Xin casually glanced back at her, giving her a reassuring nod. Relax. I've got this.
Since Tsunade didn't know how to start the negotiations, and Shikaku wasn't confident enough to speak up, Xin figured he might as well handle it.
Negotiations? Easy.
If Hanzō didn't like it, Xin could always go back to blowing up the village until he submitted. No problem.
Tsunade gave a weak smile. This feels like a disaster waiting to happen, but I guess I have no choice but to trust him at this point.
While Xin might think the Hokage's terms were fair, there was no telling how Hanzō would react. As Hanzo read through the agreement, his brow furrowed, and he finally looked up, directing his gaze straight at Xin. He didn't even glance at Tsunade-clearly, he saw Xin as the only one worthy of negotiating with him.
As for Shikaku? Hanzo didn't even acknowledge his presence. Who's this kid, anyway? "Is there something you don't agree with?" Xin asked, noticing Hanzō's hesitation.
"This part needs to be revised," Hanzō said, pointing to the section of the contract labeling the Rain Village as the 'defeated party.' He ignored Xin's earlier jabs, focusing instead on the document.
"While it's true the Rain Village acknowledges the war is over, we are not defeated in the strictest sense," Hanzo explained.
He glanced at Tsunade briefly before continuing, "The daimyo invested a lot of money into the village to strengthen it. If we accept the label of being 'defeated,' it will cause problems with the daimyo, who won't be pleased with the outcome. If that happens, the Rain Village's recovery will be even more difficult."
If the daimyo felt insulted, there was no way he'd keep funding the Rain Village. They weren't like Konoha, which could survive even if the daimyo tightened the purse strings. For the Rain Village, losing the daimyo's support would be disastrous.
"So, what are you suggesting?" Xin asked, shifting into a more serious tone.
Even though negotiating wasn't his strong suit, basic communication wasn't beyond him. Hanzō clasped his hands together and leaned forward slightly. "I suggest we frame this as a mutual agreement to end the war, with both villages agreeing that further losses were unacceptable. And the Sand Village would be blamed for instigating the conflict."
He paused before continuing, "The Sand Village was the one who sparked the fighting. They provoked both sides. That way, both our reputations are preserved, and the daimyo will be satisfied. What do you think?"
Technically, the Rain Village hadn't been the one to start the war. The Sand Village had stirred the pot. Hanzo had already shared this intelligence with Konoha. Blaming the Sand Village would solve a lot of problems.
It would be a win-win situation for both the Rain Village and Konoha. Otherwise, the Rain Village would suffer under the label of a defeated nation, and Konoha's reputation as a peacekeeper would take a hit for being seen as the aggressor.