harleyscars Chapter 63's validity period has expired.
Chapter 63's validity period has expired.
Chapter 63's validity period has expired.
The negotiation was held in the heart of the capital, at the residence of Hanzo the Salamander.
This demigod even specially cleared out a large room resembling a conference room, placed a circle of tables, and arranged it to resemble the scene of the Five Kage Summit in the original work.
This time, however, there were no Five Kage, only three: Hanzo, Akatsuki, and finally, the Tsuchikage Onoki and his two subordinates.
Whether it was to appear formal or to exert pressure, Onoki wore his Tsuchikage cloak and straw hat today.
As soon as he entered, he took off the straw hat with the character "土" (earth) written on it and placed it on the table.
Shiba Kiyokawa noticed that when Hanzo the Salamander looked at the straw hat, his gaze darkened considerably.
It seems that even a demigod is not immune to this; he too yearns for the status of one of the Five Kage.
Once upon a time, perhaps Hanzo of the Salamander also dreamed of leading Amegakure to become one of the Five Great Ninja Villages.
Unfortunately, all those ideals were buried in the last Shinobi World War.
Now, Hanzo the Salamander is just an aging middle-aged man. His face is obscured by a respirator, and only his deep voice can be heard speaking.
"We've all gathered here today to resolve some past misunderstandings, and I hope you'll all give me the honor."
Hanzo the Salamander intends to activate the Face Fruit's power.
Unfortunately, Onoki didn't appreciate it at all, and didn't even spare him a glance. As soon as he came in, he stared straight at Shiba Kiyokawa with a murderous look.
"Where's Huang Tu? Why didn't he come? Where did you put him?" Onoki asked fiercely, biting his cheek.
Shiba Kiyokawa, on the other hand, laughed nonchalantly.
"Please rest assured, Lord Tsuchikage, your son is safe. If all goes well, you will see him this afternoon, alive and well, I guarantee it."
This is actually a threat.
Since Shiba Kiyokawa only said what would happen if "everything goes smoothly," and what would happen if "everything goes wrong," Onoki could figure it out for himself.
Despite being so threatened that his face turned red with anger, Onoki still managed to hold back and didn't lash out.
Then Onoki shouted angrily, "What exactly do you want? Tell me, you Rain Village brats!"
This made Hanzo the Salamander, who was already frowning because he felt ignored, squint his eyes even more.
He didn't understand why things were developing in a way that he couldn't comprehend anymore.
He had thought he would be the protagonist of today's negotiations, using his "face fruit" to protect the young Akatsuki members while also making Onoki back down.
But looking back now, I realize I seem a bit superfluous.
Hanzo the Salamander had no idea what had happened outside these past few days.
But ever since Onoki was called away by his own ninja, he felt that things were gradually getting wrong!
At first, Hanzo the Salamander was very happy, feeling that his son had brought him honor and had given a good thrashing to Onoki, that arrogant old man.
But now, he gradually feels that events are spiraling out of his control!
The Akatsuki kids are more than just good; they've done so well that they no longer need my protection!
Afterwards, Hanzo the Salamander watched from the sidelines and witnessed firsthand the verbal sparring between Shiba Kiyokawa and Onoki, holding his own!
Onoki dared not reveal the plan to ambush the Third Raikage to Hanzo of the Salamander in person, so he could only try to find out the truth indirectly.
But Shiba Kiyokawa had completely thwarted all his rhetoric!
Later, even Hanzo the Salamander could see clearly that the initiative in the negotiations had been firmly grasped by Shiba Kiyokawa, a teenager.
At first, Hanzo the Salamander did feel a moment of joy and relief, thinking that his son had finally made something of himself.
But later, this joy gradually turned into silence, then into disappointment and resentment, and finally into an ever-deepening fear!
Hanzo the Salamander in the original work had this kind of personality.
However, in the latter half of last year, Shiba Kiyokawa, who had traveled through time, delayed this process by sending one flattering letter after another.
But when the Akatsuki organization truly began to show its strength and demonstrate power far exceeding that of those they protected, that day finally arrived.
After a round of negotiations, Shiba Kiyokawa routed Onoki, not only securing Iwagakure's promise to withdraw from the Land of Rain, but also extorting a hefty sum from the Tsuchikage.
But when he turned his head casually amidst his great victory and inadvertently met the gaze of Hanzo the Salamander, his excitement and joy were suddenly suppressed.
With just one glance, Shiba Kiyokawa realized that Hanzo the Salamander had begun to fear them!
After all, the one on the other side is the Tsuchikage!
That's one of the five most prestigious people in the entire ninja world!
Yet, without relying on Hanzo the Salamander for protection, they independently forced the other side to submit.
At that moment, Shiba Kiyokawa suddenly realized that all the efforts he had made last year had finally come to an end.
From today onwards, no amount of flattery or praise will be of any use.
Akatsuki's own growth has become the biggest obstacle to their reconciliation with Hanzo the Salamander!
This realization instantly calmed him down.
The slight arrogance and self-satisfaction that came from persuading the Tsuchikage vanished instantly.
This damn fate has left me not even a moment to relax...
At this moment, realizing that he couldn't win with his verbal skills, Onoki finally gave in.
"I can agree to your conditions, and I hope you will keep your promises!"
This sentence is a pun.
On the surface, it sounds like the Akatsuki organization is being told to keep their promise and release the hostage, but this is actually meant for Hanzo the Salamander's ears.
But the true meaning was understood by both sides without being spoken of.
It seems that Onoki ultimately has no intention of giving up on his plan to ambush the Third Raikage.
The old man's obsession with that Raikage is truly profound; he'd rather suffer more losses than let the Akatsuki silence him.
A few seconds earlier, Shiba Kiyokawa would have felt a huge sense of relief upon receiving this result.
But now, he merely nodded with a faint expression, issuing a solemn warning: "Alright, then I hope Iwagakure will refrain from interfering in the affairs of our Land of Rain in the future!"
Onoki snorted unhappily.
But this time, Shiba Kiyokawa acted unusually firmly, contrary to his usual behavior. "I need your assurance, Lord Tsuchikage. You must make a promise! Now, immediately, you must!"
Only then did Onoki reluctantly speak, "I promise: I won't get involved in your Land of Rain's messy affairs anymore, is that alright?"
At this moment, Onoki wouldn't understand why he had to go through all this trouble.
But all Shiba Kiyokawa wanted was to deepen his impression!
What he wanted was that even if he heard big news about the Land of Rain in the future, Onoki would involuntarily think of today, and of his unusually tough attitude and sharp, knife-like eyes at that moment!
By then, I believe Onoki will naturally understand and make the right choice.
After the negotiations concluded, in order to appease Onoki's feelings and also to prolong the duration of the Ninja World War, Shiba Kiyokawa provided the other party with a piece of information free of charge.
"Lord Tsuchikage, your attack on Konoha is currently using the Land of Grass's supply lines, right?"
Onoki looked at him warily. "Kid, what are you trying to say?"
Shiba Kiyokawa simply smiled calmly. "Don't be nervous. We said from the beginning that Akatsuki has no intention of being your enemy."
Just a reminder that a single supply line is vulnerable to enemy targeting, especially now that the enemy possesses a highly mobile target that you cannot handle at all.
After saying that, Shiba Kiyokawa turned and left, ignoring Onoki's livid face.
He had already begun to plan how to add fuel to the fire of this grand ninja war!
(End of this chapter)