While a new Mizukage had not been elected yet, the Mist had sent forward a group of highly prominent and strong shinobi as well as important figures within the village. As expected, the people of Kirigakure were heavily disheartened with the Konoha squad approaching, but Senju Katsuro's arrival brought about a certain unexpected relief to the village. They were in an uncomfortable period of stasis where without the treaties they could only be nervous at what could unfold. A war could start up again, but considering recent rumours about Katsuro, they would just have to suck it up. The man had single handedly forced out a surrender from them while holding back. The death of the Mizukage and the lack of a figure strong enough to replace him made things more complicated. The clans and other power in the village were in an internal struggle for power which made decision making much harder. The circumstances within the Mist were still dire. The power gap needed to be filled quickly and the fate of the village would be dependent upon what the Leaf proposed to them. Even with recent prodigies such as the young Karatachi Yagura, the genius, 'Demon of the Mist' Momochi Zabuza and even the illustrious Terumi Mei product of their bloody graduation ritual, Kiri would need time to fill the gaps.
The formalities began with Kirigakure giving Katsuro the respect he deserved. They valued power, and no one had it more than him. They made note of his relatively small party, but with identifiable people like Fugaku and Kaito by his side it was evident that even this squad alone could wreak havoc. Likely out of a decision they had made, all the elders and clan leaders had arrived to greet him at the gates even if some were clearly unwilling like the Kaguya clan leader.
The elders on the other hand sucked up to him with flattery, and Katsuro was more than willing to take part of their show as they spoke to them all the way up till the Mizukage's building. Once they entered the large office, it was clear this would be a discussion between all the elders, clan heads and other Shinobi of notice who sat in a semi-circle leaving Katsuro and the Leaf delegation in the middle before them.
The dark room with all those Shinobi made for an intimidating sight, but the Konoha delegation walked in calmly, unrattled as they sat down. Katsuro had a smile on his face after seeing the display. It might have been simply because they lacked a figure head, but it was clear it was somewhat intentional.
The Hozuki clan head took initiative to welcome them, but even if he spoke politely and pleasantly, unlike those elders he took a more firm stance to show they wouldn't be taken advantage of.
Katsuro used that opportunity to begin himself. "We have come here to settle terms for peace. I'm sure that you do not war as we do not, but Konoha will not be disrespected. Kirigakure has attacked its lands and they will pay the price for doing so." The shift in his tone had some grip the handles of their seats momentarily. "Let's hope that we can have a fruitful meeting."
This time the more abrasive Kaguya clan head spoke, "God of Shinobi, even if weakened we will not take blatant disrespect and exploitation lightly… What are the terms you propose?"
Katsuro hearing the remark gained some respect for the man. The clan heads of Kirigakure were clearly the current main power as they all sat near the middle. After Konoha, Kirgakure had the most bloodline clans, the most noteworthy of which were the Hozuki, Kaguya, Yuki and Hoshigaki. These 4 clan heads, even the newer Yuki clan head who had replaced the Mizukage showed a different temperament from the other like many of the elders. The Kaguya had a reputation for being war mongers and bloodthirsty, but the man using his title of God of Shinobi and still making a threat anyway showed heart. A shame it was so useless.
Katsuro widened his smile showing the white of his teeth, a look that told these clan heads he was more than ready. "In the name of peace, Konoha is willing to return the 6 tails Jinchuuriki we hold, but it will come at a price."
A price. The phrase alone told the Mist group of the hefty sum the Leaf would demand for their Tailed Beast back. However, it was not negotiable. The 6 Tails was crucial at the moment, especially considering the lack in power they had currently, with the Third Mizukage and most of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen dead. Not to mention that the 3 tails was still collecting dust, but they had planned to make the recent prodigy Yagura its next Jinchuuriki. They had their prodigies and their own selection of strong ninja, but they couldn't rely on children, teens and aging shinobi alone to keep their village protected right now. Zabuza was showing signs of being one of the greatest geniuses having wiped out his entire graduating class single handedly earning his moniker, and Terumi Mei was able to use 2 Kekkei genkai despite her age. Yet, they weren't at the level of Katsuro who in his teens took down Bijuu and Kage. They needed time. So whatever the price, they would have to pay. But the mention of the 6 tails being held at Konoha also brought their attention to something. Katsuro was blatantly wearing both Kiba swords combined at his left waist. It was their treasure and something they would recognise easily, yet he wore it openly without fear. That confidence alone put a damper on their mood.
An elder, one who was more hardlined and a member of the former Mizukage's Yuki clan replied. "Kirigakure is under severe budget restraints after the death of our late Mizukage and many Ninja Swordsmen. We will not be able to pay a significant price."
The message was clear but somewhat embarrassing, Kiri could not really afford to buy back their Jinchuuriki outright, especially with funds required for regearing and training. Kiri traditionally are a war focussed village, and their economy reflected that. Most of their money came from missions focussed on assasination, with their speciality being in it. But during the war, despite leaving it the earliest. Kirgakure had suffered a loss of nearly 8000 Shinobi. Under the pressure from 2 sides with both Katsuro and the Third Raikage, they lost well over half their active personnel and many of their Ninja Swordsmen. This meant like all the other villages, their income would be drastically reduced, but that was especially the case for them who focussed so much on assasination, espionage etc.
"Ahem," another Kiri official coughed abruptly into his fist, turning to Katsuro "could we also discuss the 4 weapons you currently possess from our Ninja Swordsmen you- defeated." The words were hard for him to say, as he gritted his teeth. For some of their strongest shinobi to be defeated by one man was quite shameful. Luckily, even after their encounter with the Third Raikage, 2 of the 3 Ninja Swordsmen returned but with severe injuries. Their swords Samehada 'Shark Skin' and Kubikiribocho 'the Executioner's Blade' had also returned with the surviving 2 Swordsmen and by luck, they were able to retrieve Hiramekarei the 'Twinsword'. Now the remaining 4 swords were in the possession of Katsuro. He continued, "I am aware-"
"No." Katsuro quickly cut in, "their weapons are now ours." The words cut through them, they had been expecting it considering how he wore the Lightning blades, but they hoped it wouldn't be the case.
"Consider it a price for peace if you will due to your initiation of the war, but it is my spoil of war. However, I will return a single blade. The 'Blastsword' Shibuki can be returned but also with a price. The other three swords are non-negotiable."
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