"I'm sorry, but I must decline. There's no such thing as defeating an enemy and then returning the spoils of war to them in the ninja world. If that's how it works, then please have your Mist Village return everything you've plundered from our shipping routes over the years. Otherwise, Konoha won't be handing over Samehada."
Facing the Mist Village's envoy, Tsunade's words instantly shut him down.
After all, how could you cough up something you've already swallowed?
Was that even possible?
The Mist Village didn't even have a clear count of how much they'd stolen from the Land of Fire over the years.
Even if they did remember, no one would willingly give it back, as the cost would be far too high.
A single Samehada wasn't worth that kind of price.
With just a few sentences, Tsunade had thoroughly blocked the Mist Village's envoy.
"I demand to see the Hokage!"
Realizing that negotiations with Tsunade were getting nowhere, the envoy insisted on seeing the Third Hokage. He wanted to speak directly with him rather than wasting more time with Tsunade.
"As you wish," Tsunade said, indifferent.
If she didn't have to waste her breath on this, all the better.
If the Third Hokage hadn't insisted, Tsunade wouldn't have bothered coming here to deal with the Mist Village envoy.
Wouldn't it be nicer to go home and sleep? Or maybe enjoy a drink at the tavern?
Does drinking interfere with work?
Of course not.
After much insistence, the envoy finally got his wish and met with the Third Hokage.
"Hokage-sama, our villages have always kept to themselves, so why is Konoha making things so difficult for the Mist Village? Surely, you understand what Samehada means to us?"
As soon as they met, the envoy bombarded the Third Hokage with accusations.
The smile on the Third Hokage's face froze, and the expressions of Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, who were also present, darkened.
"If your village and Konoha have always stayed out of each other's way, then who's been attacking our shipping routes and plundering our ships?" Koharu demanded sharply.
Where do you get the nerve to say something like that?
Claiming the two villages have never interfered with each other was a joke.
Under Koharu's pressure, the Mist Village envoy's face showed a hint of discomfort as he struggled to explain:
"How can a few merchant ships compare to the importance of Samehada?"
"Hokage-sama, Elders, Konoha's actions could damage relations between our two villages."
"It's just a weapon. Even if it's a war prize, it can still be exchanged."
"What does the Mist Village plan to offer in exchange for Samehada?"
Since all you've been talking about is Samehada, I'd like to know-what can your Mist Village offer?
"A few merchant ships are nothing?" Koharu scoffed. It was no wonder Tsunade didn't like dealing with the Mist Village; their tone didn't sound like negotiations, but more like they were provoking Konoha.
Finally, the Third Hokage spoke, signaling that there might be room for negotiation.
The envoy's face lit up with hope as he hurriedly said:
"Hokage-sama, the Mist Village has come to Konoha with sincere intentions. It was wrong of us to attack your ships, but it wasn't all us. Keep in mind, the shipping route is near the Land of Lightning, and the people of Lightning have also been engaging in such acts."