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[NTU] [ARC-20] Chapter : 279
🕑 Added 2025-03-24 13:51:32 +0000 UTC"Shikaku-san, these new terms... are you serious about this?"
Mei, tasked by Elder Genji to observe and gain experience, carefully reread the negotiation document Shikaku had handed over. Her emerald eyes flickered with disbelief.
Around her, the assembled Kiri ninjas wore similar expressions of bewilderment.
They had lost the war—yet they weren’t being forced to pay reparations. Instead, Konoha was offering them a loan.
A loan.
She had neither seen nor heard of such a thing before.
"…"
Shikaku sighed, suppressing a smirk as he watched the Kiri ninja struggle to process the unexpected offer. Their expressions mirrored his own when he had first heard it from Toshiro.
"These loans are being provided by Konoha in the spirit of fostering good relations with the Hidden Mist," he explained evenly, tapping the document with his fingers. "Every term is clearly outlined—no tricks, no hidden clauses."
Still, Mei hesitated, suspicion lingering in her gaze.
Seeing her hesitation, Shikaku let out a resigned sigh and rapped his knuckles against the table for emphasis.
"Let me be perfectly clear—these loans must be repaid."
On the other side, the Kiri ninjas remained cautious, their eyes darting between the interest rates and repayment schedules, counting figures on their fingers as if bracing for some unseen trap.
The loan itself wasn’t unreasonable—the only notable aspect was its long-term repayment plan. Even the interest rate was relatively modest, set at less than 15% annually—a stark contrast to the predatory loan practices rampant in the ninja world.
Given the Kiri ninja’s current predicament, the village was struggling under the weight of countless wounded, as well as families of fallen shinobi in desperate need of compensation. There was simply no surplus wealth to spare.
And yet, reparations remained unavoidable.
"Should I push for oversight on the loan distribution?"
The Nara clan held significant medical supply reserves. If they could leverage this opportunity to directly supply the Kiri ninja with medicine under the loan agreement, it would be…advantageous.
Shikaku exhaled, rubbing his temples. The thought of returning to Konoha only to face the numerous clan heads vying for their own piece of the deal gave him a headache.
To mitigate potential exploitation, Toshiro had explicitly mandated that a portion of the loan be issued in the form of essential medical supplies and provisions. Additionally, designated loan supervisors would be responsible for overseeing the distribution, ensuring fairness.
The involvement of their clans, each eager for a share of the benefits, was yet another headache.
"One more thing!"
As the Kiri ninjas remained engrossed in discussions about the loan, Shikaku quickly redirected their attention to a more pressing issue—the one Toshiro had specifically instructed him to bring up.
"Your Mizukage suffered grave injuries from a surprise attack by that mysterious assailant. While Konoha has provided medical care these past few days, his condition continues to deteriorate."
At the mention of their Mizukage, the expressions of the Kiri ninjas shifted dramatically—a mix of unease and alarm flashing across their faces. Shikaku, however, chose not to dwell on the exact reason behind their reaction.
"When does Kirigakure plan to take custody of the Mizukage?"
What intrigued him most was how not a single Kiri ninja had brought up their leader throughout the negotiations. It was as if Yagura didn’t exist at all.
“…Haha! The matter of the Mizukage is… a significant one. We’ll need to deliberate carefully.”
The sudden confirmation that their leader was still alive left Mei and the high-ranking officials visibly uncomfortable.
Yet, not a single Kiri ninja openly suggested retrieving their Mizukage. Instead, they all laughed awkwardly, deflecting the topic.
Two Days Later
Konoha and Kirigakure finalized a highly unusual agreement.
Konoha extended a massive loan to Kirigakure to help revive its crippled economy. A significant portion of this loan would be used to purchase essential supplies, particularly medicinal products from Konoha—a condition that was strategically embedded within the terms.
While the thirty-year repayment period and relatively high interest rate were less than ideal, the Kiri ninjas had little room to complain. With their village financially crippled, even securing funds for basic reconstruction was a desperate necessity.
Additionally, Kirigakure agreed to assist the Land of Fire in eliminating pirates along the eastern coast—an indirect way for them to "repay" Konoha through labor.
The most pivotal aspect of the agreement was the handover of the Fourth Mizukage and the Kiri ninja prisoners.
As per Konoha’s terms, once the agreement was signed, the Fourth Mizukage would be returned to Kirigakure—a gesture that seemed generous, yet carried unspoken implications.
As for the prisoners, their release would be contingent upon Kirigakure fulfilling its promise and actively eradicating the pirate threat along the eastern coast.
During these tense negotiations, Toshiro had largely remained within the Kiri Inn, avoiding unnecessary interactions. However, today, he stepped into the signing venue, making his presence impossible to ignore.
"The atmosphere seems... restrained," he noted.
Just moments ago, the Kiri ninjas had been chatting in small groups, murmuring among themselves. But the instant Toshiro arrived, the conversations halted. Heads lowered in silent deference, and the once-lively room became eerily still.
"A powerful figure like the Hokage will always command attention—no matter where he goes," a frail yet steady voice interjected.
Toshiro turned to see Elder Genji, the aging yet respected elder of Kirigakure. His clouded eyes, filled with a mixture of emotions, lingered on the young Hokage as if searching for something.
"Powerful, you say?" Toshiro mused. "The Kiri ninja are formidable in their own right. You’ve simply faced a difficult era these past few years. Give it ten, maybe eight years, and Kirigakure will be thriving once again."
It was merely a courteous exchange, and Toshiro handled it with ease, feeling no pressure at all.
"I wonder, Lord Hokage, what are your thoughts on the future development of the ninja world?"
Elder Genji’s curiosity was evident. The Fifth Hokage had proposed a groundbreaking financial strategy, something unheard of in past dealings between villages. Did this Uchiha leader envision a different path for the ninja world—one that diverged from the foundations laid by Hashirama Senju?
After all, the current balance of power among the Five Great Nations had been shaped largely by Hashirama’s ideals. But this was an Uchiha at the helm of Konoha now—would his vision be drastically different?
Toshiro paused for a moment before responding, his expression unreadable.
"I do have some plans, but I’ve only been Hokage for a short time. It’s too early to discuss them in detail."
Elder Genji's expression shifted immediately.
"Hokage-sama, if you don’t mind… could you share at least a glimpse of your thoughts?"
His request carried a hint of urgency. To him, a Uchiha Hokage with ambitious plans could only mean one thing—conquest.
Toshiro had already defeated the Fourth Raikage. Konoha and the Sand Village had formed an alliance. And now, Kirigakure had fallen into a financial and military crisis, leaving them vulnerable.
Was this the first step toward unifying the ninja world under Konoha’s rule?
