Chapter 63 The Statute of Limitations has Expired
The negotiation location was set in the core area of the capital, where Hanzo Salamander lived.
This demigod even specially cleared out a large room similar to a conference room, placed a circle of tables, and arranged it to look very much like the scene of the Five Kage Summit in the original work.
Only this time there are no Five Kage, only three parties, Hanzo, Akatsuki, and finally the Tsuchikage Ōnoki and his two men.
I don't know if it was to appear formal or to put pressure on him, but Ōnoki wore his Tsuchikage cloak and hat today.
As soon as he entered the door, he took off the bamboo hat with the word "earth" written on it and placed it on the table.
Shiba Kiyokawa noticed that when Salamander Hanzo looked at the hat, his eyes became noticeably darker.
It seems that demigod is no exception, he also aspires to the status of Five Kage.
Once upon a time, perhaps Hanzo of the Salamander also dreamed of leading the Rain Ninjas to become one of the five greatest ninja villages?
It's a pity that all those ideals were buried in the last Ninja World War.
Today, Salamander Hanzo is just a middle-aged man in his twilight years. His face cannot be seen due to the respirator, and only a deep voice can be heard.
"We are all gathered here today to resolve some previous misunderstandings. I hope you can give me some face."
Hanzo of the Salamander attempts to activate the power of the Face Fruit.
It's a pity that Oonoki didn't appreciate it very much. He didn't even give him a glance. As soon as he came in, he stared at Shiba Kiyokawa with murderous eyes.
"Where is Huangtu? Why didn't he come? Where did you take him?" Oonoki asked viciously, biting his cheek.
Shiba Qinghe smiled calmly.
"Don't worry, Lord Tsuchikage, your son is safe. If all goes well, you will be able to see him this afternoon, whole and alive. I promise."
This is actually a threat.
Because Shiba Kiyokawa only said what would happen if "everything goes well", and what would happen otherwise, Oonoki could completely experience it for himself.
But even though Ōnoki's face turned red with anger after being threatened in this way, he still forced himself to endure it and did not lose his temper.
Then Ōnoki asked in a stern voice, "What do you want? Tell me, you little Rain Ninja brat!"
This made Hanzo, the Salamander, who was already frowning because of being ignored, narrow his eyes even more.
He didn't understand why the development of things made him increasingly confused?
He originally thought that he would be the protagonist of today's negotiations. By activating the Face Fruit, he not only protected the young people of the Akatsuki organization, but also made Ohnoki retreat.
But unexpectedly, looking back now, I seem a little redundant?
Salamander Hanzo didn't know what had happened outside in the past few days.
But ever since Ohnoki was called away by his own ninja last time, he felt that things were gradually becoming wrong!
At first, Salamander Hanzo was very happy, thinking that his own cub had brought honor to him, and he fought back fiercely against the arrogant old man Onoki.
But now, he gradually felt that the development of events was beyond his control!
These kids from the Akatsuki organization are not just fighting for face, they are doing too well, so well that they no longer need their protection!
Afterwards, Salamander Hanzo watched coldly and witnessed with his own eyes the verbal sparring between Shiba Kiyokawa and Ōnoki, and neither of them was at a disadvantage!
Ōnoki didn't dare to tell Hanzo of his plan to ambush the Third Raikage in front of him, so he could only beat around the bush and test him in a roundabout way.
But all his words were blocked by Shiba Qinghe without any leaks!
In the end, even Hanzo could see clearly that the initiative in the negotiations had been firmly grasped by the teenage boy Shiba Kiyokawa.
At first, Salamander Hanzo did feel a moment of joy and relief, thinking that his cub had made a rare achievement.
But later on, this joy gradually turned into silence, then into loss and worry, and finally all turned into deeper and deeper fear!
Hanzo the Salamander in the original work has such a personality.
It was only in the second half of last year that Shiba Kiyokawa, who came through time, delayed the process by sending one flattering letter after another.
But when the Akatsuki organization really began to come into its own and began to show strength far beyond that of its protectors, this day finally came.
After a round of negotiations, Shiba Kiyokawa defeated Ohnoki and not only got Iwagakure's promise to withdraw from the Rain Country, but also blackmailed the Tsuchikage. However, when he accidentally turned his head after the great victory and inadvertently met the eyes of Hanzo, the excitement and joy in his heart were suddenly suppressed.
With just one glance, Shiba Kiyokawa realized that Salamander Hanzo was beginning to be afraid of them!
After all, the one opposite is the Tsuchikage!
He is one of the five most honorable people in the entire ninja world!
However, they independently forced the other party to surrender without relying on the protection provided by Hanzo of the Salamander.
At that moment, Shiba Qinghe suddenly realized that all the efforts he had made last year had finally expired.
From today on, no matter how much flattery or praise you give, it will probably be of no use.
Akatsuki's own growth has become the biggest obstacle to their reconciliation with Salamander Hanzo!
This realization calmed him down instantly.
The slight bit of arrogance and complacency that came from persuading the Tsuchikage suddenly disappeared.
This damn fate, I really don't even have a moment to relax...
At this moment, realizing that he couldn't win with words, Ohnoki finally gave in.
"I can agree to your conditions, and I hope you can keep your promise!"
This sentence is a pun.
On the surface, it sounds like it's asking the Akatsuki organization to keep its promise and release the people quickly, but this is meant for Hanzo of the Salamander to hear.
But the actual meaning is tacitly understood by both parties.
It seems that Ōnoki still does not intend to give up his plan to ambush the Third Raikage.
The old man's obsession with the Raikage is really deep. He would rather suffer more losses than buy the Akatsuki organization to keep silent.
If it were a few seconds ago, Shiba Kiyokawa would have felt relieved after getting this result.
But now, he just nodded calmly and warned solemnly: "Okay, then I hope that Iwagakure will not interfere in the affairs of our Rain Country again!"
Oonoki snorted in dissatisfaction.
But this time, Shiba Qinghe was uncharacteristically tough, "I need you to make a promise, Lord Tsuchikage, you must make a promise! Right now, immediately, you must!"
Ohnoki then reluctantly said, "I promise: I will never get involved in the mess of your Rain Country again. Is that okay?"
At this moment, Ohnoki would not understand why all this was necessary.
But all Shiba Kiyokawa wanted was to deepen his impression!
What’s important is that even if he hears of big news breaking out in the Rain Country in the future, Ohnoki will involuntarily think of today, and his extremely tough attitude and eyes as sharp as a knife at this moment!
By then, I believe Onoki will naturally understand and make the right choice.
After the negotiations, in order to take Oonoki's feelings into consideration and to prolong the duration of this Ninja World War, Shiba Kiyokawa gave the other party a piece of information for free.
"Lord Tsuchikage, you are now attacking Konoha via the supply line of the Land of Grass, right?"
Ohnoki looked at him warily, "What do you want to say, kid?"
Shiba Kiyokawa just smiled calmly, "Don't be nervous, we said at the beginning that Akatsuki has no intention of being your enemy.
I just want to remind you that a single supply line is vulnerable to enemy targeting, especially since the enemy now has a highly mobile target that you cannot handle at all."
After saying this, regardless of Oonoki's livid expression, Shiba Kiyokawa turned and left.
I have already started planning how to add fuel to this grand Ninja War!
(End of this chapter)
