Kiri acting like victors

Finally, the representatives of the Uzumaki clan have arrived. Usually, during negotiations, both sides would stand up, greet each other, and shake hands, as both parties are on equal footing. But now...

Gengetsu Hōzuki and the Mist ninjas sat with sour expressions, ignoring Ryuto and the others. They simply narrowed their eyes and stared at the Uzumaki clan representatives, inwardly marveling that their Hidden Mist Village had been defeated by a group of elderly, sick, and disabled people.

Indeed, most of the people in front of them were elderly, though they appeared energetic and healthy. Their white hair, however, revealed their advanced age. True to the Uzumaki clan's reputation for longevity!

At such an old age, they could still move like young people! Weren't they afraid of throwing out their backs?

As for the young ones...

A seven-year-old at the Kage level! Gengetsu Hōzuki looked at the seven-year-old child walking in front and was astonished. He never expected the true genius of the Land of Whirlpools to be so young...

Why couldn't the Hidden Mist Village produce such talents?

It seemed that due to his strength, this child had taken control of the Land of Whirlpools!

But he was so young...

The Land of Whirlpools must have been in a state of panic due to the Hidden Mist Village's invasion! Otherwise, why would they let such a young child succeed as the leader?

He could be the next Uzukage, or even the next Whirlpool Shadow, although the Whirlpool Village didn't currently have an Uzukage. However...

Once a Kage-level shinobi appeared, the Whirlpool Village would have a true Uzukage. But this child was too young, too young to wield such power. The Uzumaki clan must have lost their minds!

Gengetsu Hōzuki narrowed his eyes dangerously at Ryuto. If they acted now...

They absolutely could not let him grow up!

Ryuto ignored Gengetsu's menacing gaze, looking impatient as he sat down. He had already said on the way that, as a seven-year-old child, he would leave everything to the clan leader. After all, it was just a matter of selling a... Tailed Beast.

He had already written down the price, which was the same as what Tobirama had proposed. Any higher, and the Hidden Mist Village might not want to pay, as the Tailed Beast belonged to them. They would think the Land of Whirlpools had gone crazy for asking more.

Since the Hidden Mist Village couldn't afford to lose face, they would have to resort to force. Although Ryuto wasn't afraid, he felt uneasy about the shadowy figures behind them.

Not to mention Black Zetsu and White Zetsu, but also that old sneak from Konoha. The Land of Whirlpools was no match for them now! If Konoha believed the Uzumaki clan had lost face and could no longer be their loyal... ally, they would definitely take action!

Don't doubt it, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzō Shimura had done such things before.

One played the good guy, the other the bad guy, making others cry and cling tightly to Hiruzen's leg, pretending to contribute to Konoha's development. As for those who didn't comply...

They were killed.

A village leader who dared harm his own people, so don't think they would be merciful.

Therefore, Ryuto had no intention of keeping the Tailed Beast. They lacked the strength! It was better to sell it and buy some food and supplies to get through the winter. As for the rest, they could wait until the Land of Whirlpools became the sixth great nation, or even surpassed the five great nations.

Don't think that because ninjas always had meat and rice, and dressed stylishly, that life in the ninja world was good!

Ninjas paid for that with money, while the common people suffered during disasters and wars, often having only a bowl of water with a few grains of rice. Most people didn't have enough to eat or wear and feared having their heads cut off by ninjas the next day.

Currently, the Land of Whirlpools lacked resources and food, and without proper preparation, this winter would be unimaginable!

Although the Land of Whirlpools was better off than war-torn areas, many still starved to death each year, especially as winter approached.

The first winter after a war was the most dreadful.

Ryuto glanced at Gengetsu Hōzuki, who, like in the anime, had no eyebrows, black eyes, and a sour expression—probably because Ryuto had leisurely eaten breakfast and made them wait. Ryuto ignored his envious, jealous, and hateful gaze.

What was there to envy about a child?

Unless... the Mizukage was a pervert?!

The clan leader smiled at the eyebrow-less man and said, "Mizukage, my apologies. Prince Ryuto took a bit long with his breakfast, so we're late."

Gengetsu's face turned green at the mention of "Prince Ryuto" taking his time with breakfast. Did they think the Hidden Mist Village wouldn't see through their act? He narrowed his eyes dangerously and asked, "Who are you?"

"The clan leader of the Uzumaki clan," the clan leader replied with an unwavering smile. As the clan leader, he knew that during negotiations, one's aura must never weaken, for giving an inch would lead to losing everything.

"So you're the one calling the shots?" Gengetsu asked. A mere clan leader—the Hidden Mist Village had over a dozen! If it weren't for their defeat, he wouldn't even bother with him. But now...

"Here are the Hidden Mist Village's terms. Take a look!" The Mizukage's assistant threw the compensation treaty they had drafted the previous day to the clan leader, while Gengetsu continued staring at Ryuto.

A seven-year-old at the Kage level!

The Hidden Mist Village had no time to waste with the Land of Whirlpools and needed to seize the initiative, then...

Settle the score with Konoha!

The Uzumaki clan leader was puzzled by Gengetsu's tactics. What did this mean? Shouldn't the Land of Whirlpools, as the victor, be the one presenting terms?

Moreover, the terms...

Why did the Hidden Mist Village act like the victors?

The terms stated that the Hidden Mist Village would not invade the Land of Whirlpools for five years, allowed trade between the Land of Whirlpools and the Land of Water, but required the Land of Whirlpools to protect Water Country's ninjas. Even more unreasonable was the demand for the Land of Whirlpools to return the Three-Tails and compensate for the losses to their fleet...

Ryuto stopped reading, laughing at the absurdity. Had Gengetsu gone mad?

There was no way the Land of Whirlpools would agree to such terms!

Inwardly, he lamented, "The Land of Whirlpools is still too weak. Even after winning, they still look down on us."

(End of chapter)