Chapter 179: Konoha Village's Sinners
"His body has recovered, but his mental state hasn't been good." Zetsu's gaze toward Yasushi was somewhat strange, clearly guessing Yasushi planned some mischief, but he showed no intention of stopping it.
A Obito branded with the Caged Bird curse seal would be easier to control.
"Obito's been constantly asking me to help him find Nohara Rin and rescue her."
"But I've been stalling him."
"When do you plan to brand him with the Caged Bird curse seal?"
"No rush. After I finish dealing with the Five Kage Summit, then it'll be his turn to play. Hehe..."
Just thinking about upcoming games made Yasushi bloom with joy, laughing until his little tongue stuck out.
"Fine, play however you want." Zetsu shrugged, his body sinking into the ground. "The Five Kage Summit location is still the Land of Iron, hosted by samurai leader Mifune."
"The Land of Iron again?" Yasushi's eyes turned cold.
"Tch, this so-called neutral nation really loves meddling. Likes sticking its nose into everything."
"Meddlers don't live long!"
Seeing Yasushi's very displeased expression, White Zetsu smiled cheerfully:
"Actually there's inside information here."
"It's not the Land of Iron people meddling—it's the Land of Fire's daimyo who initiated peace talks."
"I can guarantee—if you see those treaty contents, you'll definitely be very interested."
"Oh? What contents?"
White Zetsu pulled out a scroll, unrolling it to extract a pile of treaty copies.
"You can even obtain these things?"
"Daimyo palaces' defenses are far worse than shinobi villages. Very easy."
Yasushi flipped through briefly, immediately bursting into loud laughter.
"Haha!"
"Excellent!"
"These treaty contents are absolutely wonderful!"
"I can't wait to see Itachi's facial expression when he learns about this!"
Land of Iron, Five Kage Summit location.
Sarutobi Hiruzen wore his Kage robes, smoking a pipe while seated at the round table. Behind him stood Jiraiya on the left and Uchiha Itachi on the right.
Around the table, the other four Kage also took their seats. Even previously captured Rasa had been released, sitting in the Kazekage position with two unfamiliar shinobi protecting him behind.
The Raikage's arms crossed before his chest, sitting brazenly with a dark scowling face—very displeased.
According to his thinking—negotiate what?!
Hidden Cloud Village was full of war fanatics. Finally encountering Konoha Village's weakness, they should seize the opportunity to destroy Konoha Village. Then the entire Land of Fire could be plundered however they wanted.
After digesting the Land of Fire, Onoki would probably be buried too. Then launch another war destroying the Land of Earth, avenging his deceased father.
The Land of Earth wouldn't have anyone capable of stopping them.
But the daimyo demanded peace talks. He had no choice but to reluctantly come.
As neutral nation host, Mifune sat centrally, looking left and right before speaking solemnly:
"Since the Fourth War's outbreak, these years of continuous war have severely damaged all nations' strength. Citizens especially suffered war's bitterness, desperately yearning for peace's arrival."
"Proposed by the Land of Fire's daimyo, after consultation the daimyo reached consensus. Here we reach agreement—the Five Nations sign peace treaties, completely ending war."
"This summit concerns specific treaty clause discussions. I have a drafted treaty sample. If any Kage has objections to treaty contents, please raise them for everyone's discussion."
After speaking, he clapped. Subordinates immediately presented treaty copies on trays, distributing them to the Five Kage for review.
Looking at the treaty names: "Konoha-Kumo Treaty," "Konoha-Iwa Treaty," "Konoha-Kiri Treaty," and "Konoha-Suna Treaty."
After reading, the Raikage frowned.
"Why split into so many copies? Each shinobi village's treaty is different?"
Speaking, he grabbed the "Konoha-Kumo Treaty" before him, unrolling it. Immediately his eyebrows raised with laughter.
"Haha, we Hidden Cloud have no objections to such a treaty. Just wondering if Konoha's willing."
After Onoki and Yagura reviewed their respective treaties, their brows also relaxed—clearly very satisfied internally.
Only Rasa's complexion looked terrible. But he raised no objections, obviously also acceptable.
Only Sarutobi Hiruzen sat there steadily, smoking pipe after pipe, not reaching for those treaties at all.
"Hehe, looks like Hokage-sama is definitely dissatisfied with treaty contents?" Onoki spoke sarcastically.
"No, I have no objections." Sarutobi Hiruzen replied expressionlessly.
"What?" Now the other Kage were shocked. These treaty contents were clearly extremely harsh—only fools would agree!
Could Sarutobi Hiruzen be planning to renege?
Jiraiya was also confused by his teacher's approach. Seeing the Third remove his pipe, place it on the table, reach for a pen to sign the treaty—he hastily snatched up the treaty first.
One glance made him explode with rage. Slamming the treaty on the table, he shouted loudly:
"This is impossible!"
"Mifune-sama, how did you draft this treaty?"
"This is too unfair!"
"Konoha absolutely won't sign this treaty!"
Itachi's heart jumped. He also hastily grabbed a treaty copy, seeing densely written clauses covering it.
Simply summarized in four words—territorial cession and reparations!
He hastily put down that treaty, grabbing another. Discovering the contents were largely similar—differences only in land and reparation amounts.
Itachi also panicked greatly, throwing down the treaty and urgently pleading:
"Hokage-sama, we cannot sign this treaty!"
"Once signed, we become Konoha Village's sinners!"
"Exactly, teacher! Even if all our village shinobi die in battle, we absolutely cannot sign such humiliating treaties!"
Facing Jiraiya and Itachi's agitated emotions, Sarutobi Hiruzen waved his hand, speaking quietly:
"This treaty wasn't drafted by the Land of Iron people—it was decided by the five daimyo."
"Only with the five daimyo reaching consensus could the Four Great Villages be forced to simultaneously agree to ceasefire and sign peace treaties."
"The real negotiations already concluded between daimyo. Treaty contents are finalized without room for changes. I'm only responsible for signing."
"What?!" Now everyone was shocked—including the other four nations' people.