"Mist Village is playing quite the game."
After reading the letter, Tsunade scoffed.
"Samehada is Xin's war trophy. How could we just hand it over? Has Mist Village fallen to the point where they can't even afford to lose a single weapon?"
"Ahem, Tsunade, diplomacy is important. After all, maintaining good relations with Mist Village could benefit Konoha as well," Mitokado Homura argued.
"And how exactly would it benefit Konoha?" Tsunade shot back.
"Mist Village may be closed off, but they've constantly harassed and plundered Fire Nation's sea routes. The daimyo has already complained several times. Have you forgotten about that?"
"Why did Xin's team head out to sea? It was because Mist Village has been too bold."
"They've been attacking our ships and disrupting our routes, so they're enemies. And enemies' belongings are war trophies. They want to get Samehada back because they're embarrassed? Since when have we ever returned intelligence we've gathered from other villages?"
"Negotiations? Sure. But returning the weapon? Absolutely not."
Mitokado Homura: "..."
Did she really have to shut me down so hard?
The Third Hokage was speechless, while Koharu felt a strange sense of relief-thank goodness she hadn't spoken. Otherwise, she would have been on the receiving end of Tsunade's wrath.
As for Danzo, he kept his eyes down, minding his own business.
He wasn't concerned with the village's affairs at the moment-only his personal research.
"Everyone." Tsunade slammed her hand on the table in frustration.
"We just wiped out a Mist Village ninja squad and took their weapon. Now they come begging for negotiations to retrieve it, and Konoha is supposed to just hand it over? What would the daimyo think?"
"So you're saying the negotiations aren't necessary?" The Third Hokage asked.
Tsunade shook her head.
"No, we should negotiate. Let's see what Mist Village has in mind. But as for returning the weapon, that's not happening. They can come talk about it after they've made up for all the losses they've caused the Fire Nation over the years."
While the merchant ships had no direct connection to Konoha, they were tied to the daimyo's estate.
If Konoha returned Samehada to Mist Village, how would the daimyo react? What about future funding?
After all, the daimyo was Konoha's main financial backer. A little face and respect needed to be shown.
There was some logic in Tsunade's reasoning. Even if Mist Village wanted to offer compensation, they didn't have much to give-they were too poor. And Konoha didn't really need their compensation either.
The Third Hokage thought for a moment, then nodded.
"Alright. Tsunade, you'll handle the negotiations. What's your take on the situation with Mist Village?"
It was a headache, but Samehada was in Xin's possession, so Tsunade couldn't refuse the task. At least the negotiations would take place in Konoha, so she didn't have to travel. "The Third Mizukage has gone mad!!" Koharu could only sum up the situation this way.
After reviewing the intel extracted from Fuguki Suikazan's mind, Koharu had felt a chill down her spine.
She couldn't imagine how Mist Village had survived these past few years. Without external enemies, their own Third Mizukage's tyrannical rule had been enough to weaken the village year by year.