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Silence once again fell in the meeting room.
The three daimyo were each lost in their own thoughts, their breathing clearly heard in the quiet space.
Shin didn't rush them. He slowly took a sip of tea.
The bait had already been thrown out. These fish, starved for too long, couldn't possibly resist.
It was precisely his calm behavior that made the other three feel even more uneasy.
Finally, the Land of Wind daimyo picked up his dropped fan, snapped it open, and fanned himself quickly. "Lord Shin's righteous actions are truly worthy of respect."
With his first words, he had found a fitting reason for the operation.
"Kumogakure's space-time ninjutsu is indeed a public danger to the shinobi world and should be controlled."
"Our Land of Wind has always loved peace and is willing to help maintain the stability of the shinobi world."
He stated his position!
The first to state his position!
Rasa's lips moved, and just as he was about to stand up, his own daimyo pressed him back down.
Seeing that the Land of Wind had already stated its position, the Land of Water daimyo no longer waited. He echoed the words. "The Land of Wind daimyo is absolutely right."
"Such dangerous ninjutsu cannot be left in the hands of a country without supervision."
"Our Land of Water also supports Lord Shin's proposal!"
The Land of Wind and Land of Water one after another declared their positions.
Everyone's gaze turned to the Land of Earth daimyo.
The Land of Earth daimyo's fleshy face squeezed together as he laughed. "Since everyone is for world peace, our Land of Earth naturally cannot fall behind."
"It's just..." He changed the subject, showing his true intentions. "How exactly will this joint garrison work? There must be a proper plan, right?"
"We can't have our four countries' people going in there all messy and without order."
He wasn't asking how to divide the rewards.
He was asking how to make this matter legal and proper.
This was the real core issue.
Shin naturally understood. He was waiting for this very sentence.
He said, "The Land of Earth daimyo is absolutely right. Without rules, there can be no order."
"I propose the creation of a Four Countries Joint Peace Monitoring Group."
"The sole purpose of the Monitoring Group is to watch over the Land of Lightning as they completely destroy that evil space-time ninjutsu and to make sure they do not conduct similar research in the future."
"We are not going to invade. We are not going to take over. We are going to maintain peace."
Such grand words almost made Onoki sick.
What the hell was this, a Peace Monitoring Group?
It was clearly a Four-Nation Loot-Sharing Committee!
Ignoring Onoki's pale face, Shin continued. "We are removing a huge hidden danger for the entire shinobi world."
"We represent justice."
Sweeping his gaze over the three faces that were slowly lighting up, Shin threw out the final bait. "Of course, such a large-scale monitoring operation will definitely cost huge amounts of money."
"Our four countries are providing troops and effort. We can't possibly pay out of our own pockets, can we?"
"Therefore, all expenses of the Monitoring Group in the Land of Lightning should rightfully be paid by the Land of Lightning."
The breathing of the three daimyo grew heavier.
"To make management easier and ensure a stable source of military funds..."
"I propose..."
Shin's voice was like a hook, word by word, digging into their hearts.
"That the Monitoring Group, on behalf of the Land of Lightning, manage the income from certain mines, trade routes, and ports within its borders to create a Peace Fund."
"This income, in addition to covering the daily expenses of the garrison..."
"The remaining portion will be split according to each country's troop number ratio in the Monitoring Group..."
As his voice fell, the meeting room was so quiet that heartbeats could be heard.
This reasoning was perfect.
We are not here to steal money. We are here for world peace.
But maintaining peace requires funding, so we will help you manage the money, and by the way... divide the management fees.
No one could find fault with it!
The Land of Earth daimyo's breathing suddenly quickened.
He knew that once this Monitoring Group was created, the Land of Earth's position of bordering the Land of Lightning would bring maximum benefits!
At that point, whether it was temporary management or taking control, wouldn't it just be a matter of words?
"Good!" Thinking of this, the Land of Earth daimyo slapped his thigh, his fat jiggling. "Let's do as Lord Shin says!"
"For world peace, our Land of Earth is duty-bound!"
A feast to carve up the Land of Lightning quietly began under the righteous banner of world peace.
And Shin smiled as he watched them.
He knew his next target had already, in this feast, willingly walked into the cage.
Just as the atmosphere was at its most excited, the usually careful Land of Water daimyo suddenly spoke up.
"Cough... Lord Shin."
He said with a hint of hesitation. "Although the plan is good, the Land of Lightning is, after all, a great nation."
"Even if they lost three thousand elite shinobi, their shinobi forces within the country are still not to be taken lightly. If they resist to the death..."
"And..."
"I heard... the Land of Fire captured a full three thousand Kumogakure shinobi this time."
"May I ask Lord Shin, how do you plan to deal with them?"
"To release them, or to..."
As this question was asked, the wild excitement on the faces of the Land of Earth and Land of Wind daimyo also faded somewhat, and they both looked at Shin.
Facing the stares of the three, Shin put down his teacup. His expression became serious and solemn. "The Land of Fire is a kind nation, a civilized nation."
His voice was firm and strong. "We never abuse prisoners..."
"Once the Land of Lightning signs the peace treaty and accepts the rightness of the Monitoring Group, we will naturally allow them to ransom their prisoners back."
His words were righteous and honorable.
Then, his expression changed. He lowered his voice and used a cunning tone. "Of course..."
"This ransom is war payment earned by the blood of our Land of Fire's soldiers..."
"It will not be included in the scope of the Peace Fund and cannot be shared with you all."
After a brief silence, the Land of Earth daimyo burst into laughter. "Hahahaha! Naturally! Naturally! This is what the Land of Fire deserves!"
The Land of Wind and Land of Water daimyo exchanged smiles and agreed. "It should be so, it should be so."
At this moment, the atmosphere in the meeting room gained a hint of understanding and closeness that didn't need words.
"Since the general direction has been decided..." The Land of Wind daimyo, fanning himself, brought the conversation back on track. "Then, the specific matters of the Monitoring Group's deployment should also be discussed."
At these words, the ears of the other two daimyo perked up with interest.
Shin clapped his hands. "Come, bring the map."
Soon, a detailed map of the entire Land of Lightning slowly unfolded on the table.
The gaze of the three daimyo was instantly drawn to the map.
This time, Shin didn't sit and watch. Instead, he actively stood up and walked to the map. "Gentlemen..."
"The Monitoring Group is a four countries' joint army. Orders must be strictly obeyed, and command must be unified. Otherwise, it will be a messy group, easily defeated piece by piece by the Land of Lightning."
"Therefore, we need a unified joint team and a leader to oversee the entire situation!"
At this point, without waiting for the others to react, he continued in a matter-of-fact tone. "The success of this operation relies entirely on the brave efforts of our Land of Fire's soldiers, who captured the Fourth Raikage."
"Whether from the view of military achievements, strength, or moral right, this leader should be from our Land of Fire."
As soon as these words came out, the previously warm atmosphere in the meeting room instantly dropped to freezing point!
The smiles on the faces of the three daimyo froze.
They could see Shin's ambition, but they hadn't expected him to be so direct, not even bothering to hide it!