"Is that so?"
In response to Aka's concern, Ryuji simply smiled ambiguously. He handed her the tray and said, "Amegakure's withdrawal does reduce Konoha's pressure, but it doesn't change the overall strategic situation."
Konoha lacked the capacity to fight on two fronts simultaneously. As long as the enemies on the other front weren't reduced to a single small village, the situation remained unchanged.
"Since you have a clear understanding, I am reassured."
"This negotiation will conclude very soon." As Ryuji spoke, he took a corpse from a scroll and placed it on the lab table, beginning to examine and manipulate it.
Seeing her master return to work, Aka did not disturb him further and quietly left the workshop.
Hearing the door close, Ryuji focused his attention on the corpse.
This corpse belonged to the Sensory-type Shinobi among the ten elite Shinobi from the previous four-village alliance attack on Sunagakure.
Creating a Chakra Radar by studying the principles of Sensory-type Shinobi... this was an idea Ryuji had long considered.
However.
What he was doing now was not researching those principles, but creating a Sensory-type puppet.
Developing a Chakra Radar wouldn't be achieved in a short time.
But he was soon heading to Konoha to create a Wood Release Shinobi and exchange them with a specific individual there.
Given the unique nature of Wood Release, the identity of the person being replaced couldn't be careless; a member of the Senju Clan would be best.
This required the help of a Sensory-type Shinobi.
The corpse was here; as long as it was preserved well, research could be done anytime.
But the need for a Sensory-type Shinobi was immediate.
Although Sunagakure had Sensory-type Shinobi, they were too few, and each had their own missions.
Ryuji didn't want to delay them.
Moreover, his mission required secrecy. It was best if only he participated.
The process of creating the puppet was similar to creating the Third Kazekage last time.
But this time, Ryuji didn't need the original owner's identity. He made subtle adjustments to the body structure and cellular composition, changing the appearance to a black-haired, black-eyed youth with ordinary, symmetrical features.
The memory aspect was quite simple: besides common sense and Ninjutsu of this world, only absolute loyalty to his master, shaping him into a personality that was taciturn, meticulous, observant, and utterly loyal.
Looking at the youth sitting up from the platform, a slight smile appeared on Ryuji's lips. "From now on, you will be called Kuro." (T/N: For those who don't know, all his humanoid puppets have color for name. Gin is silver, Aka is red, and now, Kuro is black.)
"Kuro..."
The youth murmured the name softly, his blank gaze gradually firming. "Understood, Master."
...
The next day.
In the reception room of the Kazekage Building.
"Hello, Shikaku-san." Ryuji extended his right hand to the man opposite him. "I am Sunagakure's Jonin, Senki Ryuji, in charge of today's negotiations."
Spiky hair, green flak jacket... Nara Shikaku's attire was no different from his manga image, but he was now a young man in his early twenties, his resolute face showing more drive and less steadiness.
Looking at this youth much younger than himself, Shikaku was slightly surprised but quickly hid the emotion.
"I am Nara Shikaku, representing Konoha in these negotiations."
They shook hands briefly and sat on opposite sides of the conference table. A Genin handling miscellaneous tasks brought tea and snacks.
Ryuji raised his right hand, stopping it at the table. "These are unnecessary."
The Genin paused, looking at Ryuji with confusion.
Shikaku also showed a surprised expression.
He had been negotiating in Sunagakure for over ten days, talking with Sunagakure's personnel from morning till night each day. Without tea and snacks, his throat would likely be worn out in a few days.
'Is this guy trying to create unfavorable external conditions to prevent me from concentrating, leading to a wrong judgment in the negotiation?'
Facing their confusion, Ryuji smiled slightly and explained, "This negotiation will conclude very quickly, so these things are unnecessary."
Thus, the Genin withdrew with the tray.
Shikaku didn't say much more but internally raised his guard. 'This youth might not be as easy to deal with as he seemed.'
"Shikaku-san, before we begin negotiations, I must state my position."
"Hmm?"
Shikaku looked puzzled, waiting for him to continue.
"Although I am still a youth, I am already the head of the Puppeteer Corps."
"I... see?"
Shikaku was somewhat surprised, but that was all.
In his over ten days in Sunagakure, he had learned that the village's leadership had recently undergone a major reshuffle, with the newly promoted leaders being generally young.
Although someone in their teens leading the village's elite force was still shocking, it wasn't unheard of.
Shikaku's confusion was why the other party mentioned his status at this moment.
'Was he trying to use his position to pressure him?'
Thinking of this answer, Shikaku almost laughed.
Fortunately, he was rational enough and had strong self-control, so he didn't actually laugh.
Otherwise, this negotiation might end before it even began.
He composed himself and complimented with an admiring tone, "Ryuji-san is truly accomplished at such a young age, already holding a high position in Sunagakure."
"Just fortunate timing."
Ryuji said this, but his face showed no hint of fortune.
He interlaced his fingers, resting his chin on them, a faint smile on his face as he looked at the genius strategist opposite him, continuing, "Although it's just fortunate timing, I am also a member of the Round Table Council, qualified to propose strategic initiatives beneficial to the village's development."
"Naturally. Regardless, Ryuji-san genuinely holds that position."
"Correct. Whether by luck or true ability, I now sit in this position, qualified to propose suggestions in meetings..." At this point, the corner of Ryuji's mouth lifted slightly.
Seeing this, Shikaku's heart skipped a beat, a bad premonition arising.
"The first proposal I made at the village's strategic meeting was to ignore the benefits Konoha offers and use our strength to seize everything we need."
"After all, no matter how much money we have, it can only temporarily strengthen the village, not solve the fundamental problem. What Sunagakure needs is land to support more people."
Hearing this, Shikaku's heart sank.
'The other party was a hawk. He himself did not want the negotiation between Konoha and Sunagakure to succeed. Any condition that didn't meet Sunagakure's demands could lead to a breakdown in talks.'
'But, why?'
'Why would Sunagakure send a hawk to negotiate?'
'Had they lost patience with these negotiations?'
But recalling the previous negotiation sessions, he knew that Sunagakure's representatives hadn't shown signs of impatience.
'What exactly was the problem?'
"As for me, before accepting this negotiation task, I didn't take over from Rasa, nor do I know how far your talks have progressed. Let's start over from the beginning!"
Shikaku's thoughts returned to reality. Looking up at this confidently smiling youth, his heart grew heavier.
"Then let's start over."
Bang!
Ryuji slapped a piece of paper onto the table, saying authoritatively, "These are Sunagakure's initial conditions. Konoha can accept or refuse them, but I am not prepared to concede. I will now go to prepare for military deployment, which will take about three days. If, after three days, Sunagakure does not receive the desired result, then Sunagakure will be the one to unleash the storm after this calm!"
Having said this, ignoring Shikaku who wanted to say something, he stood up and left the meeting room.