Peace Talks

When female ninjas chose clothing, even their loungewear had a certain slimming effect, causing eye-catching curves to show whenever they bowed or did anything else.

Since he still needed the bloodline factors from Kushina until Uzumaki Ayaka returned, it was a pity that Kushina had not awakened the Mind’s Eye of the Kagura. Otherwise, Hyuga Mirai could have tried making a sensory-type ninja tool.

Hyuga Mirai named the bracelet fused with the Uzumaki bloodline’s Adamantine Sealing Chains the Chains of Heaven Bracelet. Although its abilities might not reach the level of truly locking down heaven and earth, if equipped with an Ark Energy Bar compressed to the size of a little finger, the Chains of Heaven Bracelet would be at least more powerful than the Adamantine Sealing Chains used by Kushina herself.

That was the purpose of technological research. It allowed someone with no training whatsoever to instantly wield bloodline powers that others envied, while Kushina had trained for at least ten years and was still surpassed by Hyuga Mirai’s research products.

"On top of that, it can also be fitted with Nano Space Compression. Although the bracelet is already small, we should still install it. Adding functions will not have much of an effect on its size."

After another series of modifications, Hyuga Mirai spent three days fully perfecting the Chains of Heaven Bracelet.

Aside from being powered by Chakra, the Ark Energy Bar built into the Chains of Heaven Bracelet could sustain its consumption for a hundred and twenty years, even if it was used in one battle every day.

Once the bracelet was complete, Hyuga Mirai called Kushina over and placed it in her hand. With a soft laugh, he said, "This is the completed first-generation model. This is where it connects to the user. Once you put it on, controlling it will be as easy as moving your own arm."

"Thank you, thank you so much, Mirai-kun!"

Kushina happily bowed again, then took the Chains of Heaven Bracelet and examined it from every angle. She had just heard that it was currently the most refined Adamantine Sealing Chains available, with a production cost of over a billion. Naturally, she was thrilled.

Uzumaki Naruto was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, and Kushina had always wanted to find some insurance for Naruto so that he could gain control over the Nine-Tails’ power sooner. Unfortunately, Naruto had not inherited her Adamantine Sealing Chains, but with this ninja tool, he would no longer need to fear the Nine-Tails’ threat.

"This ninja tool is too powerful for a child. You’ll need to keep a close eye on him during normal times. It would be a shame if Naruto’s talent ended up becoming dependent on external tools."

Hyuga Mirai stroked his chin as he spoke to Kushina. Those who relied on external tools generally had brilliant minds but poor physical talent. Someone like Naruto, who possessed outstanding physical talent as well as the Nine-Tails as a cheat, might be ruined if he relied on ninja tools for too long.

Only those who were already powerful could achieve greater results with ninja tools. If someone became powerful solely through ninja tools and was not even smart, Hyuga Mirai could gather tens of thousands of people like that whenever he wanted.

Someone like Sara, on the other hand, could be given one or two Bloodline Ninja Tools for self-defense.

Kushina nodded solemnly at his words and promised, "I understand. I won’t let Naruto slack off." She had decided that once she returned, she would make Naruto train in Taijutsu. As for ninjutsu and everything else, Naruto was determined to train with Ayaka. As his mother, she could only teach him some evasive maneuvers and how to take hits.

Before Kushina left, Hyuga Mirai had her lie on the bed and took some flesh and blood from her before letting her go.

He also reminded Kushina that it was time for her to report to the Sealing Barrier Department. She needed to at least set up barrier Techniques in all the important locations within the Federation first. Was she really planning to slack off all day? She was so young, yet she did not want to work hard?

Hyuga Mirai, inheritor of the capitalist bloodline, could not stand to see such behavior.

Weapons like Bloodline Ninja Tools, which possessed bloodline abilities, provided a tremendous boost to powerful individuals. Pakura’s current strength was nearly at the bottom among the Five Kage. She was highly lethal against ordinary Jonin, but when facing opponents at the Five Kage level, she fell short.

However, with just one or two more Bloodline Ninja Tools, Pakura’s strength could instantly rise into the top two among the Five Kage.

"Next, I’ll try bloodlines like the Byakugan and Magnet Release."

After giving it some thought, Hyuga Mirai decided on the research direction for his next ninja tool, then immediately set out to find Sasori.

"Sasori, is there any Magnet Release flesh and blood left? Give me some."

