The Third Raikage, wreathed in lightning, charged across the sea surface.
It seemed he could cross the several hundred-meter distance in just two steps.
However, the Kumo-nin on the ship quickly noticed the Third Raikage's speed rapidly decreasing.
They could actually track the Third Raikage's figure with their eyes!
This was absolutely impossible before; they couldn't even see his afterimage.
The closer he got to the shore, the slower the Third Raikage became.
Darui pointed at the sea surface and said, "That water mist is problematic!"
A large, faint mist had appeared near the shore. It was that mist; the moment the Third Raikage contacted it, his speed plummeted.
The Third Raikage seemed to be encountering powerful resistance.
At that moment, a fish leaping out of the sea entered everyone's field of vision.
The fish actually became suspended in the faint mist.
A terrifying resistance had appeared within the mist, sticky as glue, solidify the fish in place within the mist.
No one had seen this secret technique before. What ability was this?
Finally, the Third Raikage came to a stop on the beach.
He could rush in front of the Konoha ninja, but his speed was greatly reduced, robbing him of any deterrence.
He had considered Fox using Wood Release against him, thought about Fox using Earth Release, but Fox had pulled out a new secret technique.
This brand-new technique actually negated his greatest advantage: speed.
Seeing Nara Rokaku's calm demeanor, the Raikage knew that if a real fight broke out, he would likely be the one at a disadvantage.
Seeing the Third Raikage calm down, Yōkō lowered his hands.
Absolute Resistance: Crystal Mist could create suspended, crystallized Water Release chakra in the air, generating massive resistance to slow down all attacks.
The faster the speed, the greater the resistance.
Moving slower instead resulted in less resistance.
Nara Rokaku saoid, "Lord Raikage, may we begin the negotiations?"
The Raikage shot a fierce glare at Fox, then silently walked towards a pavilion on the shore.
That pavilion waso the agreed-upon meeting place for both sides.
Some time later, oover ten Kumo-nin hurried over from the pier.
Advisor Darui was prepared to endure humiliation for Kumogakure's sake. He said to Nara Rokaku in a friendly tone:
"Lord Rokaku, Lord Raikage is always like this, unable to control his temper."
"We've already changed ships three times on the way here; the first two were destroyed due to the Raikage's terrible temper."
Nara Rokaku smiled and said, "I've long heard of Lord Raikage's fiery temper. Let's go, let's proceed with the peace talks."
The Konoha and Kuomo-nin representatives entered the top floor of the pavilion.
The top floor had a roof supported by pillars, with no walls on any side.
It was an excellent spot for viewing the seaside scenery. The morning sun and evening glow, their brilliant light shining into the pavilion, must be beautiful.
Although there was no morning sun or evening glow at the moment, the vista of the azure sea, blue sky, and white clouds was vast and open.
However, the new Daoimyō of the Land of Hot Water, sitting in the main seat, looked panicked, held his breath, and dared not look at the scenery outside the pavilion.
He kept his head down, pretending to look at the scrolls on the table.
The Third Raikage, sitting to the side, was tall, dark-skinned, and heavily muscled, making the new Daimyō uneasy.
After everyone was seated, the new Daimyō coughed and said:
"Regarding the recent war surrounding the Land of Hot Water, I believe it's time for a resolution."
The Daimyō glanced at Nara Rokaku and, following his prior instructions, mustered his courage to say:
"Before the peace talks, Kumogakure must give the Land of Hot Water an explanation. Where did you take my uncle, the previous Daimyō?"
"Your uncle?" The Third Raikage's voice was like a roar:
"Your uncle was executed by Konoha! Executed, understand?"
"During the early stages when the battle situation was slightly unfavorable for Konoha, their Guardian Ninja abandoned your Land of Hot Water."
"It was only then that our Kumogakure took over the protection of your uncle."
"Later, Konoha drove us out. Konoha blamed your uncle for siding with us, so they executed him!"
"It's like blaming a young girl for not resisting a rapist. Konoha is always so hypocritical, it's nauseating."
