The Daimyō hadn't expected Renya to threaten him with war, and his expression shifted constantly.
He wasn't very clear on the exact situation in Kumogakure, but he had heard Second Raikage mention it once. Apparently, their casualties were devastating, leaving them incapable of continuing the fight, which was why they had chosen to surrender.
If Konoha truly launched a war, Kumogakure might not be able to withstand it.
And by then, it wouldn't just be about paying compensation.
If the Land of Lightning were invaded, his position as Daimyō would be doomed.
Although he knew the other countries' Daimyōs, their relationships were still competitive. Each one wished nothing more than to rip a piece of flesh from the others.
After all, who would ever complain about having too much money?
The reason he initially agreed to the First Raikage's plan to invade the Land of Fire was precisely because he wanted to join forces with the other Daimyōs and carve up its resources.
Backstabbing between nations was far too common in the shinobi world.
Senju Tobirama's eyelid twitched violently. This brat actually dared to say outright that if they didn't agree, he'd start a war. Even as Hokage, Tobirama himself had never said something like that.
He felt that, when dealing with enemies, this kid was becoming more and more like Uchiha Madara.
What Renya said weren't negotiations — they were commands.
If you didn't agree, he'd take extreme measures.
Yet Tobirama didn't try to stop him. Instead, he fixed his gaze on the Daimyō's darkening face and said in a low voice:
"I hope Daimyō-sama doesn't make the wrong decision and bring unnecessary disaster upon the nation."
Originally, Tobirama's expected compensation was five hundred million ryō, since the Land of Wind, also a defeated country, had paid three hundred million.
The Land of Lightning was richer in resources than the Land of Wind, so asking for an extra two hundred million was perfectly reasonable.
But with this kid backing him up, Tobirama figured they could push for even more.
He glanced secretly at Renya, his eyes full of approval.
This kid's performance really exceeded his expectations.
...
"Daimyō-sama, you wouldn't want the country plunged into war just over a bit of money, would you?"
Renya's tone was dead serious, carrying the weight of someone who might truly declare war if they refused.
In truth, he wasn't joking — he was simply voicing his real thoughts.
Since the Land of Fire was the victor, there was no need to be meek or submissive.
If the Land of Lightning had dared to declare war on Konoha, Konoha had every right to do the same in return. And given Kumogakure's current state, they were nowhere near Konoha's match.
Renya was confident that when Konoha's forces marched into the Land of Lightning, the Daimyō would gladly hand over every last coin he possessed.
Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others looked at Renya's back, admiration rising in their hearts.
Renya really was impressive. Unlike them, who'd been standing here half the day without being able to say a single word, he dominated the room completely.
Shimura Danzō's expression was filled with longing as he memorized every word of Renya's bold declaration. He swore to himself that when he became Hokage one day, he too would wield this kind of authority and presence.
As expected, Renya truly was on a different level.
Danzō sighed helplessly at the thought.
Although he didn't want to admit it, Renya was indeed far more suited to be Hokage than he was.
...
The constant back-and-forth between Renya and Tobirama infuriated the Daimyō, his fists clenching so tightly his knuckles went white. He wanted nothing more than to have someone kill these people right now.
Where the hell had that Second Raikage gone? How could he still not be here after all this time?
If the Raikage were present, there was no way these Konoha shinobi would dare be so arrogant. Whether they could even leave the Land of Lightning alive would be another matter entirely.
But now, with the Raikage missing, the Daimyō found himself completely isolated and helpless.
Dealing with these shinobi who threatened war at the slightest disagreement was giving him a splitting headache.
Things had been fine at first. He had initially tested Tobirama's bottom line by offering a compensation of one hundred million ryō, expecting the two sides to haggle a bit until they reached a settlement that minimized his losses.
But before the negotiations even got off the ground, this brat went off-script entirely, hammering him with relentless threats and coercion, opening with a sky-high demand that had him roasting over an open fire.
He knew perfectly well what Konoha was after — nothing more than inflating the compensation amount.
And judging by how things were going, it was working.
The only thing he could do now was try his best to bring the price back down.
The Daimyō glared resentfully at the red-eyed youth, then slowly raised a single finger.
"The Land of Lightning cannot afford thirty billion ryō. At most, I can compensate your country ten billion."
Ten billion ryō was no small sum. Even for a Daimyō, handing over that much was painful.
Spending that amount on feasts, entertainment, and palace construction was one thing — but using it as war reparations? That was pure agony.
If not for the current situation, he wouldn't have considered paying a single coin.
Losing the war was already humiliating enough; now being forced to bleed out an astronomical sum on top of that was unbearable.
Ten billion ryō was his utmost sincerity.
Tobirama's lips curved slightly before quickly returning to a neutral expression.
This brat had managed to double the compensation with just one round of intimidation and manipulation.
The more Tobirama looked at Renya, the more satisfied he felt. This kid was a natural talent!
With him around, the village would definitely thrive.
Strong, unafraid of authority, and willing to fight for the village's interests — he truly was the best candidate for Hokage.
...
"Ten billion ryō?" Renya frowned, clearly dissatisfied.
The Daimyō immediately said, "This is the maximum I can offer, my greatest sincerity."
Ten billion was his absolute limit. He would not, could not, give more.
Renya carefully studied the Daimyō's expression and knew he wasn't lying — ten billion was indeed the most he could afford.
But Renya didn't let it go so easily. After all, he still had leverage over the Daimyō.
"Daimyō-sama, a few days ago someone put a two-hundred-million-ryō bounty on the Hokage's head. After a thorough investigation…"
Renya ignored the Daimyō's face, which was steadily draining of color, and continued calmly:
"...we discovered the one who issued the bounty came from the Land of Lightning."
"Tsk, tsk… The Land of Lightning must be filthy rich, willing to spend so much just to assassinate the Hokage." Renya's scarlet Sharingan locked onto the Daimyō. "Isn't that right, Daimyō-sama?"
Every word carried an unspoken threat — he already knew the truth.
Under Renya's icy gaze, the Daimyō's body trembled involuntarily, cold sweat dripping down his face.
"I… I've been busy with state affairs, I truly had no knowledge of this matter. How about this… Give me some time, and I will personally help you uncover the culprit behind it."
"Daimyō-sama," Renya said softly, "certain people from your Land of Lightning have endangered the Hokage's life.
How about this — you compensate us on their behalf, and we'll consider this matter closed. What do you say?"
This was Renya throwing him a lifeline — they couldn't very well kill the Daimyō or actually start a war.
His goal was simply to secure more compensation for the village.
"You're right, young man! This matter indeed warrants compensation!" The Daimyō didn't hesitate. "I'll personally contribute two-billion-ryō to cover the Hokage's losses…"
Renya nodded in satisfaction, the three tomoe of his Sharingan slowly fading from his eyes.
"Many thanks for your generosity, Daimyō-sama."
Tobirama inclined his head slightly. This kid truly understood restraint and timing.
With Renya as Hokage, the village's future would shine even brighter.
He hadn't even taken the position yet, and he'd already secured a massive compensation sum for Konoha.
Truly, the best candidate for Hokage!
...
Seeing Renya stop making further demands, the Daimyō finally breathed a sigh of relief.
But his gaze toward Renya was now filled with venomous hatred.
More than killing Senju Tobirama, he now wanted nothing more than to see this brat dead!
Renya, in a good mood after achieving his goal, didn't even notice the Daimyō's seething glare and smiled faintly.
Daimyō: "…"