บท 38: Chapter 38 : Negotiations
"Alright, young clan head, what conditions do you propose?" Third Mizukage inquired.
"You see, despite our losses, the Mist Shinobi still have many able fighters among our ranks," Third Mizukage stated while gazing at Kazuhiko.
Indeed, despite the devastating power of the explosion and Kazuhiko's "Yata no Kagami," most of the casualties among the Mist Shinobi were Chūnins and Genins.
Although Jōnin suffered significant losses, there remained a substantial fighting force on the outskirts of the battlefield. Many Mist Shinobi on the shoreline, who had been on high alert, were now merely wounded and ready to return to battle.
Kazuhiko recognized that this explosion had inflicted significant harm on the Mist Shinobi. Originally, they believed that capturing the Land of the Whirlpools would be easy. However, they now realized that even if they succeeded, the cost would be steep.
Furthermore, not only had they suffered heavy losses, but it appeared that the Land of the Whirlpools had suffered minimal damage. They were oblivious to the other trump cards possessed by the Whirlpools Ninjas.
Most importantly, Kazuhiko wanted them to comprehend that their victory over the Mist Shinobi was not mere luck. It was the might of the Land of the Whirlpools, which boasted its own Kage-level powerhouse.
Kazuhiko aimed to make this message clear so that other nations would approach the Land of the Whirlpools with caution in the future.
He wanted these individuals to understand this directly and contemplated whether he could gain something valuable, such as a tailed beast from them.
Though impossible at the moment, perhaps they could keep Mizukage here as part of an exchange. After all, the Mist Shinobi possessed two tailed beasts, Mizukage, and numerous injured Shinobi. Trading one tailed beast in return didn't seem excessive.
This idea flashed through Kazuhiko's mind in an instant. The primary goal now was to secure the Third Mizukage without direct confrontation.
So he said, "Third Mizukage, you must understand that this war has caused significant damage to the Uzumaki clan. Every Uzumaki's heart has been wounded."
Third Mizukage and the others couldn't help but be exasperated by the first sentence. Clearly, they had suffered; they weren't even aware of the injuries inflicted on their adversaries.
"Our hard-earned homes have been destroyed!"
"It was just a desolate forest!"
"People have been forcibly displaced!"
"They've left on their own; we haven't gone that far!"
"The war has inflicted great harm on them, and you can't fathom their panic and despair!"
"We've endured panic and despair from the explosion, and you're unaware…"
"We've lost a significant amount of resources in this war, resources meant for building ninja academy and homes!"
"Did you use them all on explosive charms?"
"So, we demand compensation!"
"I want you to repay us!"
Third Mizukage and the others didn't know how to respond at this point.
Third Mizukage realized that continuing the fight would result in even greater losses.
Even if they won, the price would be unbearable. Returning to Kirigakure, he, as the Third Mizukage and the commander-in-chief, would face unimaginable consequences.
This time, the Land of the Whirlpools had demonstrated that they were not weak or deceitful; they were not a nation to be underestimated.
Moreover, they had been strategically led, no longer blindly charging forward but using their strengths and strategies effectively.
Recognizing this, Third Mizukage glanced at Kazuhiko, realizing that it was he who had orchestrated this success.
Kazuhiko shook his head, "No, no, we don't seek financial compensation."
"Then what do you want?" Third Mizukage asked with a frown.
"We want a tailed beast! Your tailed beast!" Kazuhiko fixed his sharp gaze on Third Mizukage and spoke deliberately.
"What? Impossible! We might as well fight again!" Third Mizukage immediately rejected the idea, refusing to give up a tailed beast to these wounded Kirin.
The Uzumaki, including their clan head, looked at Kazuhiko in astonishment. They knew the young clan head would make bold demands, but this was beyond their expectations.
"No, no, don't rush to reject. We have other conditions," Kazuhiko continued.
"The seven of your swordsmen infiltrated our country earlier, but we've eliminated them."
"What? Jūzō Biwa and others, they're all dead!" These words stunned Third Mizukage and the others. The seven swordsmen were famous in Kirigakure, and they were considered formidable foes.
Everyone gazed at Kazuhiko in amazement, finding it hard to believe.
"They may be gone, but you likely want their weapons back," Third Mizukage responded, implying that this was not enough.
Kazuhiko understood what he meant. "Furthermore, didn't you come here to obtain the tailed beast sealing technique? We can provide that as well."
After all, they had already given it to Konoha. If it could benefit them, it could benefit Kirigakure too.
Kazuhiko also thought that they could trade this sealing technique with Iwagakure, Cloud Shinobi Village, and Sunagakure. Other nations might desire it as well.
"You all want this sealing technique, don't you? You can exchange resources with us. After all, other countries possess them, and you can't afford to be without it."
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