Konoha.
After traveling nonstop for several days, Kitsuchi finally arrived in Konoha.
Sure enough, he had encountered no obstruction whatsoever along the way.
He soon arrived at the Hokage's Office.
"Third Hokage-sama." Kitsuchi bowed properly, and the two aides accompanying him followed suit.
"I represent Hidden Stone in negotiations with Konoha."
The Third Hokage's expression revealed neither pleasure nor anger. He merely nodded and pushed a notebook toward Kitsuchi.
"There's no need for unnecessary words. These are Konoha's terms."
"If you agree, the Five-Tails Jinchūriki, Han, will be returned to you unharmed."
"If you refuse, we'll hand him over to Hidden Cloud."
Kitsuchi's heart skipped a beat. He suppressed his emotions and opened the notebook. The first item read:
The training method for Dust Release, along with related insights.
The second item was two hundred million in reparations. The third, fourth, and fifth items involved trade in various goods that Hidden Stone had prohibited from exporting.
Aside from Dust Release, the total value of everything combined exceeded one billion.
Kitsuchi sucked in a sharp breath.
"That's too much. I can't make that decision myself. I need to contact the Tsuchikage first."
"Ho ho ho. Then I've arranged rooms for you. Make yourselves at home."
Seeing how utterly lacking in negotiation skills Kitsuchi was, the Third Hokage chuckled a few times.
Kitsuchi did not delay. Taking the Third Hokage's terms, he led his attendants out.
A room had been prepared for him right along the corridor, making it convenient for him to get in touch.
Among his attendants was someone proficient in the Summoning Technique. At the slowest, exchanging information would take an hour or two; at the fastest, only several dozen minutes.
--
The Third Hokage paid no further attention to Kitsuchi.
In truth, this was a conversation between Konoha