[Uchiha Clan Grounds]
[Conference Room]
By the time Rengoku arrived, Chiyo had already waited for quite a while.
"Didn't expect it was Elder Chiyo who came, I failed to welcome you properly," Rengoku's tone remained polite. After all, Chiyo and Rasa were not on the same side.
If he could cause trouble for Rasa, that was something he would gladly accept.
Elder Chiyo didn't put on any airs either. After all, the Uchiha's reputation was at its peak now.
And Uchiha Rengoku's strength was vaguely acknowledged as the top in the ninja world.
She also stood up, "Clan Head Rengoku must be quite busy preparing to take over, this old one took the liberty to arrive a few days early."
"I hope Clan Head Rengoku won't blame me for the presumption."
"Not at all, Elder Chiyo has thought things through thoroughly. Please, sit."
They exchanged pleasantries and then sat across from each other.
"First, thank you for sparing Pakura and the others," Chiyo's attitude was still courteous. After all, the Uchiha had already shown goodwill previously.
At that time, with the Uchiha's Mangekyo Sharingan, it would have been very easy to keep Pakura and the others.
Rengoku smiled upon hearing that, "The enemy of my enemy is my friend."
"If it's to cause trouble for Rasa, we Uchiha are naturally happy to do so."
"Though our Uchiha are powerful, we're not looking to make enemies of the entire world."
These open words from Rengoku earned a slight nod from Chiyo.
"Then what conditions does Clan Head Rengoku propose for us to take Gaara back?"
Rengoku held up three fingers, "Three billion."
Chiyo looked at Rengoku in shock, she hadn't expected such a high price.
"Impossible. We in Sunagakure can't come up with that much money," Chiyo shook her head repeatedly. She knew the village's finances well. Not to mention three billion, they couldn't even come up with three hundred million.
Rengoku smiled and said, "I captured Yugito Nii as well and asked Kumogakure for the same amount."
"And the Raikage personally brought the money."
Only now did Chiyo realize why the AB combo had fought Rengoku at the Fire Country border.
Turns out it was over the ransom, they didn't want Uchiha Rengoku to take her away.
But they hadn't expected that, aside from strong combat power, Rengoku had also secured the Mizukage's cooperation as backup.
Chiyo shook her head, "Different national situations, we Sunagakure can't raise that kind of money."
Rengoku smiled, "So it's not that you won't pay, it's that you can't."
Chiyo looked puzzled, "Clan Head Rengoku, please speak plainly."
Rengoku said, "Does Elder Chiyo think Sunagakure will be invaded?"
Chiyo slowly shook her head. Sunagakure was a big desert, with nothing in it. Why would anyone invade? To eat sand?
"Then can Elder Chiyo control Gaara?"
Chiyo shook her head again, she didn't know Gaara's seal had been replaced.
When Gaara was in Sunagakure, he rampaged every few days.
Not only were people frequently killed, but buildings were also heavily damaged.
Because of this, the Wind Country Daimyo had repeatedly reduced Sunagakure's funding.
Gaara's return to the village would be a net negative.
Rengoku advised, "Gaara returning to the village will only give Rasa more political capital and nothing else."
"Rather than that, you might as well let him stay here."
"Our Uchiha clan needs a Jinchuriki to deter the Third Hokage, he is also our political leverage."
"When I become Hokage, I'll return the Jinchuriki to you."
Chiyo wasn't surprised at Rengoku's goal of becoming Hokage.
After all, Rengoku had already risen to become the senior advisor of Konoha at such a young age. If not vying for Hokage next, what else?
The title of Hokage represented not just power but also resources.
And Rengoku being from the Uchiha clan, if he became Hokage, no one could predict what the ninja world would look like.
But that was a matter for the future.
While her thoughts turned, Chiyo asked, "Then what benefit does Sunagakure get?"
Rengoku shook his head slightly, "Whether Gaara is released or not is up to me."
"After all, there's nothing you can do about me."
"My explanation is just a courtesy, to maintain friendly ties."
"What I said is a notification, not a negotiation."
Though Rengoku's tone was gentle, the content was exceedingly forceful.
Just like he said, whether to return Gaara or not, it was his call.
Chiyo felt a bit helpless. The strong overpower the weak. Rengoku could beat the Raikage into the ground. What could Sunagakure possibly do? Invade?
Rengoku then asked, "Did Elder Chiyo know about Rasa's and Kirigakure's plan to assassinate Pakura?"
Chiyo didn't know why Rengoku brought this up but still nodded, "Our people found connections with Kirigakure, but the specifics are unclear."
Rengoku chuckled and said, "You all know I have cooperation with Kirigakure."
"I've already confirmed the details of this matter."
Then Rengoku explained to Chiyo how Rasa's people colluded with Kirigakure to get Pakura killed.
After listening, Chiyo's face darkened, though she wasn't surprised.
After all, her side had already investigated the incident, she just didn't know the details.
"You must know how power-hungry Rasa is, Elder Chiyo."
"Having someone like that as Kazekage is more of a disaster than a blessing for Sunagakure."
Chiyo asked suspiciously, "What does Clan Head Rengoku mean by this?"
Rengoku smiled, "If there's a chance, I hope Elder Chiyo can remove Rasa from the Kazekage seat."
"And it's best to appoint one of your own people as Kazekage."
Chiyo sighed, "Right now the entire Sunagakure depends on Rasa's gold dust mining to support the budget, no one will agree to that."
Rengoku had expected that, "That's fine. There will be a chance in the future."
"I will publicly announce that, due to failed ransom negotiations, Gaara will remain here as a guest."
"Elder Chiyo, this time it's business, not personal. But we'll still have opportunities to cooperate in the future," As he spoke, Rengoku pointed toward the center of Konoha. That direction was where the Hokage Rock was.
After hearing that, Chiyo seemed to understand something, "Understood. In the future, this token can be used to contact me."
Saying that, she took out an item like a badge.
"Whoever holds this can meet me immediately."
Rengoku nodded slightly and accepted it.
"Then I won't linger further," Chiyo stood up to take her leave.
"In that case, thank you for your trouble, Elder Chiyo," Rengoku also stood and escorted her out, having Rinjin see her off.
On this side, Rengoku headed toward Gaara's residence.
There were many rooms in the Uchiha clan territory. After all, many had died in past wars.
Empty houses came in clusters.
When Rengoku arrived, Gaara was using sand to tidy up his bed, rolling up the quilt neatly.
The bed was his favorite place in the whole room.
After all, in the past, sleep had been a luxury for him.
Now, being able to sleep peacefully was happiness in itself.
The lunchbox Rengoku gave him had been cleaned and placed on the table.
"Are they leaving, Lord Rengoku?"
During this period of living together, he could feel the goodwill Rengoku had shown him.
It was a life far happier than what he had in Sunagakure.
But he was going to leave again. To return to a place where people tried to assassinate him every day.
His face was expressionless, but his eyes held a subtle sadness.
Rengoku smiled slightly, "Sunagakure couldn't afford the ransom. Looks like you'll be staying here a bit longer."
Gaara looked at Rengoku in surprise. But in his heart, a faint joy quietly surged.
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