The Second Raikage was waiting in his office for the Konoha delegation when a Kumogakure shinobi hurriedly came to report—
"Konoha's Poison Master just attacked a child in the middle of the street."
Upon hearing the news, the Raikage immediately left his office.
On the way, he couldn't figure out why the Poison Master would suddenly target a child in the village?!
By all logic, Konoha shinobi shouldn't be this deranged.
As the strongest of the Five Great Nations, Konoha's shinobi should at least have some professional integrity, right?
Besides, the Hokage himself was part of the delegation. Even if the so-called Poison Master had no morals and was a cold-blooded demon, he wouldn't act so recklessly in public—let alone target a child!
Something else must have happened here...
Just as the Raikage left the Raikage Tower, he ran into the approaching Konoha delegation.
"Raikage, we're here," Senju Tobirama said.
The Raikage gave a slight nod, but his gaze remained fixed on Renya, lost in thought.
This kid… he doesn't look like someone who would attack a child.
Renya noticed the Raikage's scrutinizing gaze and instantly understood what he was thinking.
He frowned and spoke first, his tone annoyed.
"Raikage-sama, care to explain your village's slander against me?"
From the bits of gossip he'd overheard among the villagers, he had already pieced together what had happened.
It turned out that some Kumogakure shinobi—veterans from the battlefield—had been discussing his performance in combat…
The story started out simple enough: Konoha's Poison Master was skilled with poison, capable of killing even elite shinobi like Kinkaku and Ginkaku, who were considered near-Kage level.
That much was true.
But as the rumor spread, it got increasingly twisted.
Soon, the Poison Master became someone who could silently poison entire groups, leaving nothing but corpses in his wake wherever he went.
Witnesses? None survived. Even near-Kage-level shinobi were said to fall without resistance.
And that wasn't even the worst part—some went so far as to claim that Renya was a bloodthirsty maniac who slaughtered everyone indiscriminately, not even sparing the elderly, women, or children.
In Kumogakure, his reputation had hit rock bottom.
He'd become synonymous with "demon" itself—a name whispered in fear, a living nightmare etched into the minds of countless children.
No wonder the villagers looked at him like they'd seen a ghost…
So this was why. Someone had started a ridiculous rumor.
After understanding the situation, Renya was torn between laughing and crying.
Rumors… truly the scariest thing in this world.
He didn't care much about what others thought of him, but if he could clear up a misunderstanding, he would.
Reputation still mattered.
He hoped that, in the future, when people mentioned his name, they would think of Konoha's poison prodigy—not some demon who slaughtered innocents.
The Second Raikage, after learning the truth, was left awkwardly scratching his head.
"Sorry about that. I didn't mean to cause you trouble."
He hadn't expected casual discussions among Kumogakure shinobi to spiral into such a twisted version of events.
Seeing that the Raikage had apologized, Renya didn't press the matter further.
"I hope you can help me clarify this when the time comes."
"No problem!" The Raikage lightly patted his heavily bandaged chest in assurance.
He was still recovering from the severe injuries Senju Tobirama had inflicted earlier, and despite medical treatment, he wasn't fully healed yet.
"Renya, Kumogakure just gave you a massive boost in influence. Isn't that a good thing?" Sarutobi Hiruzen said with a cheerful grin.
Renya shot him an irritated look.
"You can keep this kind of 'good thing' for yourself."
He had no interest in becoming infamous.
"Fine, fine," Hiruzen replied with an awkward chuckle.
"Come with me, Hokage-sama," the Raikage said, leading Tobirama and the others toward the Raikage Tower.
...
Inside the Raikage's office, several Kumogakure shinobi stood silently along the walls.
As Renya stepped inside, his hand instinctively tightened around the hilt of his katana.
This Raikage guy… he's not going to pull a Kinkaku and Ginkaku on us, is he?
Renya's expression darkened, and in an instant, his Sharingan activated.
Three black tomoe slowly spun within his scarlet irises.
If anything seemed off, he was prepared to strike immediately, cutting down every single person here in the shortest possible time.
"I mean no harm," the Second Raikage quickly said upon noticing Renya's reaction, raising his hand slightly to signal calm.
This was simply part of the formal surrender ceremony, requiring witnesses to be present.
The Kumogakure shinobi in the room were all from the logistics department—mostly performing clerical duties. They were low-ranking genin and posed no threat to the Konoha delegation.
"Renya, relax," Senju Tobirama said calmly from the center of the room.
"Kumogakure doesn't have the strength to stop us right now."
Kumogakure's high-end combat power was in shambles. If they wanted to leave, no one could stop them.
And with the Raikage still recovering from his wounds, the odds were even more in their favor.
Hearing this, the Raikage broke into a cold sweat and handed over a document.
"Here are the previously drafted terms. Please review them."
During their journey to the Land of Lightning, Tobirama had already discussed the treaty's contents with the Second Raikage, finalizing the details in advance.
Tobirama accepted the document and began reading carefully, with Renya glancing over his shoulder.
[1. War Reparations] The Daimyō's Mansion of the Land of Lightning must pay war reparations to the Land of Fire.
Additionally, three key strategic locations in the northern region of the Land of Hot Water will be transferred to Konoha's jurisdiction.
[2. Military Restrictions] For the next ten years, Kumogakure must not launch any military action against the Land of Fire.
Kumogakure shinobi are prohibited from carrying out missions within 50 kilometers of the Land of Fire's border.
[3. Ninjutsu and Intelligence Transfer] Kumogakure must hand over several ninjutsu techniques, including "Lightning Release: Black Lightning" and "Lightning Release Chakra Mode."
All Kumogakure spies stationed in the Land of Fire must be recalled, and no new spies may be dispatched for the next ten years.
[4. Political Constraints] The Land of Lightning is forbidden from forming any military alliances with other nations.
Any visits abroad by Kumogakure's high-ranking officials must be reported to Konoha in advance.
[5. Breach of Contract Penalties] If the Land of Lightning violates any of the above terms, Konoha reserves the right to unilaterally resume war and exact due punishment.
...
Renya thought this entire agreement was pointless.
As long as one had enough strength, tearing up the treaty would be effortless—it was just empty formalism.
The treaty's real weight wasn't in the words on paper, but in whether Konoha could maintain the kind of power that kept Kumogakure in fear.
In the shinobi world, treaties were practically useless—they only bought temporary peace.
The moment Konoha weakened or Kumogakure regained its strength, the first thing Kumogakure would do was shred this paper and reignite the war.
Unless the Land of Fire remained permanently ahead of the Land of Lightning, war was inevitable sooner or later.
And Kumogakure wasn't the only nation eyeing the Land of Fire…
With limited resources, conflict would never truly disappear.
This had been the reality since ancient times—and it wasn't about to change.
The only worthwhile parts of this treaty were the reparations and the ninjutsu scrolls.
As for withdrawing all their spies?
Renya didn't even need to think to know Kumogakure would never comply.
...
After finishing his review, Senju Tobirama found no issues and signed his name.
The Raikage followed suit, writing his signature below.
Thus, the Land of Fire and the Land of Lightning officially reached a ten-year truce!
Before leaving, Tobirama turned to the Raikage and said coldly,
"Raikage, I trust you won't forget the terms written above… The price of violating them is something your village cannot afford."
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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