Uchiha Ryun's body was still somewhat weak. After speaking with Tsunade for a while at night, he fell asleep and didn't wake up until the next day.
Ding! Congratulations to the host for killing the Third Kazekage. Reward: All of the Third Kazekage's Magnet Release experience. Reward: 30,000 points.
Ding! Since the host independently awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, the originally scheduled reward of the Mangekyō Sharingan has already been obtained. Therefore, an alternative reward will be given.
Ding! An alternative reward has been provided for the host. Changed to Small Sage Body (incomplete version of the Sage Body).
Effects: Gain 50 units of chakra, chakra recovery effect doubled. If chakra is already full, excess chakra will be converted into ocular power at a 10:1 ratio. No points reward.
Uchiha Ryun was stunned. After hearing the system notification, he immediately began extracting chakra. He realized that he previously only had 2 units of chakra, but now it was still increasing.
Only when it was completely full did Uchiha Ryun stop. Feeling the chakra within his body, he had a sense that even his mere presence could intimidate ordinary shinobi.
Then he noticed that his Mangekyō Sharingan, which had been burning and aching due to awakening and battle, was now being soothed by something cool.
Uchiha Ryun's previously blurry vision gradually recovered. Only when the scenery he saw became as clear as before—or even clearer—did a smile appear on his face.
Good, very spirited. From now on, Mom won't have to worry about me going blind anymore, because I have the Small Sage Body. Whether it's chakra capacity, recovery time, or ocular power consumption, Uchiha Ryun no longer needs to worry.
Then the system reminded him: Detected that Tsunade is about to arrive. Please control your strength...
Uchiha Ryun was puzzled but nodded, once again suppressing his chakra to around 5 units. Why was he doing this? Don't ask.
The answer is to hide his true strength. There's a difference between having a sword and not using it, and not having a sword at all! Awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan without any change in chakra would be the strangest thing!
Tsunade knocked on the door and smiled.
"Ryun, the old man is going to negotiate with the Sunagakure higher-ups this time. He specifically named you and me as his guards to accompany him to the talks."
Uchiha Ryun smiled. "Good. I've mostly recovered now. Being able to serve as the Hokage's guard is a rare opportunity for me to broaden my horizons!"
Tsunade grinned, walked up to Uchiha Ryun, and looked up at him with a bright smile. Then she hugged his waist.
"Ryun, do you know? You've earned a title in the shinobi world now!" She rubbed her face against his chest, breathing in his scent.
"Huh? Really?" Uchiha Ryun was surprised. "What title?"
Tsunade slowly said, "Crimson Gold Slayer."
Uchiha Ryun's lips twitched. Well, now I'm someone with a title! Previously, the title of "Military God" was only known within Konoha Village. But now, the title of "Crimson Gold Slayer" will probably spread throughout the entire shinobi world soon.
He shook his head. "These things are just empty fame. By the way, Tsunade, when do we leave?"
Uchiha Ryun looked at the dimly lit scenery outside and asked.
"Probably around 8 or 9 o'clock. Right now, we should go eat. I heard the Akimichi clan is personally handling the cooking!" Tsunade also glanced outside and answered.
Since the battle was over and Hiruzen Sarutobi was present, the Akimichi clan had begun preparing food. It had to be said, the Akimichi clan not only knew how to eat but also how to cook.
Uchiha Ryun nodded, then took Tsunade's hand and smiled. "Shall we go?"
"Mm!" Tsunade nodded and followed Uchiha Ryun out.
As soon as they stepped outside, the Uchiha clan shinobi immediately saluted. "Sixth Elder!"
Uchiha Ryun waved his hand to indicate they didn't need to be so formal, then patted the shinobi on the shoulder and led Tsunade to the nearby Akimichi clan's barbecue spot.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was holding skewers and eating voraciously. Between bites, he said, "Delicious, delicious! Torifu, I didn't know your Chōza was such a good cook!"
"Hey, as long as you like it. Eat more. Once you're full, fight harder for our benefits during the treaty negotiations later!" Akimichi Torifu laughed.
He still held a favorable opinion of Hiruzen Sarutobi, after all, the man had been a formidable leader in his youth.
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded. "I will. But Torifu, don't you think Sunagakure is already so poor? If I demand too much, wouldn't that be inappropriate?"
As soon as he said this, Akimichi Torifu's smile faded slightly. He looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi and frowned. He studied Hiruzen Sarutobi again, then finally said, "Hiruzen, keep eating. I just remembered, Luming needs me for something." He forced a smile, turned around, and his expression turned cold.
Hiruzen Sarutobi said nothing. He also lost his appetite for barbecue and sighed.
Uchiha Ryun and Tsunade happened to walk over at that moment. Akimichi Torifu quickly put on a smile again, as if nothing had happened. But the change in his expression couldn't escape Uchiha Ryun's eyes.
Uchiha Ryun had some guesses, but he needed to speak with Hiruzen Sarutobi to understand the specifics. Tsunade, meanwhile, hummed a tune, something from the shinobi world that sounded quite pleasant.
Nara Luming was nearby. When he saw Akimichi Torifu approaching, he quickly asked, "How did it go? What did the Hokage say?"
Akimichi Torifu shook his head and sighed. Nara Luming's heart sank. He looked in the Hokage's direction with a complicated expression and nodded. "Alright, I understand."
Just as Nara Luming was about to look away, he spotted Uchiha Ryun and Tsunade. His eyes lit up, and he called out, "Ryun! Lady Tsunade, over here!"
His voice immediately caught their attention. Uchiha Ryun saw the dejected Akimichi Torifu and the excited Nara Luming. He felt like there was something important to discuss.
Given that the Uchiha clan was currently allied with the Ino-Shika-Chō trio and Uchiha Ryun was the Uchiha clan's Sixth Elder, he took Tsunade's hand and walked over.
Nara Luming glanced at Tsunade, hesitating to speak. Finally, Uchiha Ryun said, "It's fine. We're all on the same side."
Nara Luming nodded. "In that case, Ryun, let's hear what Torifu has to say about the information he just got from the Hokage."
Akimichi Torifu looked at Nara Luming, who nodded back. Then Akimichi Torifu said, "Ryun, today I wanted to treat everyone to barbecue and also sound out Hiruzen's thoughts on the Sunagakure treaty..."
After Akimichi Torifu finished explaining, Nara Luming sighed. "Ryun, you're a smart person. You must understand, right? We've won this war, the enemy is on the verge of collapse, yet the Hokage doesn't want anything except a peace treaty."
Uchiha Ryun nodded. Of course he understood. This was no different from fighting a war for nothing. Even if Hiruzen Sarutobi was noble and selfless, he still had to consider the village's sentiments, right? Did our shinobi die for nothing?
No benefits at all? That's not how it works!