Chapter 233: Signing the Agreement
"Since the leasing proposal has been accepted," Ragnar said calmly, "the details can be discussed among the three of you."
He leaned back slightly in his chair.
"Finalize everything before the armistice agreement is signed."
Then he added casually,
"If you can't reach a decision… you don't have to leave."
The words were spoken lightly.
But the meaning behind them was anything but light.
Hatake Sakumo had originally asked Ragnar to preside over the discussion regarding the leasing arrangement.
Ragnar, however, had no interest in wasting time on endless political bargaining.
So he simply threw the responsibility back to the three parties directly involved.
Hanzo.
The Tsuchikage.
The Kazekage.
The Third Kazekage immediately frowned.
"What do you mean we don't have to leave?" he asked sharply.
"Does Konoha intend to detain us here?"
Ragnar shook his head.
"This has nothing to do with Konoha."
He smiled faintly.
"I, Rakshasa, would simply like to keep you here for tea."
The Kazekage's face twitched with anger.
"You—!"
He had never been treated with so little respect in his entire life.
But before the argument could escalate, Onoki spoke.
"That's enough, Kazekage."
The Tsuchikage rubbed his forehead tiredly.
"Let's discuss the leasing terms with Hanzo."
Among everyone present, Onoki had already realized something important.
Provoking Ragnar further would accomplish nothing.
The young Rakshasa was unpredictable.
He had no reverence for titles, no fear of authority, and no hesitation in threatening even the leaders of great villages.
In Ragnar's eyes, a Kage was simply another opponent.
Someone like that was either a friend—or a disaster.
For now, Onoki had no intention of making him an enemy.
The Kazekage also understood this.
With a cold snort, he sat back down.
Soon, the representatives of the Rain, Wind, and Earth nations began discussing the details of the lease.
Meanwhile, Konoha's side relaxed slightly.
Their role was now simply to witness the agreement and sign the armistice once the terms were finalized.
Jiraiya immediately turned toward Ragnar and raised a thumb.
"Yechen, that was brilliant."
"Leasing land… I never would've thought of something like that."
Orochimaru smiled faintly.
"Rakshasa-kun truly is remarkable."
"To solve such a complicated diplomatic deadlock with a single idea…"
He shook his head slightly.
"This strategy alone could be recorded in the history of the ninja world."
Tsunade crossed her arms proudly.
"Of course it's impressive."
"After all, whose brother do you think he is?"
Ragnar remained completely unfazed by the praise.
He simply nodded once.
Hatake Sakumo watched him with approval.
"Rakshasa," he said.
"When we return to Konoha, I will personally report your contribution to the Hokage."
Ragnar shook his head.
"This was your negotiation, Captain."
"The credit belongs to you."
Sakumo's smile widened.
Calm.
Humble.
Powerful.
Ragnar truly possessed the qualities of a future pillar of the village.
Tsunade glanced at Jiraiya teasingly.
"See?"
"If it were you, you'd already be bragging."
Orochimaru chuckled.
"That's true."
"Jiraiya would have declared himself the savior of the ninja world by now."
Jiraiya immediately pretended not to hear them.
Silence was the best defense.
On the other side of the table, the negotiations between Hanzo, Onoki, and the Kazekage were becoming increasingly heated.
The topic had shifted to rent.
"Two hundred thousand per year is too expensive," Onoki said flatly.
The Kazekage nodded quickly.
"And why is Sunagakure's rent fifty thousand higher than Iwagakure's?"
Hanzo answered calmly.
"The northern territory of the Rain Country is larger than the southern territory."
"That alone justifies the difference."
He folded his hands.
"And the price is already fair according to the international standards of the Five Great Nations."
"If the land is cultivated properly, the agricultural profit alone will exceed two hundred thousand easily."
The Kazekage and Onoki exchanged glances.
Both knew Hanzo was telling the truth.
Still, bargaining was part of the process.
"Lower the price," Onoki said.
"One hundred fifty thousand."
"That way we all remain good friends."
The Kazekage added quickly,
"The Land of Wind can also provide… international assistance."
Hanzo shook his head.
"Impossible."
"Land is extremely precious to the Rain Country."
"As two of the Five Great Nations, you cannot afford such a small amount?"
Onoki's tone became colder.
"No room for negotiation?"
The air thickened again.
The pressure between the two Kage rose rapidly.
Hanzo, however, remained completely unmoved.
The so-called "Demigod of the Shinobi World" did not fear intimidation.
Watching this stalemate, Ragnar finally frowned.
"You two are really arguing over two hundred thousand?" he said lazily.
"That's practically the price of cabbage."
"Do you have any idea how valuable farmland is?"
Onoki stared at him speechlessly.
Hanzo, however, immediately nodded.
"Rakshasa-sama is correct."
The Kazekage and Tsuchikage exchanged another glance.
Their silent communication was quick.
Fine.
Agree now.
Pay later.
Once the agreement was signed, who could force them to pay immediately?
Hanzo certainly couldn't march into their villages demanding rent.
Finally, both leaders nodded.
"Fine."
"We agree."
Hanzo looked surprised.
The acceptance had come suspiciously easily.
But he could not identify the problem.
Ragnar, however, had already sensed something.
His Observation Haki caught the faint malice in their thoughts.
He glanced at them calmly.
Then he turned to Hanzo.
"If the Land of Earth or the Land of Wind fails to pay rent," Ragnar said casually,
"you can always poison the land they're farming."
Hanzo's eyes lit up instantly.
"I understand."
He bowed slightly.
"Thank you for the reminder, Rakshasa-sama."
Across the table, both Kage froze.
Poison?
If Hanzo contaminated the farmland after crops had grown…
An entire year of agricultural production would be destroyed instantly.
That was essentially forcing them to pay.
Onoki and the Kazekage both cursed silently.
This Rakshasa…
Despite his young age, his thinking was terrifyingly vicious.
"Enough talking," Ragnar said impatiently.
"Sign the agreement."
The Tsuchikage and Kazekage both sighed.
The situation had been completely decided.
Originally, they believed Ragnar was nothing more than a reckless warrior.
Now they understood.
That assumption had been a catastrophic mistake.
End of Chapter
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