Ruri seemed to transform into a vessel akin to the Gedo Statue. A surge of chakra with powerful suction force erupted from his mouth, shooting straight toward the Seven-Tails.
The Seven-Tails instinctively sensed danger and tried to evade, but it was unable to, still weakened from just breaking the seal.
Firmly gripped by Ruri's chakra, the Seven-Tails was instantly entangled by chakra dragons that materialized from the energy. They coiled around it, pulling it bit by bit toward Ruri.
"Roar!" The Seven-Tails let out agonized roars. Not only was its entire body being pulled, but its internal chakra was also constantly leaking out. Crimson red chakra, representative of Tailed Beast chakra, flowed along the chakra dragons into Ruri's body.
"Is this... a sealing technique?"
"Does the Takikage also master such a powerful sealing technique?"
"So this is his true capability...I'm afraid no one in the shinobi world has reached his level in sealing techniques..."
"Could the Uzumaki clan do this?No... probably only my late second grandfather in the Uzumaki clan could perform a sealing technique of this magnitude..."
Shock. The only thing left for the Five Kage was shock. Including Hashirama, they had all battled Tailed Beasts before. Defeating one wasn't overly difficult for shinobi of their caliber; the challenge lay in the fact that Tailed Beasts couldn't be completely destroyed, only sealed.
There weren't many people in the shinobi world proficient in sealing techniques. Sealing techniques were easy to learn but hard to master. While the use of sealing scrolls could be popularized, mastering techniques to seal chakra or ninjutsu was another matter.
It could be said that aside from the Uzumaki clan, almost no one else was skilled in sealing techniques. Even Hashirama's seals on the Tailed Beasts were merely crude ones relying on Wood Release's suppression of Tailed Beast chakra.
Tobirama watched with a displeased expression as the Seven-Tails was completely absorbed. He had wanted to test the authenticity of Ruri's Wood Release but instead witnessed this unbelievable scene.
Using a sealing technique alone to suppress a Tailed Beast, even sealing it into his own body!
The Seven-Tails Chōmei's chakra was sucked dry, until even its physical form dissolved into chakra and was sealed inside Ruri by the Phantom Dragons Nine Sealing Formation.
Inside Ruri, the Seven-Tails Chōmei was also in agony. "Damn it, this feeling... how can it be like the Ten-Tails?!"
Such rich chakra!
Ruri assessed his own chakra. The Phantom Dragons Nine Sealing Formation had not only directly absorbed part of the Seven-Tails' chakra for his own use but also sealed the Seven-Tails inside him like a battery. The seal gave him the sensation that whenever his chakra was low, he could simply make a withdrawal from the Seven-Tails...
Truly a top-tier sealing technique, Ruri couldn't help but marvel. This was far stronger than seals like the Four Symbols Seal or the Eight Trigrams Seal. It not only sealed the Tailed Beast but also utilized it directly, making him a perfect Jinchūriki!
Feeling the vigorous chakra within him, Ruri suddenly felt a desire to fight Hashirama. What shinobi wouldn't want a fight against Hashirama after becoming stronger?
Moreover, in this era, there were no Jinchūriki yet. No one knew what changes would occur from sealing a Tailed Beast inside a person. Perhaps he could use the Seven-Tails' chakra to catch Hashirama off guard and make him suffer a bit?
"Let's continue discussing matters of cooperation!"
Hashirama's cheerful voice sounded as if nothing had happened. Although he didn't get to see Ruri's Wood Release, that terrifying sealing technique had once again refreshed his understanding of Ruri's strength.
Tobirama stood silently behind Hashirama. His attempt to probe Ruri had failed; Wood Release wasn't provoked. However, he confirmed one thing: Ruri knew Space-Time Ninjutsu. He had memorized the spatial fluctuation that occurred just before Ruri used that fearsome sealing technique.
The cooperation Hashirama mentioned was simple: basic exchange of goods, establishing trade relations between the nations, and demarcating territories to facilitate each village's mission acquisition.
The Land of Water could provide abundant aquatic products and maritime trade. The Land of Earth had various construction materials and workers. The Land of Fire had fertile soil and was a major grain producer. The Land of Lightning had strong financial resources. Even the impoverished Land of Wind could offer unique minerals from the desert.
Although trade sounded simple, during the war-torn Sengoku period, no two countries had engaged in commerce because merchant caravans would be ambushed and looted by enemy shinobi halfway. Only with basic peace could trade occur.
The Five Kage looked at Ruri. If the Land of Waterfall couldn't produce anything worth trading, simple trade would equate to the Five Great Nations unilaterally aiding the Land of Waterfall, undoubtedly putting it in a weak position again.
"As for the Land of Waterfall, it's true we don't have many items of trade value. In terms of resources, we even need assistance from various countries. Moreover, having to purchase the Seven-Tails, the Land of Waterfall really has no spare capacity. I hope everyone can understand."
Ruri seemed completely unconcerned, calmly stating the Land of Waterfall's actual situation.
"In that case, if Lord Takikage is willing to sell the Seven-Tails to us, the Land of Lightning can unconditionally support the commerce and agriculture of the Land of Waterfall."
A said eagerly. Only the financially robust Land of Lightning would dare make such an offer. The Land of Water and Land of Earth had already spent most of their liquid assets on purchasing two Tailed Beasts each.
"Thank you for your kindness, Lord Raikage. The Land of Waterfall is fully capable of being self-sufficient. Moreover, the current development trend of the Land of Waterfall is good; normal trade with everyone is sufficient."
Ruri said with a smile. If it were about money, the wealth accumulated by the Bounty Station definitely exceeded the Land of Lightning's liquid funds, but he didn't dare say that! It was an illicit underground industry.
"But trading with the Land of Waterfall offers us no benefits. Why should we do something without gain?"
Byakuren interjected.
Reto watched from the sidelines. This time, he didn't speak up to help. Ruri hadn't brought up the Hero's Water openly, but he had long coveted it. If he could use this opportunity to get Ruri to trade Hero's Water, that would be perfect.
Ruri certainly understood Reto's meaning. But the Land of Waterfall hadn't accumulated much Hero's Water since its founding. Even the heavily diluted version given to Reto was scarce. How could he possibly offer it as a common trade good?
"Well... haven't we just signed the Shinobi World Peace Agreement? Since we are all allied nations, of course we should help each other! Trading with the Land of Waterfall might not bring you great benefits, but it doesn't harm you either, does it?"
"But—"
"What's there to 'but' about? Besides, trading with the Land of Waterfall can earn you my favor!"
Ruri's words were cheeky. Favor? Who needed that?
"And look, it's not necessarily completely without benefit. The peace treaty is settled, but the Land of Fire's advantage of vast fertile land remains unchanged. If peace lasts for over a decade, allowing the Land of Fire to develop, even to the point where it could potentially challenge all five of us, what would our countries do? This geographical disadvantage..."
The words sounded flippant, but they prompted deep thought among the Kage.
It wasn't that they were judging others by their own standards; shinobi were just a profession steeped in shadows. Coupled with past hostilities, while Hashirama's attitude today was indeed sincere, was something like this really guaranteed by mere attitude?
During an era of shinobi world peace, each country would experience rapid development. During this period, the Land of Fire, possessing the largest area and the most fertile land, held the greatest advantage!
Reaching a point where it could challenge all five wasn't impossible! Even if Hashirama could guarantee no aggression, what about after his death? And currently, Konoha wasn't solely under Hashirama's control; there was also Uchiha Madara, who rivaled him in strength and had immense ambition!