The Daimyo hadn't expected Renye to threaten him with war, and his expression kept changing.
He wasn't very clear about the specific situation of the Hidden Cloud Village; he had only heard the Second Raikage mention it once, that the casualties were very heavy, and they had lost the possibility of fighting, which was why they chose to surrender.
If Konoha launched a war, Kumogakure might not really be able to resist.
At that time, it wouldn't be as simple as just paying money.
If the Land of Lightning were conquered, he, as the Daimyo, would definitely not have a good end.
Although he and the Daimyo of other countries knew each other, they were still in a competitive relationship. Everyone wished they could tear a piece of flesh from other Daimyo.
After all, who would think they had too much money?
He had originally agreed to the First Raikage's attack on the Land of Fire because he wanted to unite with other Daimyo to carve up the Land of Fire's resources.
Mutual backstabbing between countries was simply too common in the Ninja World.
Senju Tobirama's eyelids twitched wildly. This kid actually dared to say that if they didn't agree, he would start a war. He, as the Hokage, hadn't even made such a statement.
He felt that this kid was becoming more and more like Uchiha Madara when dealing with enemies.
What he said wasn't a discussion, but an order.
If they didn't agree, he would resort to extreme measures.
But Senju Tobirama had no intention of stopping him. He stared at the Daimyo's grim face and said in a deep voice:
"I hope Lord Daimyo does not make a wrong decision, lest the country suffer an unprovoked disaster."
Originally, his expected compensation was 500 million Ryo, because the Land of Wind, also a defeated nation, had offered 300 million Ryo in compensation.
The Land of Lightning's resources were richer than the Land of Wind's, so it was normal to pay an extra 200 million.
But with this kid assisting, Senju Tobirama felt it was fine to ask for more.
He secretly looked at Renye in front of him, his eyes full of admiration.
This kid's performance was truly beyond his expectations.
...
"Lord Daimyo, you don't want your country to fall into war because of some money, do you?"
Renye's words were very serious, implying that if they didn't agree, he would truly start a war.
In reality, he wasn't joking, but expressing his inner thoughts.
Since the Land of Fire was the victorious nation, there was no need to be submissive.
If the Land of Lightning could launch a war against Konoha, they could also launch a war in return. Kumogakure's current situation was simply no match for Konoha.
He believed that when Konoha's army stepped into the Land of Lightning, the Daimyo would be very willing to hand over all his savings.
Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others looked at Renye's back, and a feeling of admiration arose in their hearts.
Renye was truly amazing; unlike them, who had been standing there for a long time, they couldn't even interject a single word.
Danzo Shimura's face showed longing, and he firmly remembered this domineering declaration. When he became Hokage in the future, he would also show such a powerful aura.
Sure enough, Renye truly surpassed him.
Thinking of this, Danzo sighed helplessly.
Although he was unwilling to admit it, Renye was indeed more suitable to be Hokage than him.
...
The two of them acting in concert infuriated the Daimyo. He clenched his fists tightly, wishing he could find someone to kill the few people in front of him right now.
Where did that guy, the Second Raikage, run off to? Why hadn't he seen him for so long?
He felt that if the Raikage were here, they would never be so arrogant. Facing Kumogakure's large army, whether they could even leave the Land of Lightning would be another matter.
It was just a pity that the Raikage was now missing, leaving him, the Daimyo, isolated and helpless.
Facing this group of Ninja who would start a war at the slightest disagreement made him feel a huge headache.
At first, it was fine. He first offered 100 million Ryo as compensation to test Senju Tobirama's bottom line, and then both sides would pull back and forth, eventually paying Konoha with the smallest possible cost.
As soon as the plan began, this kid didn't play by the rules, coercing and enticing him with a series of actions, demanding an exorbitant compensation right away, putting him on the spot.
He was well aware of Konoha's goal: nothing more than to increase the amount of compensation.
Such a move had clearly succeeded.
Now, all he could do was try to lower the compensation amount.
The Daimyo looked at the red-eyed boy with humiliation, slowly extended a finger, and said, "The Land of Lightning cannot produce 3 billion Ryo. I can at most compensate your country 1 billion Ryo."
1 billion Ryo was not a small sum, and even for the Daimyo, it was very painful to take out.
This money would be fine for eating, drinking, playing, and building palaces, but for war compensation, it seemed very extravagant.
If the situation hadn't forbidden it, he wouldn't even want to compensate.
The defeat of the Land of Lightning was already difficult enough, and now they had to pay a large sum of money. What was this if not making things even more difficult?!
1 billion was already his greatest sincerity.
Senju Tobirama's mouth curved into an arc, then quickly subsided.
This kid's set of coercion and enticement had doubled the Village's compensation.
The more he looked at Renye, the more satisfied he became. This kid was a good prospect!
With this kid around, the Village would definitely develop better.
Strong, unafraid of powerful authority, and daring to fight for the Village's interests, he was indeed the best candidate for Hokage.
...
"1 billion Ryo?" Renye frowned, clearly not very satisfied.
Seeing this, the Daimyo immediately said, "This money is the greatest sincerity I can offer."
1 billion Ryo was the limit; he would never take out more money!
Renye kept observing the Daimyo's expression and knew that he wasn't lying; 1 billion was indeed the maximum he could bear.
But he didn't give up easily. Don't forget, the Daimyo still had leverage in his hands.
"Lord Daimyo, a few days ago, someone offered 200 million Ryo for the Hokage's head. After in-depth investigation..."
Renye ignored the Daimyo's gradually paling face and continued, "The person who issued the bounty came from the Land of Lightning."
"Tsk tsk, the Land of Lightning is really rich. Someone is willing to spend a lot of money to assassinate the Hokage." Renye's scarlet Sharingan stared directly at the Daimyo. "You agree, don't you, Lord Daimyo?"
His words implied that he already knew the truth.
Meeting Renye's cold gaze, the Daimyo's body trembled uncontrollably, and he subconsciously wiped the cold sweat from his face.
"I've been busy with political affairs; I truly don't know about this matter. How about this... give me some time, and I will definitely help you investigate the mastermind."
"Lord Daimyo, the actions of certain people in your Land of Lightning have caused a serious threat to the Hokage's life safety..."
Renye said, "How about you compensate us on behalf of the mastermind, and this matter ends here? What do you think?"
He was actively giving the Daimyo a way out. He couldn't really kill the Daimyo or start a war, could he?
His goal was just to get more compensation for the Village...
"Young man, you're right; this matter indeed requires compensation!" The Daimyo didn't hesitate at all. "I will personally contribute 200 million Ryo to compensate the Hokage for the mastermind's losses..."
Renye nodded in satisfaction, his Three-Tomoe Sharingan slowly receding from his eyes.
Getting 1.2 billion in compensation was already very good.
"Thank you, Lord Daimyo, for your generosity."
Senju Tobirama nodded slightly. This kid knew how to be flexible and when to advance or retreat.
Becoming Hokage in the future would definitely allow the Village to develop even better!
He hadn't even become Hokage yet, and he had already brought a huge amount of compensation to the Village.
Truly the best candidate for Hokage!
...
Seeing that Renye had no further demands, the Daimyo couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
His gaze towards Renye was full of malice.
Compared to killing Senju Tobirama, he now wanted this kid dead even more!
Renye was in a good mood after achieving his goal and didn't care about the Daimyo's resentful gaze, even smiling.
Daimyo: "..."