Chapter 256: Tsunade: Negotiation is Fine, But Returning the Weapon? No Way

"Fine!!"

What else could he say? Takuya smiled wryly.

"I'll help you, but I can't guarantee success. After all, I've only met her once, and the first impression wasn't great. I'll try to arrange a meeting with Suzune. Since Hyūga Meiko is responsible for taking care of her, she'll likely come along as well."

"As for the rest, that's up to you. I can't do much more."

Setting up a meeting was the most he could offer. How Nawaki chose to pursue her was his own problem—Takuya had no further involvement.

"Deal!!!" Nawaki grinned from ear to ear.

Could love at first sight really exist in this world?

That seemed a bit exaggerated.

Takuya and Kushina, as well as Uchiha Mikoto, had a great relationship, but it definitely wasn't love at first sight. Their feelings developed gradually over time, growing from shared experiences and interactions until they slowly got closer.

Love at first sight? That was nonsense.

The first time Takuya met Uchiha Mikoto... well, they almost fought. As for Kushina, let's not even mention it—back then, whenever Takuya saw her, he wanted to go the other way.

The news that Fuguki Suikazan had been killed and Samehada taken did not spread throughout the Mist Village. Genji quickly sent a team to Konoha to meet with the Third Hokage, hoping to open diplomatic talks to retrieve Samehada.

Even if it required some concessions, they were willing to negotiate—as long as the Third Hokage didn't demand too much.

The diplomat hadn't even set out yet when a letter reached Konoha first.

Negotiations?

Reading the letter, the Third Hokage hadn't expected Mist Village to approach Konoha, requesting negotiations to retrieve Samehada and, incidentally, Fuguki Suikazan's body.

It seemed Mist Village highly valued the weapon. As for the body, it was more of a secondary condition. If Konoha was willing to return it, fine. If not, they could do whatever they wanted with it.

After all, the secrets had almost all been uncovered. There was no way for Konoha to erase all traces of intelligence, and some things just couldn't be concealed forever. So before everything leaked, Mist Village wanted to get Samehada back to avoid being a laughingstock.

Negotiating between two villages was already a significant event.

The Third Hokage immediately called for Danzo, the Elder Council, and even Tsunade, who couldn't escape this time. Since Tsunade had taken charge of the Logistics Division, she was now considered part of the higher-ups. Despite only managing the logistics department, her position naturally gave her some authority, placing her on equal footing with the others.

"Old man, why did you call me?" Tsunade yawned, rubbing her face, which bore the mark of the desk she had been sleeping on. The right side of her face was red, while the left was normal.

It was obvious she had dozed off during work.

"You've been gambling again, haven't you?" The Third Hokage couldn't help but scold her lightly.

The others, like Koharu Utatane, averted their eyes, pretending not to see, treating Tsunade as if she were invisible.

"I played a few rounds. Last night, I rushed through some reports, so I didn't sleep well. I brought the proposal with me—take a look. I think the village should train more medical ninjas. Each standard squad should have a medical ninja."

Tsunade handed over the proposal, causing Koharu's face to darken. After all, she was the head of the medical department, yet she had been completely unaware of this proposal. It was clear that Tsunade had bypassed her.

The Third Hokage wisely glanced at the proposal, then at Koharu's displeased expression, and quickly set the document aside, clearing his throat.

"We'll discuss this later. Today's meeting is about the negotiations with Mist Village."

The Third Hokage handed out the letter from Mist Village for everyone to review.

Tsunade, who had been dozing off, perked up when she heard the word "negotiation." Just then, Danzo handed the letter to her.

"Mist Village is playing quite the game."

After reading the letter, Tsunade scoffed.

"Samehada is Takuya's war trophy. How could we just hand it over? Has Mist Village fallen to the point where they can't even afford to lose a single weapon?"

"Ahem, Tsunade, diplomacy is important. After all, maintaining good relations with Mist Village could benefit Konoha as well," Mitokado Homura argued.

"And how exactly would it benefit Konoha?" Tsunade shot back.

"Mist Village may be closed off, but they've constantly harassed and plundered Fire Nation's sea routes. The daimyo has already complained several times. Have you forgotten about that?"

"Why did Takuya's team head out to sea? It was because Mist Village has been too bold."

"They've been attacking our ships and disrupting our routes, so they're enemies. And enemies' belongings are war trophies. They want to get Samehada back because they're embarrassed? Since when have we ever returned intelligence we've gathered from other villages?"

"Negotiations? Sure. But returning the weapon? Absolutely not."

Mitokado Homura: "..."

Did she really have to shut me down so hard?

The Third Hokage was speechless, while Koharu felt a strange sense of relief—thank goodness she hadn't spoken. Otherwise, she would have been on the receiving end of Tsunade's wrath.

As for Danzo, he kept his eyes down, minding his own business.

He wasn't concerned with the village's affairs at the moment—only his personal research.

"Everyone." Tsunade slammed her hand on the table in frustration.

"We just wiped out a Mist Village ninja squad and took their weapon. Now they come begging for negotiations to retrieve it, and Konoha is supposed to just hand it over? What would the daimyo think?"

"So you're saying the negotiations aren't necessary?" The Third Hokage asked.

Tsunade shook her head.

"No, we should negotiate. Let's see what Mist Village has in mind. But as for returning the weapon, that's not happening. They can come talk about it after they've made up for all the losses they've caused the Fire Nation over the years."

While the merchant ships had no direct connection to Konoha, they were tied to the daimyo's estate.

If Konoha returned Samehada to Mist Village, how would the daimyo react? What about future funding?

After all, the daimyo was Konoha's main financial backer. A little face and respect needed to be shown.

There was some logic in Tsunade's reasoning. Even if Mist Village wanted to offer compensation, they didn't have much to give—they were too poor. And Konoha didn't really need their compensation either.

The Third Hokage thought for a moment, then nodded.

"Alright. Tsunade, you'll handle the negotiations. What's your take on the situation with Mist Village?"

It was a headache, but Samehada was in Takuya's possession, so Tsunade couldn't refuse the task. At least the negotiations would take place in Konoha, so she didn't have to travel.

"The Third Mizukage has gone mad!!" Koharu could only sum up the situation this way.

After reviewing the intel extracted from Fuguki Suikazan's mind, Koharu had felt a chill down her spine.

She couldn't imagine how Mist Village had survived these past few years. Without external enemies, their own Third Mizukage's tyrannical rule had been enough to weaken the village year by year.

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(P)(S): If you're interested, you can read up to chapter 320+ at patreon.com/ Emik01. ಥ‿ಥ

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