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In truth, negotiations between shinobi villages are not so different from the "tea talks" of the underworld. Two leaders meet in a quiet location, flanked by their respective lieutenants—left-hand men, right-hand enforcers, and trusted advisors to hold the ground. A neutral mediator shuttles back and forth between the two sides, smoothing out the tension. Inside, the leaders hash out terms, while outside, a mob of subordinates armed with swords, clubs, and bloodshot eyes waits for the verdict.
At the end of the day, everything boils down to one word: reason. If reason prevails, things are straightforward. Apologies are made with bows and kowtows, reparations are handed over without hesitation, and anyone who needs to be surrendered is handed over without resistance. Finally, both sides clink their teacups or sake cups, and bygones become bygones.
But if reason fails? Well, that's even simpler. The two sides gear up for a life-or-death brawl. Whoever can't hold out will bow their head and accept the other's terms—possibly even adding extra concessions. After all, the defeated have no right to boast of their courage.
The location for the negotiations was easily arranged—a massive tent was erected just outside Iwagakure, large enough to accommodate over a hundred people. Provisions were plentiful: tea, canned food, dry rations, and fruit. Even temporary latrines were dug nearby to ensure comfort.
The mediator was none other than Koharu Utatane, one of Konoha's senior advisors. Her rank was just high enough to qualify, and her eloquence was passable.
With preparations complete, the negotiations began.
As soon as the talks opened, Jinghang delivered a heavy blow to Iwagakure by declaring that he would not negotiate with murderers and war criminals. His demand was entirely reasonable—how could the Kazekage, a respectable leader, sit across the table from the instigator of the war? What did they take him for, some kind of gangster?
This, however, put Iwagakure's leadership in a difficult position. After all, who was the war criminal? Naturally, it was none other than the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki. By labeling Ōnoki as a criminal and excluding him from the table, Jinghang effectively sidelined Iwagakure's leader. Without Ōnoki, who would guide Iwagakure's stance? Who would negotiate on their behalf?
Ōnoki was so enraged that he slammed the table and stood up. "Damn it! Let's fight again, then! Since the days of the First Tsuchikage, Ishiwa, Iwagakure has fortified its defenses. Our village is an impenetrable fortress. Even if all fifty thousand of our people perish, your mere eight or nine thousand Sunagakure shinobi won't achieve anything!"
Jinghang couldn't help but laugh. "They say Ōnoki has a head as hard as stone. Seeing it today, I can't argue. Impenetrable fortress? Let me propose a simple solution: I'll dig a trench around Iwagakure, cutting off all supply routes. I'll starve your entire village to death. Let's see you 'perish gloriously'—in your own homes! Oh, and don't worry, Sunagakure's construction department excels at digging trenches. Even if you use Earth Release: Earthquake Core to fill it, we'll just dig it again."
Ōnoki remained unfazed, smirking coldly. "Iwagakure has a long-standing tradition of stockpiling grain. We have enough provisions to last three years. Can you Sunagakure shinobi maintain a siege for that long?"
Jinghang didn't back down. "Of course we can! Our war plans are made on five-year timelines. Fine, no need to negotiate. Go back and start defending your village. I'll start digging trenches tomorrow. For the next three years, I'll dedicate myself to this siege. We'll be neighbors who never meet, and when you're too weak to stand, come find me to talk."
Ōnoki was seething with rage, while Jinghang remained calm and composed. The Iwagakure leadership, on the other hand, was drenched in cold sweat. If these two truly carried out their threats, Iwagakure wouldn't just face "national extinction"—the village would be left in ruins. Hastily, they pulled Ōnoki aside, postponing the talks to the next day.
Under Koharu Utatane's patient persuasion and the unanimous urging of Iwagakure's leadership, Ōnoki reluctantly announced his resignation the next day, stepping down from his position as Tsuchikage.
"Resignation?" Jinghang mused. "It won't be that easy!"
To Jinghang's surprise, the new Tsuchikage wasn't Ōnoki's son, Kitsuchi, nor his disciples, Akatsuchi or Kurotsuchi, but rather someone Jinghang greatly admired: Rōshi, the Four-Tails' jinchūriki.
This appointment was a masterstroke. As the advocate for peace and a jinchūriki of Iwagakure, Rōshi was a figure most factions could accept. Thus, Rōshi became the youngest Kage in history and the only jinchūriki to hold such a position.
Jinghang had once considered recruiting Rōshi, but now that he was the Fourth Tsuchikage, such thoughts were futile. What could Jinghang offer—his own Kazekage hat? Regretfully, Jinghang realized his only option might be to eliminate him in the future.
The formal negotiations began. Jinghang graciously congratulated Rōshi on his new position, expressing hope that under his leadership, the two villages could move past their enmity, build friendships, and embark on a path of cooperation.
Rōshi reciprocated with gratitude, promising to work tirelessly to transform the relationship between Sunagakure and Iwagakure.
The opening was smooth, with both sides amicable—nothing like the tense atmosphere under Ōnoki's leadership.
But when it came to substantive issues, the cordiality evaporated. The two sides transformed into fierce adversaries: one citing precedents and principles, the other standing firm on logic and reason. Jinghang demanded the sky, while Rōshi countered by offering crumbs. On the negotiation table, Rōshi proved to be Jinghang's equal, much to the latter's astonishment.
Sunagakure's demands revolved around four main points:
Severe punishment for war criminals.
A formal apology from Iwagakure for the attack on Sunagakure's construction team, to be communicated to all nations.
Thirty billion ryō in war reparations.
Reduction of Iwagakure's military capabilities.
Jinghang believed these demands were entirely reasonable. Punishing war criminals? That clearly referred to Ōnoki—he started the war. The second demand? After killing people, shouldn't they at least apologize? The third was even more justified—families of the deceased needed compensation, and war expenses had to be reimbursed. Since Iwagakure lost, they had to pay up. As for the fourth demand, while it sounded vague, it was essentially a call to hand over the Five-Tails' jinchūriki.
Was the fourth demand unreasonable? Jinghang had his reasoning. Over the past five years, conflicts had erupted across the ninja world, which was somewhat expected. But Iwagakure's track record was particularly egregious. More than half of these wars were instigated by Iwagakure.
This was evident in the original series: under Ōnoki's leadership, Iwagakure was exceptionally belligerent, rivaling Kumogakure. From annexing the Land of Grass and the Land of Crystals to clashing with Konoha in the Land of Rain and fighting Kumogakure, and now initiating a war with Sunagakure—this was clearly a war-hungry nation. Reducing their military strength was imperative, and the best way to do so was to strip them of a tailed beast.
Ideally, Jinghang would have targeted the Four-Tails, Son Gokū, but with Rōshi now the Tsuchikage, the Five-Tails' jinchūriki, Han, became the next best option.
"Don't misunderstand," Jinghang added. "Sunagakure would never mistreat a child or turn him into a weapon of war. Our village's Master Bunpuku is a devout monk renowned for his teachings. Under his guidance, the boy will grow into a kind and gentle… uh… monk… I mean, young man."
However, Rōshi, the Fourth Tsuchikage, didn't fully agree with Jinghang's proposals.
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