Hokage Building.
The former office of the Third Hokage, now Tsunade's office.
After Tsunade's Hokage inauguration ceremony ended.
The few people who had been on the rooftop earlier all came to Tsunade's office.
And already waiting inside the office were several others.
Nara Shikaku, Yamanaka Inoichi, Akimichi Choza, Hyuga Hiashi, and others, elite jonin of Konoha or clan heads.
It could be said that most of Konoha's current power-holding upper echelon was gathered here.
Yagyu had a somewhat strange expression on his face:
"I feel like a little lamb that wandered into a pack of wolves!"
If strength were not taken into account.
Among a group of elite jonin and elders, Yagyu, who still held the rank of genin, really did look like a small fry.
Of course.
If others knew what Yagyu was thinking, they would definitely tell him:
No, no, at most they were huskies, while Yagyu was the real wolf in sheep's clothing!
Returning to the main topic.
"Uncle Inoichi!"
After entering the office, Yagyu very consciously stood beside Yamanaka Inoichi, looking like he was just accompanying him.
Glancing at Yagyu, Inoichi said softly:
"Sosuke, if you want to say anything later, just say it. You don't need to worry about your ninja rank, understood?"
His expression turned slightly strange.
But after hearing Inoichi's reminder, Yagyu still nodded, agreeing to it.
"It seems that coming here this time should be for something important."
Racking his brain through his memories, Yagyu could not recall any major event happening during this period.
But thinking about it carefully.
It was still very possible.
After all, the anime was centered on Naruto as the main character, so it was normal that important village matters during this time were not shown.
While Yagyu was thinking.
Sitting in her seat, Tsunade wore the Hokage hat, her hands crossed and resting on the desk.
After sweeping a sharp gaze over everyone present, she said:
"Everyone is here, so let's begin the discussion! Regarding the aftermath of the recent war where Sunagakure and Otogakure invaded Konoha, how should it be handled?"
Hearing Tsunade's words.
Yagyu suddenly understood.
Sunagakure had surrendered.
This was something Yagyu already knew.
But between major nations, interests were at stake. After Konoha had suffered such losses, it was impossible for things to end with just a simple surrender.
Especially now that Tsunade had just taken office.
Sunagakure would definitely have to pay a heavy price.
As soon as Tsunade finished speaking, the elite jonin in the office began speaking one after another, proposing compensation demands.
Individually, each demand might seem small, but once combined, it became a massive sum.
By the end, after Shizune compiled everything.
The compensation Konoha demanded had already reached a staggering amount.
At the very least, it was more than ten times the losses Konoha had suffered in the war.
After everyone had put forward their demands.
Tsunade spoke again, seemingly casually:
"Since the resources we want Sunagakure to compensate have already been determined, the next step is to prepare for negotiations with Sunagakure. Do you have any ideas? Or rather, is there any method to ensure that we can obtain all of these materials in full?"
Hearing Tsunade's words.
Everyone present frowned, thinking of possible solutions.
Aside from Nara Shikaku, who seemed thoughtful, the others all wore expressions of deep consideration.
This kind of matter was inherently difficult to handle.
And this time, what Konoha was demanding was truly too much.
"Tsunade, you're not seriously planning to ask for this much, are you?"
After a long silence, Koharu Utatane, seated among the elders, suddenly spoke:
"You should know that this is impossible!"
Hearing this.
Tsunade raised her eyebrows, her expression turning serious:
"Why is it impossible? Right now, Sunagakure has surrendered to Konoha. They are the losing side! This amount is completely within their ability to pay. So why is it impossible?"
At this moment.
Everyone's gaze sharpened, and no one spoke.
It had begun.
The real show had arrived.
The confrontation between the elders and the Hokage.
Tsunade's ascension to Hokage had been too rushed.
Although her reputation was sufficient, her long absence from the village meant that her foundation within Konoha was not strong enough.
Originally, there was no need for so many people to attend this meeting.
But because Tsunade wanted to truly take hold of the authority that belonged to the Hokage, she required everyone to be present.
Simply put.
Tsunade wanted everyone to take a clear stance.
She wanted real Hokage authority.
"So this is the world of adults?"
Looking at everyone's reactions in the office, Yagyu complained inwardly:
"Tch… it may be a bit dirty, but this is reality."
Those who are truly hot-blooded.
Are often just young genin.
No matter how firm a ninja's beliefs and ninja way are, no matter how loudly they shout their ideals.
Once politics is involved, there will always be entangled interests and unavoidable complications.
Yagyu did not like this kind of scene, but he simply listened quietly.
"The compensation is far too much!"
Koharu Utatane frowned and said:
"That was due to Orochimaru's manipulation. It was Orochimaru who killed the Fourth Kazekage, which led to everything that followed! If we press too hard, it may trigger another ninja war. What will we do then?"
As soon as Koharu finished speaking.
Homura Mitokado added:
"Konoha is not in a position to fight another ninja war right now. You should understand that, Tsunade…"
Crack.
A cold smile appeared on Tsunade's face:
"So according to the two advisors, we should just let it go like this?"
After thinking for a moment.
Homura Mitokado spoke again:
"It's not about letting it go, but rather recovering Konoha's losses to an appropriate extent is enough. If we push too hard, what if another ninja war breaks out? You should understand how cruel war is!"
Bang.
Tsunade slammed her hand heavily onto the table, her expression turning unpleasant:
"What a joke! Before Sunagakure launched the invasion, they should have already considered the consequences of all this! Advisors, you don't actually think they decided to attack Konoha at the last minute, do you?"
Anyone with a brain knew that was absolutely impossible.
If the Fourth Kazekage had not cooperated with Orochimaru in advance, that would be impossible.
Watching Tsunade argue with the two foolish elders, Yagyu kept shaking his head inwardly.
For many years, the Third Hokage's policy of constant compromise and pursuit of stability had already caused these older-generation fools to lose their drive to advance.
That was why Yagyu believed that the Third Hokage stepping down and Tsunade becoming Hokage was a better outcome.
If Yagyu had saved the Third Hokage and the old man was still in power now, after that war.
With Yagyu having killed so many elite shinobi from Sunagakure, it was very possible that their condition for surrender would have been Yagyu's head.
And for the sake of stability and maintaining peace with Sunagakure.
The Third Hokage might actually have agreed.
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