At Kikyo Castle, Konoha’s negotiation team had already arrived at the front line. On the second day after their arrival, they submitted a request for negotiations to the Saudi Federation.

The captain of the negotiation team was Nara Shikaku. Whether in terms of status or intellect, Nara Shikaku was the most suitable candidate. Furthermore, the head of the Jonin Corps was usually idle, and Tsunade happened to have no tolerance for such idle people, so she sent Shikaku over.

When the Anbu came knocking, Shikaku had been studying shogi. Upon learning that Tsunade wanted him to serve as captain of the negotiation team, his face immediately fell.

Coming up with plans was one thing; personally getting involved was another. The Nara clan had no such tradition.

However, Tsunade was obviously not as easy to talk to as Sarutobi Hiruzen. After sighing, Nara Shikaku accepted the mission. Before leaving, he also brought along Akimichi Choza and Yamanaka Inoichi.

Before coming here, Nara Shikaku had gathered a great deal of intelligence. Yet the more he read, the more difficult he felt it would be to persuade the Saudi Federation to withdraw its troops—unless they could calm the Fifth Kazekage’s anger.

Third Hokage, it is not that I do not want to protect Elder Danzo. It is simply that the Fifth Kazekage values the Kazekage’s Assistant far too much!

After Nara Shikaku saw the highlighted note in the intelligence report—"suspected admirers or lovers; in major matters, she has always followed the Kazekage’s Assistant’s advice"—he felt that Danzo had to be handed over this time.

Could they not investigate the other party’s identity before killing him? Given Yasunori Sakai’s strength and status, capturing him alive would clearly have brought the greatest benefit to Konoha. Nara Shikaku had not expected Danzo to directly send people to kill Yasunori Sakai.

For that reason alone, Nara Shikaku felt some resentment toward Danzo. Yet before Shikaku departed, the Third Hokage had specifically asked him to secure as many favorable terms for Konoha as possible in the negotiations.

After the negotiation team arrived at the Saudi Federation’s camp, they were led inside. Nara Shikaku and the other two then met the Fifth Kazekage in a tent. She was somewhat younger than them, yet both her status and strength surpassed theirs.

"Lord Kazekage, we represent Konoha in coming here to discuss peace with your village. This prolonged war has caused immense casualties on both sides. For the sake of the civilians and ninjas of both nations, Hokage-sama is willing to pay a certain price in exchange for peace between our countries."

Nara Shikaku lowered his stance slightly from the very beginning. The other side was already furious, so if he acted even a little too forcefully, there would be no need to continue the negotiations.

"What is Konoha’s sincerity? If you intend to make the Saudi Federation submit as you did before, then I advise you to return and prepare for war."

Pakura spoke to Nara Shikaku in a cold voice. The Saudi Federation’s inability to crack Konoha’s turtle shell did not mean they feared fighting on other battlefields, especially when it came to competing in logistical consumption.

Pakura’s confidence came from the fact that the Saudi Federation’s logistics could completely crush Konoha’s, unless the Daimyo of the Land of Fire gave Konoha unconditional support.

"Konoha is willing to compensate the Saudi Federation for some of its material losses, while also opening the main routes along the border between our nations and establishing a cooperative relationship. In addition, we will recognize the territorial ownership of Senryu District and Kawatari District."

Nara Shikaku concealed their bottom line somewhat and began with several other conditions. After all, Konoha had merely suffered greater losses; in terms of the outcome, it was not the defeated side. Compared to the agreement signed after the Third Shinobi World War, these terms were already exceedingly generous.

However, Pakura’s expression did not change in the slightest. After hearing Nara Shikaku out, she waited a moment. Once she confirmed that he was finished, she said to Baki beside her, "See them out. Konoha’s ninjas, return and prepare for war."

"Wait, Lord Kazekage."

Nara Shikaku hurriedly stopped the Suna-nin approaching from around them. A faint sheen of sweat appeared on his face as he smiled and tried to persuade her. "If Lord Kazekage is dissatisfied with Konoha’s terms, you may state your demands. Since Lord Kazekage was willing to receive us, you must still hope for peace talks in your heart."

"But you have shown no sincerity. Do you think such trifling benefits can end this war?"

Pakura’s voice turned slightly colder. "This is not peace talks. This is an insult to the Federation!"

"But Lord Kazekage, Konoha has not currently been defeated. Moreover, your village should have received the intelligence from the Rain Country battlefield. Hokage-sama has awakened Wood Release. It is only because she yearns for peace that she is willing to negotiate with your village."

