Minato Namikaze asked him what he wanted. To be honest, Shinra wanted too many things.
The Land of Rain was in turmoil and poverty, lacking everything.
Shinra couldn't find a way to learn any ninjutsu above B-rank.
However, reason reminded him: after all, he couldn't stimulate the other party too much.
If the talks really broke down, it might turn into a scene like "I attacked the Yellow Flash? Is that true?!"
If he could have ignored everything, Shinra would have killed Obito at the very beginning.
It was a pity that he couldn't be killed.
How to grasp the balance in between, and how to gain the maximum benefit for himself without breaking up, was also a difficult test for him.
A large amount of information quickly flashed through his mind, and after careful consideration, Shinra finally spoke.
"Mr. Namikaze Minato, since you said you came to confirm the Rain Country's attitude, I also need your promise. I need you to draft a formal written statement acknowledging the Rain Country's status as a neutral country in this Ninja World War and promising that Konoha will notify the Rain Village in advance of any cross-border missions in the future.
As long as you keep your promise, we Rain Ninja will not be enemies with Konoha.
But if you do not keep your promise and send ninjas into the Rain Country without notification, we will have the right to directly kill these Konoha ninjas.
And the responsibility for the killing caused by this reason will not be our Rain Ninja."
After careful consideration, Shinra finally suppressed his inner greed and did not ask for risky advanced ninjutsu such as Flying Thunder God.
Instead, he chose to ask Minato Namikaze for a statement.
What he was exploiting was Konoha's current difficult situation and their unwillingness to go to war with the Land of Rain along with Minato Namikaze's identity, which was very easy to use as leverage!
Shinra had not forgotten that in the destined ending, the two most crucial people who caused the destruction of him and the Akatsuki Organization were Hanzō, the current leader of the Land of Rain, and Danzō Shimura of Konoha!
This was why so many of his predicted deaths revealed by the system were related to Konoha!
Therefore, what he was doing now was laying the groundwork to counter Danzō in advance!
He didn't expect that this statement could completely stop Root from causing trouble, but with this statement, he could take the initiative and kill any Root ninja who entered the Land of Rain without permission!
And he wouldn't have to worry about dragging all of Konoha into conflict while secretly fighting with Root.
As for Konoha refusing to recognize him? That was where Minato Namikaze's identity came into play
Minato was the candidate most favored to become the next Hokage, unanimously supported by Konoha's top leaders except Danzō, and especially favored by Sarutobi Hiruzen!
When Shinra spread this statement, he would make sure to emphasize Minato Namikaze's identity!
Maybe he could even take the opportunity to sow discord between Danzō and the other Konoha high-ranking officials.
It was like killing two birds with one stone!
This was the key that could truly break the shackles of fate!
For this, Shinra was willing to give up the chance to blackmail for powerful ninjutsu.
More importantly, this condition would not arouse Minato Namikaze's disgust at all, and it would maximize his and Konan's current safety.
Minato Namikaze, who lacked long-term vision, obviously couldn't anticipate the impact of this statement. He even felt like he was breathing a sigh of relief.
Now that Konoha was under attack from all sides, it had no intention of targeting the Land of Rain. Recognizing the other party's neutral position would not harm Konoha's interests at least, that was how Minato judged it.
He could never have guessed that one elder in his own village, a man who loved to stir up trouble everywhere, would one day be so furious because of this statement that he would nearly cough up blood.
For now, Minato even felt that the boy before him was quite "easy to talk to."
Minato explained apologetically, "My promise may not necessarily represent the final will of the village. Is it really okay for me to issue a statement in my own name?"
Shinra affirmed, "I am very optimistic about your future. I believe you will definitely become the next Hokage! Just publish it in your name this is my bet on you."
When you are far from home, sometimes your identity can be defined by yourself.
When Shinra promoted Minato just now, he already knew Minato was destined to be the next Hokage. Could that old thief Sarutobi really step in to stop him?
Moreover, based on Shinra's judgment of Sarutobi Hiruzen's character, once the influence spread in the future, the Third Hokage would most likely choose to acquiesce.
After all, for the sake of peace, the Hokage could even tolerate the Hidden Cloud kidnapping the Hyūga princess right inside Konoha. Now that the matter was done, there was a high probability the Third Hokage would suffer a loss and accept the consequences!
Minato Namikaze obviously couldn't guess these vicious thoughts. At this moment, he even began to think that Shinra was a rather decent person.
"Do you have any paper? If not, I can ask my companion to provide you with white paper to write on."
Shinra said this as he turned to look at Konan.
Konan obediently took out a piece of white paper from her body and handed it to him without a word.
Minato shook his head politely. "No need, I have a blank scroll with me."
After confirming that Shinra had no intention of blackmailing them, Minato's attitude softened considerably.
But Shinra would not let down his guard, nor forget to prepare a backup plan.
Seeing Minato take out the scroll, Shinra calmly handed the white paper back to Konan.
But the moment Konan took the paper back, his fingers paused slightly.
The paper she handed to Shinra was pure white.
But now there was an extra line of tiny words on the returned sheet:
Immediately use the paper butterflies to notify Nagato to come to the border woods!
Of course, Shinra knew Minato was a good man but he could never gamble his entire life on the kindness of another.
The only reason both sides were at peace right now was because Konan still controlled Rin.
But once the hostage was released, they would have no way to protect themselves before Minato Namikaze!
Fourteen-year-old Konan could not match an adult Minato, and neither could he.
So they needed backup.
Minato soon finished writing the scroll and tossed it over.
After confirming its contents, Shinra said calmly, "Next, please follow us to the border. Once we confirm you've left the Land of Rain, we'll release your companion immediately."
This was, of course, a stalling tactic meant to delay until Nagato arrived.
Whether fourteen-year-old Nagato could truly stop Minato was uncertain, but at the very least, the Rinnegan could serve as intimidation.
"Hey, you bastard! Sensei already wrote everything you asked for, so why don't you release Rin right now?!"
Obviously, that was Obito shouting. But Shinra didn't even bother acknowledging him.
He simply gave him a look that said, I don't waste words on fools. Obito's teeth ground in fury, but there was nothing he could do.
Minato glanced at Konan beside him. Calm on the surface, but inwardly, he had already guessed what was going on.
"It seems you have concerns as well. Fine, let's do as you say. We'll return to the border together now."
At this moment, Kakashi, who had been silent the whole time, suddenly spoke.
What he said nearly sparked a civil war on the spot forcing Obito to leap up, ready to duel him then and there.
Kakashi asked, "Sensei, then… what about our mission?"
"Damn it, Kakashi! You're still thinking about the mission right now?! Rin is still in that paper woman's hands! You ! You're nothing but a cold-blooded beast!"
Watching Kakashi's indifferent expression and Obito jumping up and down in fury like a child, Shinra couldn't help but laugh again.
He hadn't expected such a bonus gift.
By this point, he was no longer worried about Kakashi's obsession with duty.
Because he knew the one truly making the decisions here was Minato and Minato had already agreed to his terms.
But seeing Kakashi's stubborn, awkward, and unreasonable look, Shinra couldn't help but reveal the same dark smile as Kotomine Kirei.
This was really so much fun.