The Second Raikage was waiting for the Hidden Leaf Emissary Group in his office when a Ninja came to report—
“Konoha’s Poison Expert attacked a child from the village on the street.”
Upon hearing the news, he immediately left his office.
Along the way, he couldn't understand why the Poison Expert would attack a child from the village?!
Logically, Konoha Ninja shouldn't be so deranged.
As Konoha Ninja, the head of the Five Great Nations, they should at least have some professional integrity, right?
Moreover, the Hokage was with the emissary group. Even if the Poison Expert lacked cultivation and was a cold-blooded demon, he wouldn't attack on the street, especially not a child!
Something must have happened…
Not long after the Raikage left the Raikage Building, he met the approaching Hidden Leaf Emissary Group.
“Raikage, we have arrived,” Senju Tobirama said.
The Raikage nodded slightly, his gaze fixed on Renye, lost in thought.
This kid doesn't look like someone who would attack a child, does he?
Renye noticed the Raikage's gaze and immediately understood what he was thinking.
He unhappily spoke first, “Your Excellency Raikage, can you explain your village’s slander against me?”
From the faint conversations of the villagers earlier, he roughly understood the whole story.
It turned out that the Cloud Ninja who had returned from the battlefield were discussing his performance on the battlefield…
From Konoha's Poison Expert being incredibly skilled with poison, killing Shadow-level Experts like Ginkaku and Kinkaku.
At first, it was normal, but as it spread, it became distorted.
Konoha's Poison Expert could silently poison people, and wherever he went, countless people would be poisoned and die miserably.
Everyone who had seen him died without exception, even Shadow-level Experts were no exception…
This was still good. Some even spread rumors that Renye was bloodthirsty, not sparing even the elderly, weak, women, or children.
His reputation in Hidden Cloud Village was completely ruined, becoming synonymous with a demon, even evolving into the childhood nightmare of countless children.
Renye then understood why these villagers looked like they had seen a ghost when they saw him.
So, someone had spread such an outrageous rumor.
After clarifying the situation, he truly didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Rumors were indeed the most terrifying thing in the world…
Although he didn't care how others viewed him, if he could eliminate negative influences, he would.
Reputation was still very important!
He hoped that in the future, when people mentioned him, they would think of Konoha's genius poison maker, not a demon who didn't spare the elderly, weak, women, or children.
After learning the truth of the matter, the Second Raikage didn't know what to say and could only scratch his head awkwardly.
“I'm sorry, I caused you trouble.”
He hadn't expected the discussions of the Cloud Ninja to turn into such a version.
Seeing the Raikage apologize proactively, Renye didn't pursue the matter further.
“I hope the Raikage can help me clarify this when the time comes.”
“No problem!” The Raikage lightly patted his bandaged chest, promising.
He had been severely wounded by Senju Tobirama before, and after treatment by medical Ninja, he hadn't fully recovered yet.
“Renye, Hidden Cloud Village has increased your influence, isn't that a good thing?” Hiruzen Sarutobi said happily.
Renye gave him an unamused look, “You can have such a good thing.”
He wasn't interested in such a notorious reputation.
“Alright, alright.” Hiruzen Sarutobi gave an awkward smile.
“Hokage, please follow me.” The Raikage led Senju Tobirama and the others to the Raikage Building.
…
Inside the Raikage's office, several Cloud Ninja stood silently around. As Renye stepped into the office, he unconsciously tightened his grip on his Tachi's hilt.
This Raikage guy wouldn't follow Ginkaku and Kinkaku's example, would he?
Renye's expression turned grim, and he instantly activated his Sharingan, three black tomoe slowly appearing in his crimson pupils.
If anything went wrong, he would immediately strike, killing all these guys in the shortest possible time.
“I have no ill intentions.” The Second Raikage noticed his movement and raised his hand to signal.
This was just a normal part of the surrender ceremony, requiring Ninja to witness it.
These Cloud Ninja belonged to the logistics department and engaged in clerical work; they were mostly Genin and couldn't harm the Hidden Leaf Emissary Group…
“Renye, don't be nervous.” Senju Tobirama stood in the middle, his voice calm, “The current Kumogakure cannot stop us.”
Kumogakure now had few high-level combatants left; if they wanted to leave, no one could stop them.
Moreover, the Raikage was still seriously injured.
Cold sweat beaded on the Raikage's forehead upon hearing this, and he handed over the document: “These are the terms drafted earlier, please review them.”
Senju Tobirama had already discussed the specific terms with the Second Raikage on their way to the Land of Lightning.
Senju Tobirama took the document and read it carefully. Renye's gaze followed, falling onto the document.
【1. War Reparations.】
The Land of Lightning Daimyo's Mansion must pay war reparations to the Land of Fire.
And transfer three strategic locations in the northern part of the Land of Hot Water to Konoha's jurisdiction.
【2. Military Restrictions.】
Hidden Cloud Village shall not launch any military actions against the Land of Fire for ten years.
Cloud Ninja shall not perform missions within fifty kilometers of the Land of Fire's border.
【3. Ninjutsu and Intelligence Transfer.】
Hidden Cloud Village must hand over several Ninjutsu, including “Lightning Release: Black Panther” and “Lightning Release Chakra Mode.”
Hidden Cloud Village must recall all spies lurking in the Land of Fire and shall not dispatch spies for ten years.
【4. Political Constraints.】
The Land of Lightning shall not form military alliances with other countries. High-ranking officials of Hidden Cloud Village visiting other countries must report to Konoha in advance.
【5. Penalty for Breach of Contract.】
If the Land of Lightning violates any term, Konoha has the right to unilaterally restart the war and make them pay the deserved price.
…
Renye felt that such an agreement was completely useless. As long as one was strong enough, they could arbitrarily tear up an agreement; it was just a formality.
The binding force of the agreement was not on paper, but on whether Konoha could always maintain the power to make Kumogakure fear it.
Agreements signed in the Ninja World were the most useless things, only providing temporary peace.
As long as Konoha weakened or Kumogakure's strength increased, the first thing Kumogakure would do was tear up that piece of scrap paper and restart the war.
Unless the Land of Fire always remained ahead of the Land of Lightning, war would break out sooner or later.
Moreover, it wasn't just the Land of Lightning coveting the Land of Fire; there were other countries as well…
To compete for limited resources, war would never disappear.
It had been this way since ancient times and was simply unavoidable.
The only useful parts of this treaty were the compensation and the Ninjutsu scrolls.
As for recalling all spies?
It was obvious that Hidden Cloud Village wouldn't comply.
…
Senju Tobirama finished reading and found no issues, then signed his name on it.
Seeing this, the Raikage followed suit and signed his name.
The Land of Fire and the Land of Lightning reached a ten-year truce agreement!
Before leaving, Senju Tobirama said to the Raikage, “Raikage, I hope you don't forget the contents above…”
“You cannot afford the cost of breaching the contract!”
…
…
PS: Preparing for a book test (which means I can change the book title). The author is terrible at naming, so I'm soliciting titles online (up to 15 characters including punctuation). Ideally, it should be in the format “Naruto: XXXX Type” and be an attractive name. Waaah…