Such a commercial contract is not legal internationally, and it will not be protected by proper laws.
The same applies in diplomacy.
Shikaku did not panic but instead took out a letter from his bosom.
"This is a letter from the Daimyo to Your Highness, please take a look."
The Witch beside him walked over, took the letter from Shikaku's hand, and then went behind the curtain to deliver the Daimyo of the Land of Fire's letter to Shion.
Shion stealthily picked up a piece of icy dessert and ate it, enjoying the exquisite pleasure of a cold treat in summer.
After reading the letter, the general content was as she expected.
"I see, I roughly understand the situation now. The request is reasonable enough, after all, most of these people bear guilt in the international community. However, why hand over the Uzumaki Clan? As far as I know, the Uzumaki Clan are refugees from the Land of Whirlpools, which disappeared in the wars, and neither belong to the Land of Fire nor Konoha. Why hand them over?"
Shikaku's face showed no shame, although he indeed felt ashamed inside, his superiors required him to speak as such.
If the attitude of the Land of Whirlpools and the Uzumaki Clan toward the Land of Fire and Konoha is as steadfast as before, Shikaku thinks that such a suggestion is without blame.
However, the so-called 'alliance' had already torn apart a long time ago.
The alliance made with the Land of Whirlpools and the Uzumaki Clan had long been lost in the river of history, appearing powerless.
"The Land of Whirlpools and the Uzumaki Clan have historically been our most solid allies in the Land of Fire and Konoha. This friendship was established from the era of a nation and a village. Therefore, through the consensus of the Daimyo and the Hokage, we plan to allocate a piece of land within the Land of Fire for the Uzumaki Clan to rest and recuperate."
"Is that so?"
Shion made no evaluation but calmly responded with this line.
"Yes, what does Your Highness think? Agree or..."
Shikaku raised his head and focused on looking behind the curtain toward Shion.
But with the curtain and screen as barriers, he couldn't accurately see the other party's visage, nor could he gauge her intentions from her expression and eyes.
Such caution indeed. Shikaku thought to himself.
"Although I personally think your request is reasonable, the fact is that I cannot make it happen on my side either."
Shion answered.
"Why?"
"Because according to the rules, the Witch of the Land of Demons, before turning sixteen, cannot interfere with political affairs. This means my opinion can serve as a reference for officials at all levels in the Land of Demons, but the final decision-making power does not rest with me."
Shion replied.
"Before sixteen... unable to participate in politics?"
Shikaku frowned.
He knew Shion was likely to refuse, but he did not expect the reason to be so pure and unconventional.
In other words, before she turns sixteen, she has no authority to decide on any matters within the Land of Demons.
"Your Highness, as far as I know, there were no such rules in the Land of Demons in the past."
"That's true because the rule was established eight years ago, it's normal for outsiders not to know if they don't specifically pay attention to such things."
"Eight years ago?"
"Yes, it was established by the previous Witch Mire, who is my mother. Before turning sixteen, I have no right to participate in politics. The only authority I have is to preside over the ceremonies during rituals."
Shion explained.
The Witch is a symbol of divine power; although the so-called divine power is not truly granted by the gods, the Witch of the Land of Demons is inherently a deified existence and has guarded this country for a thousand years.
Whether passive or active, this is an undisputed fact.
"So, if the envoy has any objections to this rule of the Land of Demons, you can discuss it with my mother and have her change it."
"..." Shikaku didn't know how many times he had taken a deep breath today before continuing to ask, "Then, in the Land of Demons, can some official in charge of this aspect be introduced to me, Your Highness?"
Shion remained silent.
The Witch beside her looked at Shikaku with a subtle expression.
Needless to say about the military and Security Team, although in the Land of Demons, many important departments are still held by the original officials of the Land of Demons, but now the ones managing the country's finances behind the scenes are the Uchiha Clan.
To move against the Uchiha Clan is to heavily impact the Shion Flower Merchants Association, a culmination of the efforts of countless officials and merchants in the Land of Demons, and to imagine the hit commercial and industrial outputs would take is not difficult.
It would directly plummet the Land of Demons' standard of living back to the poverty-stricken days before the industrial and commercial reforms conducted over a decade ago, which is not impossible.
A major nation failing might find a comeback possible.
But should a minor country be defeated, the Land of Rain is the best example; though the Third Ninja World War ended years ago, it continues to grapple with poverty.
Shikaku also remained silent, upon seeing the subtle look from the Witch, he was reminded of a very bad possibility.
It was that the people who could really call the shots in the Land of Demons now were Chiba Hakushi and the other two.
In other words, realizing after going round and round, that the real decision-makers in the Land of Demons now were their very own three S-class Renegade Ninjas from Konoha?
What a matter is this? Shikaku sighed in his heart.
Shion blocked everything he was about to say next.
Before sixteen, unable to participate in politics.