Oto Senju sat back down in her chair, her mind still racing.
The fact that the Uchiha Clan directly demanded slaves from them suggests that the Uchiha Clan is currently experiencing a severe population shortage.
The extreme population shortage was a significant event during the Warring States period, because the number of ninjas that could be produced was directly related to the population size.
The larger the population base, the more likely one or two out of 100 people will be ninjas, even with a low probability. As long as the population base is large enough, the number of ninjas will definitely not be small.
The decline in the Uchiha population means that their ninja numbers will decrease sharply in the near future. Does this mean that the Senju Clan can do something else?
Or perhaps it's a sign that the Senju Clan can finally seize this opportunity to completely defeat the Uchiha?
However, the Uchiha's performance did not suggest a population shortage. Their ninjas remained fierce and numerous, their numbers even surpassing those of the three existing clans.
What do they need these slaves for? Oto Senju couldn't understand. Bringing these slaves into the family and having them live together with family members—weren't they worried about diluting the bloodline?
Aren't you at all worried that your bloodline will be diluted as a result? That the probability of your family members awakening their special abilities will decrease?
The Uchiha Clan is wealthy now, so they don't need to worry about anything. Why do they need so much labor? Oto Senju couldn't understand it no matter how hard she tried.
Looking at Senju Oto Senju was deep in thought and brainstorming, Uchiha Takashi smirked. To be honest, acquiring slaves wasn't his goal.
Or rather, he never intended to have slaves in the first place, but that's a key technique in negotiation.
First, throw out several smokescreens to confuse the other party and prevent them from thinking about the next issue. Only then can you reveal their core demands.
Otherwise, if you bring up your core demands when the other party's thinking is clearest, who knows how they might be extracted from those demands?
Therefore, Uchiha Takashi's core objective was not to acquire slaves; acquiring slaves was merely a convenient side effect. He could do it or not, since the Uchiha didn't currently lack labor.
But what he just thought of were all valid ideas about labor; who would complain about having too much? More labor means more land can be cultivated, and more people can be fed—it's the same principle.
After thinking for a long time, Oto Senju finally said, "We can't give it to you. Our Senju Clan doesn't have slaves, so we can't give it to you."
"Uchiha Clan, are you deliberately making things difficult for us? You know perfectly well that we don't have it, and you yourselves might not even have it."
Uchiha Takashi nodded slightly. "That's right, we Uchiha don't have slaves, but that's not directly related to us asking you for slaves, is it?"
"Whether there are dates or not, let's try a couple of shots. What if your Senju Clan grits its teeth, steels its resolve, and sends over your clansmen or the Sarutobi Clan?"
Of course, this is just a joke. Uchiha Takashi only said this to provoke the Senju Clan. In negotiations, whoever can manipulate the other party's emotions the most will gain the upper hand.
However, Oto Senju was well aware of this principle and didn't fall for it at all, directly changing the subject. "Let's talk about the minerals. How many minerals does your Uchiha Clan want?"
Uchiha Takashi: "So you've transferred it already? Fine, then we want 50% of your clan 'Chakra mine production! 50% of all your Chakra mines!"
This is outrageous! Uchiha Takashi are practically robbery. Half the production quota—even Li Hongzhang wouldn't dare sign this treaty.
"You've gone too far! Fifty percent! Do you even know how much fifty percent is?" The Second Elder of the Senju clan slammed his fist on the table, pointing at Uchiha Satoshi and Uchiha Takashi.
"I don't think you were even considering negotiating!"
Uchiha Satoshi stood up without backing down. "Huh? Who initiated this negotiation? Wasn't it your Senju Clan? We only came Hyuga Clan invited us."
"If it weren't for the Hyuga Clan, we wouldn't have come at all. Your Senju Clan can just go back, and then our Uchiha Clan can prepare our army and storm your headquarters. Do you dare?"
The Second Elder of the Senju was speechless; Uchiha Satoshi's words struck a nerve. The Senju Clan, now threatened by the Uchiha Clan, dared not even begin a war with the Uchiha.
It's not that we can't win, but trying to repel the Uchiha's attack would result in too many losses. If we continue like this, we'll be constantly suppressed by the Uchiha in the future, and this will last for a long time.
By then, the Senju Clan will be continuously suppressed. What if the Uzumaki Clan rises up? What if the Uzumaki decide to annex the Senju Clan?
The Senju Clan isn't worried about being suppressed and defeated by the Uchiha Uchiha the future; their main concern is what other Senju Clan.
It's important to understand that the Senju Clan's greatest asset in contending with the Uchiha Clan was their alliances with other clans, and their dominant position within those alliances.
