Hokage Building, reception room.
"Mm... forgive my discourtesy, but that is impossible."
Looking at the handsome blond man before him, Iwama slowly narrowed his eyes. He gently set down the long, unfurled scroll in his hands, then pushed it back without the slightest hesitation.
His face was set with determination.
A treaty like this? Was this a joke? Did they really think the Land of Earth was begging them to stop the war?
Even the weak Land of Wind would never agree to such terms! This was outrageous!
He was already cursing inwardly.
This treaty was far too excessive. Leaving aside the enormous indemnity, the most crucial part was the compensation in Forbidden Jutsu and Secret Techniques. They were demanding three Forbidden Jutsu, three Secret Techniques, nearly fifty unique elemental ninjutsu, and even two Kekkei Genkai shinobi.
How could they possibly agree to a treaty like this?
This was practically a provocation! Yet after the initial outburst of curses, anger surged through his heart.
No, I need to stay calm! I'm facing that Little Monster now. Perhaps this outrageous treaty is Taki Chiba's plan.
He wants to disrupt my emotions, make me slip up, and achieve some sort of objective!
And he hasn't appeared before me at all today. He could be hiding somewhere, watching me. Now he is in the shadows while I am in the open.
I need to be even more careful. I cannot reveal the slightest flaw!
Then, amid his anger, he suddenly calmed down.
"Is that so..."
The handsome blond man—Konoha's current young leader, the Fourth Hokage Minato Namikaze—remained remarkably calm in response to the Land of Earth ambassador's words and actions. After saying only that, he casually rolled up the long treaty scroll and set it aside.
He had expected this outcome.
Even he