Mukai smiled knowingly.
" Komushi, convey my conditions to Konoha through Elder Chiyo."
"First, I need the right to browse the Scroll of Seals. Just let me look at it once; I won't copy it."
They simply looked through the pages to see if there were any forbidden techniques related to the killing of the Third Kazekage.
Konoha can send someone to supervise, or even Hiruzen Sarutobi can supervise personally.
Secondly, it is to strengthen communication and exchange between Sunagakure and Konoha.
During the time when Princess Tsunade Konoha was stationed at the border of the Land of Wind, Konoha needed to send young ninjas from various clans who lacked talent to come and learn from her.
Each ninja clan must have at least two members, including the Hyūga and Uchiha Clan.
Those who have separated from their families or are marginalized members of their clan who lack the ability to open their eyes are all eligible.
The goal is to foster mutual trust and support among the younger generation, and I will provide these children with safety guarantees.
The time limit is two years, after which you can return to Konoha.
"Finally, Konoha must severely punish Shimura Danzo, who colluded with the Sunagakure clan and Hanzo of the Salamander to launch a terrorist attack on Sunagakure."
If Shimura Danzō over to Sunagakure for punishment, I will personally lead a large army to the front lines to assist Konoha!
The intelligent Komushi seems to have really evolved quite a bit, it responded:
" Mukai- kun, Konoha will definitely not agree to such harsh conditions."
"Who knows? Everyone needs to have dreams, right?"
"Some people do so many bad things and go unpunished. Isn't that too lenient?"
Konoha Hokage Building
"Tell me, what are the conditions offered by Sunagakure?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat in the main seat, his pipe already extinguished. He felt a slight itch in his throat and put the pipe down.
Opposite him stood Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, their faces ashen.
"Everyone has seen the terms this time."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice betrayed his weariness as he pushed the scroll brought by the communication hawk towards the center of the table:
Let's discuss it!
The words on the scroll were simple, yet they were like three poisoned Kunai, nailed to Konoha's most sensitive nerves.
The Scroll of Seals, the hostages of the ninja clan, Shimura Danzō.
This is the core of the three conditions proposed by Sunagakure.
A deathly silence.
Utatane Koharu, broke the silence first. Although she was no longer young, her voice was still sharp.
"Arrogant! This is simply outrageous!"
The Scroll of Seals is the foundation of the village; how can outsiders be allowed to covet it?
Sending their own people? This is clearly demanding hostages!
Mitokado Homura adjusted his glasses, his tone becoming slightly calmer:
"The most important thing is the third point, which I think is what Sunagakure wants most."
Punishing Danzo is tantamount to shaking the very foundation of Konoha, Hiruzen!
Even if Danzo made mistakes, he was still an elder of Konoha. Even if he had some connections with the Fusa Clan, it couldn't prove that he was truly involved.
Handing him over or severely punishing him internally would chill the hearts of everyone who cares about the village.
Konoha has never dealt with its own elders before!
Hiruzen Sarutobi a deep breath, took out a match, but didn't light it.
"How could I not know?"
But how long can the front lines hold out?
The Third Raikage was severely injured by Sunagakure, but instead of seeking Sunagakure, they sent Kumogakure's AB to launch a frenzied attack on their defenses.
On the Iwagakure side, Ōnoki personally took action, and Orochimaru could only barely hold on using secret techniques.
Without the Sunagakure's assistance, even if it were just that they stopped providing those high-quality Chakra weapons and Explosive Tag, our defenses might have completely collapsed.
He paused, his voice growing deeper:
"At that time, what will be lost will not only be a few border outposts, but the entire shield of the Land of Fire, and even... the village itself."
"Then mobilize all our forces and fight with all our might!"
Utatane Koharu rooms, suddenly slammed her hand on the table:
"When did Konoha ever need to fawn over its enemies to survive?"
Even fighting to the last man is better than living in such humiliation!
" Koharu, do you think you could fight the Third Raikage or Ōnoki on the battlefield?"
Silence fell over the meeting room once again. Hiruzen Sarutobi's words were like a bucket of cold water, extinguishing Utatane Koharu's passionate outburst.
"So, we have to sacrifice Danzo?"
Mitokado Homura stared at Hiruzen:
" Hiruzen, you and Danzo have been fighting for many years, but don't forget that you are both disciples of the same teacher, and you are both fighting for Konoha!"
His command error this time caused huge losses, and he is indeed culpable, but his crime does not warrant death.
It shouldn't be handed over to outsiders! This is a matter of principle!
"His mistake meant that 1,300 ninjas could never return home," Hiruzen's voice was hoarse. "Someone must bear this responsibility."
"Then handle it internally!"
Utatane Koharu insisted, "Strip him of his elder status, disband Root, and imprison him! This will both give Sunagakure an explanation and save face for Konoha!"
"Could it really be that we're going to..." Mitokado Homura didn't finish his sentence, but his meaning was clear.
"No." Hiruzen Sarutobi abruptly raised his head, a resolute glint in his eyes. " Danzo... cannot be handed over, nor can he be executed."
Everyone looked at him.
" Danzo is guilty, terribly guilty. But as Homura said, he is the root of Konoha, a member of our Konoha Elder Council, and we absolutely cannot hand him over to Sunagakure!"
He stood up, his gaze sweeping over the two advisors:
What Konoha needs now is unity, to pool all its strength to win the Ninja War!
Sacrificing Danzo might lead to even faster disintegration. We must protect him!
"But the conditions for Sunagakure..." Utatane Koharu asked eagerly.
"Bargain!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi said:
" The Scroll of Seals records so many forbidden techniques. Not to mention an outsider from Sunagakure, even many geniuses from Konoha could not learn just one of these forbidden techniques in their entire lives."
What difference would it make if he saw it in person?
Could he really have a photographic memory and memorize so many complex techniques and cultivation methods?
That's acceptable!
As for sending their own people, that's fine; Sunagakure just wants to show its stance.
They offered to the Hyuga Branch Family, even those without the talent for the family's secret techniques—isn't that simple?
Even the Uchiha members themselves don't consider those who can't open their eyes as their own!
Actively increase the number; send two people from each ninja clan!
Anyway, it's on the border of the Land of Wind, where Tsunade is stationed!
With that Sunagakure genius Mukai providing security, I'd almost be hoping something goes wrong so he could compensate us with more ninja tools and Explosive Tag!
These guys without ninja talent, at least they managed to acquire ninja tools, which serves a purpose for the village!
"As for Danzo, we can announce that Shimura Danzō has resigned from all positions due to a major command error."
He himself... will be imprisoned indefinitely in Konoha's most heavily guarded forbidden area, and is not allowed to contact anyone without the Hokage's order.
This is the biggest concession we can make!