"Then why does Hokage-sama not come to the battlefield? If you truly want peace, you should fight us first, rather than hide inside Kikyo Castle and send a negotiation team here."

The two sides could not resolve their disagreement on this point. The Saudi Federation believed that a battle between Wood Release and the Rinnegan would most likely leave both sides severely weakened. Furthermore, the Federation had Hyuga Mirai and Sasori of the Red Sand, as well as two pairs of Mangekyō Sharingan. In terms of powerful fighters, they did not lose to Konoha at all, so they were not afraid of Nara Shikaku’s threat regarding Wood Release.

Nara Shikaku had considered much the same. When it came to Wood Release, he only touched on it briefly. They had gathered intelligence from the night of the Uchiha incident and were deeply wary of the Saudi Federation’s newly revealed strength. Mentioning Tsunade-sama’s Wood Release was merely meant to prevent both sides from fighting to the bitter end and suffering mutual destruction. However, Nara Shikaku had underestimated Pakura’s determination to take revenge.

After half a day of negotiations, there had been no progress whatsoever. Instead, Nara Shikaku noticed that Pakura’s expression was growing increasingly impatient.

The Fifth Kazekage has a temperament very similar to Tsunade-sama’s. If this fails, there may not be another chance for negotiations.

Nara Shikaku thought to himself. He had already done all he could. As for the conflicting demands and orders from the Third Hokage and Tsunade-sama, he decided to follow the latter’s wishes. After all, if the war continued, Konoha’s strength would be dragged down to a historic low. And the Saudi Federation was not its only enemy—there was also Kumo-nin to the north, a major rival in the military arms race.

"Lord Kazekage, Konoha is willing to take a step back and hand over the culprit who murdered the Kazekage’s Assistant. This is Konoha’s final bottom line. If your village is still unwilling to make peace, then we can only settle this on the battlefield."

Pakura sneered before saying, "Are you going to just throw out a few Ninja scapegoats and claim they were the ones who killed Sakai?"

"No. The one who murdered the Kazekage’s Assistant was a Root Ninja. And Lord Danzo, Root’s leader, understands the greater good. For the sake of peace between our two countries, he is willing to give up his own life to bring this war to an end."

Before Nara Shikaku could finish, Baki frowned and interrupted. "Wait. You mean Danzo? He understands the greater good? He’s voluntarily going to his death?"

The higher-ups of every country had taken note of Danzo’s reputation, though it was all infamy. The Saudi Federation in particular knew him extremely well because of the nobles who had defected from River Country and the Uchiha Clan incident.

That old bastard was actually willing to sacrifice himself for so-called peace? How many wars had this ruthless hawk stirred up?

Baki asked suspiciously, "Konoha wouldn’t be trying to find a Danzo double to deceive our Federation, would you?"

Nara Shikaku sighed. "Konoha would not do such a thing. Besides, Lord Danzo is in Kikyo Castle. Once the Peace Accord is signed, your village may inspect him yourselves."

Since Nara Shikaku had put it that way, Baki and the others could not continue questioning him. Besides, Suna-nin were not so easily deceived—they had sensory ninjutsu as well.

"Lord Kazekage, what do you think?"

Pakura was somewhat tempted by Konoha’s proposal. The main reason she had launched the war against Konoha was to avenge Yasunori Sakai. If what Konoha said was true, then peace negotiations were indeed possible.

However, compared to handing over Danzo, Konoha was far too perfunctory in every other respect. It seemed determined to cling to the claim that it had not been defeated, refusing to yield to the Saudi Federation in the slightest.

"Add one more condition. From now on, the River Country region will be neutral territory. Both countries may use whatever means they wish!"

Pakura calmly drew a circle on the map and said to Nara Shikaku, "Add this condition, and we will sign the Peace Accord."

Nara Shikaku’s pupils contracted slightly upon hearing this, and he immediately understood Pakura’s intentions.

She wanted Konoha to voluntarily abandon its vassal small country. Although River Country was already in chaos internally, its Daimyo still leaned toward Konoha of the Land of Fire. If Nara Shikaku agreed to this condition, it would be equivalent to dissolving River Country’s status as a vassal, even though no written treaty existed between the two countries.

The Saudi Federation would then have an opportunity to make a move against River Country at any time. Of course, Konoha would have the same opportunity. After considering it carefully, Nara Shikaku decided that this was within his authority and agreed at once.

"Very well. Then let us draw up a new treaty."