The Hokage's Office.
It was noon, and in the office, Hiruzen Sarutobi was wearing a straw hat and the Hokage robe.
With a pipe dangling from his mouth, he looked at the alliance agreement in front of him, picked up a pen, and signed his name.
Seeing this, Shikaku, who was standing in front of the wooden table, reached out and took the contract signed by Hiruzen Sarutobi, then turned and handed it to Mabui, who was standing to the side.
After confirming the Mabui over to Fourth Raikage A was already getting impatient.
As the contract was signed, both parties unconsciously lowered their guard.
Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly exhaled a smoke ring. "Raikage, the alliance between Konoha and Kumogakure is crucial to stabilizing the situation in the entire Shinobi World."
Upon hearing this, the Fourth Raikage couldn't help but want to roll his Byakugan, but he restrained himself when he saw Hagoromo sitting behind Hiruzen Sarutobi.
His tone remained impatient as he said, "Hmph, save your breath, Third."
"What we in Kumogakure value is strength and sincerity. Besides what we've already agreed upon, the terms of the treaty also include..."
"The allocation of mission shares and the division of border patrol areas must be fair!"
As he spoke, the Fourth Raikage unconsciously leaned forward on the table, his gaze fixed on Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Hiruzen Sarutobi softly, leaned back in his chair, and slowly said, "Konoha won't take advantage, but it definitely won't suffer a loss either!"
Shikaku Nara, standing to the side, stepped forward and spoke at just the right moment before the Fourth Raikage could speak:
"Lord Raikage, you can rest assured that this draft is the result of numerous consultations between our envoys over the past few months."
"The Hiruzen Hokage's meaning is also very clear! The so-called fairness is based on the fact that Kumogakure and our Konoha can understand the alliance."
"And the sincerity shown by both sides."
The man in Mabui leaned slightly forward and whispered in the Fourth Raikage's ear.
After a long while, the Fourth Raikage A, slowly exhaled and then stood up.
"Alright, the alliance is settled!"
"From that day forward, we shall exchange goods and resources, Raikage!"
After shaking hands across the table, the Fourth Raikage led his men away from the Hokage Building.
After instructing Shikaku to go with him, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"What's wrong, old man?"
Hagoromo then got up and went to the side, refilling Hiruzen Sarutobi's pipe with tobacco before speaking.
"It's nothing, it's just that I never imagined that after so many years, I would actually form an alliance with Kumogakure again."
Hiruzen Sarutobi took the pipe, shook his head, and said...
Since the Second Hokage's involvement in the Gold and Silver Brothers incident, Konoha and Kumogakure have been vying for dominance on the battlefield.
If the Third Raikage hadn't been worn down and killed by tens of thousands of Stone Shinobi ninja, he might still be alive today.
Konoha is still fighting against Kumogakure.
"The reason the Raikage is adopting a humble stance now is simply because he hasn't seen anything that would benefit him yet."
Hagoromo went to the window and watched the Fourth Raikage and his group walk out of the Hokage Building.
"Whether it's the kidnapping of Kushina- senpai or Hinata, it's clear that Kumogakure has never been a peaceful place."
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded, took out a match, and lit his pipe.
"This agreement is also an opportunity for us."
"The Land of Lightning has always been the wealthiest of the Five Great Nations, and even the Kumogakure has the highest military expenditure in the Shinobi World."
"What I can do now is use this opportunity to help Konoha gain more resources, and it will only take a few years."
"Even if we're not the richest, we won't lose to Kumogakure."
Hagoromo didn't respond, but pulled out a chair and sat opposite Hiruzen Sarutobi, saying:
"Alright, Master, Senior Shikaku and the rest of the think tank can handle this."
"What do you need me to do regarding the peace talks between Iwagakure and Sunagakure?"
This is why Hagoromo is here today; the time is almost up.
Soon, Hagoromo and Shikaku will set off together for the Land of Waterfalls to begin peace talks.
"It's simple, help Jiraiya make Iwagakure and Sunagakure hand over what they're owed."
"As for Takigakure, tell them to hand over the Seven-Tails."
Hiruzen Sarutobi remained silent for a moment before speaking.
"I estimate it won't be that easy."
Hagoromo thought for a moment and shook his head, saying, "The Seven-Tails of Takigakure was bought from Hashirama Senju at a high price back then."
Making Takigakure pay such a price is, to say the least, impossible.
Ōnoki might even use this incident to loudly proclaim that Konoha wants to reclaim all the Tailed Beasts.
After all, the Four-Tails Jinchūriki is still in Konoha's hands.
Upon hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned; indeed—
If it weren't for the Four-Tails Jinchūriki incident, even if Konoha had asked Takigakure to send over the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki, it wouldn't have given anyone cause for criticism.
Two Tailed Beasts are already the limit; any more than that.
Even the Kumogakure, which had just signed the alliance, would be restless.
However, Takigakure committed such a treacherous act.
Naturally, there must be a corresponding price to pay; if Konoha doesn't respond, it will be seen as weakness.
"Hagoromo, what do you think?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked up at Hagoromo, intending to test Hagoromo.
Hagoromo reached out and picked up the crystal ball on Hiruzen Sarutobi's desk, then began to play with it.
"I remember you issued a statement of condemnation before, old man, didn't you?"
"Hmm, not bad." Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded in response.
"That makes it simple; what came before was just an appetizer."
"Now that we've freed ourselves, we should naturally summon the leader of Takigakure."
"And it must be in the village, old man, so you can take this opportunity to question him properly."
At this point, Hagoromo raised his head and looked directly at Hiruzen Sarutobi, saying, "I think you should be fine with the substantial punishment and the demands for benefits, old man."
"The reason given was to compensate Konoha for the ninjas who died in this incident, as well as for war losses."
"Making Takigakure pay a huge sum in reparations? I remember they were pretty rich, they could even buy Tailed Beasts."
Upon hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head; others might not know, but he did.
Because of this incident, Takigakure had to work for Konoha for many years.
This was still Konoha holding back, preventing the Takigakure's economy from collapsing, and slowly chipping away at its core.
"Wasn't this plan originally designed by the Second?"
Hagoromo spoke, she couldn't help but admire the Second, even though there were some aspects of the future that she couldn't see clearly.
However, for ninjas from other villages, that was absolutely ruthless.
The Seven-Tails incident alone led to Takigakure supporting Konoha for many years, an expense that Takigakure had to grit its teeth and bear.
After all these years, I only just paid off the debt a few years ago, and now I dare to show my teeth.
Hagoromo couldn't help but think of Kakuzu, wondering if it was because of Takigakure's economic problems.
This led to a change in Kakuzu's worldview, making him firmly believe that only money can be trusted?
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded and continued to ask.
"I understand, is there anything else?"