The Two Nations' Negotiations Begin

The three Sannin were still kneeling on the ground below.

Finding them truly eyesores, the Marshal spoke up.

"Head to the Land of Whirlpools and bring these three pieces of trash along with you."

Raiga Kurosuki, Kushimaru Kuriarare, and Jinin Akebino scrambled out of the Marshal's hall as soon as they heard the order.

"There's no need for us to go to the Land of Whirlpools, is there? We just fought them, after all; it won't end well if we meet again and start brawling."

Once they were away from the hall, Raiga Kurosuki pulled Wuming aside to voice his concerns.

In Raiga Kurosuki's view, the war with the Land of Whirlpools had only just ended, and running over there now meant putting his life directly into their hands.

Wuming glanced at Raiga Kurosuki and replied.

"It's useless to make demands of me; you should be taking them up with the Marshal."

Stung by the retort, Raiga Kurosuki turned to Jinin Akebino behind him and snapped.

"What are you still standing there for? Didn't you hear what he said? Go back and get ready; we're heading to the Land of Whirlpools again."

Jinin Akebino muttered under his breath, thinking that just because he acknowledged him as his big brother didn't mean he could use him as a punching bag.

Kushimaru Kuriarare walked at the back and added, "What rotten luck!"

Several days passed.

In the plaza of the Land of Whirlpools, Uzumaki Shori was discussing the logistics of today's Daimyo inauguration with his high-ranking officials.

The inauguration ceremony was common knowledge throughout the Land of Whirlpools, and they intended to use the spotlight of today's event to spread their population-attraction policies across the entire ninja world.

"Second Hokage-sama, the Konoha envoys have arrived in Ushio City."

A genin trotted in and approached him.

Upon hearing this, Uzumaki Shori took Tsunade with him to welcome the Konoha envoys.

He saw a tall man with his entire left side wrapped in bandages, wearing a stern expression and a cold, piercing gaze.

The envoy sent from the Land of Fire was none other than the man who had served as a top-tier guard to the Second Hokage in his youth, and who was now the leader of Konoha's "Root"—the Darkness of the Ninja World.

"I am truly honored that Danzō-sama would come in person; on behalf of the Land of Whirlpools, I extend a warm welcome."

Uzumaki Shori walked up to him and shook his hand.

"The Second Uzukage is young, yet you managed to defeat Kirigakure; it is worth this old set of bones coming to pay a visit."

"You are too kind. We have already prepared seats for everyone inside; please, this way."

Uzumaki Shori and Shimura Danzō shook hands, exchanging polite pleasantries.

The Darkness of the Ninja World would never stir without the prospect of profit, especially when it came to vying for the position of Hokage.

The ninja clans of Konoha were powerful, yet none had been able to resist Danzō, and many of their members had been absorbed into Root.

He would have to take things as they came, hoping not to sour their relationship with Konoha.

Tsunade spotted the Konoha envoys in the hall.

Why was Danzō the one leading the delegation?

She hated the sight of Danzō; he was nothing but a hypocritical politician.

Danzō noticed Tsunade and walked straight over to her.

"After my personal intercession with the Third, he has forgiven you for coming to the Land of Whirlpools without authorization. Now that the war has ended, please return to Konoha as soon as possible."

Tsunade's eyes widened; Shimura Danzō was truly shameless. It was Mito-sama who had gone to plead her case, yet he had twisted it into him doing her a favor.

"I'll return when it's time to return. That aside, what business do you have coming here yourself?"

"Nothing of great consequence. It is simply that, according to our intelligence, the rocket launchers developed by the Land of Whirlpools are quite powerful."

"Konoha would like to purchase a small quantity. The Land of Whirlpools has just finished a war and must be in need of funds; this is merely the friendship between brothers."

Shimura Danzō said with a stern expression.

Unwilling to listen any further, Tsunade walked away.

Orochimaru stood to the side, watching Danzō.

"I truly did not expect Danzō to come to the Land of Whirlpools."

"Orochimaru, once you return to Konoha, will you be able to replicate the manufacturing of the rocket launchers?" Danzō asked.

"Danzō-sama, I am truly sorry, but I spent the majority of my time in the Land of Whirlpools fighting against the Land of Water; I have not had the chance to study the manufacturing process."

Orochimaru replied indifferently.

"If you cannot find out, then so be it; I will obtain it by my own methods. How is the research into the First Hokage's Wood Release coming along?"

Danzō asked about his own affairs.

"The materials are insufficient. I have collected quite a few from the battlefield, which will be enough for the next experiment, but I will require further support from Danzō-sama."

What Orochimaru was most interested in was eternal life.

Uzumaki Shori was busy arranging the envoys from the various nations.

Every time an envoy stepped into the plaza of the Land of Whirlpools, a loud announcement would ring out.

"Envoy from the Land of Fire has arrived!"

"Envoy from the Land of Lightning has arrived!"

"Envoy from the Land of Earth has arrived!"

Envoys from various smaller nations had also arrived, but when one particular country's name was called, whispers broke out across the scene.

"Envoy from the Land of Water has arrived!"

The envoys from the smaller nations whispered among themselves.

"Isn't the war between the Land of Whirlpools and the Land of Water still ongoing?"

"Aren't they mortal enemies?"

"Perhaps the war ended somewhere we don't know about."

Uzumaki Shori watched the arriving envoy from the Land of Water.

He did not recognize the leader, but the three individuals behind him were very familiar.

Wuming kept his eyes slightly closed, a smile on his face as he spoke.

"Second Uzukage, it is truly a case of 'hearing of your name is not as good as meeting you in person.' Within the Land of Water, many still find it hard to believe that you defeated our Mizukage."

"But the moment I see you, I realize that the phrase 'young and promising' is perfectly embodied in you."

"Allow me to introduce myself. I have discarded my name, so please refer to this humble one as Wuming. I once served as a guard to the First Mizukage, and I have now been appointed by the Land of Water's Council of Elders and the Marshal to conduct negotiations."

Uzumaki Shori sensed a dangerous aura emanating from Wuming; seeing that smile, he knew the man was a smiling tiger.

"Then let us talk. First, the Land of Water must submit a formal letter of surrender and compensate the Land of Whirlpools for our war losses; only then can we discuss the matter of the prisoners."

Upon hearing this, Wuming slowly opened his eyes, staring directly at Uzumaki Shori while radiating a sharp, piercing pressure.

Uzumaki Shori did not back down; his own aura surged, chakra rushing into his eyes as red flames danced within his pupils.

Everyone present sensed the clash of momentum between the two.

The Uzushio Ninja noticed the situation and immediately surrounded them, staring intently at the envoys from the Land of Water.

Raiga Kurosuki cursed his luck inwardly, wishing he had asked the Marshal for sick leave so he wouldn't end up dying here.

Wuming went head-to-head with him, but after gauging the other's strength, he closed his eyes, withdrew his aura, and spoke.

"Uzukage, your strength is truly admirable. Let us speak of something more practical."

"You currently hold over two thousand Kirigakure ninja captive, but do you really think that is all the Kirigakure ninja there are?"

"Kirigakure has ten thousand registered ninja. We lost over a thousand in this war, and you have captured over two thousand. Why don't you calculate how many more Kirigakure can still muster?"

Only then did Uzumaki Shori understand why the Five Great Shinobi Villages were known as the Five Great Shinobi Villages.

The sheer number of ninja in their villages was something small nations could never hope to match.