With Kakuzu's assassination interlude concluded, Senju Tobirama continued leading Renye and the others towards the Daimyo's Mansion.
Although Senju Tobirama's bounty in the black market was as high as two hundred million, no one else dared to jump out besides Kakuzu along the way.
Those bounty hunters were indeed very tempted by the two hundred million bounty, but no one dared to act.
There was no need to think; trying would mean death.
Assassinating Senju Tobirama for the bounty was clearly a death wish. They knew whether to choose money or their lives.
Regardless of Senju Tobirama's strength, few dared to touch him simply because of his identity as the Second Hokage.
Even if they miraculously succeeded in the assassination, they would face relentless retaliation from Konoha Village, the kind that wouldn't stop until one side was dead.
No one was willing to be an enemy of the Ninja World's largest Ninja Village.
Unless one was strong enough to single-handedly contend with Konoha, if they truly possessed such strength, they wouldn't even care about such a small bounty.
After some travel, Senju Tobirama arrived in the Land of Lightning's capital with the heavily injured Raikage; they were not far from the Daimyo's Mansion.
Inside the magnificent hall of the Daimyo's Mansion.
The Land of Lightning Daimyo suddenly stood up from his seat and loudly questioned, "Why, why hasn't Senju Tobirama been killed yet?!"
He had offered a bounty of two hundred million Ryo in the black market to kill Senju Tobirama, yet after spending so much money, no one had gone to assassinate him.
Seeing Senju Tobirama getting closer and closer to the Daimyo's Mansion made him furious; he wished he could find someone to kill the opponent right now.
"Increase the bounty! Increase the bounty for me!" He gritted his teeth and growled, a sinister glint in his eyes, "Five hundred million Ryo... Five hundred million Ryo! I refuse to believe no one dares to touch him!"
This money would drive those bounty hunters crazy, and they would continuously attempt to assassinate Senju Tobirama for the money.
As long as there were enough assassins, even if Senju Tobirama was strong, there was still a possibility of him making a mistake.
The retainers knelt on the ground, not daring to breathe.
Just then, a guard rushed in and reported, "Lord Daimyo, the Second Hokage has arrived at the entrance and requests an audience with you."
The hall fell silent.
The retainers cautiously raised their heads, looking at the Daimyo's unpredictable expression, trembling.
Senju Tobirama had come. They hoped Lord Daimyo would not make any impulsive decisions.
The Daimyo's face was extremely grim; that bastard Senju Tobirama had finally arrived. If he entered the hall today, the Daimyo would never be able to hold his head high among other Daimyo.
But there was no choice; he was already at the entrance, and there was no reason to refuse. If he forcefully refused, it would only invite criticism and make the nation's people view him poorly.
Whether he wanted to or not, he had to let Senju Tobirama in.
The Daimyo snorted coldly, flicking his sleeve heavily, "Let them in!"
As the guard pushed open the hall doors, Senju Tobirama led the group slowly into the hall.
Renye followed behind, observing the magnificent appearance of the hall, and couldn't help but feel emotional.
It seemed the Daimyo was even richer than he had imagined. This time, they really needed to extort a good sum.
Unless he paid a billion or two, they wouldn't even think of leaving...
"Hokage, coming from afar, truly graces my humble abode." The Daimyo said with a fake smile, picking up a fan beside him and opening and closing it with a 'snap'.
His words and actions showed the Daimyo's superior air, completely disregarding the people in front of him.
Even though the people standing before him could easily kill him, he did not change his attitude.
Renye frowned. The Land of Lightning Daimyo's attitude was too arrogant. What was this guy's basis for being so fearless?
Could it be that there was a Kage-level expert guarding him?
He activated his Sharingan and scanned the dozens of people in the hall, but he found no powerful individuals. Even the guards around the Daimyo were just ordinary people.
How could such a lineup be so arrogant?!
Senju Tobirama stood in the center of the hall, his face devoid of expression, his red eyes looking directly at the Daimyo.
"Lord Daimyo, I have come this time to discuss post-war reparations. The Land of Lightning has already surrendered to Konoha, a matter I presume you are aware of..."
At these words, the hall fell silent, and the retainers lowered their heads, not daring to speak.
"Reparations?" The Daimyo's face was ashen, and he asked coldly, "How much money does Hokage intend for me to pay?!"
That damned bastard had made him lose all face, and now he wanted reparations?!
"Kumogakure launched a war against Konoha, causing significant losses to the Village." Senju Tobirama paused, then continued, "Kumogakure needs to compensate Konoha one billion Ryo."
Renye nodded in satisfaction upon hearing this. This Old Man thought the same as him.
They should indeed ask for an exorbitant amount, making the Land of Lightning Daimyo pay until he was completely broke.
He even felt that it was too little...
The Land of Lightning Daimyo was wealthy; compensating several billion was no problem at all.
After all, he could spend two hundred million to put a bounty on Senju Tobirama. How could he be short on money?
"One billion?!" The Daimyo's eyes almost popped out, and he immediately retorted, "Hokage's appetite is too big, isn't it? I absolutely cannot pay one billion."
He finally understood why Senju Tobirama had come to the Daimyo's Mansion; it turned out he was treating him as a cash cow.
Although one billion was something he could manage with a bit of effort, he would never use that money for post-war reparations.
Senju Tobirama anticipated the Daimyo's rebuttal and continued to ask, "Then how much money is the Daimyo willing to pay?!"
Negotiation was like this: both sides continuously proposed demands until a consensus was reached.
The Daimyo slowly extended one finger, his expression serious, "I intend to compensate Konoha one hundred million Ryo."
Senju Tobirama frowned. "Lord Daimyo, one hundred million Ryo cannot compensate for the losses Kumogakure caused to Konoha."
"Heh heh." The Daimyo smiled, "I think one hundred million Ryo is just right, after all, Kumogakure also suffered considerable losses in the war..."
"Whoosh!"
Before he finished speaking, a kunai suddenly embedded itself next to his ear, only an inch from his head.
If the thrower had been off by even a little, the Daimyo would have died on the spot.
The Daimyo was so scared he almost fell off his chair, his face no longer composed, replaced by sheer terror.
Almost, he almost died...
He didn't even know who had made the move.
"One hundred million Ryo to send off beggars?" Renye stepped out from the crowd, his crimson Sharingan taking in the Daimyo's terrified expression.
This guy was clearly just a weakling, yet he acted so superior.
It was obvious he hadn't experienced the harsh realities of society. Renye was just going to help him learn a lesson.
Guys like him would behave after a couple of beatings.
That kunai just now was thrown by Renye...
There was no other reason; the money was simply too little, and he was not satisfied.
His psychological expectation was over a billion; how could he accept one hundred million?
Renye looked at the Daimyo and said coldly,
"I'm not satisfied with this price. I'll give you another chance to rephrase your offer."
...
...
PS: If there are typos, please @ me. I've been busy these past two days and will revise tomorrow. *Sobs*...