"This Uchiha is too cautious," someone muttered.
"What exactly do you want?" another demanded.
At the tense border between Konohagakure and Iwagakure forces, where the aftermath of the Third Shinobi World War still smoldered, a heated argument erupted from a white negotiation tent.
Inside, Minato Namikaze sat calmly, facing the furious Iwa-nin across from him. Watching the man's exaggerated performance, Minato couldn't help but find it amusing — the tactics were so transparent it was almost admirable.
Over the past few days of negotiations, Minato had seen this Iwa-nin — Takeshi Ikeda — cycle through every possible emotion: anger, helplessness, feigned sincerity. He pleaded with mentions of consulting with the Tsuchikage, and played the role of the "unwilling but forced" negotiator expertly.
However, thanks to intelligence gathered by Uchiha Kai, Konoha already knew Iwagakure's true bottom line.
Without that information, even the sharp-eyed Nara Shikaku, Konoha's lead strategist, might have been fooled by Ikeda's posturing.
"It's already very clear what we want," Minato said, his voice even, his expression unreadable.
The negotiator — Takeshi Ikeda — was no clan elite, but he was cunning enough to be entrusted with this critical task.
"Ha," Ikeda barked a hollow laugh. "A war indemnity of that size? Do you think we're fools? We're still locked in conflict with Kumogakure — there's no way the Land of Earth can afford what you're demanding!"
"That's not Konoha's concern," Minato replied coolly.
Takeshi Ikeda frowned deeply, unsettled by Minato's unnerving calmness.
The terror Minato inspired among Iwa-nin was well-earned.
He was known across the battlefield as the "Yellow Flash" — a ghostly figure who could kill dozens of enemy shinobi in an instant using his Flying Thunder God Technique (Hiraishin no Jutsu).
Iwagakure's battle manual even included a chilling order: "If you encounter Namikaze Minato, abandon the mission immediately."
Yet now, instead of facing an enemy's blade, Ikeda had to negotiate with that same living nightmare.
Trying to shift the pressure, Ikeda turned his words toward the watching Nara Shikaku.
"Tell me, Nara Jōnin — have you ceded control to an outsider? Has your Hokage lost faith in you? Or perhaps Jiraiya's protégé here is pushing too aggressively?"
"You don't need to test my attitude," Shikaku said with a tired sigh, folding his arms. "I gave Minato full authority to lead these talks. I trust he'll handle it."
There was no reluctance in Shikaku's voice — only firm conviction, which made Ikeda's heart sink.
The truth was, although Ikeda knew Konoha's demands were relatively reasonable — almost lenient, given Iwagakure's defeat — he had been trying to push harder, sensing Konoha's exhaustion.
After all, Konoha had fought on three fronts during the war — against Iwa, Suna, and Kumo — and should have been nearing collapse.
Ikeda blamed the situation partly on the Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki's rash decision to attack the Third Raikage, an act that unintentionally helped Konoha by redirecting Kumo's forces back home.
Still, Ikeda thought, if he could delay and press harder, he might force more concessions.
Victory was not about fairness — it was about survival and gain.
"It seems you don't intend to continue negotiations," Ikeda said stiffly. "Very well. Let's take an hour to cool off and reconvene."
"Fine," Minato replied, rising from his seat. "But before you go — I have a message."
Minato's smile was polite but razor-sharp.
"Konoha's forces are assembled. In five minutes, we will launch an assault on your forward camp. You have thirty minutes to prepare."
Ikeda's face twisted in shock.
"You—! Are you abandoning talks? Do you really think we fear you?!"
Around him, the gathered Iwa-nin tensed, but Minato noted the flicker of fear in their eyes.
They all knew the order: flee if you see the Yellow Flash.
"Ikeda-san," Minato said, his voice almost pitying, "we have shown great patience. We allowed you days to consider terms. But you mistake kindness for weakness."
"You Konoha are too greedy!" Ikeda shouted. "You risk throwing away this chance for peace!"
Minato shook his head slightly.
"You talk of peace — yet you seek only delay."
His gaze sharpened.
"Speaking of your forces... how is Loess doing?"
Ikeda stiffened instantly.
Loess — the son of the Tsuchikage, a celebrated Jōnin commander — had suffered a crippling injury during a clash with Konoha forces. Rumor had it he lost an arm and remained unconscious back at camp, barely clinging to life.
"You—" Ikeda's voice caught.
"We know," Minato said softly. "We know about the orders your Tsuchikage issued.
The 'hardliners' among you are expected to fight — and die — to create bargaining leverage."
"That's nonsense!" Ikeda shouted, but it was a hollow protest.
Several of the Iwa-nin flanking him shifted uncomfortably, exchanging glances.
Ikeda realized with a cold sweat that Minato's words had struck their mark — his men were no longer certain who they were really fighting for.
The negotiations were over.