Become Konoha's Dogs

The Hokage came into Chiyo's view.

Tobirama Senju wore a set of dark blue Warring States-era armor, looking utterly out of place in this era. A massive forehead protector unlike that of any other ninja covered his face. If not for his lifeless eyes and the cracks on his cheeks, he would have seemed no different from an ordinary ninja.

But upon closer sensing, the chakra pressure emanating from Tobirama Senju was terrifyingly immense, almost solidifying into substance.

Chiyo's already bitter expression twisted even further after she sensed Tobirama Senju's hostility, her features bunching into a grotesque knot.

"Hokage, Sunagakure has lost. I have to admit, your tactical command is unlike anything I have ever seen."

"Tell me, what price does Konoha want before it is willing to cease hostilities with Sunagakure?"

"I assume the Land of Fire does not intend to conquer the Land of Wind completely. After all, the Land of Fire already occupies the most fertile land in the ninja world, enough to meet its people's needs. Meanwhile, the Land of Wind lies in the desert and lacks resources. Even if you conquer it, you will have to send people to govern it. That will undoubtedly divide your forces and give the other ninja villages an opportunity to take advantage."

"So, why not accept our surrender and let Sunagakure continue guarding the Land of Wind? Konoha need only name its demands."

Grandmother Chiyo slowly laid out a series of benefits to accepting Sunagakure's surrender.

After all, Sunagakure had suffered a crushing defeat. If they did not find a way to make Konoha accept their surrender, their village might truly be wiped out!

Grandmother Chiyo had never imagined that she would be utterly crushed in a one-sided battle against Tobirama Senju.

Tobirama Senju fell into thought.

Chiyo's words were not without reason. The manpower required to conquer the Land of Wind would not match the gains, making it a losing proposition. Accepting Sunagakure's surrender would also benefit Konoha.

As for what Sunagakure had to give up after losing this war, all Tobirama Senju wanted was the One-Tail Jinchūriki. Besides, Gaara was already being held in Konoha; this outcome was only because Sunagakure had refused.

So far, including the Nine-Tails, he had only collected two Tailed Beasts.

However, he was now the Hokage. Konoha had not suffered many ninja casualties in its war against Sunagakure, but the financial costs had been enormous.

Now that the war was won, aside from demanding the One-Tail Jinchūriki, he wanted even more military supplies, resources, and money!

With countless thoughts running through his mind, Tobirama Senju raised his head to look at Chiyo and spoke in an incomparably cold voice:

"If you want Konoha to accept Sunagakure's surrender, that is possible. But Sunagakure must fully reimburse Konoha for all of its wartime expenditures. In order to defeat your Sand ninja, Konoha has suffered tremendous losses. The pensions for the dead and compensation for their families must all be paid by your Sand ninja. In total, Sunagakure must compensate Konoha with no less than two billion ryo!"

"And Konoha requires the right to station troops along the border between the Land of Rivers and the Land of Wind!"

Two billion!

And the right to station troops in the Land of Rivers and the Land of Wind!

Hearing these terms, Chiyo felt as though her heart were about to burst from her chest, waves churning violently within her.

Tobirama Senju was not merely demanding too much. He practically wanted to erase Sunagakure from the Five Great Ninja Villages. And he even wanted troop-stationing rights in the Land of Wind. He clearly wanted to turn Sunagakure into Konoha's vassal!

Such a tremendous price.

If they agreed, Sunagakure would become Konoha's dog from then on!

Unless a future generation produced someone comparable to the God of Shinobi, Sunagakure would never be able to rise again!

"One more thing."

Tobirama Senju continued, making Chiyo's entire body tremble.

There was more?

Did Sunagakure have anything else that interested Tobirama Senju?

"The One-Tail Jinchūriki. I need the One-Tail Jinchūriki to remain in Konoha forever."

"What?" Chiyo looked at Tobirama Senju in disbelief. "You want the One-Tail Jinchūriki? With your strength, could you possibly care about a Tailed Beast?!"

That was true. Even Rasa, the Fourth Kazekage and one of the weaker members among the Five Kage, could easily suppress Shukaku, the One-Tail. Clearly, these Tailed Beasts were not that important before Kage Level experts.

Chiyo could not understand Tobirama Senju. If she had known that Tobirama's original goal had been the Tailed Beasts, she might have personally told Gaara how wonderful Konoha was!

"That has nothing to do with you. Those are the terms. Agree, and we will withdraw immediately. Refuse, and we will continue fighting!"

Tobirama Senju's expression turned cold as he cut Chiyo off.

Yes, the Land of Wind was simply too poor.

Conquering it at the cost of manpower and resources would not be of much use to Konoha or the Land of Fire. At most, it would make their territory look a little bigger.

Yet giving it up felt somewhat wasteful. It was like food that tasted bland but was a pity to throw away.

After a moment of silence.

Chiyo was deep in thought. She was quite willing to trade one Gaara for Sunagakure's surrender. After all, she was not yet as close to Gaara as she would become later. In her eyes, Gaara was merely the orphan of the previous Kazekage and a Jinchuriki.

What truly kept her from deciding were the first two conditions.

Finally, after hesitating for several minutes, Grandmother Chiyo stood up. She seemed to have aged more than a decade in an instant. Supported by two elders, she nodded at Tobirama Senju with difficulty.

"Fine. Sunagakure agrees to everything!"