Hokage Office.
It was noon, and in the office, Hiruzen wore his Kage hat and Hokage robe.
With a pipe in his mouth, he looked at the alliance agreement before him, picked up a pen, and signed his name.
Shikaku, standing before the wooden desk, took the signed agreement from Hiruzen and then handed it over to Mabui.
After reconfirming, Mabui then passed it to A, who was already growing impatient.
As the agreement was signed, both sides unconsciously let go of their wariness.
Hiruzen slowly exhaled a smoke ring and said, "Raikage, the alliance between Konoha and Kumogakure is crucial for stabilizing the situation of the entire Ninja World."
Upon hearing this, the Fourth Raikage couldn't help but want to roll his eyes, but seeing Shinji sitting behind Hiruzen, he restrained himself.
His tone, however, remained impatient. "Hmph, save your breath, Hokage."
"We in Kumogakure value strength and sincerity. In the terms of the treaty, besides what has already been agreed upon, the shares for mission requests and the division of border patrol areas must be fair."
As he spoke, A unconsciously leaned forward on the desk, his gaze fixed on Hiruzen.
Hiruzen chuckled, leaning back in his chair, and slowly said, "Konoha will not take advantage, but it will certainly not suffer losses either."
Shikaku, standing nearby, stepped forward and spoke appropriately before the Fourth Raikage could, "Raikage-sama can rest assured. This draft is the result of multiple consultations between our respective envoys over the past few months."
"Hokage-sama's meaning is also very clear. So-called fairness is built upon Kumogakure and Konoha's understanding of the alliance, and the sincerity shown by both sides for it."
Mabui, standing nearby, leaned in slightly and whispered into the Fourth Raikage's ear.
After a long moment, A slowly exhaled and then stood up.
"Alright, the alliance is settled then."
"Then we shall exchange resources from now on, Raikage."
After the two shook hands across the table, the Fourth Raikage and his people left the Hokage Building.
Hiruzen instructed Shikaku to follow them, then slowly let out a sigh of relief.
"What's wrong, old man?" Shinji stood up and walked over, refilling Hiruzen's pipe with tobacco before speaking.
Hiruzen took the pipe and shook his head, saying, "Nothing, it's just that I never would have thought that after so many years, we would form an alliance with Kumogakure again."
Ever since the incident with the Gold and Silver Brothers involving the Second Hokage, Konoha and Kumogakure had been vying for dominance on the battlefield.
If it weren't for the Third Raikage being dragged to his death by tens of thousands of Iwa ninjas, perhaps now, Konoha would still be fighting Kumogakure.
"Their current lowered stance is simply because the Raikage hasn't yet seen anything that would benefit him."
Shinji walked to the window, watching the Fourth Raikage and his entourage leave the Hokage Building.
"Whether it was the kidnapping of Kushina-senpai or Hinata, it has clearly shown that Kumogakure has never been a peaceful existence."
Hiruzen nodded, taking out a match to light his pipe. "This alliance is also our opportunity. The Land of Lightning has always been the wealthiest of the Five Great Nations, and Kumogakure's military spending is the highest in the Ninja World."
"What I can do now is to use this to get more resources for Konoha. We only need a few years. Even if we're not the richest, we won't lose to Kumogakure."
Shinji didn't respond, pulling out a chair and sitting opposite Hiruzen, saying, "Alright, sensei, Shikaku-senpai and the other strategists can handle these matters."
"Regarding the peace talks between Iwagakure and Sunagakure, what do you need me to do?"
This was why Shinji was here today, the time was almost upon them. Soon, he would depart with Shikaku to the Land of Waterfall to begin the peace talks.
Hiruzen was silent for a moment before speaking, "It's simple. Help Jiraiya make Iwagakure and Sunagakure hand over what they owe. As for Takigakure, make them hand over the Seven-Tails."
Shinji thought for a moment and shook his head. "I estimate it won't be that easy."
The Seven-Tails of Takigakure was purchased from Hashirama at a great price back then.
To make Takigakure pay such a price, it's not a question of whether it's possible.
Ōnoki might even use this incident to widely proclaim that Konoha wants to reclaim all Tailed Beasts. After all, the Four-Tailed Jinchuriki is still in Konoha's hands.
Hiruzen, hearing this, frowned.
Indeed.
If it weren't for the Four-Tails Jinchuriki incident, even if Konoha demanded Takigakure send over the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki, they wouldn't be given cause for criticism.
Two Tailed Beasts were already the limit, any more than that...
Even Kumogakure, who had just signed an alliance, would not sit still.
However, Takigakure had committed such a breach of trust. Naturally, there must be a corresponding price. If Konoha showed no reaction, it would be seen as weak.
"Shinji, what do you think?" Hiruzen looked up at Shinji, wanting to test him.
Shinji reached out and picked up the crystal ball on Hiruzen's desk, idly playing with it.
"I remember you already issued a condemnation statement, didn't you?"
"Mm, that's right." Hiruzen nodded in response.
"Then it's very simple. Before, it was just an appetizer. Now that we're free, we naturally need to summon the leader of Takigakure here."
"And it must be in the village. You can take the opportunity to question him thoroughly."
At this point, Shinji looked up at Hiruzen and said, "Substantive punishment and acquisition of benefits, I think you should have no problem with that."
"The reason, then, would be compensation for the fallen ninjas of Konoha and war damages."
"Make Takigakure pay a huge indemnity. I remember they were quite wealthy, weren't they? Enough to buy a Tailed Beast."
Hiruzen, hearing this, couldn't help but shake his head. Others might not know, but he did.
Because of that incident back then, Takigakure had been working for Konoha for many years. And Konoha had held back, not letting Takigakure's economy collapse, slowly bleeding them dry.
"This approach in the past must have been the Second Hokage's doing, right?"
As Shinji said this, he couldn't help but admire the Second Hokage. Although he couldn't see the future in some areas, when it came to ninjas from other villages, his methods were swift and decisive.
Simply using Seven-Tails, he made Takigakure support Konoha for many years, and this expenditure was something Takigakure had to pay through gritted teeth. After so many years, they had only just paid it off a few years ago, and now they dared to bare their fangs.
Shinji couldn't help but think of Kakuzu.
Could it be because of Takigakure's economic problems that Kakuzu's worldview changed, leading him to believe that only money could be trusted?