The document stated that Sunagakure was willing to recognize Konoha as the leading village and establish friendly relations with it...
Not a single word mentioned specific reparations. It was all empty promises, which left Uchiha Ryun speechless. Chiyo sat there, barely suppressing her embarrassment.
There was no other way. Sunagakure was poor, already suffering from financial deficits. They had hoped to profit from the war in the Land of Rain, only for someone to sneak into the city while they were fighting and take the spoils.
Sunagakure gained nothing. Otherwise, they wouldn't have launched an attack on Konoha under the Third Kazekage's leadership.
When internal conflicts and financial troubles reached an unmanageable level, war became the best solution to divert attention outward. In other words, they had no choice but to fight.
What they didn't expect was to lose so miserably. The resources and shinobi accumulated by the previous two generations of Sunagakure were nearly exhausted by the Third Kazekage.
For the current Sunagakure, the only way to ensure their village's safety was to submit to a peace agreement and bow their heads.
But Chiyo wanted to gain everything without giving anything in return. That wasn't acceptable, was it?
Uchiha Ryun handed the peace agreement to Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzō Shimura. For a moment, Hiruzen was tempted, but under the gazes of Danzō, Uchiha Ryun, and Tsunade, he sighed.
"Chiyo, we are not satisfied with your proposed agreement. Perhaps you should take a look at ours instead," Hiruzen said firmly.
Chiyo's heart sank, but she forced a strained smile. "Of course, negotiations are necessary."
Hiruzen signaled to Uchiha Ryun, who promptly took out the pre-drafted agreement and handed it to Chiyo.
"Chiyo-sama, please consider carefully," Uchiha Ryun said as his Mangekyō Sharingan activated, sweeping over everyone present.
A surge of spiritual pressure instantly made Chiyo and the other three break out in cold sweat. Damn it, was the Mangekyō Sharingan really that impressive?
Well, right now, it really was. Could Chiyo or Pakura withstand a golden-red Susanoo?
Thanks to his minor Sage Body, Uchiha Ryun's lost ocular power had mostly recovered, and his vision had returned to normal.
Chiyo swallowed hard and opened the agreement.
Sunagakure must compensate Konoha with 200 million ryo in silver.
Sunagakure must cede 50% of its missions to Konoha shinobi.
Sunagakure's shinobi force must not exceed 8,000.
If Sunagakure fails to comply with the above terms, Konoha reserves the right to station troops in Sunagakure to ensure its safety...
Boom! Chiyo's head felt like it was about to explode. What kind of tyrannical terms were these?
The first clause alone would bleed them dry. 200 million ryo in silver? They couldn't afford that even if they sold the entire village!
The second clause demanded 50% of their missions. Were they joking? How could the village survive like that?
The third clause restricted their shinobi numbers. Were they devils? This would cripple Sunagakure, leaving them with no chance of recovery.
The fourth clause involved stationing troops. Stationing troops was absolutely unacceptable. Would Sunagakure still belong to the Land of Wind or the Land of Fire then? Not only would they refuse, but the Daimyō of the Land of Wind wouldn't agree either.
Chiyo remained silent for a long time, trembling as she spoke. "I'm sorry, but I cannot accept these terms. The first and second clauses alone are impossible for us financially. The third and fourth clauses violate the principles established by your First Hokage, Hashirama Senju. Is this really appropriate?"
Her heart was filled with despair. Being weak meant being bullied. If Sunagakure still had its former strength, she would've thrown the agreement right in Uchiha Ryun's face. Were they even human?
"In that case, how much does Chiyo-sama propose we settle for?" Danzō Shimura asked menacingly, making Pakura grit her teeth.
Chiyo thought for a moment, then closed her eyes and sighed. "100 million ryo in silver, paid over three years. 50 million in the first year, 30 million in the second, and 20 million in the third. As for missions, we can only cede 15%."
Hiruzen slammed the table. "Good! Accepted!" He then smiled.
"I must answer to the villagers and the fallen shinobi, so I have no choice but to demand reparations. I hope Chiyo-sama understands!"
Chiyo forced a bitter smile. "Of course, of course." Then she looked at Hiruzen. "What about the third and fourth clauses?"
Uchiha Ryun spoke up. "Considering Chiyo-sama's generosity, we'll let those go. After all, we must respect our predecessors' wishes."
The reason Uchiha Ryun dropped the third and fourth clauses was to pressure Chiyo into not bargaining too harshly. As for stationing troops or restricting shinobi numbers, it wasn't worth it. Sunagakure wasn't important enough to warrant stationed troops, and their shinobi were generally weak anyway.
Chiyo finally realized what was happening, but it was too late. She had already made her offer, and everyone had heard it. She couldn't take it back now.
Her chest burned with frustration. The 200 million ryo was Sunagakure's last reserve. If they paid it all, the village would struggle to function. That was why she could only promise 100 million, paid in installments. Even then, Sunagakure would have to tighten its belt for at least a decade.
As for the missions, with Sunagakure's reduced shinobi numbers, it was better to avoid dangerous missions anyway. Ceding some wasn't the worst.
But the more Chiyo thought about it, the more aggrieved she felt. Why should she clean up the Third Kazekage's mess? She was already in her forties! In the shinobi world, that was considered old age! Why did she still have to deal with a dead man's mistakes?
But the agreement was signed. There was no room for regret. She maintained a stiff smile. "From now on, Sunagakure and Konoha will be as close as family, never attacking each other, always allies!"
"Of course, of course. We look forward to working together," Hiruzen said, grinning like a blooming flower. Though he had initially hesitated about demanding reparations, no one could resist the joy of receiving pure silver.
"Uchiha Ryun! Today's humiliation will be repaid tenfold!" Pakura couldn't hold back her temper and snapped at Uchiha Ryun.
Chiyo's heart nearly stopped. She glanced nervously at Uchiha Ryun and Hiruzen.
Tsunade stepped in front of Uchiha Ryun, glaring at Pakura. "Who do you think you are, speaking to Ryun like that?"
Uchiha Ryun's Mangekyō Sharingan flashed, and with just a glance, Pakura fell under his genjutsu, collapsing. Chiyo quickly caught her. Pakura couldn't afford to be hurt—she was Sunagakure's last hope!
Rasa was crippled, and Chiron, though capable, was far weaker than Pakura. Now, Pakura was the only one who could shoulder Sunagakure's burdens.
"Hokage-sama! This is unacceptable!" Chiyo gritted her teeth as she stared at Hiruzen.
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