The Second Hokage stepped out of Aki's tent, a wry smirk playing on his lips. I'm the Hokage, not a money printing press! Do you really think I can just conjure up that much cash? Back then, your grandfather Madara was constantly helping my brother pay off his gambling debts—you helping Tsunade is just history repeating itself. Hmph! To think you'd use that to threaten me... I'll have to keep an eye on your future mission assignments!
While mentally plotting petty revenges against Aki, Tobirama arrived at the main command center of the Leaf camp. He entered with a powerful, commanding stride and took his seat at the head of the table. Looking at the assembled Leaf Jonin, he commanded, "Bring them in."
Anbu guards led several Sand shinobi into the room. Tobirama fixed his gaze on them. "Are you the envoys here to discuss the peace treaty?"
A young Sand ninja stepped forward, maintaining a calm and composed demeanor. "I am Ebizō, a Jonin of the Hidden Sand. I have come as a vanguard to pay my respects to the Second Hokage. We are not the primary negotiators; our purpose here, aside from greeting you, is to see our Kazekage."
Tobirama stood up and walked over to Ebizō. "You may see him. I look forward to the arrival of your actual negotiators." Without another word, he strode out of the room.
As the Leaf ninja followed their leader out with cold smiles, a Sand ninja beside Ebizō hissed in frustration. "Lord Ebizō, these Leaf ninja are too arrogant! That Second Hokage didn't even look us in the eye. They go too far!"
Ebizō smiled faintly. "I've heard that Tobirama Senju is a hero of this age—upright, blunt, and a hater of evil. Dealing with someone like him is much easier than dealing with those who plot in the shadows. Besides, we aren't of the rank to expect a formal reception from him. Come, let us see the Kazekage."
In the Land of Hot Water, the unique, high-pitched voice of the Second Mizukage echoed outside the Raikage's door. He entered without knocking. "Aha! Lord Raikage, have you considered my proposal? I gave you nearly a week to think it over!"
The Second Raikage looked up, his face a mask of iron. "Your demands are too steep. I cannot agree to them. Change the conditions."
The Mizukage laughed. "The more I look at you, the more you look like a leader. Do all people without eyebrows have 'leader faces'? Wait, come to think of it, I don't have eyebrows either."
The Raikage stared at him, unimpressed. The Mizukage continued, "Think about it, Raikage. Our combined forces already number fourteen thousand. You have eight thousand, and as your ally, I've brought six thousand Mist ninja to assist you. Keyword: assist."
The Raikage grit his teeth. "The coastal islands go to the Mist. But the Tsuchikage must die. Can you assassinate Mu?"
"That bandaged beast should have died by my hand long ago," the Mizukage replied, his tone turning sharp.
"Fine! If you kill the Tsuchikage, I will cede all the offshore islands to the Land of Water."
"It's a deal," the Mizukage said, his playful demeanor vanishing into a cold, lethal seriousness. "Wait for my good news. I'm joining the front lines personally."
After two months of waiting in the Land of Rain, the official Sand negotiation team finally arrived. The discussions were grueling, focusing on reparations and territory.
Konoha's initial demands were staggering:
20% of all ninja missions within the Land of Wind must be outsourced to Konoha.The Land of Wind must pay full war reparations to the Land of Rain for damages caused.A total of 300 million ryo in reparations to the Leaf and Stone, including the ransom for the Kazekage and other captives.The Land of Wind must declare fealty to the Land of Fire and pay an annual tribute.
The Sand negotiators protested vehemently, arguing that they were the ones who suffered the most losses. The two sides spent weeks locked in a diplomatic stalemate.
Inside his medical quarters, the Second Kazekage looked at Ebizō. "How is the negotiation?"
Ebizō detailed the Leaf's conditions. The Kazekage sighed. "Tobirama Senju... he is just like he was years ago. He loves to back his enemies into a corner where they cannot fight back. What do the elders say?"
"They refuse to yield," Ebizō replied. "Especially the 20% mission quota. They are moving to mobilize more troops for a counter-offensive."
The Kazekage laughed self-deprecatingly. "You are wrong. The Sand won't go to war again. The elders are only worried about their own profits now. They aren't looking for a victory; they are looking for a scapegoat to sign these shameful terms. And that scapegoat will be me."
After a long silence, the Kazekage spoke again. "Tell the elders my counter-offer:
First: Konoha must return the One-Tailed Shukaku.Second: We will pay tribute, but all territory we currently occupy remains ours.Third: Total reparations are capped at 200 million ryo.Fourth: The Land of Rain must open its dams so the Land of Wind can utilize their water resources for non-military use."
Days later, Tobirama finally lost his patience. He kicked open the doors to the conference room, followed by an Anbu carrying the sealing jar containing the One-Tail.
"I have no more patience for this bickering," Tobirama declared, slamming the jar onto the table. "Here is my final offer: 10% mission quota in the Land of Wind. 80 million to the Stone, 120 million to the Leaf, and 30 million to the Rain. We return the One-Tail, and you get access to the Rain's water resources. This is the floor. There is no more room for talk."
A Sand elder stood up. "Lord Hokage, this is not according to protocol—"
Tobirama's killing intent flared so violently the temperature in the room seemed to drop. "I am not here to discuss protocol. I am here to give you a choice: sign the treaty, or we resume the war right now."
The elders trembled in silence. Then, the doors opened once more.
"We agree. I will sign," said the Second Kazekage, supported by Ebizō. He looked at Tobirama. "I am still the leader of the Sand. I have the right to decide. Give me the brush."
Tobirama watched him coldly. "At least you have some spine left. Let's end this triviality."
The documents were signed. The one-year and seven-month conflict in the Land of Rain was officially over. On the surface, the massive battles between the Sand, Stone, and Leaf had ceased, but the scars of the First Great Ninja War were only beginning to deepen across the rest of the world.