The Perfect Trap
Jinghang and the Raikage's "generosity" wasn't kindness.
Suna had looted over a hundred billion from Fire Country. Kumo another thirty. They'd stripped the Fire Eight Pillars Trading Company—Konoha's biggest backer—down to nothing. The merchant council that had funded Konoha's wars for decades was now barely scraping by.
Even if they killed Hiruzen, he couldn't produce a hundred twenty billion.
Push harder, and they'd get mutual destruction.
They'd already wrung the towel dry. No point squeezing a stone.
But eighty-five billion?
That was the sweet spot.
Konoha could technically pay it. Over time. But it would cripple them. Five years of debt payments to Suna, Kumo, and Ame. Five years where every mission, every contract, every ryō went straight into their creditors' pockets.
And with the Fire Eight Pillars gone, the Fire Daimyō had seized their monopolies. He was now Konoha's biggest client.
The Daimyō was old. His heir was weak. And beside him sat a powerful, desperate military force that could crush him—if they weren't drowning in debt.
The Daimyō won't sleep for years.
Every waking moment spent suppressing Konoha. Keeping them poor. Keeping them controlled.
External debt. Internal pressure.
Konoha's golden age is over.
"Third item." Hiruzen's voice was flat. "War criminals."
He didn't hesitate.
"Shimura Danzō bears full responsibility for Konoha's actions. All of them."
Jinghang glanced at the dying man on the stretcher.
One arm. Pale. Barely breathing.
Not even worth killing.
"Sasori?" Jinghang raised an eyebrow.
"Poison Enemy Mountain's toxin." Sasori's tone was clinical. "Guaranteed fatal. Seven days maximum."
Pain's Rinnegan flickered toward Danzō. Then away.
"Don't waste energy on the dying," Jinghang had taught him. "They're already gone."
Hiruzen would retake control of Konoha.
Hiruzen was a politician. Pragmatic. He'd honor the treaty. Keep the village stable. Pay every installment on time.
No resistance. No rebellion. Just... compliance.
The "Peace" Proposal
"One more thing." Jinghang stood. "I want to discuss the Ninja Alliance."
Hiruzen blinked. "The... tournament organization?"
"Not just tournaments." Jinghang's expression was earnest. Idealistic. "When I founded the Alliance, my goal was unity. Shared prosperity. If everyone profits, no one fights." He paused. "But I was naive. There are always men like Danzō. Men who see weakness and attack." His gaze swept the tent. "Amegakure's suffering proves that."
Even Amemiya—who loved to argue—said nothing.
(Everyone loves peace. Especially when they've just won.)
"I agree." The Raikage's voice was firm. "What's your plan?"
Hiruzen nodded. "I'm listening."
"We expand the Alliance's mandate." Jinghang's tone was measured. "Create a Security Council. Seven seats—Suna, Kumo, Iwa, Konoha, Kiri, Taki, Ame. Any conflict between villages gets brought to the Council. We discuss. Vote. Mediate." He smiled. "Most wars can be avoided with dialogue."
"And if someone ignores the Council?" Amemiya's voice was cautious.
"The Seven Great Villages control over half the shinobi in the world." Jinghang's smile didn't waver. "If someone refuses mediation, we form a peacekeeping force. Intervene militarily."
"What if the conflict is between Council members?"
"Same process. Non-involved villages vote. Majority rules." Jinghang spread his hands. "And if someone still refuses? The rest of us unite against them."
He let that sink in.
"Obviously, Iwa and Kiri aren't here. This is preliminary. If we agree, I'll organize a full summit. We'll draft formal regulations." His expression was warm. Hopeful. "The ninja world has brilliant minds. Together, we'll create something lasting."
Translation: I'm building a system where I control four of seven votes. Suna, Kumo, Ame, and whichever village I'm currently bribing.
Konoha gets a seat at the table. And absolutely no power.
Hiruzen's eyes closed briefly.
We need peace. We need time.
"Konoha agrees." His voice was quiet. "The ninja world has suffered long enough."
"Kumo agrees." The Raikage grinned. (We just got rich. Time to go home and spend it.)
"Amegakure agrees." Pain's tone was flat. (Jinghang says yes, I say yes.)
"Takigakure agrees." Amemiya's voice was eager. "But—Kazekage-sama—could you recall Kakuzu first? My people are starving in the mountains."
Jinghang's expression was shocked.
"Oh! I completely forgot!" He snapped his fingers. "I'll send a hawk immediately. Let's see..." He calculated. "Five days. Maybe six."
Amemiya's face lit up. "Thank you, Kazekage-sama!"
Jinghang smiled warmly.
Five days, Kakuzu.
Make them count.
[Strategic Mastery: 85 billion = maximum extractable without collapse. Five-year payment plan = keeps Konoha weak during critical recovery period. Daimyō market takeover = creates internal conflict (Konoha needs client who fears them). Hiruzen's return = ensures compliance (politician vs revolutionary). Security Council = formalizes Suna's coalition control under "peace" banner.]
[Manipulation Layers: "Peace" rhetoric = makes opposition seem warmongering. Seven-village council = sounds democratic, actually consolidates Suna/Kumo/Ame bloc (4+ votes guaranteed). Peacekeeping force = legalized intervention against dissenters. Amemiya's relief = doesn't realize he just agreed to permanent subordinate status.]
[Dark Humor Payoff: Five-day "withdrawal" = five more days of looting. Amemiya's gratitude = thanking Jinghang for "stopping" the raid Jinghang ordered. Kakuzu's "real skills" = strip Taki bare before leaving. Jinghang's "forgetfulness" = calculated cruelty disguised as absent-mindedness.]
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