Balanced Breathing

"Why reject it? Which part are you dissatisfied with?" Kitsuchi could not help asking.

Before coming here, Ōnoki had emphasized the importance of deep cooperation with Ninshu, saying it was a crucial step in Iwagakure's plans against Konoha.

"Iwagakure's terms are all quite good, but none of them suit Ninshu." Mu Yue answered with a faint smile.

"Expanding the scale of ninja training would indeed increase Ninshu's income, but training quality remains Ninshu's primary concern. Recklessly expanding would conflict with Ninshu's development strategy.

"Ninshu has already negotiated with Amegakure to jointly establish a Ninja Academy and lacks the capacity to collaborate with Iwagakure on another school. The same applies to Iwagakure's commissions. Ninshu is simply too short-handed at present to accept Iwagakure's kind offer."

"As for protection, Ninshu is confident in its ability to protect the Land of Rain, so there is no need to trouble Iwagakure over it."

Mu Yue explained each point one by one, eliminating any thought Kitsuchi had of bringing up cooperation again.

They had rejected every single one of their terms. What was there left to discuss?

Kitsuchi looked at the Iwagakure jonin beside him, wanting to know whether this adviser had any solution.

Ōnoki understood Kitsuchi's capabilities, so apart from making him memorize the talking points, he had specifically assigned an Iwagakure ninja skilled in negotiation to assist him.

The Iwagakure jonin shook his head slightly, indicating that there was nothing he could do either.

If they had merely been dissatisfied with one particular condition, Ōnoki had prepared contingencies, and they could have loosened the terms as appropriate and offered greater benefits.

But Sōsuke was clearly dissatisfied with the core requirements of deep cooperation. They could not make decisions on that themselves, so there was nothing to negotiate.

"My apologies for making you come