Darui and the others walked all the way to the Military Police Force.
They exited the bustling district, passed through a deserted area, and then walked through a dense forest.
Finally, they arrived at the Uchiha Clan Grounds.
Darui now had a clear understanding of the animosity between the Konoha higher-ups and the Uchiha.
After arriving at the Uchiha Clan Grounds, it was much quieter compared to the center of Konoha.
There were hardly any pedestrians; the few people they occasionally saw were all members of the Uchiha Clan.
The Kumogakure group, unsure of the Military Police Force's exact location, decided to ask someone for directions.
Hiruzen Sarutobi had actually wanted to send an Anbu to guide them when he learned they were coming to the Military Police Force, but Darui had refused.
At this moment, Darui's large group had already been noticed as soon as they entered the Clan Grounds, but without Yuuki's command, everyone quietly observed without making any unnecessary movements.
Just as Darui was about to ask one of the observing Uchiha Ninja for directions, a voice rang out not far away.
"Who are you? Are you looking for someone?"
The Cloud Ninja looked over to see a child of six or seven years old staring at them with curiosity.
He wore a blue short-sleeved shirt and white shorts. Although they didn't see a clan crest, his adorable appearance and the location told them he was an Uchiha child.
Many in the Kumogakure delegation had strange expressions, as the person who had brought such hardship and humiliation to Kumogakure was none other than the Uchiha Clan Head.
However, those chosen to come to Konoha were not the kind of single-minded brutes. Apart from looking a bit grim, they made no other movements.
Ultimately, Darui spoke up.
"We want to go to the Military Police Force. Can you tell us the way?"
"Is this a mission? If it's a mission, I can take you there!"
"You can consider it a mission. We will pay you afterward."
Sasuke's eyes lit up at these words, and he immediately said, "Follow me!"
He then skipped and hopped, leading the way. It must be said that a happy Sasuke, free from deep-seated hatred, was indeed a very adorable child.
The surrounding Uchiha Ninja became a little worried when they saw Sasuke appear and discussed it briefly.
"It's Young Master Sasuke from Lord Fugaku's family. Should we stop him?"
"No need. They are just Cloud Ninja. On our Uchiha territory, they wouldn't dare cause trouble. But just in case, let's follow them!"
Thus, an interesting scene unfolded in the Uchiha Clan Grounds.
A child skipped and hopped, leading the way, followed by a large group of Cloud Ninja, and surrounded by Uchiha Clan Ninja.
At this moment, many in the Kumogakure delegation felt humiliated. When they went to the Hokage Building, they had dedicated guides.
But in the Uchiha Clan Grounds, they had to follow behind a little brat. But what could they do?
Those who fall behind get beaten. Especially after just being beaten, to avoid being beaten again, they could only endure.
We are Ninja. A Ninja is one who endures all. I will endure!
Yuuki, in the Military Police Force office, naturally observed the entire process.
Upon receiving intelligence that the Cloud Ninja had entered the Clan Grounds, Yuuki activated his Mangekyo Sharingan.
Seeing Erzhuzi cheerfully leading the way, Yuuki felt that Sasuke was still adorable.
Sasuke, if you follow your Brother Yuuki well in the future, I won't let you become the Erzhuzi of the original story.
As the Cloud Ninja were about to arrive, Yuuki did not act presumptuously.
He still brought Mitsuba and the four captains of the Military Police Force to greet them at the entrance.
After all, the God of Wealth had arrived!
Yuuki warmly welcomed everyone and expressed that it was an honor for the humble Military Police Force to receive the esteemed Lord Raikage of Hidden Cloud Village.
After inviting everyone into the conference room and having them seated, Yuuki asked, feigning ignorance, "May I ask what brings Lord Raikage and the powerful Ninja of Hidden Cloud Village to the Military Police Force?"
After getting his prosthetic leg in Hidden Cloud Village and putting on his pants, Dodai usually looked no different from an ordinary person.
At this moment, after hearing Yuuki's words, Dodai wanted to roll his eyes but managed to hold back.
Don't you know what we want?! You're the one who called us here!!!
