"My Lord Tsuchikage, we've received Akatsuki's reply."
Kitsuchi walked into the Tsuchikage Building with a grim expression, a scroll still in his hand.
Ōnoki noticed Kitsuchi's ugly expression at once and said in a low voice, "What is it? Could Akatsuki be planning to name an outrageous price this time? Still, as long as their demand is not too absurd, Iwagakure can afford it now."
Over the past year, under the pretext of military aid, Iwagakure had amassed a fortune from Kumogakure.
And many of the merchants and civilians who had originally been in Kumogakure had also fled to Iwagakure. It could be said that, by taking advantage of Kumogakure's internal turmoil, Iwagakure had gained a tremendous boost in manpower, resources, and wealth alike.
"They didn't name an outrageous price. They didn't even ask for money."
"Those bastards actually set their sights on our Tailed Beasts!"
Kitsuchi handed the scroll to Ōnoki, his expression extremely furious.
"Tailed Beasts?"
Ōnoki took the scroll and opened it. His brows furrowed as well, but he was not as angry as Kitsuchi.
If not for this piece of news today, he would have almost forgotten that Iwagakure still had two great Jinchuriki.
"Where are Han and Rōshi now?"
Ōnoki asked directly. These were extraordinary times, and Han and Rōshi could both control the power of Tailed Beasts. With the two of them present, the village would have an extra layer of security.
However, to Kitsuchi's ears, Ōnoki's words meant something else entirely.
He thought Ōnoki was really planning to expose Han's intelligence and then let Akatsuki investigate the Land of Rain.
"My Lord Tsuchikage, you can't be planning to agree to Akatsuki's demand, can you?"
"Han and Rōshi may have some conflicts with you, but in their hearts they still love the village deeply