Chapter:14

Morning broke quietly over Konoha, the air carrying a cool breeze that hinted at the tension lingering in the village. The Kumo delegation, having received the Raikage's approval for their revised terms, prepared themselves for another day of negotiations. The previous night's plan to use the information planted by the mosquito clone was still fresh in their minds.

As the three Kumo jonin left their quarters, Hiroshi turned to Kazuma. "The Raikage has given us his approval. Now it's up to us to ensure these talks end in our favor."

Kazuma nodded, his face set in determination. "We need leverage. If our terms are rejected outright, the peace treaty will crumble, and we'll leave here with nothing."

Their younger companion chimed in, "Let's visit Ichiraku Ramen before the meeting. We'll need energy for what lies ahead."

By 7:50 a.m., the Kumo shinobi arrived at Ichiraku Ramen, the scent of savory broth greeting them as they took their seats. Despite the peaceful atmosphere, their minds remained focused on the task at hand. The note planted by the store owner,under the influence of the mosquito clone's genjutsu, was their hidden card, a potential game-changer in the negotiations.

Teuchi, the ever-welcoming owner, greeted them warmly. "Welcome! What can I get for you?"

Hiroshi smiled faintly, the first crack in his otherwise stoic demeanor. "Three bowls of your best ramen, please."

As they ate, their conversation remained light, avoiding any mention of their plans. The presence of ANBU operatives nearby was a constant reminder of where they were and the vigilance of their hosts.

After finishing his bowl, Kazuma excused himself to use the restroom. The small, nondescript space was clean and orderly, but his eyes immediately caught sight of a folded note tucked discreetly behind the tissue roll. Picking it up, he unfolded it to reveal a hastily written message:

"Nine-Tails Fox is a small boy with orange hair."

Kazuma's eyes narrowed as he processed the words. It was vague but unmistakable in its implication. This was no ordinary piece of information—it was a potential key to influencing the talks.

Back at the counter, Kazuma returned to his seat and leaned slightly toward Hiroshi. "We have something," he murmured, keeping his tone low. "A message. It confirms what we've suspected about the jinchūriki."

Hiroshi's jaw tightened as he glanced at Kazuma. "Are you certain?"

Kazuma nodded. "The note is clear. If we handle this carefully, it could shift the balance in our favor."

Their younger companion spoke softly, "We must use this wisely. If they suspect we're leveraging this information, it could backfire."

Hiroshi considered the implications. The note was a double-edged sword—potentially powerful but dangerous if mishandled. "We'll raise it subtly," he decided. "Use it to create doubt, not conflict. Let's see how Nara Shikaku reacts."

By mid-morning, the Kumo delegation entered the negotiation hall. The room, unchanged from the previous day, carried the same atmosphere of guarded formality. Shikaku Nara, ever the strategist, greeted them with his usual calm demeanor.

"Good morning," he said, gesturing to the seats. "Shall we continue?"

Hiroshi and Kazuma exchanged brief glances before taking their places. The revised terms, approved by the Raikage, were laid out once more: reparations totaling 1.8 billion ryo, with a reduced demand for chakra metal and agricultural resources.

Shikaku listened attentively, his sharp mind analyzing every word and gesture. "Your revised terms are more reasonable," he admitted, "but they still represent a significant demand on Konoha's part. I'll need more assurances before we proceed."

Kazuma leaned forward slightly, his voice steady but deliberate. "Konoha seeks peace, and so do we. But peace requires trust. Perhaps there are other... factors we should consider to strengthen that trust."

Shikaku's eyes narrowed slightly, though his expression remained neutral. "What factors do you have in mind?"

Kazuma glanced at Hiroshi, who spoke carefully. "Konoha's strength is well-known. Your stability, your resources... your jinchūriki."

The room grew still. Shikaku's gaze sharpened, though his tone remained composed. "What about our jinchūriki?"

Hiroshi allowed a faint smile. "Nothing specific, of course. But in matters of peace, it's important to understand the assets and vulnerabilities of both sides. Wouldn't you agree?"

Shikaku's mind raced, though outwardly he gave no indication of his thoughts. The implication was clear: Kumo knew something, though how much was uncertain. If this was their leverage, it was a subtle but dangerous if they find out he is a kid he is prone to Assassination.

As the negotiations continued, Shikaku maintained his calm exterior, deflecting Kumo's subtle prodding while steering the discussion back to the proposed terms. The note wasn't mentioned directly, but its shadow loomed over every exchange.

When the meeting concluded, Hiroshi and Kazuma left with the same measured calm they had shown throughout. Shikaku, however, lingered in the hall, his mind dissecting their words. He suspected they had information, but whether it was accurate or a bluff remained to be seen.

Back in their quarters, the Kumo shinobi reviewed the day's events. "They didn't take the bait," Kazuma said, frustration edging his tone.

"Not yet," Hiroshi corrected. "But they know we have something. That's enough to make them cautious."

The youngest of the three spoke up, his voice quiet but firm. "What if they call our bluff?"

Hiroshi's expression hardened. "Then we push harder. If they think we're bluffing, we'll show them just enough to make them question everything."

End of the Chapter.