"Enough." Jinghang's voice cut through like a blade. "Save the speeches about 'the people' and 'peace.' You want to negotiate? Let's talk reality."
Hiruzen's prepared rhetoric—avoiding devastation to all living beings—died in his throat.
His face went purple.
Jinghang leaned back. Crossed his legs. Smirked.
God, this feels good.
Ten years ago, he'd been pathetic. Scraped together a Second War victory, then had to crawl to Konoha like a beggar. Smile. Bow. Kiss ass to every council member just to get a two-billion-ryō loan.
And they'd still backstabbed Suna during the Iwa War.
And he couldn't even complain. Too afraid they'd intervene.
Now Suna had shattered Konoha's spine. Victory after victory. The power balance had flipped.
Now Jinghang could sit however he damn well pleased.
"Shinobi Hero?" Without my respect, you're just a "Shinobi COWARD."
Hiruzen took a long breath. Forced his expression neutral.
"...What does the Kazekage propose?"
Jinghang snapped his fingers.
Sasori handed him a document.
"Recognize this?" Jinghang slid it across the table.
Hiruzen's eyes locked on the red characters: "ANTI-SUNAGAKURE MANIFESTO."
"First item." Jinghang's tone was ice. "Explain."
"That was..." Hiruzen's voice was tight. "...circumstances forced our hand."
"Circumstances?" Jinghang's laugh was sharp. "You shot your arrow happily enough. But the target landed on us. 'Abandoning the righteous path.' 'Betraying tradition.' Might as well have painted bullseyes on our backs." He leaned forward. "You're going to retract it. Publicly."
Hiruzen said nothing.
"This isn't negotiable," Jinghang continued. "The entire war started because of your declaration. If you won't take it back—" His smile was cold. "—then we're enemies of the Way. And enemies fight to the death."
Swallow your own poison.
I'm going to make you EAT those words.
This wasn't just about money. This was about control. Discourse. Narrative. Konoha couldn't just declare wars on moral grounds whenever they felt like it.
(Unless it was Suna doing the declaring, obviously.)
Tobirama's expression darkened. But he stayed silent.
Hiruzen's jaw worked.
"...Fine." The word was bitter. "Konoha will issue a public statement. Clarifying that this war was..." He forced it out. "...unprovoked aggression on our part. We accept full responsibility."
"There we go." Jinghang's grin was vicious. "See? Sincerity. Let's continue."
"Next item: reparations."
Hiruzen's heart sank.
Konoha's treasury was empty. A year of war. Zero mission income. Massive military spending. Paying Takigakure's mercenaries. Even the bijū sale money from Hashirama's era was nearly gone.
They could scrape together maybe sixty billion. Maybe.
Better to lowball and negotiate up.
"Konoha offers five billion ryō. Split between Kumogakure and Sunagakure."
"Five billion?" The Third Raikage's voice was thunder. "Are you joking? That's pocket change split three ways!"
"Our finances are—"
"Your Fourth Hokage—" Pain's voice was cold venom. "—invaded Amegakure. Unprovoked. Enslaved our people. Slaughtered civilians. Plundered for five months. Then burned the entire village to ash." His eyes were Rinnegan ice. "And you think ten billion covers that?"
Hiruzen had no answer.
Jinghang and the Raikage, he could haggle with. But Amegakure?
They're the victims. Undeniable.
And Danzō's atrocity is public knowledge.
"What does Pain-sama require?" Hiruzen's voice was hollow.
"I'll propose terms." Jinghang's tone was reasonable. Almost kind. "Sixty billion for Amegakure. Reconstruction costs." He glanced at the Raikage. "Suna and Kumo will take a loss—thirty billion each."
The Raikage shrugged. "Fair enough."
Hiruzen's face went white.
One hundred twenty billion.
We don't HAVE one hundred twenty billion.
"You're not serious." His voice cracked. "Konoha can't—this is—" He stood. "Extortion. There's no point continuing. We'll settle this in the desert."
Jinghang stood too.
"Fine by me." His smile was sharp. "I never expected you to negotiate in good faith anyway."
Is he bluffing?
Uchiha Fugaku burst through the tent flap.
Looked around. Spotted Hiruzen.
Rushed over. Whispered urgently.
Hiruzen's face went from white to gray.
He slammed the table.
"YOU—" His finger shook. Pointed at Jinghang. "—you BASTARD!"
Jinghang raised an eyebrow. "Problem?"
"You left a reserve force! Hidden in Fire Country!" Hiruzen's voice cracked. "They're attacking Konoha right now!"
"Oh. Yeah." Jinghang's tone was casual. "So?"
"SO?! We're negotiating! You—"
"This is war, Hiruzen." Jinghang's smile was ice. "Did you expect me to ask permission?"
"We just started talks! You—"
"I planned this operation days ago. We only confirmed negotiations an hour ago." Jinghang spread his hands. "I can't exactly send a messenger pigeon from here, can I?"
Hiruzen's hand trembled.
"You want to fight?" Jinghang's voice rose. "Perfect. Two-front war. Let's see if Homura and Koharu can hold the village while you're stuck out here!"
He slammed the table.
Harder than Hiruzen had.
"Your move, Hokage-sama."
[Strategic Mastery: Jinghang's trap = hidden force attacks Konoha during negotiations, removing Hiruzen's ability to walk away. Two-front pressure = either accept terms or lose village while army's deployed. Psychological warfare = force public retraction of war declaration, seize narrative control. Financial extortion = demand impossible sum, then "compromise" to merely crippling amount.]
[Power Dynamics: Ten-year reversal = past humiliation (begging for loans, accepting backstabs) vs present dominance (dictating terms, setting traps). Hiruzen's desperation = broke, defeated, now facing home invasion. Pain's accusation = undeniable moral high ground via Danzō's atrocities. Raikage's support = demonstrates alliance unity, prevents Hiruzen from dividing opposition.]
[Character Depth: Jinghang = enjoys revenge, but strategic about it—humiliation serves political purpose (narrative control). Hiruzen = trapped by own actions (declaration gave Jinghang moral leverage, Danzō's crimes gave Pain leverage, financial mismanagement removed negotiating room). Tobirama = observes silently, recognizes Konoha's position is untenable.]
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