HTP: Ch. 55

Shikaku gently placed a stack of documents in front of Hiruzen. Rubbing his temples with his fingertips, the relentless high-pressure negotiations had etched a few new lines at the corners of Konoha's hidden dragon's eyes.

He was reporting on the negotiations with Kumo's representative, Mabui.

The Kumo ninja had basically admitted defeat and were prepared to surrender. The Fifth Raikage was willing to publicly apologize for the previous act of aggression and pay war reparations.

The final point of contention was the amount of those reparations.

"In short, Kumo's representative is holding firm on the lower limit of the compensation amount. This figure should be their psychological bottom line."

If they were pushed further, Kumo would have to tighten their belts just like Suna had, down to the point where their Kazekage almost had to resort to mining.

"Then let them tighten their belts." Hiruzen took a drag of his pipe, exhaling a cloud of smoke. "Forget the other villages, but Kumo must be made to tighten their belts. Don't they have a close relationship with the daimyō of the Land of Lightning? If they don't have money, let them go ask him."

He wasn't being petty.

Things like getting his mentor killed, or storming Konoha to kidnap the Hyūga heiress, or ambushing the orphaned son of the Fourth Hokage, he totally didn't take any of that personally.

He just simply got angry whenever he thought of Kumo. They once preyed on Konoha's old, weak, and sick. Now the tables had turned, how could they be let off so easily?

"Then, what if they simply refuse to accept it?"

Shikaku wasn't lacking in resolve, he was raising this question so the Hokage could draw the line himself. That was a strategist's duty, not to overstep his role.

"If negotiations break down, then we'll just keep fighting. What we can't get at the table, we'll get on the battlefield."

"Even if we continue fighting, Konoha fights as a righteous force, a justified counterattack. Letting the Raikage cycle through another generation wouldn't be a bad thing either."

Since the Hokage's bottom line was to keep fighting, there was no need for further restraint. Shikaku decided to push the reparations demand even higher.

He nodded, "Very well. I'll continue negotiations with the Kumo representative."

Having reached a decision, he closed his notebook. But as he turned to leave, he hesitated, then finally sighed and pressed a hand to his forehead.

"Also… may I ask you to please stop promoting things like 'Konoha's Best Strategist' or 'the smartest man in the shinobi world' titles about me?"

He truly didn't deserve that. And didn't live up to it, either. To be honest, Shikaku had felt a bit proud when the Hokage first praised him so highly. But later, even the way his colleagues in the office looked at him started to change.

That was when he realized, he'd let it get to his head. And now it was becoming a problem.

Pointing to his own temple again, he continued, "Right now, the bounty on me in the black market has surpassed Asuma's, it's approaching the level of the Sannin, and the number keeps rising every day. At this rate, I'll become the most highly-bountied man in the entire shinobi world."

Hiruzen waved his hand grandly, "What exaggeration? Shikaku, you're my Alfred to Batman, my right hand, my strategist, the one I trust above all. You and I are like captain and first mate, bound by purpose, never by doubt. This shinobi world will, under my leadership, march toward true peace and unification."

Alfred? First mate? Why is he suddenly throwing in new titles?

"Huh?" Shikaku was dumbfounded.

Seriously?

He didn't doubt Konoha would someday unify the shinobi world, but he always thought that moment would come under the Fifth or Sixth Hokage.

Hiruzen stood up and stared at the portraits of the past Hokage on the office wall. "I have carried the legacy of four generations of Konoha. During my tenure, I shall bring light and order to this shinobi world. Shikaku, you too will one day be recorded in the annals of Konoha's history, just like the First Hokage."

"I believe in you."

With such a wise and noble leader, how could one not give everything in return? Shikaku immediately expressed his commitment to serve Konoha with all his strength, even to the point of death.

Knock.

There was a sharp knock at the door.

Saru burst in, carrying an urgent military report. Since only the Hokage and his trusted strategist were in the room, there was no need to conceal anything.

He hurriedly reported, "Hokage-sama! Kumo's main base has been attacked! The Fifth Raikage is dead. Akatsuki used a highly destructive jutsu during the attack. The entire village… no longer exists. The Eight-Tails jinchūriki is fleeing in Konoha's direction. "

Hiruzen took the intelligence scroll, gave it a brief glance, then tossed it to Shikaku. With a sigh of mixed emotion, he said, "Looks like… all those days of negotiation were for nothing."

Shikaku carefully read the report and frowned. "Akatsuki's next target is likely Konoha. We need to prepare in advance. They aren't just some random terrorist group."

Hiruzen lit his pipe, took a deep drag, and said, "Let's resume negotiations with a different aim. For now, we'll provide them shelter."

They still held value.

Shikaku nodded in understanding, put away the scroll, and left quickly. It was very possible Konoha had learned this intel even before Kumo itself, otherwise, their representative wouldn't have had the composure to continue dragging out negotiations.

Hiruzen puffed his pipe, staring at the Hokage Rock in the distance, deep in thought. Jiraiya's attempts at diplomacy had failed, after all. Then… the next great battle would be in Konoha.

It seemed… the time might come to use the clan's hidden reserves. If things became truly hopeless, then Nagato needed to die.

"Ahem, Saru, go tell Orochimaru to prepare."

The ANBU ninja received the order and left.

---

Meanwhile, Mabui was drinking tea in the conference room. Even though Kumo was essentially surrendering, she still had to fight on the negotiation table to minimize their losses as much as possible. Every bit less in reparations meant Kumo could recover a bit faster.

Endure defeat, rebuild strength, bide time, one day, when their military was strong again, it wouldn't be impossible to challenge Konoha once more.

But… this is the limit. A few more rounds of stalling, and we'll have to accept Konoha's unequal treaty.

She took a sip of tea, her heart heavy with sorrow. What couldn't be won on the battlefield… there was very little the negotiating table could salvage. And Shikaku was no easy opponent, throughout their verbal duels, she had never gained the upper hand. His fame was clearly well-earned.

Suddenly, the conference room door opened.

Shikaku appeared in the doorway, his expression unusually grim.

"Mabui-san, the negotiations are over."

Mabui's pupils shrank sharply. Her face went pale. What? Konoha still wants to fight? Aren't you the village that values peace above all?

In a panic, she tried to dissuade him, "Peace is precious. We can still discuss the treaty's terms further—"

Shikaku shook his head slightly. His tone was heavy with sorrow. "There's no need anymore."

He walked forward slowly and placed a scroll on the negotiation table.

When Mabui looked at its contents, it was as if the entire world fell into silence. The teacup slipped from her fingers, shattering on the floor.

"Wh… What… how could this happen…"

Shikaku offered his condolences, "My deepest sympathies. Konoha will do everything it can to assist you."