Uchiha Ryun pondered for a moment before saying, "Alright, I'll speak to Hokage-sama about it later."
"Then I'll leave it to you!" Nara Luming bowed deeply. He knew that only someone like Uchiha Ryun, whose current strength and achievements were top-tier, could make the Third Hokage take this seriously.
"This is for our own clan's benefit too, no need to be so polite." Uchiha Ryun smiled.
After saying this, he prepared to take Tsunade to see the Hokage, but Tsunade tugged at his sleeve. "Ryun, aren't you being used as a pawn? Right now, Sensei's stance is to prioritize a peace treaty. If you push him to demand benefits, aren't you going against him?"
Uchiha Ryun stopped and suddenly chuckled. "Then, my dear, let me ask you..."
Tsunade's face instantly turned red, her mind exploding. He—he called me dear?! Ahhh! I'm gonna die!
Uchiha Ryun looked toward where the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was and said, "If our Hokage's first major victory after taking office is handled like this—winning without demanding compensation, and losing just means signing a peace treaty—what will other nations think?"
"If they attack us, they'll gain if they win, and lose nothing if they lose. How can there be such a good deal in this world?"
"This won't reduce the occurrence of war. Instead, it will give the entire ninja world the impression that anyone can step on Konoha."
"Tsunade, Tsunade? Are you listening? Hey?" Uchiha Ryun waved his hand in front of her face. Tsunade finally snapped out of it, her face flushed. "Ryun, sorry, I spaced out. But I think you're right!"
She nodded firmly in agreement.
Uchiha Ryun laughed. "Haha, alright, let's go, my dear. We'll go see the Hokage. If I don't say this, no one else will dare to. They'll just silently resent the Hokage. At first, it won't matter, but over time, it'll breed discord."
"Good! If Sensei scolds you, I'll scold him back!" Tsunade grinned, then added, "You just called me dear? I love it! Say it more, okay~?"
"Sure~ my little princess," Uchiha Ryun teased. Tsunade giggled and clung to his arm as they headed toward Hiruzen Sarutobi.
At that moment, Danzō Shimura also arrived. He was here to discuss the peace treaty details with Hiruzen Sarutobi before they finalized it.
Uchiha Ryun's eyes lit up. The Shadow, no—the Konoha Elder! With him here, things would be much easier.
If anyone had the closest relationship with Hiruzen Sarutobi, it was Danzō Shimura. After all, everyone knew (Hiruzen, give me the men! No! I am the Hokage! You'll regret this. Door: Slam!)
"Danzō, you're here." Hiruzen Sarutobi seemed to have expected him as he turned around, only to see not just Danzō but also Uchiha Ryun and Tsunade.
His heart stirred, and he smiled. "Ryun, Tsunade, you're here too. Sit, sit!" He patted the space beside him.
Uchiha Ryun, however, addressed Danzō Shimura first. "Danzō-sama, please sit with the Hokage. Tsunade and I will take the seats beside you."
Danzō Shimura chuckled and nodded before sitting down. Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes flashed with approval. Despite Uchiha Ryun's immense power, he still showed respect to him and the village elders.
Uchiha Ryun then led Tsunade to a smaller chair nearby.
Danzō Shimura took a skewer of grilled meat from Chōza Akimichi, took a bite, and said, "This is delicious. Hiruzen, want one?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled. "I've already eaten. You enjoy it."
The two youngsters sipped sake and ate grilled meat in silence, letting their elders take the lead.
"Hiruzen, how do you plan to handle this treaty?" Danzō Shimura asked after finishing his skewer.
Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled. "Danzō, we're close, right?"
Danzō nodded, but—what does that have to do with the treaty?
"Then I'll be blunt. I trust you'll support me." Hiruzen Sarutobi leaned back.
"Go ahead, I'm listening." Danzō Shimura wasn't a fool. He knew Hiruzen's next words might be troublesome, so he wasn't about to agree blindly.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed. "Danzō, Sunagakure is poor. What do they have besides these endless deserts? So I was thinking—" Before he could finish, Danzō slammed the table.
"Think again! What, you care so much about your reputation that you'd waive reparations? Have you considered the families of the shinobi who died for this village?!" Danzō Shimura stood up angrily.
Hiruzen Sarutobi fell silent, his expression darkening. Then he slammed the table too. "Danzō, don't forget! I am the Hokage!"
Uchiha Ryun's eyes widened. Whoa, legendary scene! He even handed Tsunade a cup of sake and took one for himself.
Sip, sip, sip.
Just as Danzō was about to deliver the classic line (You'll regret this!), he heard Uchiha Ryun's sipping sounds. His eyes lit up, and he said, "Hiruzen, this victory wouldn't have been possible without Ryun's strategy and strength. I think you should ask for his opinion!"
He smirked. Kid, let's see you sip now!
Uchiha Ryun spat out his sake, spraying it onto Danzō's face. He hurriedly wiped his mouth. "Sorry, sorry, Danzō-sama, that was an accident."
He reached for a napkin to clean Danzō's face, but Danzō scowled. "It's fine. But when the Hokage asks for your opinion, answer carefully."
He wiped his face with his own handkerchief, glaring at Uchiha Ryun as if to say, You'd better say the right thing, or you're done.
Uchiha Ryun wanted to slap himself. I jinxed it by thinking about the Shadow earlier. Now I'm the one holding the bag!
Though he was here to persuade Hiruzen, with Danzō present, he only needed to play a supporting role. But one I am the Hokage and Danzō lost it!
Tsunade covered her mouth, amused by Uchiha Ryun and Danzō's dynamic.
"Hmm, Ryun, why don't you share your thoughts? The younger generation has fresh perspectives. We'd like to hear them," Hiruzen Sarutobi said kindly.
Uchiha Ryun set down his skewer and cleared his throat. "Hokage-sama, is this appropriate?"