Only after hearing those words did the heads of Konoha's major clans dare to sit down. Their previously relaxed attitudes vanished completely.
Now, their backs were straight, their expressions solemn, and their gazes sharp as torches as they looked toward Uchiha Ran seated at the head.
Seeing this, Ran spoke calmly, "Alright, stop staring at me. Today, high-level officials from Sunagakure have come to discuss an important matter."
As soon as he said this, everyone turned their attention to the Sand Village delegation.
Ebizo spoke evenly, "Hokage-sama, regarding Sunagakure's previous invasion of Konoha, it was entirely our fault."
"For this mistake, Sunagakure is willing to pay any price—on the sole condition that Hokage-sama returns our Kazekage."
Ran did not respond immediately. Instead, his gaze swept across the room.
"What do you all think?"
Utatane Koharu was the first to speak. "For the sake of peace between Konoha and Sunagakure, I suggest we return the Fourth Kazekage. After all, a Kage is the pillar of a village."
"Sunagakure cannot function without Rasa, just as Konoha cannot function without a Hokage."
She deliberately avoided mentioning Ran by name, clearly still unconvinced of his legitimacy.
Ran's eyes narrowed.
So even after Hiruzen Sarutobi had been removed, this woman still dared to stir trouble. It seemed he had been far too lenient.
Homura Mitokado also stood up. "That's right. Between nations at war, you don't kill envoys—and likewise, you don't detain a Kage."
"Keeping Rasa in Konoha serves no purpose. We might as well return him and show goodwill to Sunagakure. We lose nothing by—"
Before he could finish his sentence, Ran picked up the teacup on the table and hurled it straight at Homura's face.
Bang!
The cup smashed squarely into Homura Mitokado's right cheek. Two blood-stained teeth flew out as his body was sent crashing backward. Those nearby hurriedly stepped aside.
"Return him? Moral coercion?" Ran said coldly. "After all this time, do you really think I'm someone who gives a damn about morality?"
"And you two should think very carefully before speaking again."
"They invaded Konoha. This wasn't a training exercise. Do you really think a verbal apology and a captured Kazekage are enough to settle this?"
Ran was visibly restraining himself from flipping the table.
Nearby, Nara Shikaku coughed lightly, subtly trying to ease the tension.
Homura lay on the floor, clutching his face in agony. The right side of his cheek was badly swollen, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth.
Yet no one stepped forward to help him—not even Utatane Koharu.
Hyūga Hiashi then stood up.
"Hokage-sama, I do not believe we should release Rasa."
"I have heard that this man has absolutely no integrity. It was precisely because he leaked intelligence to Kirigakure that the Scorch Release user Pakura was killed."
"If he treats his own villagers this way, how could he possibly treat enemy villages with restraint?"
"If we let him return, he may very well attack Konoha again the next day."
Hiashi paused, then said firmly, "Therefore, I suggest crippling his Magnet Release before sending him back."
A collective gasp spread through the room.
This was ruthless—utterly ruthless. Crippling Rasa's Bloodline Limit was equivalent to destroying him as a person.
Ran nodded slightly.
Now this was the stance Konoha should take. As for whether there existed a jutsu capable of destroying a Bloodline Limit—that was another matter entirely.
If nothing else, cutting off limbs was always an option. Did they really think everyone had someone like Black Zetsu backing them?
Ebizo frowned deeply.
If Rasa were returned as a cripple, what value would he have left? His Magnet Release was the very reason Sunagakure still needed him.
Ebizo spoke slowly, "Hokage-sama, I believe the Hyūga clan head's proposal is inappropriate."
"Even if Rasa committed grave mistakes, destroying a Bloodline Limit is far too cruel."
He paused briefly, then continued, "That said, Sunagakure under Rasa's leadership did indeed commit a serious crime."
"For this, Sunagakure is willing to pay."
"We offer three hundred million ryō as war reparations and ransom. This is the maximum liquid capital our village can provide."
"I ask Hokage-sama not to push us any further."
His words carried both a plea and a veiled threat.
If Konoha continued to press them, Sunagakure would destabilize. The sand ninja would riot, and border attacks would never cease—something even Ebizo could not control.
If Sunagakure collapsed, the Wind Daimyō would be left defenseless. And since the daimyōs were closely related, the Fire Daimyō would inevitably demand an explanation.
At that point, Konoha would be placed in a passive position.
Ran laughed.
"Ebizo, do you really think these tactics work on me?"
"At worst, I mobilize my forces today and march straight on Sunagakure. How about that?"
"The power of the One-Tail is a burden to you—but to me, it's insignificant."
"Don't even think about using tailed beasts against Konoha. If you do, you'll only discover that they become weapons in Konoha's hands."
As he finished speaking, Ran snapped his fingers.
In the next instant, the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki, Killer B, appeared inside the hall. His expression was blank as he immediately dropped to both knees before Ran.
Ebizo's pupils shrank violently.
The Eight-Tails Jinchūriki… under Uchiha Ran's control?
If Gaara were to fight under these circumstances…
Only now did Ebizo truly understand his position.
Sunagakure was still the weakest among the Five Great Villages, while Konoha was no longer the village ruled by the Third Hokage.
"I—" Ebizo tried to speak, but his throat felt dry and bitter.
At that moment, Baki stepped forward and knelt on one knee.
"Hokage-sama, three hundred million ryō truly is the last of Sunagakure's liquid capital."
"If that is still insufficient, we are willing to sign a contract."
"We will pay one hundred million first, then fifty million every year thereafter. Once the total reaches five hundred million, we will retrieve Lord Rasa."
"What do you think?"
Ran raised an eyebrow, then looked at Baki and smiled faintly.
"You're much more sensible than those old fossils."
"Very well. We'll proceed as you proposed."
He turned his gaze to the others. "Any objections?"
The clan heads shook their heads frantically.
"None at all! Hokage-sama's decision is flawless!"
"Rasa deserves this for the harm he caused!"
"We fully support all of Lord Uchiha Ran's decisions!"
Joking aside—hadn't they all seen that Susanoo slash blot out the sun?
From this day onward, Konoha would dominate the ninja world.
Ebizo clenched his teeth.
This was the most humiliating day of his life.
Thankfully, Chiyo hadn't come—otherwise, she would have been driven to tears by this disgrace.
Taking a deep breath, Ebizo said heavily, "Very well. Then let us sign the agreement."
"I only ask that Hokage-sama treat Rasa properly."
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