"Deputy Leader, are we still going to seize the Jinchuriki?", Kisame looked at the forest of trees covering the entire area, and at the towering wooden giant, only feeling his throat a little dry.
'Creating such a scene in an instant, just that amount of chakra already rivals a humanoid Tailed Beast, right?'
A flash of joy passed through Konan's eyes.
After a brief moment of contemplation, she shook her head, "That is no longer something we can handle. You two return first, report everything here truthfully to Pain, he will understand."
"Understood," Kisame and Uchiha Itachi nodded at the same time. Uchiha Itachi asked another question.
"Deputy Leader, are you staying in Konoha because you have other plans?"
Konan's expression did not change, "My identity hasn't been exposed yet. I can use this identity to gather more intelligence about Konoha."
"I see," Uchiha Itachi nodded, "I'm still somewhat familiar with Konoha. If needed, I can stay behind to help."
"No need," Konan shook her head without hesitation, "Your current identity is that of a Konoha rogue ninja, and you've just shown your face. If discovered, it could cause many unnecessary troubles."
She didn't actually want to investigate intel. She just wanted to spend a few more days with Aoba before they parted.
That kind of thing, of course, she couldn't say to the two of them.
———
[Inside the Hokage's Office]
Terumi Mei was standing beside Aoba, whispering something close to his ear.
Probably saying stuff like: come back to Kirigakure with her, what benefits there would be after returning to Kirigakure… blah blah blah.
Although her voice was very low, with Tsunade's hearing, she heard every single word Terumi Mei said.
Aoba himself had no particular thoughts, but Tsunade's forehead veins were throbbing with anger.
'Poaching someone right in front of me, this Terumi Mei was far too unrestrained!'
BANG!
Tsunade slammed the table heavily.
"Mizukage-sama, thanks for your help this morning. If you're tired, feel free to rest first."
Terumi Mei showed a little-girl-like expression, blushing as she held Aoba's hand, "It's fine. I'm not tired."
"Hah!", When someone is truly speechless, they laugh. Tsunade was so angry she laughed.
"Mizukage-sama, the matters we will now discuss concern the village's confidential affairs. It would be better for an outsider to excuse herself," Tsunade especially emphasized the word "outsider."
Upon hearing this, Terumi Mei's expression visibly fell, "Aoba, am I an outsider?"
"No!", Aoba answered firmly, but he quickly added, "However, the matters ahead are indeed internal affairs of Konoha. Mei-nee, your current identity is still the Mizukage..."
"Hmph!", Terumi Mei snorted softly. Although she still had to leave, Aoba's reply did cheer her up a little.
"Aoba, now that everything is over, remember to come home and sleep tonight," After speaking, Terumi Mei pinched his cheek again before leaving the Hokage's office.
"Hah! For Kirigakure to have such a Mizukage, they must have had terrible luck for generations," Tsunade couldn't help but sneer.
"Sensei, Mei-nee just talks like that. She knows I'd never actually go to Kirigakure," Aoba explained.
"Do you not want to go, or do you not want to give up the entire forest for one tree?", Tsunade still wasn't satisfied.
"...", Aoba said seriously, "Of course not. I stayed in Konoha because of you, Sensei. Wherever you go, I'll go."
"Smooth talker," Tsunade glared at him, but her mood seemed to have improved quite a bit.
———
Not long after, Shizune brought four people into the Hokage's office.
It was the still-bandaged Baki, and the three Sand siblings.
Although Baki had taken a direct hit from Deep Forest Emergence, he was strong enough that he only sustained serious injuries without being crippled.
After treatment, he was already able to walk, though he couldn't engage in combat for a while.
When he entered and saw Aoba, a flash of fear instantly appeared in his eyes.
That feeling of nearly being crushed to death by the sea of trees came rushing back.
He broke out in cold sweat again, clearly having suffered severe psychological trauma.
The three Sand siblings each showed different expressions as they looked at Aoba, but mostly they were tense.
Tsunade got straight to the point, "Next, let's talk about reparations."
Baki froze for a moment and asked hesitantly, "Shouldn't matters of reparation be discussed with Lord Kazekage?"
"That's true. But you probably don't have the time to elect a new Kazekage right now," Tsunade crossed her arms, her expression indifferent.
"W-What?", Aside from Gaara, the other three widened their eyes in disbelief.
"Lord Kazekage, he..."
"F-Father, he…"
Tsunade waved her hand, "Don't worry, Rasa is severely injured but not dead. However, as the ringleader of the attack on Konoha, he must atone in Konoha for the rest of his life."
"T-That's a bit too much, isn't it?", Baki's face was uglier than crying. That was their Kazekage, and now he had to be imprisoned for life?
Shame was one thing. Without the Fourth Kazekage, their village would truly be broke in the future.
"As the defeated side, do you still dare to make demands?", Aoba shot a cold glance at him.
"No, not at all!", Baki was instantly frightened, quickly saying, "We can pay money for his release."
"Oh? Then how much can Sunagakure pay?", Aoba asked in return.
"This...", Baki's forehead was dripping with bean-sized sweat.
Sunagakure had practically emptied its coffers for this operation. Where would they find money to ransom someone?
"If you don't have money, then just listen obediently to our conditions."
Baki didn't dare say anything more. The three Sand siblings dared even less to speak up.
Seeing this, Tsunade directly voiced the conditions Aoba had previously proposed.
"This this this...", Baki blurted three "this" in a row, but couldn't say a single follow-up word.
'These conditions, what are they trying to reduce Sunagakure to?'
Although the Sand siblings didn't fully understand these matters, they could tell how harsh Konoha's terms were.
Not only would the village's political, economic, and military affairs be completely open to Konoha, they would also have to allow Konoha's ninja to freely enter and station troops.
At that point, would Sunagakure still belong to the Land of Wind, or would it be part of Konoha?
"What? Is there a problem with these terms?", Tsunade narrowed her eyes. An invisible pressure instantly filled the room.
Baki swallowed hard, "Lady Hokage, these terms are simply too harsh for Sunagakure."
"Hah! If you choose to provoke war, then you must be prepared to bear the consequences," Tsunade sneered, "If you don't agree, then prepare for an all-out WAR!"
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