Hyuga Gakuya sat silently, listening as Tsunade and Ōnoki debated, their discussion escalating from ideals to war reparations and territorial interests.
Konoha's position was to rebuild the Land of Grass themselves, while Iwagakure wanted to divide the territory, establishing smaller buffer states under their influence.
Despite being on the losing side, Iwagakure was willing to pay a hefty price to make that plan a reality.
Hyuga Gakuya thought to himself, Looks like it's my cue.
The negotiations were reaching a boiling point.
He suddenly stood up and slammed his hand on the table. Pointing straight at Ōnoki, he shouted,
"It was Iwagakure that invaded the Land of Grass in the first place! Otogakure and Konoha came to uphold peace and justice!"
"You're a defeated nation. And yet you're still trying to treat the Land of Grass like a bargaining chip? Do you really think great nations can toy with smaller ones at will?"
"Have you no shame? Because I'll tell you this — Otogakure and Konoha aren't here to be pushed around!"
As he spoke, Gakuya deliberately invoked Konoha, making it clear he was standing up for their shared interests.
Ōnoki let out a cold snort.
"This isn't a conversation for some second-rate nation. What we're doing is in service of long-term peace across the shinobi world."
He found Gakuya's words immature and naive. Sure, he was strong — but strength alone didn't change the rules of this world.
Everyone in the shinobi world knew that smaller nations were simply battlegrounds and pawns for the great powers. Even Hanzo the Salamander, once hailed as a demigod, had tried to change his country's fate — and where did that get him? Driven out and long forgotten. There hadn't been a peep from Amegakure in years.
Hyuga Gakuya let out a scornful laugh.
"How noble of you. Your so-called peace means sacrificing smaller nations? If that's your version of peace — I want no part of it!"
He scanned the room, his gaze unwavering.
"Today, I speak for Otogakure. We will not tolerate such injustice. If you insist on this course, then we will defend the Land of Grass's sovereignty — no matter the cost."
He looked every inch the hero of justice, vowing to secure freedom and peace for the Land of Grass.
Even Tsunade couldn't help but praise him silently.
Well played. The guy's definitely earning his paycheck.
Ōnoki's expression turned grim. He hadn't expected Gakuya to push back this hard.
Just then, Tsunade spoke. "Lord Mokushū is right. This war was instigated by Iwagakure. And now you want to carve up the Land of Grass? That's absolutely out of the question!"
Tensions flared. Neither side was willing to give an inch. The negotiations were on the verge of collapse.
"Hmph! You just want to tear apart what little peace remains," Ōnoki growled.
Gakuya didn't back down. "If you don't want peace talks — then so be it!"
Seeing the situation spiral, Tsunade quickly stepped in.
"Let's all calm down. We're here to solve a problem, not make things worse."
After a moment's silence, Ōnoki finally relented. "Fine. What are your conditions?"
Tsunade cleared her throat.
"Simple. The Land of Grass must remain independent and whole. Iwagakure must cease all interference in its affairs. You must also issue a formal apology and pay reparations. Konoha will assist the Land of Grass in rebuilding."
Ōnoki frowned. "That's just an excuse for Konoha to install a puppet government!"
Gakuya replied, "Then let Otogakure handle the reconstruction. We're willing to take on the responsibility of aiding other nations."
Tsunade nodded in agreement. The daimyo of the Land of Grass already leaned toward Konoha, so it didn't really matter who did the rebuilding as long as it wasn't Iwagakure.
Ōnoki thought hard. His son was still in enemy hands. Letting Otogakure lead the reconstruction was at least better than Konoha. Besides, the Land of Grass wouldn't truly submit to Otogakure — at most, they'd gain an ally. Finally, he nodded.
"Very well. I accept your terms."
The talks resumed. Both sides began drafting the peace treaty on the spot, settling on formalities and responsibilities.
The final agreement outlined reparations from the Land of Earth to Konoha, including the return of most of the plundered wealth from the Land of Grass. Konoha would return captured prisoners of war.
Meanwhile, Iwagakure would pay a hefty sum to Otogakure to fund the Land of Grass's reconstruction, with both Iwagakure and Konoha serving as oversight authorities.
The deal was struck, and all interests divvied up.
Iwagakure coughed up the loot and walked away from the war empty-handed.
Konoha, after factoring in the costs of war and the fee paid to Otogakure, barely broke even.
But Hyuga Gakuya? He walked away with massive profits. Konoha had fronted the costs and lost troops — all he had to do was show up and collect.
"To lasting peace," Gakuya said with a smile, shaking hands with both of them.
Ōnoki's face was dark with frustration. This whole failure was half Gakuya's fault. If he hadn't shown up, Ōnoki might've had a chance to win the war outright.
"Lord Mokushū," he said through gritted teeth, "such talent at such a young age — truly impressive. Stirring up storms wherever you go."
With the treaty signed, Gakuya wasted no time. He returned to Otogakure with Kimimaro and Jūgo, leaving the follow-up to others.
As for rebuilding Kusagakure — that was left to his subordinates. Gakuya didn't need to micromanage how they turned a profit.
Naturally, all rebuilding supplies would be sourced from Otogakure, boosting its economy.
His job was the big picture — and more importantly, cultivating his image.
...
Within days of Gakuya's return to Otogakure, small nations across the shinobi world erupted in protests against the Five Great Nations.
They were painted as the root of all instability, the source of smaller nations' suffering.
And Chiba Mokushū, Otogakure's leader, was heralded as the voice of justice. His verbal takedown of Ōnoki during the peace talks spread like wildfire across the continent.
To countless civilians, Chiba Mokushū became a hero — a fearless leader who dared to challenge the great powers.
Tales of his battlefield prowess followed — cutting down elite enemy shinobi like ants, defeating Jiraiya, and even taking down Kitsuchi with ease.
His name quickly became synonymous with rebellion against oppression — a symbol of hope for the weak.
...
Amegakure
Far away in the Land of Rain, Pain read the report in silence, staring at Chiba Mokushū's name like he was looking at a kindred spirit.
At last — someone else who could see through the falsehoods of the great nations.
"Konan, make preparations. I'll recruit him myself," he said.
Nagato was convinced that Chiba Mokushū would understand his ideals. According to the intel, his strength was also more than sufficient to meet the criteria for recruitment.
As for the Five Great Nations, their reactions varied. Most scoffed at the idea. No matter how loud the noise, it won't surpass Hanzo. The demigod of Amegakure had once been just as powerful, a hero of small nations, a symbol of resistance.
And now? He'd vanished into obscurity — just another forgotten relic.
Only the hopeless fools of tiny nations still believed in saviors like that.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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