Sunagakure's Terms

Inside the reception hall

The five young Sand ninja accompanying him sat primly, waiting for the Hokage to arrive.

They had come to request peace talks, so even while seated, they only dared to rest half their backsides on the chairs. None of the five even dared to breathe loudly, afraid that some minor mistake might anger Tobirama Senju and cause the negotiations to fail.

Ebizo himself, however, appeared quite at ease. He leaned back in his chair as though he were in Sunagakure itself.

Because he had long prepared himself for the possibility that the peace talks would fail and war would break out.

Very soon.

To the sound of two sets of footsteps—tap, tap—Tobirama Senju and Shikaku Nara entered the room one after the other.

At once,

the five Sand ninja shuddered instinctively as though they had seen the Kazekage, then sprang straight to their feet.

"Lord Hokage." The five of them simultaneously greeted Tobirama Senju respectfully.

"Mm."

Tobirama Senju gave a slight nod, glanced at Ebizo, who was leading the Sunagakure delegation, then walked directly to the seat of honor. Shikaku Nara dutifully took a seat beside him.

Seeing how greatly the five Sand ninja feared Tobirama Senju, Ebizo's expression darkened, and he let out a cold snort.

Seeing Ebizo's displeasure, the five Sand ninja hurriedly sat properly. Yet their constantly trembling bodies still exposed the anxiety they felt upon meeting the Hokage.

"Speak. How does Sunagakure intend to settle the matter of the Konoha Crush Plan?"

Tobirama Senju glanced at Ebizo, whose head was wrapped in bandages, and got straight to the point.

Ebizo's sunken eye sockets widened in surprise, making his already dark eye rims seem even more pronounced.

He had apparently not expected Tobirama Senju to be so direct, without even a word of pleasantry. Once he recovered, he cleared his throat and spoke slowly.

"Lord Hokage, the Konoha Crush Plan was orchestrated by Orochimaru, a rogue ninja of Konoha. Sunagakure was deceived by Orochimaru and had no idea it was his scheme. Even our Kazekage was attacked by Orochimaru."

After saying this, Ebizo raised his brows when he saw no reaction from Tobirama Senju, then continued.

"Ahem. However, since this has already happened, Sunagakure will not evade responsibility."

"This time, we represent all of Sunagakure in offering Konoha our apology with the utmost sincerity."

Having said that, Ebizo leaned back against his chair, waiting to see Tobirama Senju's response.

"The utmost sincerity? Let's hear it."

Tobirama Senju smiled meaningfully.

Ebizo's expression darkened again.

The five Sand ninja beside him were also stunned.

Was this the Hokage's attitude?

The legendary Second Hokage?

Were all the powerhouses of the Warring States era this unrestrained?

This was Sunagakure's peace negotiation with Konoha. Shouldn't he wait until Ebizo had stated Sunagakure's terms before making a decision?

Who started by asking just how sincere they were?

Ebizo felt that he had met his match.

As expected of the Second Hokage, renowned for his shrewdness. He truly is unfathomable; even I cannot see through him.

Ebizo silently thought to himself, sensing that the peace talks would most likely fail.

After the room had remained silent for a full half minute,

Ebizo took a deep breath and pulled out a list. It contained the greatest terms Sunagakure's Elder Council had agreed to offer Konoha after several days of discussion. Raising his head, he said to Tobirama Senju,

"Lord Hokage, Sunagakure's sincerity is five hundred million ryō, along with thirty percent of Sunagakure's mission income for the next ten years."

"Of that, the five hundred million ryō will directly compensate Konoha for its economic losses in this incident. As for thirty percent of Sunagakure's mission income over ten years, that can bring Konoha revenue exceeding three hundred million ryō. Lord Hokage, are you satisfied with our sincerity?"

After Ebizo finished speaking, his dark-rimmed eyes fixed tightly on Tobirama Senju as he waited for an answer.

Five hundred million ryō in cash,

plus thirty percent of Sunagakure's mission income for ten years, was a massive sacrifice for them.

Sunagakure was poor to begin with. Once they paid such a price, they would make no progress over the next decade and might even fall out of the Five Great Ninja Villages!

They had only managed to agree upon such terms after gritting their teeth and mustering every ounce of resolve.

If the details of the peace talks with Konoha were exposed, he, Ebizo, would truly bear the infamy of being a traitor to Sunagakure.

Therefore, deep down, he very much hoped that Tobirama Senju would refuse. If he did, they could simply fight to the bitter end. After all, even if they lost, they would merely have to pay more compensation.

Just as Ebizo had said, those terms were highly tempting. Even Shikaku Nara beside Tobirama Senju could not help but glance over, his gaze burning as though he wished he could accept the offer on Tobirama Senju's behalf.

Yet Tobirama Senju merely gave an "Oh," and said nothing further.

Indeed, Sunagakure's offer was quite good, and the money was plentiful.

But as long as Tobirama Senju refused to return the Jinchuriki, peaceful negotiations between the two sides would be impossible. Besides, if they utterly defeated Sunagakure on the battlefield, would they gain any less than this?

Hearing Tobirama Senju's utterly indifferent "Oh," even Ebizo could no longer endure it. His entire face flushed bright red.

Although he hoped Tobirama Senju would make trouble, he did not want Tobirama Senju to so casually slight Sunagakure's dignity.

The five young ninja accompanying him were so furious that they seemed ready to leap up.

Immediately, the Sand ninja closest to Ebizo among the five spoke up.

"Lord Hokage, what price must Sunagakure pay before you will accept our apology?!"

The words "our apology" were practically forced out through clenched teeth, showing just how furious that Sand ninja was.

After the young Sand ninja spoke, the entire room fell into heavy silence.

Ebizo likewise stared intently at Tobirama Senju, waiting for his answer. Shikaku Nara also watched the Hokage curiously. He too wanted to know what Tobirama Senju truly wanted.

Under the gazes of seven pairs of eyes, Tobirama Senju spoke calmly.

"Though I personally have little need for money or resources, Konoha does."

"So of course I accept your terms in exchange for Konoha's forgiveness."

"You may also take back every Sand ninja captured by Konoha."

Ebizo's eyes widened in astonishment. He had not expected Tobirama Senju, after putting on so many airs, to inexplicably agree to their terms.

But before he could react, Tobirama Senju changed the subject.

"However!"

"Sunagakure's One-Tail Jinchuriki, Gaara, must remain in Konoha and receive Konoha's instruction. If you agree, I can represent Konoha in making peace with you. Even renewing our alliance can be discussed."

After saying this, Tobirama Senju sat in his chair with a smile, saying nothing more.

"That is impossible!"