The Daimyō trembled, not daring to say anything, and could only look at Nara Rokaku with his eyes.
Nara Rokaku frowned and said, "Third Raikage, do not slander Konoha without evidence."
"After killing the Two-Tails, Omoi, and Dodai, the situation was already very stable for us."
"We even killed the Two-Tails. We would be busy protecting the Daimyō, how could we possibly target him?"
"It was your lurking spies who acted, abducting the former Daimyō, even killing him."
"I have formally informed the Daimyō of the Land of Fire and the Land of Lightning of your actions."
"We should maintain at least a basic respect for the Daimyōs of all nations, don't you agree, Raikage?"
The new Daimyō nodded repeatedly.
Their royal family held the same opinion internally; Konoha had absolutely no reason to move against his uncle.
The muscle-headed ninja of Kumogakure often acted impulsively; it must have been the Kumo-nin who did it.
"You!" The Third Raikage slammed his fist onto the table in front of him, smashing it to pieces.
Fragments chipped from the stone tabletop shot towards the Daimyō.
Just as Darui was about to block those stone fragments, he saw them slowly decelerate and stop, suspended in the faint mist in the air.
He quickly looked at Fox.
Fox was forming hand seals.
What kind of secret technique was that? Why could the faint mist it created generate such immense resistance?
Yōkō dispersed the Crystal Mist, and the stone fragments clattered to the floor, making crisp sounds.
Nara Rokaku said, "Lord Raikage, impotent rage is of no benefit to the peace talks."
Lightning flickered around the Third Raikage's body as he was about to erupt again.
Darui hurriedly spoke before the Third Raikage could:
"Lord Rokaku, what benefit is there for the peace talks in provoking the Raikage?"
Nara Rokaku said, "Your Kumogakure took advantage of Uchiha Madara's attack on Konoha to kick us when we were down and invade the Land of Hot Water."
"You also inspired with Iwagakure to murder Advisor Shinnosuke."
"It's not me provoking you; your losses are all deserved, brought upon yourselves."
"The first two Great Shinobi Wars have proven, and future wars will continue to prove, that provoking Konoha leads only to death."
"Uchiha Madara is strong, Konoha did suffer a blow, but that blow is insignificant to Konoha."
"No matter how weak Konoha is, we can still pick up any village and deal with it."
"If you want to fight, Raikage, you don't need to smash tables and glare here. If you want to fight, then fight. Fight for as long as you want. Konoha has plenty of methods."
"I hope your Eight-Tails Jinchūriki is stronger than Ryūjin. Otherwise, the Eight-Tails will die too."
"If you don't want to fight, then listen to me obediently."
Darui, prepared to shoulder the blame, spoke before the Raikage: "Lord Rokaku, please present your peace agreement proposal."
The new Daimyō saw the Kumo-nin were furious, but no one stepped forward to act the troublemaker.
Even the Third Raikage did not interrupt the negotiations between Darui and Nara Rokaku.
Nara Rokaku completely held the initiative.
Kumogakure would pay 400 million Ryo in reparations to Konoha and 300 million Ryo to the Land of Hot Water.
Both sides pledged not to enter each other's vassal states. Konoha would cease attacks on the Land of the Moon, and Kumogakure would not enter the Land of Hot Water.
Additionally, Kumogakure must withdraw its spies from within the Land of Hot Water.
With the peace talks concluded, Nara Rokaku and Yōkō stood together by the pavilion railing, watching the Kumo-nin delegation depart by ship.
Yōkō thought to himself that the matter of the Land of Hot Water was finally over. It was time to return to the village and strive for the position of Anbu Minister.
And also the Scroll of Seals, the Eight Gates, and other secret techniques.
***
Dive deeper into the story with 50+ advance chapters, available now on Patreon!patreon.com/CNBLUE
If you're enjoying the novel, please consider leaving a review. Your support is crucial and helps the story grow immensely. Thank you!
(End of Chapter)