Everyone was generally aware of the situation in the Land of Rain. For Konoha, having to retreat back to their own country after a failed invasion was already disgraceful. Negotiating peace with a small nation like the Land of Rain was out of the question; even a peace agreement would have to come from the Rain Ninja Village bowing their heads.
But Nagato was clearly not the type to yield. Tsunade, having fought Nagato herself, understood better than anyone his lofty and commanding demeanor.
Getting the Rain Ninja Village to bow? Better to consider how to wipe them out entirely.
So Konoha still had to station many shinobi at the border of the Land of Rain. And now that the Rain Village leader had revealed the Rinnegan, they could no longer be treated as a weak, manipulable force. Hiruzen Sarutobi had underestimated them due to a lack of intelligence—this was why Tsunade had to step in and take control.
As for casualties and compensation, Shikaku Nara mentioned it briefly—usual procedures would suffice. Regarding the village's budget, they would still need funding from the daimyo; otherwise, Konoha's development would grind to a halt.
"Old man, I'll leave that to you. Kabuto, how much are we still short on funds?"
Standing behind Tsunade, Kabuto calmly adjusted his glasses and replied, "Considering loans from the Hyakusa Trade Association and other debts, we'll need at least six hundred million ryō to sustain the village until next year without increasing military spending. If we intend to train more ninja..."
At least six hundred million ryō—and even more if they planned to expand their military. Even Hiruzen found the number headache-inducing.
With such a huge figure, there was no way the daimyo's office would continue funding them—especially since the last wartime funds had just been issued, which Hiruzen was well aware of.
"...Tsunade. Fine, I understand."
Seeing Tsunade's expression, Hiruzen knew there was no room for negotiation. It was an ungrateful task. Even as the Third Hokage, this wouldn't be easy.
As for Iwagakure, Shikaku only briefly mentioned them. Then Tsunade warned to keep an eye on the movements in the Land of Grass and moved on.
Those who had participated in the Rain conflict knew how badly Iwagakure had suffered—their supply camps were all wiped out. If Konoha hadn't "donated" supplies, Ōnoki wouldn't have even been able to bring his troops home.
The Rain campaign was quickly discussed and concluded. The next topic was the Sand Federation.
This was Konoha's real enemy, and their mutual hatred was likely beyond diplomatic resolution.
Danzo had killed the enemy's Kazekage assistant. The Kaekō Trade Association had hired rogue Konoha ninja Hyuga Mirai to abduct both the former and current Nine-Tails jinchūriki, along with hundreds of Uchiha clan members. Then, the Fifth Kazekage led a retaliatory strike. Both sides deployed over a thousand shinobi. Even after Konoha sent two units, they remained trapped inside Kikyo Castle by the Sand forces.
Although Sarutobi Shinnosuke led the ANBU to eliminate some infiltrating sand ninja, the ANBU suffered significant casualties, and many noble families in the Land of Fire were affected as well.
"...Therefore, on the Kikyo Castle front, it seems the Fifth Kazekage has no intention of stopping. According to ANBU intel, the Sand Federation is planning to send reinforcements. So we—"
Shikaku paused, leaving the final decision—war or peace—to Tsunade.
Tsunade, hands clasped under her chin, asked, "If we want to continue the war and win, how many more shinobi would we need?"
Shikaku pondered, then replied, "Assuming they use a Tailed Beast, we'd need at least three hundred more. If they deploy Shukaku or Hyuga Mirai, then... Fifth Hokage, you would need to personally go to Kikyo Castle."
Though it was shameful to force the Hokage to the front lines, only Tsunade—with her Wood Release—had the power to turn the tide. Still, Shikaku wasn't entirely confident. If Tsunade faced Hyuga Mirai, Wood Release versus the mysterious Byakugan... the outcome was hard to predict.
News of Hyuga Mirai representing Roran in joining the Sand Federation had already spread among the shinobi world via merchant routes.
The Sand Federation didn't restrict trade. The Uzumaki and Kaekō Trade Associations—two of the biggest players—had moved their headquarters there. Many merchants cooperating with them would follow. Some secrets couldn't be hidden. Rather than let them leak out piecemeal, it was better to proactively sort intelligence by priority.
With Shukaku, Kurama, Hyuga Mirai, the Fifth Kazekage, Sasori of the Red Sand, and Mangekyō Sharingan-wielding Uchiha members, the Sand Federation had more high-tier ninja than Konoha. If war continued, Konoha would surely be the first to fall.
