The Joint Tariff Zone and the Deadlock of Forced Endorsement

Shikaku Nara gently closed the Meeting Room door from outside, cutting off the corridor light and Namikaze Minato's figure.

The atmosphere in the room seemed to freeze in that instant.

Sunagakure's advisor Chiyo gripped the armrest tightly with fingers like dead bark, her knuckles protruding. Amegakure's Konan kept her eyes lowered, her expression unreadable, but the hands resting on the table had already unconsciously clenched into fists.

Those fifteen minutes of recess had felt longer to them than a full-scale battle.

Every bargaining chip they had brought had been smashed onto the table one by one by the other side in a manner that was practically humiliating.

Baishi returned to the head seat and sat down.

He did not look at anyone. He merely picked up a brand-new document from the table, as though nothing had happened.

"Since we have reached a new consensus on reparations and trade," Baishi said calmly, without any hint of emotion, "let us discuss the final matter."

Shikaku Nara understood at once and handed the thin stack of documents in his hands to the Sunagakure and Amegakure delegations.

The document was only one page long.

Its title was printed in bold black type: "Framework Draft for Establishing a Tripartite Joint Security and Tariff Alliance Zone Among the Land of Fire, Land of Wind, and Land of Rain."

Chiyo's clouded eyes abruptly widened.

She picked up the page, and after just one glance, her breathing grew hurried.

Konan also picked up the document and read it word by word. For the first time, undisguised shock appeared on her face, which was always covered by a layer of frost.

Every word in this draft struck at the heart.

The draft proposed establishing a "Joint Tariff Zone" that transcended national borders in order to ensure lasting peace and