"Mu is dead? How did he die?" Madara Uchiha raised an eyebrow. Mu's Dust Release was quite remarkable back in the day, instantly activating with a mere push of his hands.
He was considered half a T0 level powerhouse. It was unexpected and regrettable that he died.
Ōnoki directed a hateful gaze at Yagura, who simply glanced back at him, completely unconcerned.
"The Second Mizukage, the one with the mustache, ambushed him. So, technically, my Iwagakure still has unfinished business with Kirigakure." Ōnoki's voice trembled.
"Heh, such imposing manner, Tsuchikage-sama. I haven't even settled the score with you about how your Second Tsuchikage Mu ambushed and assassinated our Lord Gengetsu Hōzuki, and here you are barking first!" Yagura's strength might be unknown, but his skill with words was certainly not lacking; he wasn't about to indulge this little potato.
Ōnoki immediately slammed the table. "Bastard! If you're unconvinced, then fight me! If I don't beat you to a pulp, my name isn't Ōnoki!"
"Ōnoki, please mind your manners. This is Konoha, not Iwagakure!" Ryun glared fiercely at Ōnoki.
"Exactly. A child remains a child. No matter how many years pass, your strength hasn't increased much, but your temper certainly has." Madara Uchiha stood by his grandson.
Ōnoki immediately deflated, though hatred still burned in his eyes as he looked at Yagura.
Yagura also wore an expression of indifference. Now that Kirigakure's two tailed beasts were both in Konoha, so what if he got beaten up? Konoha couldn't just stand by and do nothing, right?
Indeed, that was the case. Ryun would not allow the Tsuchikage and Yagura to come to blows, especially in Konoha, and especially the day before his wedding.
Even if Ōnoki were to launch an attack on Kirigakure in the future, Konoha would most likely help Kirigakure and deal with Iwagakure.
Since ancient times, the strategy has always been to support the weak to fight the strong, thereby weakening the strong and containing the weak. This is the capitalist approach, and Konoha had considerable assets.
Ōnoki, however, thought to himself, 'I might not be able to defeat Ryun or Madara Uchiha, but can't I handle your declining Kirigakure?' The Raikage did not speak, instead watching the spectacle with amusement, fervently hoping in his heart that they would start fighting.
If Iwagakure sends troops to attack Kirigakure, then my Kumogakure will definitely attack you, Iwagakure!
Ōnoki glanced at the Third Raikage, A, and felt a chill. It was precisely because of this bastard's presence, blocking the way, that he couldn't choose to avenge his master and wipe out Kirigakure.
Now, having thought it through, he suddenly lost his temper and looked at Ryun. "Iwagakure has no objections." As he spoke, he glanced at Madara Uchiha.
Madara Uchiha nodded, which finally let Ōnoki's hanging heart fall to the ground. Then, he looked at Ryun with some expectation. 'You even protected Sunagakure, surely you won't leave out my Iwagakure?'
Ryun smiled and took out two more agreements, handing them to Ōnoki. Ōnoki took them, looked at the Iwagakure agreement: one hundred million ryo per year, for ten years! Damn it, Ryun, you little brat, are you robbing us?
He looked up, incredulous, also curious how Sunagakure could possibly afford this. Ryun wasn't in a hurry and signaled him to look at the other agreement.
Though puzzled, Ōnoki opened the second one. Kumogakure: three hundred million ryo per year, for ten years. Instantly, he straightened his back, no longer feeling it was excessive. Then he looked at the protection clause within.
Suddenly, he felt that a hundred million a year wasn't a loss. After all, Iwagakure was rich in mineral resources; this amount of money wasn't much.
But if Kumogakure didn't buy in... heh, then he would send troops to attack Kumogakure. By then, Konoha and Sunagakure would be his allies. What could you, the Third Raikage, do then? So what if you can withstand tailed beasts? Trash!
"Iwagakure has no objections." He said, stamping the Tsuchikage's seal on it and then signing his name.
Ryun's eyes lit up. A big client! Next, Ryun intended to lecture Kirigakure, but Yagura cut him off. "Stop. I don't want to hear all that. Just tell me how much per year and for how long. I'll pay."
"Still the Mizukage is straightforward." Ryun handed over an agreement stating one hundred million ryo per year for ten years, with Konoha providing protection services. Without another word, Yagura took out the Mizukage's seal and signed.
"In the future, I hope the Hokage will uphold justice and protect my weak Kirigakure." Yagura didn't look pained, just relieved.
"Naturally!" Ryun laughed heartily. The Third Raikage, sitting by the door, felt a panic. What did this mean? Why did they all have Ryun and Konoha's protection?
Why didn't our Kumogakure have any? This was not a good sign. If the four nations united to attack Kumogakure, could any egg remain intact under an overturned nest?
So he quickly stood up and asked, "Might I ask, Hokage-sama, is there an alliance agreement for my Kumogakure?"
Ryun's laughter stopped abruptly. He looked at the Fourth Raikage, A, expressionless.
The Third Raikage's pupils constricted. Then and there, he gave his son, A, a loud slap across the face.
Slap! A crisp sound echoed throughout the private room. Even A was stunned!
"Old man, you... you hit me? Why?" A looked bewildered at the Third Raikage.
"You beast! All you do all day is chase after women. How dare you covet a woman from the Uchiha clan? How dare you touch a woman from Konoha? Apologize to the Hokage immediately!" The Third Raikage's face was red with anger.
"I—!" A initially wanted to talk back, to act recklessly, but then he noticed the other three Kage were looking at him with smiles, their eyes filled with anticipation, as if hoping he would say something outrageous.
The Third Raikage was almost frantic with anxiety! He gave him another slap, demanding he apologize.
A took a deep breath, then bowed and said loudly, "I was wrong, Hokage-sama. I should not have been swayed by lust. Please forgive me!"
The other three Kage looked regretful, sighing as if in disappointment. The Third Raikage, however, breathed a sigh of relief and looked pleadingly at Ryun.
Ryun smiled. "It's just youthful impulsiveness. More discipline will suffice. Of course, Raikage-sama, you have one too."
He threw the agreement to the Third Raikage instead of handing it over, clearly showing his dissatisfaction. But the Third Raikage didn't dare get angry.
Seeing the amount—three hundred million ryo per year for 10 years—his heart trembled. He looked up at Ryun, who was chatting and laughing happily with Ōnoki.
Finally, the Third Raikage gritted his teeth, stamped the Raikage's seal, and signed.
Seeing this, a smile appeared on Ryun's lips. Just from these agreement fees alone, Konoha was making a huge profit. Konoha hadn't actually given anything substantial, merely maintaining stability among the five great nations.
And yet, it could gain so much. Ah, what was one to do?
Then, Ryun looked at Seifū and Meigetsu. The two nodded, having recorded everything that happened today and safely stored the agreements. Next was the meal serving phase!
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