Before the Konoha team arrived, the Hidden Cloud Village had already arranged a place for everyone to eat.
Both sides brought a dozen or so expert negotiators from their respective villages and headed to the restaurant. Yet before anyone had even touched their food, the arguing had already begun.
Konoha aimed to maximize its profits. Kumogakure, on the other hand, sought to minimize its losses. Naturally, quarrels between the two sides were inevitable.
However, Naruto didn't participate in the bickering. He silently ate his meal, staying out of the fray.
Had the former Raikage still been in power, Naruto would've pressed mercilessly for every advantage. But now that Bokuto had become the Raikage, Naruto couldn't bring himself to completely betray them.
While many in Kumogakure had sentiments toward Konoha, Yugito was completely loyal to Naruto. As long as she held power, Kumogakure was effectively a weapon in Naruto's hands.
He couldn't take sides right now—so he simply observed the quarrel in silence. He still looked like a child, after all.
And since he wasn't saying anything, no one could blame him for staying silent. He was just a kid in their eyes.
The negotiators continued their arguments until about ten o'clock at night, yet still failed to reach any agreement.
At that point, Samui from the Hidden Cloud delegation, clearly exhausted, rubbed her forehead, stood up, and suggested, "Everyone, it's late. Why don't we continue tomorrow? It's hard to think straight when we're this tired."
But her words gave Konoha's side an opening—and they took it immediately.
"You Cloud bastards—are you calling us mentally unstable now?"
"You clearly don't want to negotiate. If you're not even considering our requests, then what's the point? Let's just go back to war!"
"Let's be clear: you will meet all our demands. If you won't, prepare for us to invade the Land of Lightning!"
While Konoha genuinely didn't want to continue the war—else it wouldn't have agreed to peace talks at all—they still needed to keep up appearances. They acted as though they'd destroy the Hidden Cloud Village the moment their conditions weren't met.
Yelling and insults rained down like arrows. The Cloud ninja had become nothing more than verbal punching bags.
As the losing side, they now had to humble themselves before Konoha. That was the only way to show their sincerity—and hope Konoha would forgive their past transgressions.
"My lords, please calm down," Samui said, bowing toward the Konoha side. "Both sides have suffered great losses. Innocent civilians have been hurt. Let's not bring more destruction to even more families."
She had started the earlier dispute, so it was only natural that she take responsibility for calming things down.
A Konoha negotiator barked, "If you don't want war, then pay the reparations exactly as outlined in our proposal!"
Samui smiled bitterly. "The war has already cost us dearly. Your demands are too much for us to bear. We… might not be able to comply."
She didn't say it outright, but anyone who could read between the lines understood: Kumogakure simply couldn't afford it.
Still, Samui asked with subtle tact, "Could we have more time to discuss this matter internally?"
As she said this, her eyes turned to Naruto. It was clear she was pleading with him for some breathing room.
"All right. We'll continue talks tomorrow," Naruto agreed.
Even though he hadn't participated in the negotiations directly, as the strongest member of Konoha's delegation, he had final authority.
Konoha's demands had been intentionally harsh. When Tsunade and Nara Shikaku drafted them, they knew Kumogakure wouldn't be able to comply. This was all theater—setting things up for Kumogakure to haggle down to the maximum price they could afford.
Naruto's job was to give them an out at the right moment.
They couldn't let Kumogakure off too easily, but they also couldn't let the talks collapse. It was essential for the world to see Konoha as both strong and merciful—willing to forgive if shown proper humility.
"Thank you," Samui said.
"You're welcome."
Samui suppressed the disgust and hatred she felt toward Naruto as she expressed her thanks.
The negotiators soon withdrew to the accommodation area arranged by the Hidden Cloud Village.
"Are you really planning to speak to Uzumaki Naruto alone?"
In a room illuminated by incandescent light, Mabui knelt on a mat and poured herself a cup of steaming black tea. The rising steam warmed her face, but it couldn't dispel the surprise in her expression.
Samui had just taken a shower. Her blonde hair was damp, and a white bathrobe clung to her body. Under the bright light, her smooth skin seemed to glow.
She knelt before Mabui, eyes squinting slightly, sighing like a kitten that had lost its way.
Samui took the tea, sipped it gently, and nodded in resignation.
Mabui frowned. "Why? After everything he did to you… why go to him alone?"
Though she didn't say it aloud, Samui understood what she meant. Naruto had humiliated her and taken her body.
Too many people had witnessed that moment. If Naruto hadn't silenced everyone through sheer intimidation, the rumors would've already spread throughout the village.
Among the ninja, nearly everyone already knew what had happened.
So Mabui couldn't believe Samui now intended to approach the man who had done this to her.
Was the shame not enough?
"Why?" Samui repeated. "Because he agreed to my request."
Mabui recalled how, during the negotiations, Samui had looked at Naruto—and Naruto had agreed to postpone the talks until the next day.
But did that justify seeing him in the middle of the night?
Samui sneered inwardly at Mabui's expression. Of course, she didn't want to go see her enemy—but she needed to set a trap. This was about clearing the path for Yugito to rise as Raikage.
