Chapter - 105 The Princess Diaries III
Kurokami Naotora had lost his spine. The elders had lost their arrogance. Yes, the guy brought all five of them along with his son and daughter.
As the tea and snacks were served. We chose to sit in silence. The Kurokami head had brought a file. Presumably, their registration and license approvals. Sayuri was going through them right now.
"My Lord, the paperwork seems to be in order."
"I see."
I had chosen to take this meeting in the hall. With 10 of the Fall who were practicing called in as a symbolism. They stood on three sides surrounding the 'guests' in armor. I wanted it to be kind of a spectacle. Initially, only the commanders were present. Now there was a bit of an audience.
I let the tone hang in the air. The paperwork was fine. Were they?
"Well, go on, Naotora, I am sure you have something for me. You are too smart to come here without a plan."
"Nothing can change the events of the past few years. I will not apologize, nor do I regret what I did. You know the game of interests. I may have lost, but I wasn't wrong. I wan-"
Tsk, tsk. tsk. tsk.
I interrupted then and there. "I don't give a shit about your reasons and excuses. And I certainly do not appreciate that tone. Just so we're clear, you're here to beg for your clan's legacy. You and your roughly 200 masters are not worth the trouble you can and will cause. My current decision is to completely disband the Kurokami from the Fuinjutsu world. Destroying your family and assimilating what remains. And you, my friend, are here to change my mind. So you'd better come up with something that compensates me for all the pain my clan has gone through. Otherwise, your crimes will have a price that you cannot pay. "
Whoops of approval went up in the crowd. The old man stopped. That was a probe. Now that he knew my stance. There will be negotiation.
"200 masters are under our control. If you destroy our family. You will lose at least a hundred proper masters. Not to mention the political and structural fallout. Are you really willing to pay the price?"
"Yes."
"Yeah, that's right, Lord Ren. Let's make them pay!"
The only fire I saw was in the eyes of Rei. He did not like this at all. But these men were professionals. And even if he was an arrogant young master. He wasn't stupid. He didn't say anything, yet his defiant gaze rubbed me the wrong way for some reason. Meanwhile, Naotora kept studying my face. Possibly judging my seriousness. A few seconds later, he breathed deep and spoke.
"I do have a proposal."
I sat up. I was genuinely curious what this guy had to offer. Because honestly. There wasn't much. I was already leaning towards complete restructuring for a while now. And my clan seemed to require vengeance already. But crowds make bad decisions. Leaders do what they think is right. I was willing to hear them out at least.
But he needed something really good. They had caused us enough pain.
"The Kurokami clan accepts you as its suzerain. All our Fuinjutsu masters who are not related by blood to us, of which there are 90. Their contracts of servitude will be transferred to you unconditionally." An elder took out the contracts. "Additionally, all our contracts go to you."
"We will only take the jobs that you give us. We promise to share all research. As your vassals, we will pay you an additional fee, above the ones we will pay the council. In addition, as an offer of peace. Both my son and daughter will marry into your clan and will accept a Yami. Our experience and political entrenchment will be completely at your disposal."
Everyone began discussing. While it was correct that these guys had practically united the whole of the Konoha Fuinjutsu scene. But their compensations were still not enough. Right then, the princess Akari walked in. I hadn't told anyone to stop her, but I hadn't invited her either. She wasn't banned from coming, as I was making this kind of a spectacle, but it wasn't exactly usual.
We paused for introductions. She sat down on the left. "Is there something you needed, princess?" This could be taken as interference.
"No, Lord Ren. I am just here as a witness. I saw that this particular negotiation was kind of public. I hope that's alright." She nodded towards the crowd around us.
"It's not the public. All of them are clan members. But since you are here. Why not?"
I turned to Naotora. "I still don't see what you are here to offer Lord Naotora. It will take a few months, but all those contracts, research, and those people will be mine anyway. Sure, there will be political dissent. But between some random branch family member married off years ago, and the kind of dissent your clan has towards us. I prefer the first.
Lastly, I had been using the Yamigami to maneuver myself out of difficult marriages. But the truth is, I never took them as punishment. There's more to the Yami than you realize. Getting them is a privilege that you can not afford. I wouldn't have really given them to you when we were losing. And now, when their power is out in the open? No chance."
"The only thing of note is the loyalty of the other hundred or so masters that belong directly to your clan. The men who have schemed and fought against us for years. Forgive me if I don't take your word on your loyalty."
Rei shouted in indignation. "This is basically an unconditional surrender! How greedy are you!'
The others didn't say it, but their expression told their agreement.
"It is not."
They looked at me in confusion.
"It would have been a surrender if you had given up when you could have fought. Now, these promises of yours are promises of a smoother handover. Nothing more."
"We can still fight."
"Then do so."
"Rei!" Naotora stopped him.
"It appears you do not consider my words, Lord Kurokami. Your clan will fall."
"We have suffered. We know you killed Elder Gen'ei."
"Assassins die."
"He also had a Nara Jonin with him. He died too. You might find us useful."
"I am not afraid of that death being known. In fact, now that I know. I am going to demand an explanation from Nara Shikaku. "
"What do you want?"
"Vengeance preferably."
"Killing us is against the law."
"So was killing me. Besides. I don't have to do anything. Without your speciality, you are sitting ducks. And you have many enemies. I doubt I will really need to take any actions myself."
We were both staring at each other. Just then, a soft voice cut through the tension.
"What if you exile them?"