Deciding to Use Negotiation as Intimidation
Upon hearing this and understanding the deeper meaning of the Fourth Raikage A, A, the high-ranking members of Kumogakure present, whether radical or conservative, all expressed their agreement.
And whether it was flattery or not, a constant stream of praise rang out:
"As expected of Lord Raikage, so insightful and far-sighted!"
"Yes, Lord Raikage is far more cunning than us brutes. To be able to come up with such a method of subduing the enemy without fighting is certainly the best thing ever."
"Lord Raikage is wise! Under his leadership, our Hidden Lord Raikage Kumogakure will surely become stronger and more prosperous!"
"That's right! What is Konoha? Our Kumogakure is the number one ninja village in the Shinobi World! Konoha will submit to us sooner or later!"
"Kumogakure is fortunate to have Lord Raikage leading it, and I look forward to the success of this diplomatic endeavor."
Listening to this cacophony of flattery, the Fourth Raikage A, was also exasperated. The burly man waved his hand helplessly, signaling them to stop.
"Alright, alright, that's enough for now. This meeting is adjourned for today. You can all go back to your work."
Oh, right, you two who just agreed to fight on the training ground after the meeting, you two! You better behave yourselves Raikage! Don't cause trouble!
Also, the Dodai remains.
The two high-ranking members of Kumogakure who had been singled out by the Fourth Raikage A, A, gave an embarrassed smile and quickly left.
Yeah, they've both been called out. Their supposed fight afterward will definitely have to be dropped, which is good. After all, it avoids a conflict and dispute. Why would your own people fight? Don't you think so, Danzo?
Ahem, let's get back to the main topic.
In any case, the meeting of the high-ranking officials of Kumogakure came to an end, and the high-ranking officials of Kumogakure left the Raikage's Office one by one, leaving only the Dodai mentioned earlier.
Dodai holds a rather unusual position among the high-ranking members of Kumogakure. In terms of political and strategic importance, he is essentially the Raikage's right-hand man.
Moreover, he is not only the current Fourth Raikage's deputy, but also the deputy of the Third Fourth Raikage, the father of the previous Third Raikage, making him a true veteran of two reigns.
Although he was a veteran official of two dynasties, this Dodai was very pragmatic and knew when to advance and retreat. He never used his seniority to do anything excessive. On the contrary, he was very good at knowing when to advance and when to retreat, and his actions were very prudent.
It was precisely because of this that Dodai was able to gain the trust of two generations of Raikage. The Fourth Raikage usually entrusted Dodai with various important tasks, making Dodai practically the Executive Vice Raikage!
The Fourth Raikage deliberately left Dodai behind this time, clearly indicating that he had a new and important task for him.
As for Dodai? Based on his understanding of the Fourth Raikage A and his own clear understanding of his position, he had some guesses and obediently sat in his seat next to the Fourth Raikage A.
The rest of the Kumogakure's high-ranking officials left the office, leaving only Dodai and the Fourth Raikage A, A.
The two were silent for a moment, then Dodai spoke to the Fourth Raikage A, A:
"Ai, is there anything you need me to do? Whatever it is, I'll do it without hesitation. Leave it to me."
Even on the Fourth Raikage A's usually stern face, a hint of a gentle smile, reserved only for friends, inevitably appeared:
"Don't worry, it's nothing dangerous or troublesome, and I guess you've already guessed it."
I hope you will take the lead this time, becoming the envoy of Kumogakure to lead the Kumogakure diplomatic delegation to Konoha for negotiations. This will allow us to pressure Konoha into resolving this border dispute, and ideally Konoha, force them to pay appropriate compensation and benefits."
As Dodai predicted, only someone with his capabilities could undertake such a significant task as negotiating with Konoha and securing benefits.
The saying "the capable are often burdened with more work" perfectly describes him.
Nodding, Dodai agreed without hesitation:
"Don't worry, Ai. Since you trust me and have entrusted this matter to me, I will definitely handle it well. I will definitely negotiate with Konoha properly to resolve this border dispute and make Konoha compensate us."
