40 to 50 kilometers from the nearest border.
Baki, who was in charge of intelligence, nodded gravely. "Our spies reported that after receiving our terms, Danzo smashed his table in anger."
Hearing this, Rasa's expression grew even more serious.
"Increase the mining rights to fifteen years and raise the reparations to 200 million ryō!" Rasa ordered, narrowing his eyes as he recalled Chiyo's final letter.
"Also, send a letter to the Daimyō, asking him to mediate with the Fire Daimyō."
"Yes!"
After receiving the order, Baki quickly drafted a new proposal and delivered it to Konoha's camp at the fastest possible speed.
Unsurprisingly, Danzo rejected these terms as well.
He insisted on at least half of the mining areas or over 5 billion ryō in reparations.
Sunagakure simply couldn't accept such conditions.
Thus, the negotiations broke down once again.
But after Baki left, Shisui brought Danzo some bad news.
Konoha had sent someone.
"Who is it?" Danzo asked, not particularly surprised but curious about who Hiruzen Sarutobi had sent this time.
Surely it wasn't Homura Mitokado again.
Would Hiruzen really send him to be humiliated by Danzo once more?
"It's Torifu Akimichi," Shisui reported.
This surprised Danzo.
Although Torifu was also his fellow disciple, unlike Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, he hadn't chosen to become a Konoha elder.
Instead, he had voluntarily stationed himself at the border, overseeing the border forces.
This decision had kept him away from the center of power while also avoiding unnecessary conflicts.
As a result, he maintained good relationships with the Konoha F4, as he wasn't involved in their power struggles.
"I didn't expect Hiruzen to send him. Bring him in," Danzo said.
Shisui showed no reaction.
At first, hearing Danzo call the Hokage "Hiruzen" had made him uncomfortable, but now he was completely used to it.
Hiruzen was just Hiruzen. At least he wasn't being called a pig.
Soon, under Shisui's guidance, the burly Torifu Akimichi stood before Danzo.
"I didn't expect Hiruzen to send you as a mediator. That's rare," Danzo quipped as soon as they met.
Torifu, like most Akimichi clan members, had a somewhat simple and honest appearance.
With age, he looked even more kind and benevolent.
"Hiruzen asked me to tell you that the Daimyō is putting a lot of pressure on him. They want the war to end as soon as possible," Torifu said, plopping down on a chair with a creak.
Hearing about the Daimyō, Danzo sneered. "These short-sighted nobles again."
Torifu, seemingly accustomed to Danzo's bluntness, showed little reaction.
He casually pulled out a bag of chips and added, "Also, the Land of Earth and the Land of Lightning seem to be eyeing us. You should try to wrap this up quickly."
Danzo looked at the old man and smiled. "You should cut back on junk food. It's not good for your health."
With that, he stood up and said calmly, "Well, the timing is about right. It's time to reel in the catch."
He then handed a pre-prepared treaty to Shisui.
"Go and deliver this to Rasa. Tell him this is the last chance. If he refuses, we'll prepare to restart the war."
Shisui, now immune to Danzo's hawkish style, nodded and disappeared in an instant.
Torifu crushed the chips in his hand and marveled, "That kid's speed is impressive."
Hearing someone praise his disciple, Danzo smiled faintly. "Otherwise, how could he be worthy of being my disciple?"
Torifu was stunned, and his chips fell to the ground.
"You're saying this Uchiha is your disciple?"
Danzo nodded slightly.
Torifu's face showed a look of alarm. "Are you planning to move against the Uchiha?"
Although he disliked political struggles, that didn't mean he lacked political sensitivity.
Danzo taking an Uchiha as a disciple surely meant he was brewing some scheme.
Hearing Torifu's words, Danzo's face darkened.
Just how much had his past self targeted the Uchiha?!
But he still explained, "This is Kagami Uchiha's grandson. Most importantly, he has even greater talent than his grandfather."
Torifu was surprised. "You have such high praise for this kid? Well, that's good..."
He didn't press further.
For him, as long as Danzo wasn't planning to move against the Uchiha, that was enough.
Of course, even if Danzo did plan to act, there was little Torifu could do from his remote border post.
Seemingly sensing his concern, Danzo gently patted Torifu's arm. "Don't worry, I won't harm the village."
With that, Danzo led Torifu outside. "Come on, let's grab a drink."
---
While Danzo was enjoying a drink, Sunagakure was plunged into a painful dilemma due to Shisui's arrival.
Especially when Shisui, as Danzo's disciple, delivered the ultimatum, "If you refuse, prepare for war," all of Sunagakure was filled with anxiety.
Without exaggeration, Danzo was now the public enemy of Sunagakure!
Beyond the hatred, there was also deep-seated fear.
As one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages, Sunagakure had never been so thoroughly defeated since the First Shinobi World War.
