The Five Kage took their seats, with guards standing behind them, maintaining a vigilant yet courteous demeanor.
The sound of raindrops pattering against the window in the Land of Rain added a touch of solemnity to this historic meeting.
Although the Kage were somewhat dissatisfied with Pain's orders, they didn't delve too deeply into it. After all, the subsequent proposals included the handling of the Land of Rain, which was a way of giving face to the Sage Eyes.
In the past, they would have already robbed it, but now...
With the Kumogakure and Sunagakure Village leading the way, no one thought that a mere pair of eyes could be compared to Chakra Cannon or Mutant Insect.
While the Rinnegan is precious, it is no longer the sole supreme power in the Shinobi World.
Hoshino spoke first, saying, "Without further ado, Kumogakure must hand over the trigger for the Chakra Cannon, or Sunagakure will have no choice but to take countermeasures."
Negotiations, aren't the initial stages all about testing each other's bottom lines?
Before he could finish speaking, Raikage A sneered, "Did the Sunagakure's insects eat your brains? How dare they come and try to take the Kumogakure's manhood?"
"You want arguments? First, burn all those disgusting insects of yours."
Ōnoki said, "Gentlemen, the issue we're discussing now is the safety of the entire Shinobi World. Iwagakure believes we should first establish a joint oversight mechanism..."
"Supervision?" Hoshino interrupted, "Let a bunch of people who don't even have strategic weapons supervise Sunagakure? Is the Lord Tsuchikage joking?"
"I agree!" Raikage A chimed in, "Things are different now. In my opinion, you don't even deserve to sit at the table anymore. This meeting is completely unnecessary!"
" Raikage, you're exaggerating!" Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly exhaled a smoke ring. "With Konoha's strength, even if you have Chakra Cannon, Konoha isn't without a fighting chance."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's words plunged the meeting room into a brief silence.
Raikage A narrowed his eyes, his thick fingers tapping on the table. "Oh? Does the Hokage mean Konoha is still hiding some trump card?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi calmly stated, " Konoha is not trying to flaunt any trump cards, but rather hopes that everyone understands that no amount of unilateral military intimidation can bring true peace."
Raikage A snorted coldly, but did not continue to press the matter. He simply crossed his arms and asked, "Then what does the Hokage think should be done?"
"Led by Konoha, a tiered control mechanism will be established, with countries possessing strategic weapons assuming greater responsibility and also enjoying corresponding influence."
What do you think?
This was the best solution Hiruzen Sarutobi could come up with.
This so-called tiered management mechanism actually reflects Konoha's awkward position in the current Shinobi World landscape.
Behind the seemingly balanced proposal lies a reluctant compromise on military reforms in the new era.
The Sunagakure's mechanical army and Mutant Insect Swarm demonstrate terrifying Biology Division and mechanical technology, while the Kumogakure's Chakra Cannon represent a devastating breakthrough in energy weaponry.
In contrast, Konoha's proud traditional Ninjutsu system has become inadequate in this new technology-driven era.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's proposal was based on three underlying considerations.
First, by designing systems to constrain military power, Konoha can gain strategic buffer space.
Secondly, we must retain a voice in rule-making to avoid being completely marginalized.
Most importantly, it buys time for Konoha to secretly develop a new generation of forbidden techniques.
However, this plan is destined to be difficult to implement.
Sunagakure and Kumogakure, relying on their military superiority, are unwilling to accept any substantive constraints.
Hoshino's prosthetic body modification project is progressing rapidly, while the Raikage is focusing all his efforts on enhancing the power of his Chakra Cannon.
Both superpowers are preparing for the ultimate struggle for hegemony, and the so-called 'tiered control' is nothing but wishful thinking on Konoha's part.
Even more cruelly, traditional powers like Iwagakure scoffed at Konoha's proposal.
Ōnoki saw it clearly: in this new era where strength reigns supreme, ninja villages without comparable military power have no right to talk about setting rules.
The rain outside the window was pouring down harder and harder, just like the impending upheaval in the Shinobi World.
Hoshino's prosthetic eye flashed with a cold stream of data, rapidly analyzing the micro-expression changes of the representatives from all sides.
Raikage A's muscles were tense, Ōnoki remained silent, and Hiruzen Sarutobi's pipe, though long since extinguished, was still tightly clutched in his hand.
The Five Kage Summit have entered the substantive consultation phase.
Pain surveyed the crowd and said gravely, "As the moderator of this meeting, I propose that we first address the most pressing issue: ending the military standoff between Konoha, Sunagakure, and Iwagakure in the border region."
The Three Great Shinobi Villages have deployed more than 20,000 troops in the border region, and the standoff has lasted for nearly two years, dragging down the economies of many small countries.
The Three Great Shinobi Villages can barely maintain a balance thanks to their size and the new system, but continuing down this path will not benefit any of them.
Especially Sunagakure, having just ended a civil war, definitely needs a stable environment to develop.
Hoshino nodded slightly and said, " Sunagakure agrees to end the standoff, but the ninja forces of the Three Great Shinobi Villages must withdraw from the buffer zone."
Ōnoki and Hiruzen Sarutobi a glance and agreed.
The standoff is a burden for Sunagakure now, and a heavy drain on their village as well. It's good that it's over.
The three parties then held nearly an hour of consultations on specific details and finally reached a " Border Troop Withdrawal Agreement," which was to be completed within fifteen days.
With the signing of the agreement, the tense atmosphere in the meeting room eased slightly.
Pain tapped the table lightly, drawing everyone's attention back to the main topic, "Next, we will discuss the second issue, concerning the international standing of the Land of Rain."
The Land of Rain, located at the crossroads of the three major nations of wind, earth, and fire, holds an extremely important strategic position and has long been a focal point of contention among various ninja villages.
Whenever unrest occurs, the Land of Rain is the first to suffer, with the lower classes enduring untold misery.
Now, taking advantage of the Five Kage Summit, Pain formally put this issue on the agenda, hoping to secure true peace and independence for the Land of Rain.
Hoshino pondered for a moment upon hearing this, then smiled and said, " Sunagakure will support the Land of Rain in becoming a permanently neutral country, but we must ensure that it does not become a military springboard for any power."
As he spoke, he looked directly at Pain and emphasized, "In particular, the Akatsuki's activities must be strictly limited."
Ōnoki and Hiruzen Sarutobi had no objections.
After all, a force possessing the Rinnegan can indeed be considered a major ninja village.
But Raikage A suddenly slammed his fist on the table and stood up angrily, saying, "I agree to the permanent neutrality, but Kumogakure requires that all Akatsuki members be registered and prohibited from operating outside of Kumogakure!"
Pain frowned and said, " The Akatsuki is not the same as Amegakure."
"But you are the leader of the Akatsuki!" Hoshino retorted.
Pain's eyes flickered slightly, and he said in a deep voice, "The conditions are too harsh; I disagree."