The Konoha camp had already begun moving towards the border, making space for the Sand Village delegation. Otherwise, how would they dare to come for negotiations?
Just then, a flash of light appeared before Ryun Uchiha. Ryun's eyes lit up, and the corners of his mouth turned up. "Minato is back? What did Lady Chiyo say?"
Actually, Ryun had carefully considered and analyzed Lady Chiyo's character before proposing that plan. He thought there was an eighty percent chance Lady Chiyo would agree, with the remaining twenty percent being unforeseen circumstances.
Minato Namikaze cupped his hands. "Teacher, Lady Chiyo's exact words were..."
Ryun's eyes shone upon hearing this. "Good! Well done! Minato, as expected, you have not disappointed me!"
Minato scratched his head. Before Ryun, he seemed like a child, not the mature and steady person he was at the Sand camp.
After they exchanged pleasantries for a while, Ryun glanced at the back of Izuna Uchiha, who was directing the troops ahead, and smiled secretly to himself. Then he walked towards the figure behind him, Madara Uchiha.
He gently tapped Madara's shoulder. "Grandfather, come here. Good news!"
Madara frowned. Good news? What good news? Couldn't he see he hadn't spoken to Izuna the entire journey, preoccupied with his marital prospects?
"Spit it out, stop beating around the bush!" Madara glared at him. He should be spending this time thinking about how to help his grandfather win over the person he likes! Really!
Ryun's mouth twitched. But seeing his grandfather's current frustration, he didn't drag it out. Instead, he whispered a few sentences into his ear.
Madara's expression changed quite noticeably. He looked at Ryun now, his eyes full of appreciation. "Hmm, well done!"
Madara's large hand moved to clap Ryun on the shoulder, but Ryun quickly sidestepped to avoid it. Ryun couldn't help but feel exasperated. Did he think just because he was older, Ryun had to endure it? Didn't he know his own strength? Really! Ryun only dared to complain inwardly.
Madara was momentarily stunned but didn't mind. "Then how do we explain it to the village? After all, people died this time."
Ryun took a deep breath. "Then Grandfather, you'll have to pay the money. Consider it a wedding gift for Grandpa."
Madara initially wanted to argue, but after thinking it over carefully, he chose to agree.
After all, he only had one younger brother. He couldn't just stand by and let him remain single.
"Fine. I'll listen to you on this, Grandson. Later during the negotiations, please perform normally and strive to settle this matter quickly."
Ryun nodded in understanding. "Don't worry. I have a handle on this."
Having said that, Ryun fell silent and followed the troops towards the distant border.
When Ryun and the others reached the border, he clapped his hands together. Wood Style: Three Bedroom Two Living Room Technique!
With a rustling sound, tree roots sprang from the ground and transformed into a wooden house. The accompanying personnel watched, dumbfounded. They never thought Wood Style could be used like this. Even Madara Uchiha felt waves of surprise.
Why hadn't he ever thought of using Wood Style to build houses? Oh, right. Back when he fought Hashirama Senju, Wood Style was used for combat. This kind of application wasn't something Hashirama would consider. If Hashirama didn't consider it, why would Madara Uchiha?
Today was an eye opener. He thought his grandson, Ryun Uchiha, could write a book. He'd even thought of a title: One Hundred Applications of Wood Style.
Ryun asked his grandfather, Izuna Uchiha, to settle the troops and then return for the negotiations in the house. Izuna nodded, indicating no problem. After stationing the troops ten kilometers inside the Land of Fire from the border and instructing Minato Namikaze to manage them, he rushed towards the wooden house Ryun had built.
The few of them entered the house. Not long after, the voice of Shinnosuke Sarutobi came from outside.
"Hokage-sama, Sand Village's Chiyo and other Sand Village elders are here to visit." Shinnosuke did not call him 'teacher'. During work, use titles. He remembered this rule well.
Ryun was taken aback. Wow, so fast? Immediately, he stood up and said, "Everyone, come with me to meet the Sand Village elders."
Izuna Uchiha and Madara Uchiha nodded, then followed behind Ryun towards the door.
Pushing the door open, they saw Chiyo at the forefront, followed by Ebizō, Chiron, and Pakura. Their expressions were calm, revealing no inner emotions. Ryun nodded. Good, this was right.
Then he said with a smile, "Ah! What wind blows our Lady Chiyo here! Please, come in, come in. Shinnosuke, quickly go boil water and prepare tea."
Chiyo's mouth twitched. He was putting on quite an act. But looking at this lineup made her feel apprehensive. The three top Uchiha combatants, also among the top experts in the ninja world. Izuna Uchiha, Madara Uchiha, Ryun Uchiha. Any one of them could single handedly challenge all the present Sand Village elders. Was it necessary to be this grand?
