Without the Konoha Council, even those with other ideas remained silent at this moment.
On the way, Shikaku had told him that even when Konoha won in the past, the results of the negotiations would not be substantial.
While the Second Great Ninja War was fine, things had changed for the Third.
As for the idea of eliminating all these people, too much clarity yields no fish.
Spies can be crushed, but Jonin within one's own village should be utilized properly.
Do you really think Jonin are common?
Hiruzen has been very worried recently. There are simply too many missions, and with so few ninjas, no matter how they are allocated, it's not enough.
"Alright, let's move out now." Jiraiya said, then stood up, and the group of Jonin followed him out.
Except for the one who had just spoken.
Shinji walked at the very back, watching him being gagged by two Anbu who had appeared.
"How is it, Asuma? Do you feel confident for later?"
Seeing this, Shinji, with an unchanged expression, put his arm around Asuma's shoulder and asked as they walked.
After all, Asuma was going to negotiate with Sunagakure later.
"Brat, when I was active on the battlefield, you weren't even known." Asuma , holding a cigarette, lit it and started smoking.
This was indeed true. Although Asuma was not old, as the Hokage's son, many eyes were on him.
Moreover, Asuma had served as one of the Twelve Guardian Ninja of the Land of Fire, which gathered the few elites within the Land of Fire.
As everyone exited the main tent, the ninja troops, who had long been prepared, began to follow. Not many, just two units of about eight hundred people each.
This was also an operation Konoha undertook after the Kumogakure incident.
With a precedent like that, even Konoha, which had many geniuses, was a bit scared. Having many geniuses doesn't mean having many people capable of becoming a Kage.
As they arrived at the designated negotiation location, Shinji saw from afar that the people from Sunagakure and Iwagakure had already prepared their positions and were sitting.
It was outdoors, and the surrounding area had been checked multiple times by people Jiraiya arranged. This was to avoid any dangers. As for whether the negotiations would be seen by others, as the victorious party, Konoha felt no shame at all.
With Shikaku in charge of Iwagakure and Asuma in charge of Sunagakure, both parties entered the venue.
Shinji and Jiraiya sat behind the two negotiation tables, with Asuma and Shikaku in front.
Shinji and Jiraiya were responsible for maintaining order, to prevent any accidents during the negotiations.
Shinji, with a clear goal in mind, brazenly crossed his legs. His face was full of an expression of watching a good show.
Jiraiya, beside him, couldn't help but twitch his lips at this.
This kid, so arrogant, isn't he afraid of getting beaten?
Shinji, however, completely ignored the gazes directed at him, as this was what Shikaku had told him before coming here. He was told to be as arrogant as possible.
Even if it provoked Iwagakure and Sunagakure, it was fine.
At the negotiation table, the Jonin from Sunagakure and Iwagakure stared at Shinji. After a long while, they pretended not to have seen him.
Seeing this, Shikaku knew this tactic was useless, so he spoke, "Then let's begin."
The Jonin from Sunagakure and Iwagakure nodded slightly and then picked up the terms drafted by Konoha.
As they read through each clause, as expected, the faces of the ninjas representing Sunagakure and Iwagakure turned grim.
This was simply preparing to suck their blood!
"I object!"
The representative from Sunagakure spoke first.
Putting aside everything else, just the war reparations clause alone was enough to cripple Sunagakure. Moreover, the Fourth Kazekage had just woken up, so it was impossible to resolve the issue with gold dust in a short time.
"This war itself resulted in huge losses for us, Sunagakure. You Konoha are asking for too much."
As he spoke, he couldn't help but look at Konoha's group of Jonin.
Asuma, impolitely holding a cigarette, slammed his hand on the table.
"Sunagakure disregarded the alliance treaty and initiated the war first, you have no right to say that."
"If you don't agree, then let's continue fighting."
'Whoa—'
'Old Asu is tough.'
Shinji, with a look of someone enjoying gossip, watched Asuma in surprise. This was unexpected.
As soon as Asuma spoke, Sunagakure's representative immediately became enraged. He stood up and started yelling.
Jiraiya, beside Shinji, poked Shinji with his arm. Receiving the signal, Shinji knew his chance to perform had come.
He released his Chakra, and a massive aura pressed down on the representatives of Sunagakure and Iwagakure.
"Gasp—"
The representative from Sunagakure looked as if he was being choked, his face flushed red.
The Iwagakure representative, on the side, had originally intended to watch how Sunagakure would argue with Konoha. But now, even he himself was suppressed by this aura.
Asuma, holding his cigarette, said smugly, "Well, are you going to negotiate or not?"
The representative from Sunagakure's chest heaved continuously, and it took a while before he sat down.
Not negotiate?
Sunagakure simply had no way to fight Konoha again, and Iwagakure still hadn't fully replaced the logistical supplies that were bombed last time. Now that both sides had been defeated by Konoha, there was even less to think about.
As time slowly passed, the sun was about to set, and Shinji was almost dozing off while sitting.
Shikaku finally spoke when the Iwa ninja hesitated.
"Today's negotiations end here. It seems you Iwagakure still intend to continue the war, then we Konoha will gladly accompany you."
After saying that, Shikaku stood up.
Asuma, seeing this, immediately followed suit, ignoring the Sunagakure representative's attempt to stop him.
Shinji stood up directly and went to Jiraiya's side, asking, "Is this planning to continue negotiations tomorrow?"
Jiraiya first glanced behind him, then nodded and said, "Don't worry, they are the ones who can't sit still. The various reparations are either being asked to be reduced or rejected."
"Although they represent Iwagakure and Sunagakure, some things still need to be confirmed by their respective villages before they dare to agree."
"They probably thought it could be like last time, so Shikaku directly suspended the negotiations now."
"Just watch, after today, they will all contact us separately."
Shinji nodded.
Sunagakure and Iwagakure were both waiting today for the other side to back down or to secure as little compensation as possible. This way, each could also use the opportunity to make Konoha concede.
This bilateral negotiation was proposed by them, and Shikaku was also using the opportunity to make them fight among themselves first.
If they wanted to negotiate, they just had to follow Konoha's rules.
After that day's negotiations, Konoha held two more rounds of negotiations with Sunagakure and Iwagakure. These two times were conducted separately.
Shinji followed Shikaku, and Jiraiya followed Asuma.
It wasn't until the last time that Shikaku set the final deadline.
"This is already the third time. If we Konoha don't see Iwagakure's sincerity, then there's no need to talk anymore."
As soon as these words were uttered, Sunagakure and Iwagakure obediently accepted the terms.
Although some reductions were made, they were entirely within the range Hiruzen had demanded.
And on the third day after the terms were signed, Sunagakure and Iwagakure publicly apologized to the Ninja World.