At this point in ti, the Land of Wind was arguably the weakest among the Five Great Nations.
Without a Kage-level powerhouse to hold the line, if Jiraiya personally led Konoha's forces in an attack, there was a good chance they could take over the Land of Wind—even if the nation still had so hidden resources left to rely on.
On the surface, Sunagakure only had two Kage-level combatants: the Kazekage and their Jinchūriki. But now that Jiraiya had eliminated their Jinchūriki, that left only the Kazekage to defend their nation's pride.
"We ca here in good faith to resolve this conflict, Lord Jiraiya."
Hearing Jiraiya's demand, Akita Kazuno furrowed his brows and spoke in a low, steady voice. He was already finding Jiraiya's conditions to be excessive.
Forcing the Kazekage to personally travel to Konoha for negotiations was an extrely dangerous request for Sunagakure. After all, Konoha had multiple Kage-level figures among its ranks.
If the Kazekage entered Konoha and they decided to strike, there would be no way for him to make it out alive. Sunagakure had already lost the deterrence power of a Tailed Beast—if their Kazekage also fell, the Land of Wind's position as a great nation would be at even greater risk.
Jiraiya's expression darkened as he exuded a dangerous aura.
"Are you saying I'm being unreasonable?"
Kazuno felt a chill run down his spine as cold sweat trickled down his face.
"Of course not, Lord Jiraiya," he quickly replied.
The sheer killing intent radiating from Jiraiya was suffocating. His legs felt weak beneath him, and for a mont, he truly felt as if he were standing before a god of slaughter. His fear of Jiraiya at this mont even surpassed his fear of Hiruzen Sarutobi.
After all, even Hanzō of the Salamander had fallen to Jiraiya.
"I ca here under direct orders from the Kazekage himself," Kazuno continued. "Everything I say and do represents his will. The results of our discussions here would be no different from if the Kazekage himself were present."
Sarutobi Hiruzen finally spoke up. "We don't need to emphasize the importance of a Tailed Beast. The question is—what price are you prepared to pay for its return?"
In Hiruzen's mind, as long as Sunagakure t certain conditions, Konoha could return Shukaku and maintain the balance between the great nations.
But this was no longer his decision to make. Jiraiya was the one in charge now, and the old policies no longer applied.
Kazuno took a deep breath and said, "Lord Hokage, the First Kazekage purchased Shukaku from the First Hokage. We would like to buy it back—at the original price."
Jiraiya's eyes narrowed. His voice turned cold. "So you're saying you think you can take Shukaku back without even acknowledging Konoha's power?"
Kazuno clenched his fists and t Jiraiya's gaze. "Lord Jiraiya, with all due respect, Lord Hokage is the one leading Konoha. He hasn't given his answer yet—it's not your place to reject our offer."
"Watch your mouth."
Jiraiya vanished from his spot. In the blink of an eye, he appeared before Kazuno and drove his fist into the man's abdon.
Kazuno didn't even have ti to react. A sharp pain tore through his stomach as he collapsed to his knees, groaning in agony. It felt as if his insides were being twisted by a blade.
Jiraiya looked down at him, his voice like ice. "Let make this clear. I was the one who captured Shukaku. If you want it back, you'll play by my rules. Otherwise, you can forget about ever seeing it again. And in case you haven't realized—I am the one leading Konoha now."
His tone left no room for argunt.
"If your Kazekage wants to negotiate, he'll have to co here himself. You have half a month. If he doesn't co within that ti, then Shukaku will belong to Konoha—permanently. No matter what price you offer afterward, we won't return it."
Kazuno struggled to his feet, his face dark. He was no fool. Jiraiya was clearly forcing the Kazekage to co for a reason.
He took a deep breath. "Lord Jiraiya, the agreent regarding the Tailed Beasts was signed by all five great nations. Are you really willing to break that pact? Do you not fear the consequences of the other nations uniting against you?"
Jiraiya sneered. "Agreents exist to restrain the weak. Konoha's strength has already surpassed Sunagakure's. We have the power to set a new agreent."
His patience had worn thin. "Return to your village and tell your Kazekage what I said."
With that, he kicked Kazuno out of the Hokage's office.
Kazuno's guards rushed forward to help him up. "Sir! Are you alright?"
Kazuno gritted his teeth, forcing himself to stand. "I'm fine."
But deep inside, he knew the negotiations were over. There was no point in staying any longer. Without another word, he turned and left Konoha.
The mont he stepped out of the village, he tilted his head toward the sky and let out a furious roar.
"This is a disgrace beyond words!"
Kazuno was a respected figure in the shinobi world, yet today, he had been humiliated by a younger generation. Rage and bitterness boiled inside him—but there was nothing he could do.
Strength was everything. And right now, Konoha held all the power.
With no choice, the delegation from Sunagakure departed for ho in defeat.
...
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Back in Konoha, Hiruzen let out a sigh.
"Jiraiya, we're pushing too hard. The Kazekage will never agree to co under these conditions."
He didn't want the Kazekage to co at all—because if he did, Jiraiya would likely kill him, and that would an full-scale war between the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind. Worse, the other great nations would undoubtedly side against Konoha.
But Jiraiya remained unfazed. "If the Kazekage wants to maintain Sunagakure's status as a great nation, he'll have no choice but to co."
Hiruzen frowned. "And what if he does?"
Jiraiya's eyes glead with determination.
"I believe the Land of Fire only needs one ruler."
Hiruzen's expression turned grave.
He knew what Jiraiya ant. In the Land of Fire, power was divided between two authorities: the Hokage, who led the shinobi, and the Daimyō, who ruled the country. On the surface, the Daimyō held the higher position, even having the power to approve or deny the appointnt of a new Hokage.
But Jiraiya didn't believe in this dual system. If he wanted to unify the shinobi world, he needed complete control over the Land of Fire.
And that ant eliminating the Daimyō.
After all, in tis of war and chaos, there could only be one true ruler.
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Pls Drop so Power Stones
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