Uehara Naraku and Terumi Mei left the street corner.
After walking onto the street, the two of them subconsciously tidied up their clothes and then exchanged a glance, their mouths twitching at the same time.
Uehara Naraku finally took the lead and spoke: "Hey, hey, hey, Lady Terumi Mei, don't make it seem like we just did something shady!"
"..."
Terumi Mei gritted her teeth hatefully, then suddenly smiled: "You've really grown up, kid. If you enjoyed it just now, make sure to contact me!"
After saying this, Terumi Mei ignored the looks from the people around and winked at Uehara Naraku before turning to head toward the negotiation venue.
Evidently, Terumi Mei genuinely wanted Uehara Naraku to contact her.
This place wasn't convenient; she wanted to have a good talk with Uehara Naraku.
Because the matter concerning Hozuki Mangetsu was very important, it even concerned the future of The Hidden Mist Village. After all, that guy defected with four ninja blades to work as a spy!
Even if he'd left just one behind, it would have been fine!
No, he should have left at least two!
Aside from Hozuki Suigetsu, Hozuki Mangetsu's younger brother, The Hidden Mist Village had another promising talent who could take a position among the Seven-swords Ninja of the Hidden Mist.
"Tch…"
Uehara Naraku scratched his ear, following Terumi Mei into the negotiation venue, utterly bored.
After a while, Granny Chiyo from The Hidden Sand Village also arrived at the Daimyo Mansion, wobbling as she walked into the venue, while the Leader of Hidden Waterfall Village had already arrived early.
All the members of the five Ninja Villages participating in the negotiations had now gathered.
Uehara Naraku glanced at everyone present; the three major Ninja Villages seemed to have some grudges against him, and even the Hidden Waterfall Village held some resentment.
After all, Konan had once planted a renegade of Hidden Waterfall Village in a bid to seize the leadership position to gather intelligence on the Seven-tailed, but due to Konoha's support, it ended in failure; however, this Shibuki leader likely did not dare to hold grudges.
As for the three major Ninja Villages, there's no need to say much; Uehara Naraku had systematically killed all the leaders of these major Ninja Villages.
He killed Rasa, the Fourth Kazekage of The Hidden Sand Village.
He killed the Fourth Mizukage of The Hidden Mist Village.
He killed the Third Hokage of Konoha Village.
Uehara Naraku slightly admired his own audacity.
With so many enemies gathered here, he still dared to attend the meeting.
The fact that Terumi Mei didn't know about him killing the Fourth Mizukage.
Tsunade probably wouldn't have the nerve to bring up his assassination of the Third Hokage either, as it was tied to Shimura Danzo's plot to seize the position of Hokage.
Once revealed, Konoha Village would surely suffer a severe blow to its reputation.
Chiyo, on the other hand, had no such qualms.
Since Fourth Kazekage Rasa's death in battle, The Hidden Sand Village had become increasingly poor and declining, and Uehara Naraku, who killed the Fourth Kazekage, was the culprit behind The Hidden Sand Village's downfall.
Chiyo glanced sideways at Uehara Naraku, clasping her hands together: "Lady Tsunade, this is a major countries' conference, and I don't believe The Hidden Rain Village has the qualification to participate or contribute to our subsequent plans…"
"No one can insult our Hidden Rain Village!"
Uehara Naraku squinted his eyes, sneering softly: "Heh, a village whose leader was killed like a dog still dares to sit at the same table with us? Our Leader of Hidden Rain is Salamander Hanzo the Ninja Demigod!"
Afterward, Uehara Naraku turned to Chiyo and said: "Hey, old lady, when your village's Fifth Kazekage takes over, let me know, so I can conveniently kill him!"
"What did you say!"
As Chiyo flipped her palm, a scroll fell into her hand: "You damned brat, I'll kill you right now!"
"Then come on!"
Uehara Naraku glanced at Chiyo and sneered coldly: "Heh, your grandson, Sasori of the Red Sand, was beaten into begging for mercy and surrender by my teacher. That boy cried and begged for the Fourth Kazekage's corpse from me, and this is all your puppet masters are capable of!"
Uehara Naraku's words were rather vicious.
Who knows if Sasori of the Red Sand would go all out after hearing it.
In any case, even if Sasori did go all out, it would definitely be no match for Uehara.
Tsunade slammed a fist on the table, speaking coldly: "We are here for the same goal, and this is not the place to argue. Only by letting go of past grudges can we cooperate sincerely."
"That's right."
Terumi Mei stroked her cheek, glancing at Uehara Naraku, nodding lightly: "Our willingness to sit here indicates a desire to cooperate, so why dwell on the lingering poison left by previous wars?"
The Land of Fire, the Land of Water, the Land of Wind, the Land of Rain, after three Shinobi World Wars, the grievances and entanglements are countless and untraceable.
Only Shibuki, the leader of the Land of Waterfall, was in a slightly better position.
This somewhat naïve young man awkwardly smiled, breaking the tension: "Yes, yes… Lady Hokage is right, Lady Terumi Mei is right!"
Chiyo and Uehara Naraku both snorted coldly, turning their heads away, yet they listened to Tsunade and Terumi Mei's advice, and the two stopped arguing on the spot.
Tsunade finally let out a sigh of relief; she wasn't like her great-grandfather, bowing her head to other ninja village leaders and surrendering!
Honestly, Tsunade kind of hated Chiyo.
Even though The Hidden Sand Village was as weak as it could be, she still took the initiative to provoke Uehara Naraku. Aren't you afraid The Hidden Rain Village might invade you someday?