However, if the Senju Clan is suppressed by the Uchiha Clan for a long enough period, it will lose its dominant position and be swallowed up by other clans.
This is what the Senju Clan is truly worried about.
Oto Senju took a few deep breaths, then said, "Isn't 50% of the Uchiha Clan a bit too much? This is clearly aimed at cutting off the lifeline of our Senju Clan."
We can only provide a maximum of 30% of the Chakra ore; otherwise, it will threaten our own survival.
"Our survival is our own business. Don't you want peace? We Uchiha won't attack you then, so where will your survival problems come from?" Uchiha Satoshi grinned wickedly.
Oto Senju: "Let's not talk about the future for now. In short, our Senju Clan's bottom line is 30% of the Chakra ore."
Uchiha Takashi leaned forward slightly. "The bottom line, huh? Well, it seems we need to revise our treaty."
Uchiha Takashi revealed a smug smile, and seeing this smile, Oto Senju sensed something was amiss.
Uchiha Takashi finally revealed his true purpose; everything before was a smokescreen, a diversionary tactic, something he mentioned casually. He knew the Senju Clan wouldn't give him the full 50%, so he was just making things up.
That's not what he wants at all. The Uchiha has plenty of money; if they want these things, they can just buy them. Things that can be solved with money are no problem for the Uchiha right now.
"Since your Senju Clan cannot meet the demands of our Uchiha Clan, then we Uchiha will compromise and give you half of this land."
Don't misunderstand me. I'm not advocating for a merger with the Uchiha. What I mean is that we should completely abandon this place, start over a short distance away, and the Uchiha Clan should retreat ten kilometers or so. How about that?"
Oto Senju: "What do you mean? If I remember correctly, your Uchiha Clan's front line is over a hundred kilometers away from here, right? What do you mean by only retreating a dozen kilometers?"
Uchiha Takashi shrugged. "Literally, no one can occupy this place. Your Senju Clan will retreat a little bit here and establish a base, and our Uchiha Clan will also retreat a little bit here and establish a base. We'll each retreat 30 li."
The Senju Clan no longer needs to worry about the Uchiha Clan threatening their headquarters, and we no longer need to worry about you using this as a springboard to attack us. It's a win-win situation, isn't it wonderful!
Uchiha Takashi's core objective was to completely abandon this place, and then for both sides to find new locations to establish strongholds and confront each other.
Because the Uchiha Clan needs peace, Hyuga Clan betrayed them, the Uchiha Clan doesn't have the capacity to drag down three clans.
He needs time to digest Shimura and Chinoike; war is a last resort, not a necessary one. He won't resort to war until the very last moment.
The Uchiha Clan school had just started, the village's first year's taxes hadn't been collected yet, and Shimura had just surrendered. Everything needed time; war was absolutely not an option.
Uchiha Takashi also noticed that the Senju Clan was mired in various problems and dared not start a war, so now was a good opportunity to seize this moment and develop!
After Oto Senju deliberation, Senju Oto finally said, "We agree! We hope your Uchiha Clan will keep its promise."
"Rest assured, the Uchiha Clan never does anything that goes against our word," Uchiha Takashi nodded, then took out a piece of paper and wrote down all the agreements they had just reached.
Elder Hyuga was sitting nearby, feeling incredibly uneasy. He felt like he was just there to be a third wheel. The Yakumi between the two clans was palpable; he was afraid a fight might break out at any moment.
Thankfully, a fight didn't break out in the end; otherwise, he would have been finished!
"Sign it, Uchiha Clan and Senju Clan will usher in our own peace," Uchiha Takashi said with a smile, handing over the paper.
Oto Senju was furious as she looked at the treaty. The Senju Clan had suffered a huge loss; they had lost the iron mine, abandoned the Three-Clan Allied Forces, and were even asked to withdraw from the stronghold!
This treaty was undeniably unequal to the Senju Clan, but Oto Senju had no choice but to agree. Fū Senju's bottom line was that as long as the Uchiha's demands weren't too outrageous, he would give up the base and force the Uchiha to withdraw.
However, Oto Senju, a member of the Senju Clan, still felt extremely humiliated! This was the first time their Senju Clan had bowed down to the Uchiha Clan and signed an unequal treaty, and this should be recorded on the pillar of shame!
Seeing Oto Senju obediently sign her name, Uchiha Takashi smiled and extended his hand. Oto Senju also extended her hand with a forced smile, and the two hands clasped together.
"May our friendship endure, and may peace continue forever!" After saying this, Uchiha Takashi released his hand and coldly watched the Senju Clan and Hyuga Clan leave.
Uchiha Satoshi stepped forward to fight. Beside Uchiha Takashi, Uchiha Takashi said, "Continue with the plan. This false peace won't last long."