Although it was technically Konoha's seized mission share, Sunagakure's leaders treated it as their own. Once in their hands, it was theirs to guard jealously.
And if possible, squeeze out just a little more.
But facing Konoha's high command, the Sunagakure council dared not push too hard. They feared that if they asked for too much, Konoha might pull the offer entirely.
A pleasant surprise, if not cherished, could vanish as quickly as it appeared.
After sending off Konoha's envoy, the Sunagakure elders immediately ordered Baki and Pakura in the Land of Rice Fields to negotiate fiercely, stressing that more mission shares had to be secured no matter the cost.
They painted grand visions of the Village's revival should they succeed.
Meanwhile, in Konoha's camp, Orochimaru and Uchiha Gen received a directive from the Hokage's office, the bottom line for negotiations. Orochimaru, disinterested in these kinds of political games, waved the matter off.
"Gen, you handle it. I've better things to do with my time," he said, already retreating back into his experiments.
Thus, the task fell squarely on Uchiha Gen's shoulders.
Two days later, Baki and Pakura returned to Konoha's forward camp with several subordinates.
Spotting Gen, Baki glanced around curiously. "Gen-sama, where is Orochimaru-sama?"
"Orochimaru-sensei has little interest in such matters," Gen replied smoothly, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "He left the negotiations to me."
Baki and Pakura exchanged a quick, hidden look of relief. Compared to Orochimaru, an infamous Sannin whose name carried weight across the entire shinobi world, the young Gen seemed far more approachable, perhaps even malleable.
Of course, they didn't let their delight show. Baki bowed politely. "Then please, Gen-sama, show us some leniency."
Gen chuckled lightly. "It's all a matter of ability. Come let's sit down."
Without further comment, he turned and led them into the command tent.
Inside, the atmosphere was deliberately stripped down. No aides, no advisors, no professional negotiators. Just the three of them, seated around a low table with tea already steaming.
Gen took the main seat. Baki settled to his left, Pakura to his right.
Sunagakure had been hoping to find some loophole or softer ground, but Konoha had cut off every escape in advance. This was a battle they'd have to fight face-to-face.
Baki cleared his throat twice, putting on a serious front. "Gen-sama, why don't you begin?"
"You two first," Gen replied lazily. Sliding a pair of old-fashioned round sunglasses from his pocket, he put them on and leaned back, posture loose, radiating calm confidence.
That subtle gesture alone pressed down on Baki and Pakura more than any overt show of force.
Baki swallowed and began.
"Gen-sama, you know most of the Land of Wind is desert, barren lands, sparse population, weak economy, scarce resources. Our nation is poor, and Sunagakure bears the brunt of it. On top of that, the Daimyo has slashed military funding, putting the village in dire financial straits."
"Our Kazekage-sama himself… has to pan for gold in the desert during his spare time."
Gen almost snorted. He bit back the laugh for a moment but when Baki went on about their hardships, he couldn't hold it anymore.
"Pfft—!"
He burst out laughing.
"Come now, Baki-sama. Heavy losses just on the way to the battlefield? That's a bit much, isn't it?"
He pushed his sunglasses down slightly, peering at them over the rim with half-lidded eyes and a clear sneer.
"And let's be real, your 'support' isn't free. Konoha paid for it. A mission is a mission. Terms agreed upon, compensation decided. Since when do shinobi renegotiate halfway through?"
Baki's mouth opened, then closed. Words failed him.
Fortunately, Pakura quickly picked up the slack, her smile smooth and unflustered.
"Gen-sama, our losses are real, first from the ambush, then from the recent battles. Compensation alone is already staggering. And you must understand, Sunagakure's economy is fragile. Our resource scarcity makes even basic costs higher than Konoha's. As allies, surely Konoha can lend us some support. After all, Sunagakure has borne the brunt of fighting on your behalf."
"And besides," she added, her tone sharpened with quiet confidence, "our demands are hardly outrageous. We ask only for ten percent of the mission share returned. That is not excessive."
Gen chuckled, shaking his head.
"Pakura-sama… not only are you beautiful, sharp in temperament, and formidable in strength, but it seems your tongue is just as skilled."
Her smile deepened. "I only speak the truth, Gen-sama."
But Gen's amusement vanished. He leaned forward, folding his hands on the table, voice low and firm.
"Let me correct you. On the surface, Sunagakure is fighting for Konoha. In reality, you're fighting for your own benefits; those you've received, and those you still want. If Sunagakure truly considered Konoha an ally from the heart, you would have responded during the Cloud invasion. Or at least during the Mist's attack. But you did nothing. You remained silent."
"Let's be clear; you are allies of convenience. Allies of interest. And for allies of interest… compensation has its limits."
His gaze sharpened.
"Ten percent? Impossible. Even Hokage-sama wouldn't entertain it. At most three percent."
The color drained slightly from Baki's face. To bring back only three percent would ruin them.
"No, no, that won't do!" he said quickly. "Gen-sama, please, at least nine percent!"
Gen calmly sipped his tea, saying nothing.
"Eight!"
A shake of the head.
"Seven percent! No less!"
Gen yawned behind his teacup, eyelids drooping, as if he might nod off right there.
Baki and Pakura exchanged helpless glances. They had assumed the young Uchiha would be easy prey but he was sharper, firmer, and far more exhausting than they expected.
Finally, Baki leaned in, lowering his voice conspiratorially.
"Gen-sama… please be lenient. Afterwards… well, you understand." He winked.
At that, Gen's eyes gleamed. His weariness vanished in an instant.
"Oh? Now I'm suddenly not sleepy anymore."
He turned to Pakura, studying her carefully. "Can you two actually make such a decision?"
Inside, Pakura seethed at Baki's shamelessness. Selling the Village's interests for personal gain, she despised him. But her outward smile was flawless.
"Of course. Kazekage-sama's orders were clear, secure your agreement at all costs…"
The words left a sour taste in her mouth, but she forced them out.
Gen's eyes lit up. "At all costs, hm?"
Interesting. Very interesting.
He had originally planned to manipulate them with his Uzume dōjutsu, force-feeding them a false sense of victory. But if there were real benefits on the table… then the game could shift in a far more entertaining direction.
"Consider yourselves lucky," he thought, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.
"Now this negotiation might actually be worth my time."