"Whatever I promise, even the Jade Emperor himself couldn't change it."
Uncompromising.
It was downright, mercilessly uncompromising. Even Shikaku, known for his strategic mind, had not expected Gekkō Raito to act so overbearing at the negotiating table.
Tsunade froze, for a moment not even knowing how to reply. This attitude filled her with extreme irritation, but the other party happened to be Gekkō Raito, and deep down she had no wish to fall out with this kid over a mere Sunagakure.
The scene plunged into a dead silence for a time.
Shikaku glanced sideways at her Hokage, and seeing her still hesitating, he knew things were bad. If he did not speak up now, it would be a disguised display of weakness, and where would Konoha's face go?
Someone had to play the bad cop.
"This is impossible!" Shikaku stepped forward, his voice steady and forceful. "The damage Sunagakure inflicted on Konoha has yet to be settled, and this debt absolutely cannot just be written off like this."
"Even if the alliance is broken, Sunagakure must produce sufficient compensation to appease Konoha's fury!"
His abacus was calculated loudly, pointing all blame directly at Sunagakure while attempting to rope in Kirigakure to help carve up this fat piece of meat.
Kyuji's icy gaze instantly locked onto Shikaku, his tone freezing cold. "Lord Gekkō Raito is conversing with the Hokage. When does it ever become your turn for a mere guard to interrupt?"
Stared at by those eyes that seemed to look upon a dead man, Shikaku felt a chill run down his spine, his pressure soaring.
Tsunade immediately moved to shield him, her gaze sharp as she looked at Kyuji. "He is Konoha's brain, which means he is my left and right arm; his words are my will!"
Gekkō Raito casually