Shikaku explained with a bitter smile, "Being rejected by that witch princess, all we can do is enjoy some good food here to dispel our gloomy mood."
Besides, since it's on the village's dime, there's no need to hold back.
Even if diplomatic efforts fail, we still have to eat.
"Isn't that obvious? Whatever you think of, the other side would have already arranged. That man, whether it's medical ninjutsu or doing other things, is excessively cautious."
Tsunade snorted softly.
Thinking about it made Tsunade feel displeased again.
Shikaku remained silent for a while; he didn't know much about Hakushi's intelligence.
Much of the information was left from decades ago, and after so many years, it's impossible to accurately judge the other party's style or strength.
The most crucial point is that he didn't have much interaction with Hakushi in the past, only limited to knowing of this person.
And he only knew because Hakushi had a good relationship with Tsunade as teacher and student, had close interactions with the geniuses of the Uchiha Clan, and was the medical unit in the White Fang Squad.
Besides that, there didn't seem to be anything noteworthy.
"Then, what brings the old man to send me here, certainly not to cooperate with you three kids? Let me be clear; if it's a fight, don't involve me. If there's a hidden illness in the body, I might take a look."
After listening to Tsunade, the three faces of Shikaku and the others looked quite embarrassed. What does she mean by a hidden illness?
Their three children were already attending the Ninja School, so how could there be any hidden illnesses?
Shikaku coughed and said, "It's nothing really, actually, I failed to negotiate with the witch before, and I hope the village can send a more significant figure to negotiate here with the witch. After thinking it over, only Tsunade-sama fits this criterion."
It's unlikely that the village leadership will send someone of high rank as a messenger to the Land of Demons.
And as the Jonin Squad Leader of Konoha, he had failed in negotiations, making another Sannin the primary choice.
"Even if I come, nothing can be changed. You are the Jonin tactician of the village. If you can't do anything, I certainly wouldn't have a solution."
Tsunade poured herself a drink, took a sip, and squinted at Shikaku.
"Where there's a will, there's a way."
Shikaku smiled naturally.
Tsunade didn't avert her gaze but kept staring at Shikaku's face, as if trying to read something from it.
The previously calm and composed Shikaku, upon being stared at by Tsunade, felt a strong sensation of pressure. His expression became somewhat tense and unnatural.
"What's wrong, Tsunade-sama?"
"Nothing." Tsunade withdrew her gaze, put down her cup, and turned to the seated Shizune, saying, "Shizune, let's go."
"Eh?"
Shizune was stunned. They had just arrived, why leave now?
"Suddenly I don't feel like eating." Tsunade stood up and walked towards the room's door with Shizune.
Just as they were about to leave, she paused and left a message:
"I won't be leaving here temporarily; if there's something, you can find me at the inn, but the rest of this matter you need to solve yourselves, I'm not interested in your internal power struggles."
"Okay."
Shikaku smiled bitterly.
Indeed, such petty tricks can't deceive a ninja of the Sannin level.
Even if they don't comprehend initially, once the words are said, a little thought will certainly clarify the village's manipulations.
However, this struggle isn't only about the front-line battlefield of the Land of Wind; even here in the Land of Demons, they need to provide decisive intelligence for the frontline assault troops.
If negotiations with the witch fail, the frontline battlefield becomes the critical factor for victory.
For Konoha, this surprise attack must succeed.
◎
The next morning.
Shizune returned to the inn after buying breakfast outside; just as she was about to open the door with the key, someone called to her, causing her to stop:
"You're Shizune, aren't you? How you've grown so much in a blink of an eye."
Shizune hadn't noticed someone approaching her; she quickly leapt to the side and assumed a defensive stance, staring intently at the arrival.
Upon seeing the uninvited guest's appearance, Shizune was taken aback.
"You are..."
To say she didn't recognize the person was untrue because during her time at the Konoha Ninja School, acting as Tsunade's teaching assistant, she'd seen this person before, who had a complicated relationship with Hakushi.
Hyuga Ayane.
The name suddenly surfaced in her mind.
Shizune's expression became slightly tense.
Although the opponent's appearance hadn't changed much since leaving Konoha over a decade ago, the gentle smile constantly on her face or those distinct Byakugan without a doubt confirmed her identity.
A renegade ninja who left Konoha with Hakushi over a decade ago, broke the Hyuga Clan's Caged Bird Jutsu, led parts of the Hyuga Branch Family to defect, and killed many Konoha pursuers in the chase.
Her betrayal once caused discord between the Hyuga Clan and the village leadership.
It was only after the village's leadership made great efforts to negotiate that the mutual trust crisis between the two parties was salvaged.
Yet, her betrayal led to significant losses for Konoha during the Third Ninja Realm War, a fact that stands.