The issue of war compensation had always fallen under the authority of Konoha's two elders.
In the past, negotiations of this scale were usually handled by the Hokage's aides, and this ti was no different.
The Hidden Cloud had suffered a crushing defeat. Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado were brimming with confidence about the upcoming talks.
They were already imagining how they would present the outco to the villagers afterward—how the elders had secured honor and glory for Konoha.
After all, who didn't want a good reputation? Even elders of their standing were no exception.
"Hmm…"
After a brief mont of thought, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, did not object.
"But the one coming this ti is the Third Raikage himself. I'll go as well."
If another Kage personally arrived and he failed to greet them, it would be disrespectful.
Koharu and Homura nodded and followed him out.
The two elders had envisioned the eting going smoothly.
Reality was completely different.
"What the hell are you supposed to be? Get lost!"
"You—!"
Hiruzen remained an observer for now. The actual negotiation had been left to Koharu and Homura.
But the mont the Third Raikage laid eyes on them, he jabbed a finger in their direction and barked the insult without hesitation.
They had never been treated like this before.
Just as they were about to retort, they t the Raikage's murderous glare.
"I said get lost. You two useless old fools think you're qualified to negotiate with ?"
Behind the Third Raikage stood A, Killer B, and Yugito Nii. He hadn't even brought formal advisors. Unrestrained and blunt, he clearly didn't care about the identities of the people in front of him.
"We are Konoha's elders!" Koharu snapped, her face dark with anger.
Since becoming elders, when had they ever endured such humiliation? The shinobi of the Hidden Cloud were truly as reckless as rumors claid. Seeing it firsthand made them regret coming.
"Elders?" the Third Raikage muttered, puzzled. He glanced at A. "Do we have sothing like that in our village?"
A frowned, thinking for a mont. "Technically… yes. But it's basically aningless."
With the Raikage's iron-fisted style of leadership, the title of elder carried little weight in the Hidden Cloud. No one expected a village built on brute strength to bow to ceremonial authority.
"I see," the Third Raikage said flatly. "So you're just decorative ornants."
"You—!"
Koharu and Homura shot to their feet, trembling with rage. Before they could speak, the Raikage stood as well. Lightning chakra crackled around his body as he glared at them.
"What? You want to fight? Co on. If you've got the guts, try and kill !"
A, Killer B, and Yugito stepped forward in silent support. The ssage was unmistakable—if the elders pushed this any further, violence would erupt instantly.
"…This is outrageous!"
The two elders were furious, but under the suffocating pressure of killing intent, they swallowed their words. Simply put, they were afraid of being beaten.
Seeing the standoff escalate, Hiruzen finally intervened.
"Ahem. Everyone from the Hidden Cloud—weren't you here to negotiate? The war is over. There's no need for more fighting now."
The Third Raikage snorted.
"It wasn't Konoha that defeated us. It was the Golden Lion."
The shinobi of the Hidden Cloud were fierce, but they respected strength. Shiki had beaten them fairly. That alone earned their acknowledgnt.
"I'll only negotiate with him."
His gaze swept over Hiruzen and the others, his indifference obvious.
"Shiki is just one of Konoha's jōnin. We are the—" Homura began.
"Shut up."
The Raikage didn't even let him finish.
Homura nearly exploded with anger, but under Hiruzen's firm look, both elders reluctantly withdrew.
"Go summon Shiki," Hiruzen ordered an ANBU operative the mont they stepped outside.
No matter how frustrating the situation was, negotiations like this couldn't be treated lightly. Personal grievances would have to wait.
He turned to Koharu and Homura. "We'll discuss your matter after the Hidden Cloud delegation leaves."
They clearly weren't happy, but they could only endure it for now.
"Hmph."
The two elders snorted in unison and fell silent.
--
Nearly ten minutes later, Shiki arrived.
With his hands clasped behind his back, he strolled in casually. Noticing the dark expressions on Koharu and Homura's faces, a faint smile tugged at his lips.
"Well, if it isn't Konoha's honored elders," he said lightly. "Looks like soone got chewed out."
"You—!"
They burned with anger. Being insulted by the Hidden Cloud was one thing—being mocked by Shiki right after was unbearable.
But Shiki was far more dangerous than the Raikage's entourage. Neither elder dared to say another word.
Hiruzen sighed inwardly. His longti companions were notorious for bullying the weak while fearing the strong. Watching them now was… exhausting.
"Enough, Shiki," the Third Hokage said. "The Hidden Cloud representatives are waiting. I'll leave the negotiations to you."
Though he wasn't entirely pleased with Shiki either, there was no denying they needed him right now.
"Sure."
Shiki shrugged. He'd been training peacefully at ho when he heard the Hidden Cloud had arrived and specifically requested to see him. His curiosity was piqued.
Under the watchful eyes of the Hokage and the elders, Shiki walked into the conference room.
Behind him, one of the elders muttered under their breath,
"Hmph. He'll get yelled at too."
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