Kumogakure's Disruption, Contract Signed

Uzumaki Shori watched the other party, who had clearly softened their stance.

It seemed the news that the Land of the Moon had been completely defeated had already reached Kumogakure.

He could not afford to offend the Land of Lightning too deeply, yet he could not let them view his side as easy targets either.

"It is nothing. Compared to the battle against the Land of the Moon, our side was merely warming up."

"Then shall we fight again? I haven't had enough yet," the son of the Third Raikage, Xiao Ai, retorted aggressively.

Jonin Dodai stepped in to smooth things over with diplomatic pleasantries.

"Xiao Ai, do not speak nonsense. My apologies, Uzukage. Perhaps the previous battle was indeed just a warm-up for us as well."

"Lord Uzukage, the King of the Land of the Moon sent a letter to our Kumogakure requesting support. There may have been a slight misunderstanding; we need only clear that up."

It appeared the Land of Lightning still viewed the Land of Whirlpools as a minor nation, clearly still harboring thoughts of taking advantage of the situation.

"This environment is hardly suitable for conversation. Why not follow us to the capital of the Land of the Moon, and we can deliberate there?" Uzumaki Shori proposed.

Jonin Dodai signaled to Xiao Ai, indicating that they should follow.

The son of the Third Raikage, Xiao Ai, whispered as he followed along.

"Jonin Dodai, didn't my father send me here? Why have you tagged along?"

"The Land of Whirlpools is merely a small nation and poses no threat to us, but one can only blame the Land of the Moon for being so incompetent, especially when it sits next to a major power," Jonin Dodai replied.

Uzumaki Shori climbed onto a Weasel Tank and waved at the Cloud ninjas, gesturing for them to board.

"Uzukage, you are truly generous to invite us to ride your nation's new generation of weaponry."

Puppetry had no market in the Land of Lightning, and coupled with the sealing techniques rewarded by the system, no one would ever be able to replicate them without first breaking through that layer of knowledge.

After sitting down, Jonin Dodai stroked the steel beneath him.

"Uzukage, your refining techniques are truly superb. Even after being struck by our ninjutsu, the armor remained unbreached."

Uzumaki Shori consciously displayed the strength of his own technology.

"Jonin Dodai, this steel can be used for more than just armor; it can also be crafted into excellent shuriken and kunai."

"If you are interested, we can discuss it further once we reach the capital of the Land of the Moon."

At this moment, the palace square of the Land of the Moon.

Tents were scattered everywhere, and squads were patrolling the area; there were at least three thousand people stationed here.

When the son of the Third Raikage, Xiao Ai, saw so many troops waiting here—having just been clamoring about teaching the Land of Whirlpools a lesson—his bravado instantly withered.

He had originally assumed the Land of Whirlpools had suffered heavy losses in the war against the Land of the Moon and had only dispatched a few hundred men, thinking Kumogakure could surely defeat them.

"Jonin Dodai, it is fortunate you held me back earlier. Otherwise, even if I could have escaped with my life, the teammates I brought would have been wiped out," the son of the Third Raikage, Xiao Ai, said with a sigh.

Jonin Dodai was also somewhat surprised; seeing the city walls of the Land of the Moon razed to the ground, he turned and said:

"Lord Uzukage, it seems the Land of the Moon has truly been conquered by you. I heard that Tsukikage Shabadaba of Tsukigakure possessed the Ketsuryūgan. I wonder if you have seen him?"

It seemed Jonin Dodai wanted to use the Ketsuryūgan to hint at the hidden depths of Kumogakure.

"Jonin Dodai, look at the palace destroyed by fire before your eyes. Shabadaba was quite resolute; he preferred to end his own life rather than be captured by us," Uzumaki Shori said with a smile.

Seeing everyone return, King Yuanyue of the Land of the Moon hurried over, wiping sweat from his face.

"Lord Uzukage, you have finally returned! And these are?"

"They are envoys from Kumogakure. These gentlemen were just saying that the King of the Land of the Moon wrote to their village requesting support. Is there any truth to this?"

Upon hearing this, the sweat on King Yuanyue's face turned into a waterfall, and he said tremblingly:

"There is indeed such a matter, but Shabadaba was mistaken. My apologies, envoys of Kumogakure, for making you run here for nothing."

The son of the Third Raikage, Xiao Ai, let out a cold snort, his eyes scanning Yuanyue with a chilling glare as he said coldly:

"King Yuanyue, you had best think carefully before you speak. Otherwise, you may not even know what the consequences will be."

Yuanyue could only lower his head, his body trembling.

Uzumaki Shori walked over, blocking the space between the two, and spoke up.

"Next, the Land of Whirlpools and the Land of the Moon will sign a treaty of war. King Yuanyue, go and fetch the documents."

Yuanyue felt instantly relieved and ran off to retrieve the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone.

"Lord Uzukage, you are truly imposing," Jonin Dodai said, staring at him.

"If I hadn't conquered the Land of the Moon before you arrived, that would have been a different story. Envoys of Kumogakure, follow me. It just so happens that Kumogakure can serve as a witness."

After saying this, Uzumaki Shori smiled and turned toward the conference room.

The son of the Third Raikage, Xiao Ai, stared at him and said:

"Jonin Dodai, are we really going to follow his arrangements? Is there truly no other way?"

"Just as he said, if we had arrived before he conquered the Land of the Moon, things would be different. Let's go. Let us see what a defeated nation looks like, to remind ourselves never to fail," Jonin Dodai said, then walked inside.

In the conference room, several captains from the Land of Whirlpools were already present.

Uzumaki Shori walked over and sat down, officially beginning the proceedings.

"King Yuanyue, the first term: as previously discussed, the southern forests are to be ceded to the Land of Whirlpools."

"The second term: personnel from the Land of Whirlpools are exempt from all taxes when conducting business within the Land of the Moon."

"The third term: should any citizen of the Land of Whirlpools commit a crime in the Land of the Moon, they shall be handed over to the Land of Whirlpools for punishment."

"The fourth term: King Yuanyue shall abdicate, and his son, Manyue, shall succeed to the throne."

"King Yuanyue, take a look. Do you have any objections?"

Xiao Ai, son of the Third Raikage, slammed his hand onto the table and shouted.

"King Yuanyue, these conditions are far too harsh! If you refuse, Kirigakure will certainly come to your aid."

Uzumaki Shori merely swept his gaze over King Yuanyue and said, expressionless.

"One day. It took only one day for the people of the Land of Whirlpools to set up camp directly in the capital of the Land of the Moon. King Yuanyue, you should listen to the Kumogakure ninja and consider your options carefully."

Under the immense pressure, King Yuanyue burst into tears. With tears streaming down his face, he took the document, found the designated spot, and signed his name.

The people from the Land of Whirlpools broke into smiles, while the men from Kumogakure turned ashen-faced.

King Yuanyue said, trembling.

"Lord Uzukage, the troops of the Land of the Moon have now been completely annihilated."

"Without soldiers to protect it, the Land of the Moon will soon be raided by all manner of rogue ninja. I beg the Land of Whirlpools to dispatch personnel to provide protection."

Xiao Ai, son of the Third Raikage, immediately stepped forward and said.

"The protection of the Land of the Moon can be handled by Kumogakure."