Chapter 110: I’ll Compensate!

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Hashirama gave Onoki a deep look, a faint smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

"Alright."

Hashirama nodded in agreement with Onoki's proposal.

"And then?"

Hashirama continued with a meaningful tone, his gaze still fixed on Onoki, clearly waiting for him to continue.

"Uh…"

Onoki hesitated, feeling a twinge of realization that merely handing over the tailed beasts wasn't enough!

In fact,

He already felt he was making a significant sacrifice!

But in the face of the village's survival, there was no other choice!

Onoki wasn't concerned about his own life or death; at over 70 years old, he knew his time was limited.

However, with such a formidable enemy, he couldn't allow Iwagakure to be dragged down. After all, it was the First Tsuchikage who had established it.

Reflecting carefully on Hashirama's words,

The two Ninja World Wars.

These had indirectly caused a series of repercussions.

Of course,

These were reactions he did not accept, feelings of being unjustly accused. Yet in this situation, accusations, even if unjust, are still accusations.

As long as the attitude is right,

There might still be a way out!

"Lord First Hokage, Iwagakure is willing to offer financial compensation and transfer half of all our commissions to Konohagakure!"

Onoki said solemnly. Given his age, he saw most issues as being about money, and he believed money could solve many problems.

Paying money!

This was the most straightforward approach!

Hashirama nodded silently in response to Onoki's words. It was indeed a direct solution.

"Economic compensation is necessary, but let's discuss how much you're willing to offer?"

Hashirama turned the focus back to Onoki.

Sweat beads began to form on Onoki's forehead.

This was difficult!

How should he respond?

It wasn't just a matter of saying too much or too little; he didn't even know what Hashirama considered an appropriate amount.

If Hashirama stated an amount,

Onoki would have to pay it, no matter how much!

But how could he even begin to address this?

"Phew!"

Onoki took a deep breath and exhaled heavily. Unconsciously, his back was already drenched in sweat.

"Lord First Hokage, how about you state what you expect?"

Onoki pondered carefully for a while, realizing he couldn't say it himself, as it concerned the present and future of Iwagakure.

Hashirama, accustomed to playing the cost game from his previous experiences, was surprised by Onoki's counter-question.

You don't know how much to offer?

I don't even know how much I need!

As if anyone had a clue!

Hashirama still didn't know what currency was used in the ninja world; he had never seen it!

"Let's do this!"

Hashirama reached into his tool pouch.

His pouch contained only one item.

Suddenly, under everyone's watchful eyes, Hashirama pulled out a glittering golden shuriken.

The craftsmanship was exquisite.

The material was soft.

24K pure gold!

It felt heavy in his hand.

It looked incredibly prestigious.

This was a custom-made ninja tool from the Yīngyīng Guài System!

"…"

The crowd's eyes slightly trembled upon seeing the golden shuriken, unable to grasp the situation.

The First Hokage has a taste for golden shuriken?

"A golden shuriken like this—how about compensating with ten thousand of them?"

Hashirama inserted his fingers into the loops of the golden shuriken and gave it a slight flick, making it spin.

"Ten thousand?!"

Onoki was struck as if by lightning. This golden shuriken, given its size, was hefty, and with Iwagakure surrounded by rocks, where would they find that much gold?

This was an impossible task!

No way…

Lord First Hokage!

If you want my life, just say so directly. Don't play games with me!

"This number should be acceptable, right? It doesn't all have to be gold. Equivalent items or money are fine as well. I'm giving you some flexibility."

Hashirama noticed the astonishment on Onoki's face and wasn't sure if he had asked for too much or too little.

Oh well.

In this world, everyone was watching his face.

He didn't need to worry about others' feelings.

That was their problem.

"Tsunade, this unique little thing is for you."

Hashirama tossed the golden shuriken toward Tsunade, its sharp edge embedding into the wooden table, sparkling in the sunlight.

"Understood…"

Onoki gritted his teeth and nodded. No matter the demands, he had to agree to them now.

Even if he failed to meet them later,

This was at least a reprieve.

Refusing outright would have been disastrous, as evidenced by the situation with Yūnigakure!

"Let's leave it at that for now!"

Hashirama couldn't think of more details at the moment. If anything else came to mind later, he would bring it up with Onoki.

"Fifth Mizukage!"

Hashirama's gaze shifted to Mei Terumī, who was staring at him with her green eyes wide, her expression almost infatuated.

"I'm here!"

Mei Terumī immediately nodded, looking far more relaxed than the previous Kage.

Kiriagakure was the weakest among these villages. In terms of both population and economic capability, it was severely lacking.

Kiriagakure was situated in the remote mountains of the Land of Water, surrounded on all sides by the sea, and shrouded in perpetual mist. It was practically a secluded village.

Kiriagakure was already considered remote by its geographical location. In recent times, it had adopted a policy of isolation, earning it the reputation of being the "Village of Bloody Mist."

The elite ninjas of the village, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, who had been specially trained for covert operations, had all become rogue ninjas.

Not only was Kiriagakure incapable of exerting pressure on Konohagakure, but it also faced numerous unresolved issues of its own. The only tailed beast, the Three-Tails, had reverted to a wild state following the death of the previous Mizukage, Yagura.

It seemed…

There was nothing to compensate with!

No tailed beast, no money!

Wait!

Mei Terumī suddenly had a peculiar idea, and her face flushed with embarrassment.

The only thing left to offer was people!

The next moment, Mei's gaze towards Hashirama softened significantly. She looked him up and down as if contemplating something.

"Ahem!"

Hashirama coughed lightly. Mei Terumī's expression felt eerily familiar—it was the kind of look he used to see on mothers during matchmaking, not the prospective brides themselves.

It was as if he had become the prey.

This was not right!

"Fifth Mizukage, your issues are quite similar to those of Iwagakure…"

Hashirama immediately began his critical discourse, using the Summit of the Five Kage to address everyone's problems, embracing the role of a modern keyboard warrior in the ninja world.

"That's great!"

Before Hashirama could finish his statement, Mei Terumī exclaimed with excitement. Her cheeks turned even redder, and her emerald eyes sparkled.

"I'll compensate!"

(End of Chapter)