What was the worth of her already broken body compared to that goal?
"I don't want to go to him either," Samui said bitterly. "But if there's a chance he'll help ease Konoha's terms for my sake… it's worth trying. He's the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, after all. He holds the final say in Konoha."
Mabui was silent, but conflicted.
Samui's intentions were noble. She was doing this for the village. But if possible, Mabui still wanted to stop her.
He was from Konoha. Why would he show mercy for you?
What—because you're beautiful? Because you have smooth skin and curves?
That's not enough. There are thousands of beautiful women. What matters are actual benefits.
"Samui, don't be impulsive. Let's keep negotiating slowly. I doubt they'll stick to such a high price."
"I'm not being impulsive."
Samui looked weary. "You wouldn't understand—you weren't on the battlefield. Uzumaki Naruto is terrifying. If we don't meet Konoha's expectations… he might really slaughter us."
Mabui's eyes shifted. "But Konoha doesn't want to fight anymore. Would he really disobey orders?"
"I don't know about the others," Samui said, expression darkening. "But he's a lunatic. No one knows that better than me."
"The Fourth Hokage is dead. Killer Bee is gone. Our village is barely holding together under Bokuto. We can't go up against Konoha."
"If that man decides to attack, Konoha will fight—whether they want to or not. He's their only Jinchuriki. They won't abandon him."
"So even though it might not work, I have to try."
Mabui held her breath.
Everything Samui said was true. If Naruto insisted, war was inevitable.
And Kumogakure couldn't afford to gamble.
"…I understand," Mabui said at last. "Go ahead. I'll keep it a secret."
"Thank you, Mabui." Samui hugged her emotionally, crying softly in her arms.
But the moment she stepped out of the room, her expression turned cold.
"Keep it a secret for me? Please. You all spread the rumors about what happened to me on the battlefield—and now you talk about secrets?"
"Now that I'm using my humiliation to gain something for the village, now you want to protect my privacy?"
"Disgusting hypocrite."
She cursed Mabui in her heart as she walked.
But her chest still felt tight with anxiety.
"Are the conditions we offered Uzumaki Naruto really enough for him to agree?"
On the other side, Naruto sat in a large, clean room.
After making his bed, he sat cross-legged, waiting.
Earlier that day, Yugito had contacted him through the Cursed Seal and said she had a "gift" for him—something she knew he'd like. When he asked what it was, she only smiled and told him to wait.
A gift?
Right now, Naruto wasn't interested in gifts. He just wanted to help Yugito stabilize her power so he could claim his reward.
He'd even brought Uchiha Izumi, planning to let her go on a killing spree across the Land of Lightning. Other than the two Yugitos, who could possibly stop Izumi now?
What gift could top the reward granted by the system after completing a mission?
None, Naruto figured.
"Knock knock knock."
There was a knock at the door.
Naruto assumed it was someone from Konoha here to discuss tomorrow's plans—but when he opened it, he was greeted by a stunning sight.
"Click click."
High heels echoed on the floor as Samui stepped past him into the room. Her gray miniskirt hugged her curvaceous figure. With every step, it looked like her tight outfit might tear apart.
A seductive little minx…
Naruto stared at her back, his eyes glinting. Is this the gift Yugito mentioned?
I like it.
How thoughtful of her. I should give her a "light seal" to show my appreciation…
Samui sat down and crossed her legs. Naruto locked the door and walked over slowly.
"I'm here to make a deal," Samui said coldly.
Naruto grinned. "I get it. I understand completely."
Samui frowned but didn't argue. Just as she was about to explain her proposal, Naruto suddenly reached out and pinched her shoulder.
So smooth, despite her age…
"What are you doing?" Samui recoiled.
"Inspecting the goods," Naruto replied seriously.
Samui's face turned red—part embarrassment, part fury. She stood up abruptly, pushed him back, and hissed:
"I'm here to give you a clue—one that's very important to you. Show some respect."
What? You're not here to play cards?
Naruto's interest immediately waned.
"What clue?" he asked.
"Lady Yugito has discovered a way to restore the Uzumaki clan," Samui said. "If you help us with two things, she'll tell you the method."
Naruto stared at her like she was an idiot.
You mean the method I told Yugito myself? That I've… tested on her several times?
So now she's using it as bait to manipulate Samui?
What a brilliant move.
Still, Naruto didn't expose anything. It was fun to play along.
"Oh? What do you want me to do?" he asked with a smile.
Samui relaxed slightly. She hadn't expected Naruto to bite so easily.
"There are two requests," she said. "First, help us deal with someone. They're not from Konoha—so it won't concern your side."
"Second, during tomorrow's negotiations, I hope you'll ease Konoha's terms slightly."
"If you agree to this," she said, "I'll contact Lady Yugito and ask her to share the method."
Tsk tsk… you don't need to. I'm the one who gave her that method.
Still, Naruto nodded thoughtfully.
"I'll agree to your terms," he said. "But just hearing the method isn't enough. I have one more condition."
"What is it?"
Naruto smirked.
"You… kneel, and beg me."