The number was astronomical. It was enough to fund a minor village for a decade but for Konoha it is half of their annual budget.
Kushina listened to the Raikage as if it didn't concern her. She was already told beforehand that to rebuild the Uzushiogakure it costs money. Kumo needed resources to rebuild, they couldn't just print money or take out money from their pockets; they had to bleed it out of their enemy. By crippling Konoha's treasury, they were ensuring that Uzushiogakure's about-to-be greatest 'enemy' would be too broke to interfere with village's development and Kumo's expansion and it will give us a breathing space.
Still, hearing who felt like a kin speak of her death so casually... a small part of her heart withered.
Danzo let out a dry, forced laugh. "You don't mean that, Raikage. Five billion? You're asking for the moon."
The Raikage didn't laugh. "Oh, I'm quite serious. And there's more. We've placed a Kumo seal on top of her existing Eight trigrams seal. With Konoha's 'expertise,' I'm sure you can crack it... eventually. It should take about six months of constant work. Of course, if you want the Key to unlock it instantly that will be another two billion Ryo."
Danzo's jaw tightened. They were being squeezed, and they both knew it.
By now, the group had reached the final stretch. The Hokage Tower loomed ahead, A team of Konoha medics stood waiting, and in the center of the plaza stood a young boy.
Kaien.
Inside the boy's mind, Inoichi Yamanaka was sweating. He was sifting through the data Katsuyu had provided... memories of Kaien's speech patterns, his preference for formal grammar, his unnerving maturity. Inoichi adjusted the boy's posture, making him stand straight, shoulders back, eyes clear and focused.
Aya couldn't contain herself any longer. The moment she saw her son, the Lightning Cloak erupted around her. She was a blur of motion, a bolt of sapphire light dashing toward the boy.
Tsunade, anticipating the move, vanished in a flicker of Shunshin. She reappeared directly in Aya's path, her feet digging into the dirt as she blocked the way. "Oww... not so fast," Tsunade said, her voice almost joking.
Aya snarled, her fingers twitching, but her eyes were locked on Kaien.
Inoichi, sensing the moment of truth, stepped forward. He used Kaien's vocal cords to produce a voice that was calm, steady, and hauntingly mature. "It is okay, mother," the boy said, his eyes meeting Aya's with an artificial warmth as a kid would look at his mother. "Now that I am here, there is nothing to worry about."
Tsunade felt a cold sweat prickle her neck. It was a perfect performance. She held her breath, watching Aya's face if she caught anything.
Aya's fists clenched, the lightning around her flickering and then dying down. A long breath escaped her lungs. The weight that had been crushing her chest for a week seemed to lift after seeing Kaien safe.
"Kaien..." she whispered.
The Raikage stepped up behind her, his heavy hand landing on her shoulder. He looked at the boy, then at Danzo, then at Tsunade. A predatory glint remained in his eyes. He wasn't done.
"Good," the Raikage said, his voice booming across the plaza. "The boy looks well. Now, let's settle the rest of the bill. We've discussed the jinchuriki. But we haven't discussed the Yellow Flash."
"How much are you willing to pay for the life of your golden boy? He's quite the prize, isn't he? Capable of ending wars on his own. We could kill him right here, right now with the cursed blood, and save ourselves a lot of future trouble. I think... two billion Ryo is a fair price for his life."
Danzo looked as if he were about to explode. "You are pushing your luck, A."
The Raikage shrugged, a massive, mountain-moving gesture. "Am I? I think I'm being generous. But, I'll tell you what. If Konoha is feeling a bit... light in the pockets... we are willing to negotiate. We'll waive the fee for the Yellow Flash in exchange for something else. Something in your archives."
He leaned in closer to Danzo, his grin turning sharp enough to draw blood.
"Give us the scroll for the Forbidden Technique: the Reanimation Jutsu. Do that, and Minato Namikaze walks back to his apartment and he can finally sleep. Look at his eye bags it seems he couldn't sleep for the past 2 days, maybe it was a fear for his life."
"You're overstepping, Raikage," Danzo's voice dropped to a dangerous growl.
"Am I?" the Raikage countered, his own voice booming. "I'm doing you a courtesy by not leveling this village where it stands. I kept the news of Kushina's capture quiet; do you honestly believe Konoha would still be on the map if the rest of the world knew how vulnerable you've become? Consider this my mercy."
Danzo's eye narrowed, his posture stiffening. "Your grandson is still within our walls, A. Do not force my hand."
The Raikage's expression darkened. "Don't you dare use Kaien's name as a threat against me." He stepped closer, the air heavy with killing intent. "Here is the price: ten billion ryo or an equivalent exchange in forbidden scrolls. You have twenty-four hours to decide. Until then, we aren't leaving Konoha. And find someone to show us the sights... I have no intention of rotting in a waiting room."
He shot a pointed, knowing look toward Renga and Mabui. On the surface, it looked like a request for a stroll; in reality, it was a tactical strike. By walking the grounds, they were effectively 'tagging' the village.
With the Heavenly Transfer Technique at their disposal, the Kumo father and daughter duo could relocate back into the heart of Konoha at anytime in the future. It was a Trojan Horse disguised as a sightseeing tour. Despite knowing the village was under constant surveillance by Katsuyu's clones they didn't care.
Danzo's jaw tightened. He had been backed into a corner.
"Tsunade," Danzo barked, not looking away from the Raikage. "Take them to the Academy, the restaurants, the tourist spots. Just get them out of my sight."
~~
A/N: Kumo thinks Kaien looks safe and sound and they didn't allow Aya/ The Raikage to get too close lest they find out.
Kumo sets their eyes on Konoha's forbidden techniques. With Danzo and his funding root and the continuous war, bled their accounts too much.
Kumo's proposal: Kaien <-> Nine tails. Kushina's life <-> 5 billion. Benihime placed a an additional seal, the key <-> 3 billion. And Minato's life <-> 2 billion.
Alot of fiscal budget would reduce if they get the money... since Kumo has taken up the responsibility of rebuilding their vassal state. "land of Whirlpools". Ofcourse nothing is free, they will extract their worth.
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