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Inside the embassy.
The atmosphere was silent.
The two envoys looked at Minister Tanaka's face, which was filled with seriousness and gravity, and cursed this old fox a hundred times in their hearts.
Too insidious!
He's too damn shameless!
The other party didn't even bother to hide his intentions, just brazenly laid out the choice before them.
Either the three nations unite to restrain that mad dog from the Land of Lightning, and the three of us continue to enjoy prosperity and count money until our hands cramp.
Or, they stand by and watch the show, then helplessly watch the Land of Lightning also join the table and take half the meat from their bowls!
How could they choose?
There was no choice at all!
The envoy from the Land of Wind's face had become extremely unpleasant. "Minister Tanaka... is there truly no room for maneuver in this matter?"
"Sirs, this is not a question of whether we are willing or not," Minister Tanaka spread his hands, stating facts and reasoning directly. "Production capacity is fixed."
"With an extra mouth to feed, the meat in everyone's bowls will naturally decrease."
"Of course, we wish to maintain the status quo and share prosperity with our two allies."
"But the Land of Lightning insists on causing trouble, and for the sake of peace, we can only make concessions."
To hell with concessions!
The two envoys roared in their hearts simultaneously.
If you were truly willing to make concessions, you wouldn't have beaten us down during the Third Shinobi World War.
But at this moment, circumstances were stronger than men.
From the moment they set foot on the Land of Fire's soil and enjoyed the snowflake-like white sugar and cloud-like silk.
Their interests had already become inextricably linked with the Land of Fire.
On the Land of Earth envoy's usually composed face, there were clear emotional fluctuations. He asked in a deep voice, "What do you want us to do?"
The Land of Wind envoy also put away his smile, his expression stern.
Minister Tanaka felt his heart settle, knowing the fish had completely taken the bait.
But the compassionate expression on his face grew even more pronounced. "We are all peace-loving individuals, so naturally, we cannot be as crude as the Land of Lightning, constantly threatening war."
"In my opinion, why don't... our three nations jointly issue a diplomatic note to the Land of Lightning?"
"Strongly condemning its hegemonic actions that undermine regional peace, and demanding that it adhere to the rules."
"Three against one, surely even if the Land of Lightning is reckless, it will have to weigh the consequences of offending our three nations simultaneously!"
The two envoys exchanged a look.
In their eyes was an identical sense of grievance and helplessness.
Things had come to this, there was no other choice.
The Land of Wind envoy's Adam's apple bobbed, and he finally nodded slowly, saying, "Alright... I will immediately report this matter to my lord."
The Land of Earth envoy also responded in a deep voice, "We will synchronize."
Having received their commitment, Minister Tanaka had no further desire to stay. After a few casual remarks, he bid farewell and left.
Not two days later.
The two envoys invited Minister Tanaka again.
It was still the same reception room, but the positions of host and guest seemed to have reversed.
A smile appeared on the Land of Earth envoy's face, though it was somewhat forced.
"Minister Tanaka, my lord has replied."
Minister Tanaka's eyebrows twitched slightly. He picked up his teacup and waited for the rest.
The Land of Earth envoy said, "My lord believes that while the Land of Lightning's actions have always been overbearing, for now, it is merely verbal threats."
"If we overreact, it will only give them an excuse."
These words sounded like an attempt to smooth things over.
Minister Tanaka's eyebrows raised slightly, and his gaze became a degree colder.
Seeing the other party's unfavorable attitude, the Land of Earth envoy immediately changed the subject and continued, "However, our Land of Wind and Land of Earth have already reached a consensus."
"The two of us will first jointly call upon the Land of Lightning envoy to clearly express our serious concerns about the current situation."
"To make him understand that this matter is not solely the concern of the Land of Fire."
This was the first step, a verbal warning.
"Furthermore," the Land of Earth envoy's tone suddenly grew heavier, "My lord has secretly ordered Tsuchikage Onoki to put his border troops on alert."
"If the Land of Lightning puts its threats into action, with any military movements or provocative behavior at the border."
"Then, our Land of Wind and Land of Earth will immediately, in the name of our lords, issue the most severe diplomatic condemnation to the Land of Lightning."
"And dispatch a joint envoy mission directly to Kumogakure, demanding an explanation from the Land of Lightning!"
The Land of Wind envoy added, his voice ringing with power, "My lord has also notified Rasa, the Kazekage, that we will act in synchronization."
These words were watertight.
They gave the Land of Fire a promise that was as clear as could be, while also retaining diplomatic flexibility.
A conditional military assistance treaty was thus formed.
"Good, excellent!"
A smile finally appeared on Minister Tanaka's face. He stood up and bowed respectfully to the two of them.
"With your strong support, peace is within reach! I represent my lord, and the Land of Fire, in thanking you both!"
This outcome had already exceeded his expectations.
He had originally thought it would be, at most, a joint letter of condemnation, but he never expected it to directly lead to a quasi-military alliance!
After some polite pleasantries, the atmosphere became harmonious.
Then Minister Tanaka lowered his voice, speaking in a volume only the three of them could hear, mysteriously saying, "To thank you sirs for your immense contributions to maintaining peace..."
He paused, every word seemingly hooked.
"Next month's shipments to your nations, I will personally arrange to increase the quota by one-tenth for your... manors."
"This matter, heaven knows, earth knows, you know, and I know."
"Consider it... a small token of my personal regard, a humble offering."
The breath of the two envoys caught for a moment.
Their faces, which had been somewhat displeased from being manipulated, visibly broke into smiles.
One-tenth!
And it was private goods delivered directly to their manors!
They knew better than anyone what this meant.
That slight displeasure from being coerced instantly vanished like smoke.
"Minister Tanaka, this... how can this be..." The Land of Wind envoy spoke politely, but the sparkle in his eyes could no longer be hidden.
"It's only right!" Minister Tanaka sincerely grasped his hand, then patted the Land of Earth envoy's shoulder.
"From now on, we are family!"
"Hahahaha, that's right, we are family!"
The reception room was once again filled with cheerful air, even more genuine than last time.
After a pleasant time for both hosts and guests, the two envoys, shedding their previous arrogance, personally escorted Minister Tanaka all the way to the embassy gate, their smiles utterly sincere.
Only after watching Minister Tanaka's carriage disappear at the end of the street did they exchange a look and return to digest the thrilling confrontation of the day.
The carriage moved steadily on the road.
Minister Tanaka sat upright inside, eyes closed in contemplation, the gentle smile on his face long gone, replaced by an unruffled calm.
Returning to his manor, he dismissed all his servants and stood alone by the study window.
He gazed at the daimyo manor in the distance, its silhouette gilded by the setting sun, lost in thought.
In his eyes was an indescribable awe and fervor.
Using merely an ethereal trade right, he had, without bloodshed, leveraged the military power of two great nations.
Making them willingly act as enforcers for the Land of Fire.
This kind of turning clouds into rain, manipulating powerful nations of the world at his fingertips... his daimyo was truly divine!