" The Akatsuki is a mercenary organization independent of the Land of Rain, with members from all over the world. Requiring all members to register is tantamount to asking us to betray our own members."
The implication was clear: they disagreed. The atmosphere in the meeting room suddenly froze.
Hiruzen Sarutobi his pipe, attempting to ease the tension. "How about this: Akatsuki can preserve the privacy rights of its core members, but they need to promise not to conduct operations within the territory of the Five Great Nations."
Ōnoki scoffed, "Then who's going to guarantee that? Iwagakure demands that the identities of at least seven core members be made public."
With everyone offering their opinions, a compromise was eventually reached thanks to Pain's insistence.
The Akatsuki publicly identified its five core members and pledged not to conduct any military activities within the territory of the four major powers.
In exchange, the four great nations will cancel the bounties on the five core members who were missing-nin and will no longer interfere in the Land of Rain in any way.
With the signing of the " Land of Rain Neutrality Agreement," the meeting moved on to its third agenda item...
Regarding the control of the black market.
" The Akatsuki proposed that the Land of Rain be responsible for overseeing the underground black market, specifically including... prohibiting bounties on high-ranking members of ninja villages, prohibiting the sale of core technologies from various ninja villages, and establishing a regular review mechanism."
" Sunagakure agrees."
" Kumogakure agrees."
" Iwagakure agrees."
Konoha agrees.
"..."
After a brief discussion, the parties quickly reached a " Black Market Regulation Agreement ".
The Land of Rain has established a special regulatory department, Four Great Shinobi Villages conduct joint inspections every quarter. Violators will face joint sanctions from the four major nations.
With this, Pain's proposal session officially concluded.
The atmosphere inside the meeting room eased slightly, and the sound of rain became gentler.
"Next, we will move on to the presentations from each country, starting with Konoha."
Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly stood up, took a deep drag of his cigarette, and said.
" Konoha has proposed establishing a ' Shinobi World Medical Cooperation System,' which includes sharing basic Medical Ninjutsu, establishing a transnational medical rescue mechanism, and regularly holding Medical Ninjutsu exchange meetings!"
Since no one took the previously proposed tiered management mechanism seriously, he naturally wouldn't bring it up again.
Thus, this entirely new proposal was born.
While Konoha is no longer able to compete with Kumogakure and Sunagakure in terms of military strength, the medical field is Konoha's traditional strength.
Under the guise of medical exchange, Konoha can legally obtain physical data on ninjas from various villages.
In particular, the cybernetic ninjas of Sunagakure and the Nintaijutsu of Kumogakure will become important references for Konoha in developing new forbidden techniques.
Furthermore, by dominating the medical system, Konoha can rebuild its voice in Shinobi World affairs, since whoever controls medical resources controls the lifeline of each ninja village.
It seems we need to find a way to bring Tsunade back.
Hoshino's prosthetic eye shifted slightly, as if he had seen through something, and he said, " Sunagakure can share basic medical data, but core technologies involving prosthetic modifications are not within the scope of this discussion."
Raikage A stated bluntly, " Kumogakure only accepts cooperation for the treatment of ordinary injuries and illnesses; medical techniques related to Lightning Release Nintaijutsu are out of the question."
Ōnoki echoed, indicating that cooperation would begin with infectious disease prevention and control, with other areas to be explored gradually.
"Of course, cooperation should always proceed gradually."
Hiruzen Sarutobi unfazed, the smoke from his pipe obscuring the glint in his eyes.
He had anticipated being refused the sharing of core technologies, but this was exactly the outcome he wanted.
Take it slow... As long as we don't get eliminated outright, Konoha needs time too.
With the discussion of Konoha's proposals concluded, the meeting moved on to Iwagakure's proposals.
Ōnoki proposed establishing a ' Joint Resource Development Mechanism ' to jointly develop various resources along the borders of different countries and exchange resources.
" Iwagakure possesses the richest mineral resources," Ōnoki said with a hint of pride. "We can open up some of the mines in exchange for unique resources from other countries."
The proposal was agreed upon by everyone, and it was ultimately decided that the Land of Rain would serve as a neutral trading platform to ensure fairness.
It was Raikage A's turn to present his proposal.
He bluntly demanded the establishment of a ' Strategic Weapons Non-Aggression Treaty,' a proposal clearly aimed at the Mutant Insect Swarm of Sunagakure.
No one else could get a word in edgewise about this proposal.
After all, it was a non-aggression pact; as long as they didn't use each other's weapons, it was fine. Other ninja villages were not considered, which made the Kage feel the powerful stance of military might once again.
After a brief exchange, a vague ' Strategic Weapons Use Guidelines ' was finally reached, which only stipulated the most basic moral bottom line.
Finally, it was Sunagakure's proposal.
" Sunagakure proposed establishing a ' Shinobi World Joint Council ' system."
Hoshino's mechanical prosthetic eye gleamed coldly as it slowly unfolded a holographic projection.
A sophisticated power structure diagram appeared in the projection:
The highest decision-making body, the ' Council,' is dominated by Sunagakure and Kumogakure, while the executive body, the ' Administrative Court,' is composed of major ninja villages like Iwagakure and Konoha, which lack strategic weapons.
The oversight body, the ' Neutral Arbitration Tribunal,' is represented by the Land of Rain.
As for other smaller ninja villages, such as Kusagakure and Takigakure, as ordinary members, they only have the right to make suggestions, not the right to vote.
Hiruzen Sarutobi stared at the holographic projection, wisps of smoke rising from his pipe.
This so-called Shinobi World Joint Council system bears a striking resemblance to his previously proposed tiered control mechanism, yet they differ drastically in key details.
The proposal for tiered control was spearheaded by Konoha, while the Joint Council explicitly stipulated that Sunagakure and Kumogakure would lead the decision-making mechanism.
Tiered control emphasizes consensus, while Joint Council implements a system that prioritizes strength.
Tiered control provides more protection for small countries, and the Joint Council has virtually stripped them of their voice.
The most ironic thing is...
This proposal from Sunagakure perfectly confirms his initial judgment: in this new era where strength reigns supreme, ninja villages without comparable military power are not qualified to discuss rule-making.
He just hadn't expected that Konoha would so quickly go from being the rule-makers to being the rule-takers.
"Does the Lord Hokage have any objections to this structure?" Hoshino's voice interrupted Hiruzen Sarutobi's thoughts.
Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly exhaled a smoke ring. " Konoha simply believes that rather than pursuing a superficial alliance, it's better to first establish substantive mutual trust."
Raikage A waved his hand impatiently, "Talking about mutual trust is meaningless. Kumogakure supports this proposal."
Ōnoki said solemnly, " Iwagakure objection to the framework, but I request that the Administrative Court have veto power over the Council."
Hoshino replied, "Yes, but Sunagakure and Kumogakure reserve the final say."
"And what about the qualifications for promotion to the Council?" Ōnoki continued to ask.
"Of course, it depends on whether they possess strategic-level weapons," Raikage A said.
As everyone went back and forth, Hiruzen Sarutobi noticed that the negotiation had completely turned into a bilateral dialogue between Sunagakure and Kumogakure.
He cleared his throat lightly. " Konoha suggests expanding the scope of the veto power to..."
"Enough!" Raikage A suddenly slammed his hand on the table and stood up. " Hokage, let's face reality. Now it's our turn to call the shots."