"Yes! Hokage-sama! This subordinate will go immediately!" Shinnosuke Sarutobi pulled out a kettle from who knows where, poured drinking water directly into it, entered the house, found a stove, lit a fire, and started boiling water. They were in the wild, without electricity, so they had to make do.
Chiyo and the others were politely invited into the house by Ryun. When Ryun's gaze fell on Pakura, his eyes flickered.
Izuna Uchiha stared at Pakura's beautiful back but said nothing. Right now, they represented Konoha and Sand respectively. Their differing positions meant that even if they had many feelings, they needed to restrain them.
"Lady Chiyo, according to my less than accomplished disciple, you agreed to my conditions?" Ryun smiled, then sat on a chair, gesturing for Lady Chiyo to sit in the chair opposite.
Chiyo glanced guiltily at Pakura, then looked at Izuna Uchiha. She brainwashed herself: For the sake of Sand Village, all this is necessary. Besides, Izuna is also a talented and handsome man. Entrusting Pakura to him should be fine.
"Naturally, Hokage-sama. On our side, both I and Pakura herself have agreed to the Hokage's proposal. I wonder about your side..." Chiyo glanced at Izuna Uchiha, not finishing her sentence clearly.
Because she noticed that Izuna seemed unaware of this matter. His eyes were wide open now, full of confusion. "Brother! Grandson! What exactly have you been hiding from me? Why does it involve Miss Pakura?"
He was somewhat angry now. He didn't understand what matter couldn't be discussed with him, and why it involved Miss Pakura?
Madara was also seeing his brother like this for the first time and was momentarily taken aback. Was this still the little angel who used to be so obedient to him? Now he dared to question him!
Ryun, however, remained calm. "Grandfather, I heard you like Miss Pakura, so I mentioned it to Elder Chiyo. Elder Chiyo is open minded and agreed to this matter, to fulfill the relationship between you and Miss Pakura."
Izuna was stunned. He hadn't expected it to be this! Wait, how did Ryun know about this? And why would Chiyo be so kind hearted? Agree so easily?
He frowned now, waiting for Ryun to continue. Ryun sighed. Why did people have to be so perceptive! But since he was his biological grandfather, better not keep it from him!
"I used the conditions of waiving this war's reparations, forming a friendly alliance with Sand Village from now on, and supporting their economic development to negotiate this. What, Grandfather, are you not satisfied?" Ryun raised an eyebrow as he looked at Izuna.
Izuna opened his mouth to say "I..." but seeing Pakura's bright eyes and slightly upturned lips, he finally suppressed his emotions. His expression softened. "I have no objections."
"Lady Chiyo, you see, the involved party on my side has also agreed. So, please sign this agreement." Ryun spread the agreement on the table and pushed it over.
Lady Chiyo turned it around and read it.
The agreement was as follows:
The Sand Village elders agree to marry the Sand Village legendary kunoichi, Pakura, the user of Scorch Release, into Konoha Village, severing all ties with Miss Pakura from now on.
Konoha Village will regard this matter as a marriage alliance between the two villages. After the marriage, Konoha will form an alliance with Sand Village, sharing blessings and hardships together.
If the matter is successful, the war reparations for this conflict will be waived. Konoha will no longer hold Sand Village responsible.
If the matter fails, Konoha will implement the following ten sanctions...
...
Lady Chiyo grew more and more distressed and fearful the more she read. Damn, this Ryun Uchiha was downright ruthless!
If she had let Minato Namikaze refuse Ryun's conditions earlier, and these ten measures were implemented, Sand Village would never have a chance to rise again, and might even exit the stage of history!
Even Ebizō looked at Ryun as if he'd seen a ghost, thinking, how could this guy be so terrifying? How did he come up with those clauses?
It was more unequal than an unequal treaty. For example, one clause stated that if Sand Village were to dissolve, Konoha would seek debt repayment from the original clans, ninja, and villagers of Sand Village.
Despicable! Truly despicable!
Lady Chiyo sighed. "We accept the first three clauses. We are willing to marry the Scorch Release user Pakura to your village's Deputy Commander, Izuna Uchiha, as his wife. From now on, Pakura will be Izuna Uchiha's wife, and all ties with Sand Village are severed."
Ryun's lips curved upwards. "Then please sign, Lady Chiyo." Ryun made a gesture of invitation, looking at Lady Chiyo with a full smile.
Chiyo took out her pen and signed her name on it. Then she looked at Pakura with a complex expression. "Child, you've suffered!"
Pakura shook her head. "It's alright, Elder. I hope you can lead Sand Village out of its difficulties and welcome a new life from now on!"
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