Afterwards, the group dispersed and began walking towards their own tents, where the sounds of Nara Rokumei, Akimichi Torifu Akimichi, and the Yamanaka Unkai quickly came to greet them.
Nara Rokumei asked, "Lord Owl, how is it? What did the Lord Hokage say?"
Uchiha Kō smiled and then said, "Done!"
Tsunade snorted coldly, "This time, Lord Owl went to great lengths to persuade the Hokage!"
"Sister-in-law is right. Xiao Jun has worked hard. This time you're back in the village, I'll treat you all to a feast at my family's Yakiniku Restaurant. Eat until you're stuffed! Drinks are free!" Torifu Akimichi Daoqufeng laughed heartily.
Nara Rokumei nodded as well. "It's only right. Thanks to Lord Owl, we were able to get what we deserved."
Yamanaka Unkai nodded, "That's right, Lord Xiao, we owe you a lot this time. Otherwise, I really wouldn't understand why we had to fight this battle!"
Uchiha Kō waved his hand, "No way, many of our Uchiha have died too. Going to tell the Lord Hokage these things is for our own sake."
Nara Rokumei shook his head. "It's different. We were all filled with fear and wanted to protect ourselves, while Lord Owl was willing to speak up for the entire village. Speaking of which, I, Nara Rokumei, greatly admire Lord Owl."
He knew that this persuasion was very risky. If he failed, he would probably be resented by the Hokage and leave a bad impression. Therefore, he chose to protect himself.
"Alright, Lu Ming, what do you mean by that? Have you forgotten that the Uchiha and Ino-Shika-Cho are allies? We share the same fate, right?" Uchiha Kō smiled gently.
Nara Rokumei was taken aback. He keenly sensed that Uchiha Kō's "one for all, all for one" was a profound statement.
He meant that the Uchiha and the Ino-Shika-Cho are now on the same side, even if they aren't from the Hokage lineage...
His eyes lit up as he looked at Uchiha Kō, and he suddenly thought that if Owl were the Hokage... Instantly, Nara Rokumei's face turned pale, and he cut off the thought.
However, once a thought arises, it will always appear no matter how hard you try not to think about it.
Torifu Akimichi smiled and said, "King Owl, you're right, we're in this together!"
Yamanaka Unkai nodded in support. Nara Rokumei, seeing this, sighed, "What a hassle. But Torifu is right, Owl Lord, we're on your side."
Uchiha Kō laughed, a very happy laugh. "Alright, that's settled then. After everything's over, Tsunade and I are going to give you a good beating, Brother Torifu."
"Alright, come on then. If you can, eat me out of house and home!" Torifu Akimichi, patting his chest.
After chatting for a while, seeing that it was almost time, Uchiha Kō and Tsunade put on their Konoha guard uniforms and went together to Sarutobi Hiruzen's tent.
Sarutobi Hiruzen, dressed in a black combat uniform, and Shimura Danzō, dressed in full military attire, emerged from the tent.
Shimura Danzō to Uchiha Kō 'Shimura Danzō meaning was, "Don't worry, I'll take care of things with the Hokage."
Uchiha Kō thanked Danzo.
Sarutobi Hiruzen laughed Sunagakure Mina take advantage of them!"
"Yes," the three responded, walking behind Sarutobi Hiruzen. The four of them headed together to a negotiation house on the border.
The various clans of Konoha watched the group leave until they disappeared from sight.
Arrived at the border negotiation site
There was a tulou (earthen building) that looked like a post station, but at the moment only Pakura, Chiyo, Ebizo, and Lin were in the post station.
As for Rasa? Oh, Chiyo sent him back to guard the village because it was still in danger, so she didn't take him with her.
High emotional intelligence: Protecting the home.
Low emotional intelligence: Get kicked out of high-level circles.
Sarutobi Hiruzen arrived at the post station with Shimura Danzō, Uchiha Kō, Tsunade.
Why didn't you bring any other ninjas? Aren't you afraid of Owl's Susanoo?
If you dare to make a move, Xiao alone can wipe you all out! That's the benefit of having great strength!
Chiyo understood this as well, so she didn't bring any other ninjas with her. She felt a pang of emotion, realizing that strength truly allows one to do whatever one wants.
Konoha is so lucky! First, two powerful Senju Hashirama, Uchiha, suppressed the four kingdoms, and then Uchiha Kō slaughtered a thousand. Why doesn't Sunagakure have such powerful sages?
Knock knock knock!
There was a knock on the door of the post station. Chiyo's eyes narrowed. "They're here!" Just as Pakura was about to open the door, Chiyo said, "I'll do it myself!"
She stood up and walked shakily toward the door, deliberately adopting this weak posture to Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, so that the Sunagakure would have to pay less in compensation.
It must be said that if Sarutobi Hiruzen hadn't listened to Uchiha Kō's advice, he might have genuinely felt compassion and readily agreed that Sunagakure wouldn't have to pay compensation.
But now, hehe...
Chiyo opened the door and immediately saw Sarutobi Hiruzen. Her gaze then fell on Uchiha Kō behind him, a hint of apprehension flashing in her eyes.
However, having served as a high-ranking official in Sunagakure for so many years, she remained calm and composed, then smiled and said, "Ah, Lord Hokage, I am old and my legs are not good. Please forgive me."
She opened the door, gesturing for them to enter. Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't speak, but nodded. This puzzled Chiyo; had her attempt to appear weak failed?
She sighed, then straightened her back, deciding not to pretend anymore—it was pointless!
The group walked to the table, and Chiyo asked Pakura and Hayashi to pour tea for them before she prepared to sit in the main seat.
Just then, Uchiha Kō smiled and said, "Lord Hokage, let me help you to your seat." With that, Uchiha Kō helped the Hokage to sit in the main seat.
Chiyo's face turned ashen. After Uchiha Kō's eyes transformed into Three-Tomoe, and then into Wheel-shaped Six-Tomoe Mangekyō, Chiyo lowered her head and sat down in the guest seat opposite Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Sarutobi Hiruzen remained silent, closing his eyes to rest and wait for Chiyo to speak.
The other six stood face to face: Uchiha Kō to Hayashi, Tsunade to Pakura, Shimura Danzō to Ebizo.
Negotiations begin
Pakura first poured a cup of tea for the Hokage, then poured a cup for Chiyo. After that, she stood opposite Tsunade, behind Chiyo.
If all eight people remain silent, in negotiations, the party that speaks first is the one who loses patience and will be at a disadvantage.
Time ticked by, Konoha, confident and unconcerned about the time, was different from Sunagakure. After a moment's hesitation, Chiyo finally spoke.
"Holy Lord Hokage, how about we discuss a post-war agreement?" Chiyo asked.
Sarutobi Hiruzen hummed in agreement and didn't intend to say anything more; after all, he was skilled in negotiation.
Chiyo sighed, then took out a pre-written agreement and handed it to Sarutobi Hiruzen. Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't look at it at first, and handed it to Uchiha Kō.
Uchiha Kō took the teacup with both hands, then opened it and was shocked by what he saw. He looked at Chiyo with a strange expression, Chiyo's expression became somewhat unnatural. She picked up her teacup and took a sip of tea.