"It all depends on how determined the Kazekage is," the Third Raikage said with a sneer. "Looking at him, though, it's obvious he won't see this through. If Konoha puts a price on the table, I think we can negotiate."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Onoki frowned. "Are you suggesting we compensate Konoha? That's absurd."
"Of course," the Third Raikage replied bluntly, giving Onoki a look of disdain as if addressing a fool. "If you want to pressure Konoha, you need to make it worth their while."
Onoki's face turned red with anger. "Compensate Konoha? Absolutely not. Why should Iwa Village pay for this nonsense?"
The Third Mizukage, trying to mediate, raised his hands in a calming gesture. "Now, now, let's not get heated. The Raikage has a point—pushing Konoha too hard won't get us anywhere. A balance of pressure and compensation is the most reasonable approach."
Onoki scowled. "If anyone's paying compensation, it won't be Iwa. Iwa Ninja Village won't spare a single coin to pay Konoha."
Sand and Iwa Ninja Villages were both economically stretched thin. They simply couldn't afford to offer compensation. Among the five great nations, only Cloud Village had maintained relative wealth during the prolonged war. Even Konoha's finances had been significantly drained by their war efforts, leaving the Land of Fire scarred and its people weary.
Onoki stormed out, muttering curses under his breath.
The Third Raikage watched him go, shaking his head. "I told you, Onoki is unreliable."
The Third Mizukage sighed, exasperated. If your economy were as bad as Iwa's, you'd be just as difficult.
Meanwhile, as the summit dragged on, night fell, and Shinki set his plan into motion. Under the cover of darkness, a crow puppet soared into the sky, heading toward the Land of Wind. By day, such an operation would have been impossible to conceal from the other villages. But at night, the puppet blended seamlessly into the shadows.
The crow puppet carried its payload toward Suna Village's vulnerable targets. If they're so terrified of airstrikes, let's make their nightmares come true.
The next day, the Five Kage reconvened.
To the surprise of the other leaders, Shinki did not accompany the Third Hokage. Instead, a veteran ANBU captain named Taka took his place.
The Third Mizukage leaned forward curiously. "Hokage, where is your guard?"
The Third Hokage raised an eyebrow. "First of all, Shinki isn't my guard. He merely assisted Anbu in protecting me. Secondly, do you expect me to be in danger during the Five Kage Talks?"
The Third Mizukage chuckled awkwardly. "Of course not, Hokage. Just a casual question."
Satisfied, the Third Hokage turned his attention back to the room.
The Third Kazekage wasted no time, addressing the group with a firm tone. "Hokage, I would like to know if Konoha has considered the proposal I put forward yesterday."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's brow furrowed, irritation flickering across his face. What exactly do you want?
After a brief pause, he responded sharply. "Kazekage, such a proposal was unreasonable from the start. Why should Konoha be forced to strictly prohibit the use of its own powerful techniques and tools? By that logic, your Sand Village's Magnet Release should also be banned."
The Third Kazekage stiffened, taken aback.
"And while we're at it," the Third Hokage continued, his voice rising, "let's talk about Tsuchikage's Dust Release, one of the deadliest techniques in the ninja world. Why not ban its use as well?"
The Third Hokage had spent the night preparing for this exact moment. He had resolved to counterattack forcefully, knowing that Konoha couldn't afford to appear weak.
The other Kage exchanged glances, momentarily caught off guard. The Third Mizukage remained silent, choosing not to escalate the tension. Onoki, however, scoffed.
"That's absurd. Dust Release is a technique unique to Iwa Village. Its use is entirely justified."
"Justified?" the Third Hokage shot back. "And you think Konoha's methods aren't? You have no issue with deadly techniques as long as they aren't used against you. That's blatant hypocrisy."
The Third Raikage smirked, clearly entertained by the exchange. He didn't care much for the Kazekage's initiative but found amusement in the escalating argument.
In the background, Shinki's puppet operation was well underway. By the time the Kage Talk concluded that day, news of the attack would begin to spread.
The Third Kazekage, however, remained oblivious to the incoming disaster. He was too preoccupied with rallying the other villages against Konoha, unaware that his aggressive stance had provoked a swift and calculated retaliation.
In the following sessions of the Five Kage Talks, the tensions between the villages would continue to rise, but Shinki's move would soon tip the scales, changing the course of negotiations entirely.
>>>>>
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