And hearing that they'd need three hundred more ninja, nearly all the clan leaders frowned.
More recruitment? Over a thousand shinobi had already been deployed in the last two battles—70% from the clans.
"Let's negotiate, Shikaku."
Tsunade spoke calmly, stunning everyone in the room. This didn't sound like the Tsunade they knew—hot-tempered and battle-ready.
"No more war. We're nearly at Konoha's limit—financially and in lives. Let's end it here."
Many weary shinobi silently sighed in relief. Prolonged war felt like a boulder pressing on their chests—even those not on the front lines felt it over time.
Peace was a blessing.
The specifics of the negotiation still had to be discussed privately with Tsunade. Shikaku didn't ask publicly.
They then reviewed a few other issues to update the clan heads and Jonin on Konoha's general state. But the details would be reported privately to the Hokage.
Soon after, the Jonin meeting was adjourned. Aside from a few Tsunade kept back, the others slowly left the Hokage building.
As the Jonin Commander, Shikaku naturally stayed behind—he needed to clarify the negotiation terms with the Sand Federation.
"Tsunade-sama, about the negotiations..." Should Kushina be included in the terms? What would it take to convince the enemy to back down? Tsunade had to define some limits before Shikaku could proceed.
Tsunade pressed her temples, feigning a headache, then solemnly said, "Try to persuade them to stop the war. My bottom line is—I'll hand over the one responsible for killing the Kazekage's assistant."
"What?"
Shikaku, Hiruzen, and the others froze, thinking they misheard.
"Tsunade-sama..."
Tsunade cut them off. "You heard right. That's Konoha's bottom line. If they demand justice for the Kazekage assistant, add that to the offer."
"Tsunade-sama... You mean the one who killed the Kazekage's assistant is..."
"Danzo. Wasn't the assistant killed by Root? Since he did it, then for Konoha's sake, he should make some sacrifices."
Tsunade's cold tone made Shikaku break into a cold sweat. He hadn't expected the new Hokage's power struggle with the old guard to reach this level. Compared to the fallout from Sakumo Hatake's disgrace, this was brutal—an open push toward Danzo's death.
"Tsunade, what are you saying?!"
Hiruzen shouted in anger. "Danzo is a Konoha shinobi! As Hokage, how can you say that?!"
"So noisy, old man. No need to yell." Tsunade frowned and dug at her ear. Then she said coldly, "I just think Danzo would willingly make that choice for Konoha. Unless you'd rather drag us into a war to the death with the Sand Federation—lose countless shinobi—would that satisfy you?"
"Nonsense! That's not what I meant... But you, as Hokage, shouldn't—this goes against the Will of Fire—"
Thump, thump, thump.
Tsunade knocked on the table and sighed. "Old man, don't think I don't know what's happening in Konoha just because I was gone. If Hiashi Hyuga's twin, Hizashi, could die for the village, why can't Danzo? If you disagree, I'll let you handle the ninja forces, the war budget, and command at Kikyo Castle. How about that?"
That shut Hiruzen up. Using Hizashi's sacrifice as an example, then giving him an ultimatum—agree, or go to the front. At his age, even if he was once called the "Professor" and the strongest Hokage, he couldn't match Tsunade's current strength. Going to the front might mean dying at Kikyo Castle.
He couldn't manage the military or budget. He had just supported peace, and now the previous Hokage was suggesting more war and recruiting clan shinobi. Hiruzen knew it was impossible—not worth even attempting.
"Even so... to betray a comrade..."
"For Konoha's future. For peace in the village. Every ninja should be prepared to sacrifice, like Hizashi did."
Tsunade raised her voice slightly, cutting him off with the very words he often used in the past—for the village. Now thrown back at him.
Hiruzen was left speechless.
"That's settled, Shikaku. I'll have Kimimaro assist you."
Shikaku nodded and quietly replied, "Yes, I understand, Tsunade-sama." Then he discreetly wiped sweat from his forehead. He hadn't expected to be dragged into such naked political warfare. If he could, he'd rather not hear any of it.
It seemed Tsunade was set on cleansing the old Konoha leadership—if even someone like Danzo, the "Shadow of the Shinobi World," could be sacrificed.
Once back, he'd definitely have a drink with Choza and Inoichi.
(End of Chapter)