Heh, after all, the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, is old. I can accurately grasp the mindset of such an old guy.
As long as war is avoided and border disputes are not further escalated, and as long as this old guy is given a certain degree of peace and security, he will definitely back down and compromise.
If you can back down and compromise at the first step, you can definitely back down and compromise at the second, third, and fourth steps.
By forcing Hiruzen Sarutobi concede, we can force the entire Hidden Konoha to compromise and thus offer our Kumogakure sufficient benefits as compensation.
"I've already made plans for this. I absolutely won't let our Kumogakure suffer any losses. Don't worry."
Hearing Dodai's words, and thinking of this guy's reliable work style, especially considering that the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, has indeed become increasingly corrupt and weak recently, yet he is completely unaware of it.
Feeling that the situation was very favorable for him, the Fourth Raikage A, couldn't help but smile. He was brimming with confidence and ambition, and even a bright future seemed to beckon him!
Therefore, the Fourth Raikage A, officially made a decision and, in his capacity as Raikage, issued a relevant order to Dodai, requiring Dodai to form a diplomatic mission and lead the mission to Konoha for negotiations as quickly as possible.
Dodai Tai, of course, immediately accepted the order and went down to make preparations.
While Kumogakure has already taken various countermeasures and made preparations, Konoha is still waiting in comfort to prepare for their attack.
Several more days passed. Due to the underdeveloped information exchange in this era, correspondence between Kumogakure and Konoha was not frequent. Therefore, it was several days later when the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, heard that the Fourth Raikage A, intended to send a delegation for negotiations.
Upon hearing that the Kumogakure was inclined to negotiate, the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, was immediately pleased.
Okay, it's good that we can talk. If we can negotiate, it means that war won't break out anytime soon.
Everything is negotiable, except war, which should not be started lightly.
It's not that I, the Third Hokage, am a coward; it's that I have a compassionate heart and don't want to see the devastation that comes with war. How many people will die once war breaks out?
Our Konoha is a peaceful and tranquil ninja village, and we will never and cannot easily start a war, so it would be best to resolve the issue through negotiation.
Even if we have to make some concessions during the negotiations... for the sake of the bigger picture, for the peace and stability of Konoha, and for the peace of the entire Shinobi World, it's not unreasonable for us to suffer some grievances and make some concessions!
We, Konoha, yielded for the sake of the entire Shinobi World, not because your Kumogakure was being aggressive. You need to understand that.
This is Hiruzen Sarutobi's first reaction and inner thoughts after receiving news that the Kumogakure was inclined to negotiate.
Haha, that's really a very Hiruzen Sarutobi -esque idea. It's like wanting to be a prostitute while also wanting to maintain a virtuous image.
They were clearly cowardly, clearly wanting to back down and compromise, unwilling and afraid to fight, yet they insisted on giving themselves a grand and glamorous fig leaf, calling it the peace of the Shinobi World.
Bullshit! It's like you Hiruzen Sarutobi, are taking all the credit for the peace that has plagued the Shinobi World for the past few years! You think you're so great?! I've seen enough shamelessness to describe you now!
Leaving aside Hiruzen Sarutobi's secret delight, after receiving the relevant news, he immediately realized something else.
That murderous Yun Yan, and that kid Kakashi, are still at the border.
This won't do, this can't go on. Kakashi is relatively obedient, but Yun Yan is clearly an unstable element, and it's too dangerous to keep him at the border.
If one day this kid gets provoked again and runs off to the Lightning Country to wreak havoc, wouldn't all the negotiations that Konoha worked so hard to secure be for nothing?
If things escalate further, negotiations could break down completely, leading to war. That would be a huge loss! There would be endless bloodshed and death. How could Hiruzen Sarutobi bear to do that? (A few crocodile tears)
Therefore, no matter what, we must call Yun Yan back now and make him end this so-called border reconnaissance mission. We can't let him stay there any longer.
Continuing there could easily lead to accidents, dangers, and the situation spiraling out of control. He should be brought back immediately!
Having considered this, Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately drafted the relevant orders in his capacity as Hokage.