Negotiations

Meanwhile, negotiations between the Bahamas Empire and Amegakure were also drawing to a close.

At a temporary meeting place during the tug-of-war between the two sides, [Blood Emperor] Gilkinef met [Walking Tide of Poison] Hanzo of the Salamander for the second time.

The first meeting was intentionally orchestrated by Gilkinef, who reluctantly allowed one of his personal guards, who knew about him, to be "accidentally" captured by Amegakure ninjas, and then set up a carefully prepared trap.

Hanzo of the Salamander and his staff had their doubts, but the well-organized intelligence in the [Blood Emperor]'s personal guards' memories, along with their probing of various intelligence details, made Amegakure no longer hesitate and led their elite troops in.

And so, amidst a sea of ice and fire, swords and spears, and the howls of the undead, Gilkinef, who had set the trap himself, encountered the Amekage Hanzo of the Salamander of the Salamander.

The foul-smelling poisonous fog was shielded by Magic Barrier. Gilkinef, whose clothes were no longer splendid and whose body was covered in blood and whose face was pale, relied on various Magic Item to withstand the first wave of attacks. After completing his decoy mission, he retreated to the second line.

The archmage Frueda, fighting on the front lines, activated a variety of meticulously laid traps. Together with the Morning Star- level [Ghost Spear] Leinas, and the selfless Imperial Knights Order, he infuriated Hanzo of the Salamander, who fought until his eyes turned bloodshot.

The city walls had already collapsed in the battle. Standing on a section of the ruins, Gilkinef watched Hanzo of the Salamander flee and considered giving chase.

However, their own side had also suffered heavy losses and was no longer able to fight.

This battle also marked a turning point in Amegakure's strategic policy shift. Hanzo of the Salamander began to see Gilkinef as a true adversary, rather than the incompetent native leader who had initially been eager to fight.

"Commander Balu, please have a seat."

Hanzo of the Salamander of the Salamander invited Uchiha Baru, the commander of the Southeast Ninja Army, to sit down, which also represented Konoha's exercise of Blood Emperor power and the intention to deter the Empire. He then gave the Salamander a deep look before taking his seat.

On the long wooden table, on the Konoha side were Uchiha Baru, Hanzo of the Salamander, and several key members of Amegakure.

Opposite them were Gilkinef, Frueda, Leinas, and the Empire's high-ranking civil officials.

"The true power behind Amegakure...?"

Looking at Uchiha Baru, who sat in the main seat, dressed in Combat Ninja uniform, with a tall and upright figure, a solemn and imposing aura, and an air of authority without anger, the empire members all thought the same thing.

If it weren't for the power of the Ninja World behind Amegakure, the Empire would never have even considered sitting down for negotiations.

With only a few thousand soldiers, even though each one was exceptionally strong, they were all just ordinary mortals. Even Hanzo of the Salamander was wounded by Frueda.

The lower- Jonin, including Leinas who has broken through to the Morning Star level, are capable of handling the enemy. The sheer Knights Order can overwhelm them with sheer numbers.

If we simply face Amegakure, as long as the Empire doesn't make any brain-dead mistakes, the ultimate victor will inevitably be the vast and resource-rich Empire.

Unfortunately, the world is ultimately cruel.

Gilkinef focused his attention and began negotiating with Hanzo of the Salamander.

Even though the empire was weak, with the [Blood Emperor] present, the empire's civil officials were very eloquent and Combat Ninja- hardened ninjas of Amegakure, leaving them speechless.

"At this point, we should bring those Life Ninja over here."

Hanzo of the Salamander, realizing that the negotiation had taken a turn against him, showed no sign of anxiety whatsoever.

Truth is always within the range of cannons!

They might not be as good at talking as their opponents, but the Combat Ninja of Amegakure were determined to stick to their own needs.

"Your country must unconditionally submit to the Ninja World. From top to bottom, all official appointments, including the emperor, as well as military, political, economic, and territorial matters, will be subject to the unified control and arrangement of the Ninja World!"

Faced with Amegakure's overt and Amegakure of attack against their dissent, the empire's civil officials, striving to protect their own interests, were gradually sweating profusely and on high alert.

"Amegakure is not a victorious nation, so it's impossible for them to conquer the entire Empire in one fell swoop!"

Upon realizing this, Gilkinef finally spoke up, causing the civil officials to collectively breathe a sigh of relief. The sudden shift from heaviness to relaxation after facing this meeting that would determine the fate of the empire almost made them slump in their chairs.

No one cared about their predicament now, Hanzo of the Salamander, too lazy to find a reason to refute, simply said...

"Indeed, Amegakure cannot conquer the entire empire, but you should also be aware that Amegakure is merely a newly emerging force in the Ninja World."

After nearly two months of fighting, Gilkinef had also learned about the power structure of the Ninja World from various aspects, and was quite clear that what Hanzo of the Salamander said was true.

The real big tiger, at this moment, sat as steady as Mount Tai in the back.

Just like how he once instigated infighting among nobles, he harbored a condescending and playful attitude, ready to crush them the moment he grew tired of them.

Hanzo of the Salamander stared at the silent Gilkinef, a secret sense of satisfaction rising within him.

Once upon a time, the Amegakure, oppressed by the larger village, was like this: wanting to speak but unable to, forced to keep all their thoughts to themselves.

With Konoha backing him up, Hanzo of the Salamander was brimming with confidence, and his words naturally carried an air of undeniable authority.

"Your Excellency should understand that the current negotiations are merely a way to save face for yourself. If you wait for Commander Balu's Ninja Army forces to intervene, then it will be absolutely impossible for you to maintain your dignity."

Upon hearing this, Gilkinef looked at Uchiha Baru, who had been silent and even somewhat absent-minded. The crest of the Shining Moon on the other's shoulder and his indifferent attitude made him take the matter very seriously.

"Don't drag me into this; I only want the final result."

His deputy, Senju Taohua, was conscripted by the Royal Court Ninja Army, while he himself had to attend a negotiation meeting that was utterly meaningless.

Uchiha Baru, who desperately wanted to exchange for [Flame Release: Bloodline Seed] and become a recognized powerhouse within the Uchiha clan, was also envious of the merits gained from slaying enemies.

As for the meeting between Amegakure and the Empire, there was absolutely no mention of meritorious service.

"Don't you care about the affairs of the Empire?"

Gilkinef, having noticed this from Uchiha Baru's attitude, turned her gaze to Hanzo of the Salamander.

"Amekage, the Empire may acknowledge the Ninja World as its suzerain state, but to strip the Empire of all its administrative and military power—is this not underestimating the Empire?"

"The Council Nation, the Slane Theocracy, the Empire, and even the newly emerged Great Tomb Nazarick are all targets of the Ninja World's attacks."

Under the frowning gaze of the Uchiha, Gilkinef paused and said in a deep voice.

"Fighting on multiple fronts has drained the Ninja World's resources. As long as the empire retains its autonomy, the Bahamas Empire is willing to become a vassal state of the Ninja World, and its manpower, resources, and finances can all be mobilized by the Ninja World!"