After sending Shisui to rest, Rasa stared at the treaty in silence.
This time, Danzo hadn't made outrageous demands but had instead presented his bottom line.
1. Sunagakure would pay Konoha 400 million ryō in reparations.
2. Sunagakure would lease part of the eastern mining areas and surrounding regions to Konoha for fifteen years.
3. Konoha would have autonomy within the leased areas. During the lease period, Sunagakure would not interfere with any activities in the leased regions, and Konoha could send professionals to mine the resources.
4. Konoha and Sunagakure would establish friendly relations, cease military actions against each other, and set up a trade port at the border between the Land of Wind and the Land of Rain to facilitate free trade and cultural exchange.
5. For fifteen years, Sunagakure would not appear in the Land of Rivers, the Land of Rain, or the Land of Fire without Konoha's permission.
6. Konoha and Sunagakure would regularly hold ninja exchange activities, including but not limited to jointly hosting the Chūnin Exams.
7. Konoha would release Sunagakure's prisoners in batches.
Below each of Danzo's seven conditions were detailed explanations and definitions.
It was clear that a lot of thought had gone into this.
For example, the "part of the mining areas and surrounding regions" in the second clause was clearly marked on the map, covering about one-third of the Land of Wind's mining areas, all located near the Land of Rain.
This was likely for easier management.
"Baki, what do you think?" Rasa asked his trusted aide.
It wasn't that he didn't want to consult others, but Sunagakure simply had no one else to turn to.
Elder Chiyo was dead.
The other elder, Ebizō, was managing affairs in Sunagakure to prevent that damned Yellow Flash from sneaking in.
Pakura was leading the defense against Kirigakure.
The only person Rasa could discuss this with was Baki.
Baki spoke bluntly, "Lord Kazekage, Kirigakure's offensive is intensifying. We must make a decision soon."
His tone was grave. "Given the Darkness of the Shinobi's personality, if we reject this proposal, even if he doesn't launch a full-scale attack, our border regions will be lost. We'll have to rely on strategic depth to hold out."
"Moreover, with Konoha's Yellow Flash causing trouble, the mining areas in the treaty will be difficult to exploit anyway."
Rasa crossed his arms. "Are you saying that since we can't exploit these areas due to Konoha's interference, we might as well temporarily cede them to secure peace?"
Baki nodded. "Exactly. At least this will buy us time to recover. Once we regain our strength, we can look for opportunities. The other nations won't sit idly by while Konoha grows stronger."
Rasa considered this. Baki's reasoning made sense.
After suffering such heavy losses, Sunagakure's top priority was to end the war and rebuild. They couldn't afford to continue fighting.
As for the peace treaty?
With enough military strength, Rasa could tear it up like it was nothing.
"Then let's do as you say!"
Rasa finally relented.
As his trusted aide, Baki breathed a sigh of relief.
If the war continued, the Land of Wind would be left in ruins.
When he emerged with the treaty signed by Rasa, he found Shisui sitting calmly in a chair.
Despite being from opposing sides, Baki couldn't help but feel a sense of respect for Danzo's disciple.
Although he had also gone to Konoha's camp to negotiate and deliver messages, their positions were different.
To Konoha, Baki was just a defeated foe.
Whether he lived or died didn't matter.
But to Sunagakure, Shisui was the disciple of their enemy!
Moreover, the message Danzo had him deliver was so arrogant that if Rasa had refused and decided to restart the war, Shisui would have been the first casualty.
Yet, he maintained such composure, unshaken even in the face of danger. This was truly remarkable.
Seeing Baki, Shisui quickly stood up and asked, "Jōnin Baki, has the Kazekage made a decision?"
Baki studied the young man, sighed inwardly, and handed over the treaty. "The Kazekage has agreed."
Hearing this, a flicker of joy crossed Shisui's face.
This meant Konoha wouldn't have to continue the war, and no more lives would be lost in the pursuit of peace!
"In that case, I'll return to report to my teacher," Shisui said, eager to leave without delay.
Of course, throughout the entire process, he remained vigilant, keeping an eye on Baki and his surroundings.
Seeing this, Baki felt even more impressed. He stopped Shisui as he was about to leave and asked, "Aren't you afraid of death?"
Hearing this question, Shisui turned around and smiled. "Danzo-sensei said that only by daring to burn oneself can one illuminate the village and protect what they hold dear."
With that, he disappeared from Baki's sight.
After Shisui left, Kazekage Rasa finally emerged.
Looking in the direction Shisui had gone, he sneered, "Hmph, the Will of Fire again..."
Then, Rasa clenched his fists tightly. "Just wait. Once Sunagakure has regained its strength, we'll make Konoha feel the same humiliation!"
The Kazekage's expression was twisted with hatred.
Watching this, Baki stood to the side, filled with worry.
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