Minato looked helplessly at Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Sarutobi Hiruzen also looked at him.
The eyes of both people were full of bitterness.
After a long time, Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke.
"Minato..." His voice was hoarse, "This is considered your family matter. I shouldn't make decisions for you. But..."
He didn't say any more.
But Minato understands what he means.
If you refuse, Konoha will face an even more brutal war.
If you accept it, there is at least hope that Kushina can survive.
Moreover, you can also exchange it for a Two-Tails.
The loss of Konoha can be minimized.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
The smiling face of Kushina flashed in my mind. She always smiled so happily, so brightly and so carefree.
She always said, Minato, you will definitely become Hokage in the future.
She always said that when the war is over, we will have many, many children.
She doesn't deserve to die.
She cannot die.
But...
"... Okay." His voice was very soft, as if he had exhausted all his strength, "I agree."
Shaoyu nodded.
"Wise choice." He said, "Don't worry, I will do my best to ensure her safety."
Minato said nothing.
He just looked at Shaoyu with complicated emotions in his eyes.
Hatred? Unwilling? Helpless?
He couldn't tell himself.
Shaoyu turned around and walked to his seat, took out a scroll from his arms and placed it on the table.
"The third condition."
Sarutobi Hiruzen took the scroll and slowly unfolded it.
It is densely filled with words, including a list of compensation for various resources, money, and materials.
The corners of his eyes twitched.
This number... is really too big.
Grain:...
Minerals: Iron ore... tons, copper ore... tons, and several other types of ores.
Wood:...
Funding: One hundred Asuma.
Ninja tools: Kunai 100,000 pieces, Shuriken 200,000 pieces, Explosive Tag 50,000 pieces, and several other types of ninja tools.
Medical supplies: hemostatic agents, antidotes, first aid kits, etc., enough to last a large hospital for three years.
Each item is clearly listed, and the numbers for each item are astonishingly large.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's hands are shaking.
This number is enough to make Konoha nervous.
It may even make Konoha breathless in the next few years.
But...
He glanced at Shaoyu.
The young man was looking at him with an unpredictable smile on his lips.
He knew he couldn't bargain.
Sarutobi Hiruzen Take a deep breath and continue reading.
At the end, he saw the total.
Three billion taels, plus various materials, is roughly equivalent to Konoha's three-year fiscal revenue.
Konoha is the richest among Five Great Shinobi Villages. Land of Fire has fertile land, rich products, and developed commerce.
Although this compensation is large, it is still within the affordable range for the size of Konoha.
He raised his head and looked at Shaoyu.
"This number..." he said, his voice hoarse, "Is acceptable."
Minato was stunned.
"Lord Third?!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen raised his hand to stop him.
"Minato, I know what you want to say." He said, "But this is the best result."
He looked at Shaoyu.
"I only have one request." He said, "This compensation should be paid in five years. If you take it out in one go, Konoha will collapse."
Shaoyu thought for a while, then nodded.
"Okay." He said, "Spread it over five years and pay one-fifth every year. Forget it, I won't charge the interest."
Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled bitterly.
No interest? Are you charging less?
But he didn't say it.
"Then it's settled." Shaoyu stood up and stretched out his hand.
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at his outstretched hand and was silent for a moment, then slowly stretched out his hand and shook it.
Hold the two hands together.
One is Hokage of Konoha, and the other is the elder of Kumogakure.
But Shaoyu didn't let go.
He looked into Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes and raised a meaningful smile at the corner of his mouth.
"Third Hokage Master, since the conditions have been negotiated, let's not wait for three days."
Sarutobi Hiruzen was stunned.
"What do you mean?"
Shaoyu let go of his hand and straightened his red armor.
"I mean, I will go with you now Konoha."
This sentence made the room instantly quiet.
Minato's brows furrowed, and Orochimaru's eyes narrowed slightly.
Shaoyu raised his hand and interrupted him.
"Third, don't get me wrong."
He said, "It's not that I don't trust you. I just think that since the conditions have been negotiated, there is no need to delay it for another three days. It would be better for everyone if the matter is done and the person is released as soon as possible."
He paused and looked out the window.
Outside the window, Kumogakure's thousands of troops stretched for miles, their flags flapping in the wind.
"Of course." He retracted his gaze and looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi, "I won't bring too many people with me."
He turned around and looked at the person behind him.
"Shisui."
A young man walked out of the crowd.
He is fifteen or sixteen years old, with a handsome face, clear eyes, and slightly messy short black hair.
He was wearing a Kumogakure standard vest and a short sword on his waist. He looked ordinary.
But Hiruzen Sarutobi noticed that those eyes were a pair of Mangekyō Sharingan.
Uchiha Shisui.
Shaoyu's younger brother, Kumogakure Uchiha Clan's youngest genius.
"Brother." Shisui walked to Shaoyu and nodded slightly.
Shaoyu patted his shoulder, then looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"It's just the two of us." He said, "My brother Shisui is with me, that's enough."
In fact, with Konoha's current strength, even just two people, Uchiha Shaoyu and Shisui, can kill him.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's brows furrowed even more.
"Just you two?"
That's a little too arrogant, Uchiha Shaoyu really doesn't take them Konoha seriously.
"Yes." Shaoyu nodded, "Lianhuo will stay here with the army. If I don't come back within three days--"
He looked out the window with a meaningful smile on his lips.
"He knows what to do."
Although he is very confident in his own strength, Uchiha Shaoyu still has to be cautious. He is still very timid.
Sarutobi Hiruzen can't say anything to refute.
Because if it were him, he would do the same thing.
"... Okay." He took a deep breath, "Then let's go."
An hour later.
Konoha Outside the gate.
Three thousand Kumogakure elites were waiting in formation, their blue armors shining coldly in the sun.
Lianhuo stood at the front of the team, watching the red figure gradually go away.
"Sir, you really don't need me to follow you?" There was a hint of worry in his voice.
Shaoyu didn't look back, just waved his hand.
"Watch the army." He said, "If I haven't come back in three days, you know what to do."
Lianhuo was silent for a moment, then nodded heavily.
"My subordinate understands."
Shaoyu said nothing and continued to walk forward.
Beside him, Shisui followed closely.
Two people, one red and one black, walked in the direction of Konoha.
Behind him, three thousand troops were watching eagerly.
In front of me, the door of Konoha slowly opened.