"Alright then, let's get to business now!"
Tsunade slowly stood up and walked to a wall where a map of the Ninja World was hanging, saying softly: "Today's main agenda is the distribution of interests following the demise of The Hidden Grass Village."
About a month ago, The Hidden Grass Village was destroyed by powerful Fire Release Ninjutsu. We believe it might have been caused by Konoha's S-Class Traitor Uchiha Obito or Uchiha Itachi, aiming to incite a new ninja war."
To avoid wars and disputes over the land of the Land of Grass, we decided to incorporate the Land of Grass into the territory of the Land of Fire, under the jurisdiction of the Daimyo of the Land of Fire and protected by Konoha.
The original Daimyo of the Land of Grass has already agreed to be conferred as nobility of the Land of Fire."
"..."
Everyone present couldn't help but look up at Tsunade.
How thick-skinned does this woman have to be to say such things!
To avoid wars and disputes over a piece of land, we just take that land for ourselves. Isn't that shameless!
Unfortunately, the Land of Wind and the Land of Water are out of reach; the only parties that have any disagreement over the Land of Grass are the people of the Land of Waterfall and the Land of Rain.
The Leader of Hidden Waterfall Village, Shibuki, naturally dared not speak up.
Uehara Naraku raised his palm and spoke softly: "Then what about the disputed land between the Land of Rain and the Land of Grass?"
Tsunade furrowed her brow and said in a deep voice: "Konoha will decide whether or not to divide it based on investigations, and regarding its return, we need to wait for our arbitration."
"Please feel free."
Uehara Naraku nodded lightly and didn't bother arguing: "If the result doesn't satisfy us, we will neither support nor oppose it."
"Please hear me out."
Tsunade ignored him and continued: "Konoha has always advocated the balanced development of all countries in the Ninja World. The First Hokage precisely allocated the Tailed Beasts to each major ninja village, curbing the scale of wars between villages.
So this time, after Konoha acquired the land of the Land of Grass, it will cede other interests to various countries to achieve a balance among the major nations."
Tsunade stood back by the table, leaning over it, and revealed a large expanse of snow-white chest, leaving people dizzy.
"Of course, this isn't free for other countries."
Tsunade assessed the crowd present and slowly said: "The ninja villages must collaborate to exert pressure on Hidden Rock, forcing them to abandon their ambition for the Land of Grass.
Once The Hidden Rock Village withdraws, and the Land of Fire and the Land of Grass successfully merge, Konoha will form an economic and political alliance treaty with The Hidden Mist Village, opening markets and ports to each other; at the same time, Konoha will return the tasks from the Daimyo Mansion of the Land of Wind to The Hidden Sand Village."
This had been agreed upon long ago.
Whether it was Chiyo or Terumi Mei, they nod implicitly. Their arrival's purpose was precisely for this, which is also what their ninja villages urgently needed.
Tsunade turned to look at the bored Uehara Naraku and slowly said: "If Hidden Waterfall Village and The Hidden Rain Village are also willing to contribute, Konoha will not be stingy with ally interests..."
"Hmm, we only hope for long-lasting peace."
Shibuki looked at Tsunade and gently shook his head: "Though we've been allies with Konoha for a long time, forgive us; we cannot participate in this cooperation."
The Land of Waterfall is a small country.
The Hidden Waterfall Village dared neither offend Konoha nor The Hidden Rock Village.
This consideration of Shibuki was reasonable, Tsunade lightly nodded to indicate her approval, and then turned her gaze to Uehara Naraku: "What's The Hidden Rain Village's opinion?"
Uehara Naraku slowly stood up, walked to the map, and spoke softly: "We need the original site of The Hidden Grass Village as a boundary line; all land to the south should be incorporated into the national border of the Land of Rain."
"Wishful thinking."
Chiyo couldn't help but shake her head.
"Hehe..."
Tsunade couldn't hold back an exasperated laugh: "That's over half of the land, and even to the west, which is mountainous, making it difficult even for The Hidden Rock Village to invade. It's the richest part of the Land of Grass!"
"Konoha and the Land of Fire are not short of fertile land."
Uehara Naraku gently shook his head and softly continued: "What Konoha lacks is a strategic advantage over The Hidden Rock Village. Clearly, the land north of The Hidden Grass Village is mostly bridges, fortresses, and canyons, making it ideal for Konoha."
Uehara Naraku gave a glance at Tsunade, who was still somewhat disdainful, and spoke softly: "If Konoha agrees to this division, The Hidden Rain Village can jointly launch a raid with Konoha against the Hidden Rock Ninjas entrenched within the Land of Grass."
"Sorry, Konoha can handle it on its own."
Tsunade shook her head and turned to look at the others present: "If Lord Chiyo and Lord Terumi Mei agree, then please return to your countries and start mobilizing personnel to apply pressure on The Hidden Rock Village and force them to leave the Land of Grass!"
Seeing Chiyo and Terumi Mei nod, Tsunade then looked at Uehara Naraku and smiled lightly: "If you wish, why not gamble with me. If you win, perhaps I can grant The Land of Rain a village?"
"No need to humiliate me."
Uehara Naraku waved his hand, and just as he was about to leave the meeting, he suddenly turned to look at Tsunade, squinting his eyes and smiling slightly.
"We from The Hidden Rain Village have been tracking the traitors of Akatsuki, who betrayed The Land of Rain and Lord Hanzo. Those traitors will not easily miss the chance to incite a war between Konoha and The Hidden Rock Village. Please cherish this period of peace, Lord Hokage!"