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"This time, I plan to take the Second and Minato with me."
"If they want to ban Impure World Reincarnation, they can forget it."
"At the very least, I won't release the Technique Formula on the First Hokage, the Second, Madara Uchiha, or Danzo."
"But to lull them into a false sense of security, I can agree not to resurrect any Ninja from outside Konoha in the future."
"That should be enough for them to accept."
"Of course, I have a condition-they have to agree to fully open Trade Routes with Konoha."
"Then Konoha's electrical appliances and other products can be sold openly in all the major nations and Great Ninja Villages."
"What do you think?"
He had never been the sort to take a loss.
After Nara Shikayama left, Xunjing leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers lightly against the desk.
Trading commerce for peace talks was a deal with guaranteed profits and no downside.
All he had to do afterward was gradually extend his economic reach into the veins of the major ninja villages and nations. By the time they realized what was happening, he would already have their lifelines in his grasp.
When the time came to act, a single word would suffice.
The entire Ninja World would be caught in this web.
What Nara Shikayama had just said made sense-concede too much, and they would mistake Konoha for being weak. They were absolutely capable of taking a mile when given an inch.
The trade condition struck just the right balance, giving them a graceful way out while paving the road ahead.
"All right, it's settled." Xunjing waved a hand. "Get back to your work. I'll speak to the Second Hokage myself."
"Yes."
The door closed, and the footsteps faded into the distance.
Xunjing closed