Darui didn't know Dodai's thoughts, but as the saying goes, when under someone's roof, one must bow their head. He answered Yuuki's question, "Lord Yuuki, our Hidden Cloud Village wishes to sign a peace treaty, and we also want our captives back. What price must we pay?"
Yuuki feigned a look of being flattered.
"Oh, no, no. Lord Raikage, as my senior, you can just call me Yuuki-kun. As for the peace treaty, Lord Raikage should sign that with Hokage-sama."
Darui had no time for pleasantries with Yuuki and got straight to the point.
"Lord Yuuki, our Kumogakure wants to sign a peace treaty with the Military Police Force, and we also want to redeem our brothers. Lord Yuuki, just name your price!"
Seeing that the cards were on the table, Yuuki stopped beating around the bush.
"Lord Raikage, first, does Kumogakure acknowledge the fact that it initiated the invasion of the Land of Fire and ultimately failed?"
Since they had lost, there was no need to argue. After all, the victor decided.
"Lord Yuuki, Kumogakure acknowledges this fact."
Yuuki nodded at these words and said, "Then, first, Kumogakure must compensate the Military Police Force for the military expenses incurred, and then compensate the people of the Land of Fire for their losses. Only then can we discuss the next step!"
Darui did not object. After all, this was the custom of the Ninja World: the winner takes the spoils, with the exception of Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Agreed!"
"Very well. Lord Raikage and the esteemed members of Kumogakure, please take a look at this document. You may raise any objections!"
Yuuki then waved his hand, and Mitsuba brought out a large stack of documents, distributing them to each seat. The sheer thickness of the binders made the Kumogakure members' hearts tremble.
Darui opened it and began to quickly scan through it.
He found that the actual content was only one page; the thick stack behind it was all a detailed list.
"In view of Hidden Cloud Village's invasion of the Land of Fire, although ultimately defeated by the Konoha Military Police Force, it is still required to compensate the Konoha Military Police Force with the following:"
"1. Usage rights of Kumogakure's Turtle Island"
"2. Military Police Force military expenses: 500 million Ryo (see detailed list)"
The list contained names of Military Police Force Ninja, such as Shikajin A and Junju B, which were clearly fake names.
A total of 2,000 names were listed. Military expenses included two kunai per person, with each kunai priced at 5,000 Ryo.
Ten shuriken per person, with each shuriken priced at 3,000 Ryo.
Five explosive tags per person, with each explosive tag priced at 10,000 Ryo.
One bottle of military rations pill per person, with each bottle priced at 10,000 Ryo.
Total material costs amounted to 200 million Ryo.
Next was lost wages, calculated at the minimum reward for an A-rank mission based on Ninja skill level, 100,000 Ryo, totaling 200 million Ryo for 2,000 people.
Finally, there was compensation for mental distress due to the shock of war, 50,000 Ryo, totaling 100 million Ryo for 2,000 people.
Although Darui complained about the high cost of materials in the Land of Fire and the preciousness of Military Police Force Ninja, he didn't say much else.
In an era where an S-rank mission started at 1 million Ryo, Kumogakure could still afford a mere 500 million Ryo.
However, what shocked Darui was how Yuuki knew about Turtle Island. He knew that Yugito would absolutely not betray them.
So, there was only one possibility: Yugito might have been completely controlled. After all, the news of Yagura being controlled by a mysterious person with a Sharingan in Hidden Mist was not particularly secret.
Moreover, according to Dodai, the Fourth Hokage seemed to have a secret deal with that mysterious person.
Knowing that the intelligence about Turtle Island had leaked, Darui realized that it was impossible for Kumogakure to fully control Turtle Island anymore, so he felt these conditions were still acceptable.
After exchanging glances with Dodai for a moment, Darui directly said, "Lord Yuuki, our Hidden Cloud Village agrees!"
Yuuki's face was beaming with a smile as he slowly said, "Very well. Now that we've discussed military compensation, let's move on to the compensation for the people of the Land of Fire!"
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The story doesn't end here 😉 The next chapter is already up on Patreon, you can read it here: [patreon.com/TripleCrown07]