Kapitel 117: 117. Negotiation's
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The following day, a memorial ceremony was held in front of the Memorial Monument.
The two advisors who were mutilated, Koharu and Mito, along with nearly 20 heroes who died protecting Konoha during the conflict, were honoured.
Even the Third Hokage, who had not yet recovered from his injuries, was brought to the ceremony by Biwako in a wheelchair. Beside him stood an elderly, stout man.
Akimichi Torifu, like Danzo and others, had been one of the six members of the original squad led by the Second Hokage.
Unlike his teammates, who continued to hold high-ranking positions, Torifu retired early and spent his days at home, enjoying a peaceful life of food and drink.
When he heard the tragic news about his three old friends, Torifu made the trip to bid them a final farewell.
Standing next to the Third Hokage, Torifu looked at Minato, Tsunade, and Jiraiya by the Memorial Monument, then glanced at the accomplished Konoha ninjas like Asuma, Kakashi, and Gai among the crowd, as well as the younger generation, Naruto and Sasuke.
He patted the Third Hokage on the shoulder and said emotionally, "Hiruzen, our time has passed…"
"Yes," Hiruzen replied. "Tobirama-sensei once taught me to become Hokage and to foster those who would lead the next era. Now, not only has the next generation risen, but even the generation after them has begun to flourish."
Torifu sighed. "If only Danzo had understood that, things might have been different today. It's such a pity about Koharu and Homura."
Hiruzen fell silent. The betrayal of Danzo, his once-close friend, had deeply affected him. He now understood why Jiraiya had wandered the world after Orochimaru's defection.
Minato then addressed the crowd, recounting the heroic deeds of the fallen. As a shinobi, many details were necessarily kept confidential.
After the speech, everyone offered white flowers as a sign of respect. The families of the deceased wept quietly, proud yet deeply saddened by their loss.
Minato ensured that the families of the fallen received the appropriate pensions. Orphaned children were sent to the orphanage, with monthly support until they were grown.
Nonō Yakushi and Kabuto, who managed the orphanage, gladly accepted these children. With Kabuto's recent earnings and bonuses, the orphanage's funds were more than sufficient.
As Hokage, Minato was dedicated to his duty, though some grief could only be healed by time.
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A few days later, messengers from Otogakure and Sunagakure arrived in Konoha for negotiations.
Otogakure had little room to manoeuvre. Having been weak from the beginning, and with Orochimaru having risked and lost most of their elite forces, they were now deeply wounded.
Without Konoha's forgiveness, alliance, and protection, they risked being overtaken by neighbouring nations.
Smaller nations, eager to capitalize on Konoha's strength, might attack, thinking, "They dared to offend Konoha and now they want to run?"
Otogakure, in a display of humility, offered reasonable compensation for Konoha's losses and promised to assist in eliminating Orochimaru's remaining forces.
They also requested the release of their captured shinobi, excluding Orochimaru's most loyal followers.
Konoha, appreciating Otogakure's sincere attitude, did not press them further. Otogakure, though small and fragile, remained under Konoha's protection.
The situation with Sunagakure was different. As one of the five major Hidden Villages, they expected to negotiate from a stronger position than Otogakure.
The leader of Sunagakure's delegation was Granny Chiyo, who had long since retired. She spent her days fishing and playfully feigning death with her brother, Ebizō.
Nevertheless, with their Kazekage dead and their leadership in disarray, Sunagakure had no choice but to call her back.
Their Kazekage had died mysteriously, his remains found later in the desert Orochimaru had, as usual, failed to bury him properly.
There had once been a hero, Pakura, but rumour had it that she had been killed through Rasa's schemes.
Then there was Yashamaru, Gaara's uncle, a promising shinobi, but he, too, had fallen victim to Rasa's manipulations.
As for Baki, he felt too ashamed to lead, especially after one of his prisoners had been returned by Konoha with nothing more than a letter.
In the end, the leadership of Sunagakure had no choice but to send Granny Chiyo.
From a distance, Naruto observed the Sunagakure delegation. He was eager to try out his new transformation technique on Chiyo, hoping to give Jiraiya a good laugh.
Negotiations with Sunagakure were tense. They began by adopting a tough stance, hoping to pay less or nothing at all and perhaps even gain some advantage.
Based on Chiyo's long experience, Konoha's foreign policy had historically been lenient.
In the First Hokage's era, one could attack Konoha and beg for forgiveness, and as long as Uchiha Madara wasn't involved, Hashirama might not only forgive but even offer help.
In the Second Hokage's era, Konoha's stance became slightly more assertive.
However, Tobirama still adhered to his brother's philosophy of peace. As long as mistakes were admitted, the consequences wouldn't be too severe.
During the Third Hokage's time, Sunagakure thrived by exploiting Konoha's generosity. When they ran out of funds, they would attack Konoha, and even in defeat, they could often negotiate favourable terms.
However, under the Fourth Hokage, Minato, Chiyo's plan for a tough stance quickly fell apart.
Minato, despite his calm and friendly demeanour, was unyielding. Sunagakure had harmed Konoha, and they would have to pay the price.
With Minato, Tsunade, and Jiraiya sitting across from her, Chiyo realized that no amount of toughness could work.
Any one of these formidable shinobi could defeat the entire Sunagakure delegation.
As Chiyo left the conference room, she observed Konoha's bustling streets and sighed. Times had indeed changed.
Konoha, under Minato's leadership, was stronger than ever. What would become of Sunagakure?
Reflecting on Sunagakure's self-serving leadership, Chiyo felt a wave of despair. Their leadership was starting to resemble Konoha's old, divided council.
She shook her head. Perhaps it was time to leave the future of the village to the next Kazekage. But once again, a headache loomed there seemed to be no suitable candidates left.
The final alliance treaty was dictated entirely by Konoha. Though Sunagakure remained one of the five great nations in name, it was clear that from now on, they would be dependent on Konoha in every way.
Chiyo left the negotiations thinking she would likely be viewed as a failure in Sunagakure upon her return.
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