Tsunade met them in the Hokage's office. Shikamaru stood on her right, Shizune on her left. Chisen wasn't there.
When the envoy entered, Shikamaru noticed his gaze sweep the room. He wasn't looking for someone. He was confirming something-Chisen wasn't here. His expression changed, briefly, but Shikamaru caught it. It wasn't disappointment. It was relief.
"I am the Land of Lightning's special envoy. My name is Akizuki." The envoy sat in the chair before Tsunade, his bamboo cane resting against his leg, his hands on his knees. "These two are the deputy envoys from the Land of Wind and the Land of Earth. We have come by order of the Three Nations Joint Council to negotiate a ceasefire with the Land of Fire."
Tsunade stubbed out her cigarette.
"A ceasefire? You invaded us, killed my people, plundered my villages, and now that you can't win, you want a ceasefire?"
Akizuki's fingers curled slightly against his knees.
"Lady Hokage, this war has already caused more than enough casualties. We lost twenty-three thousand men in the battle of Raincrack Basin. Including the previous clashes, our total casualties are approaching thirty thousand. That number is too high for any side."
Tsunade gave a cold laugh.
"You didn't think the numbers were too high when you invaded?"
Akizuki fell silent for several seconds.
"Lady Hokage, I didn't come to argue over right and wrong. I came to discuss terms."
Tsunade glanced at Shikamaru.
Shikamaru took a sheet of paper from inside his clothes, unfolded it, and placed it on the desk. Several clauses were written on it in neat handwriting. He had drafted them beforehand. Tsunade scanned it, then turned the paper toward Akizuki.
"Read."
Akizuki lowered his head to read. His two deputies leaned in as well.
Clause one: the Lands of Lightning,