Chapter 231: The Price of Peace
The atmosphere inside the negotiation tent turned icy.
The tension was so thick that even the sound of breathing seemed loud.
No one dared speak carelessly.
Ragnar sat calmly, slowly rubbing his fingers along the handle of the Yama Demonic Sword. His expression was relaxed, almost indifferent.
But to Onoki, that casual gesture carried a completely different meaning.
Arrogant.
Domineering.
Dangerous.
It was the kind of presence that forced others to stay cautious whether they wanted to or not.
This was supposed to be a negotiation.
Yet with Ragnar sitting there, it felt more like judgment.
Onoki clenched his teeth but forced himself to remain calm.
He had lived long enough to understand something important.
The one truly in charge of Konoha's delegation was not Ragnar.
It was Hatake Sakumo.
Whether Ragnar's behavior was genuine or merely a deliberate performance meant to pressure the other side, the final decision would still come from the White Fang.
And Sakumo was not a reckless young man.
Across the table, the Third Kazekage was far less composed.
His anger was obvious.
Ragnar's attitude made it feel as if the Kazekage himself meant nothing.
Finally, Onoki spoke again.
"Hatake Sakumo," he said calmly, "our Iwa forces cannot possibly agree to Rakshasa's demands."
"But you are the one representing Konoha."
He leaned forward slightly.
"Tell us what you truly think."
"If Konoha allows the division of Rain territory, the Land of Fire will gain the friendship of both the Land of Earth and the Land of Wind."
"For the sake of a small country like Rain, would Konoha really choose an unwise path?"
Hatake Sakumo frowned slightly.
The problem had been pushed back onto him exactly as Onoki intended.
Ragnar's earlier statements had served their purpose—shaking the confidence of the two Kage and breaking their arrogance.
But those conditions were never meant to be implemented literally.
At that moment, Hanzo spoke.
"Lord Tsuchikage," he said calmly.
"Rain may be a small country, but if we fight to the end, we can still inflict serious losses."
Onoki laughed coldly.
"Hanzo."
"The ninja world calls you a demigod."
"Do you really believe you're a god?"
Hanzo's eyes sharpened.
"Dealing with a half-crippled old man like you is more than enough."
The tension rose instantly.
Onoki's expression darkened.
"Is that so?"
"Then I would like to see the power of this so-called demigod."
The air filled with killing intent.
Hatake Sakumo raised his hand immediately.
"Enough."
"We are here to discuss peace, not to start another war."
His voice cut through the room, restoring a fragile calm.
Hanzo nodded slightly.
"White Fang is correct."
"Rain has already agreed to align with the Land of Fire."
"But our sovereignty cannot be violated."
He looked directly at the two Kage.
"Both of your nations lost this war."
"You have no right to strip Rain of its land or freedom."
Sakumo spoke calmly.
"Konoha will not betray its allies."
Hanzo inclined his head slightly.
"I believe the White Fang's words."
Then Sakumo turned back to the other side.
"Tsuchikage. Kazekage."
"Is there truly no room for compromise regarding the division of Rain territory?"
The two leaders answered almost simultaneously.
"No."
Their voices were firm.
The atmosphere inside the tent grew heavier.
Sakumo glanced toward the Sannin.
"What do the three of you think?"
Jiraiya shrugged.
"I don't have any deep political opinions."
"But the demands from the Tsuchikage and Kazekage are pretty shameless."
Onoki glared at him.
"Boy."
"Who are you calling shameless?"
Jiraiya immediately shrank back.
The killing intent of a Kage was not something a young shinobi could ignore easily.
But Tsunade stepped forward without hesitation.
"If the shoe fits," she said coldly.
"You invaded another country, lost the war, and now demand compensation."
"That's bandit behavior."
Orochimaru smiled faintly.
"As a defeated party, such demands do seem somewhat… unreasonable."
Hatake Sakumo spread his hands slightly.
"You see."
"That is the general attitude of Konoha."
The Third Kazekage snorted.
"Then there is nothing left to discuss."
His voice carried growing hostility.
Sakumo's gaze shifted toward Ragnar.
"Rakshasa," he said calmly.
"What do you think?"
"How can we convince all four sides to sign a peace agreement?"
Ragnar stood up slowly.
"Since they refuse to agree," he said calmly, "they are conveniently already in our territory."
He drove the Yama Demonic Sword into the ground.
The earth cracked slightly beneath the blade.
"Why not keep them here permanently?"
The Kazekage's expression changed immediately.
"Rakshasa!"
"We are here for negotiation, not combat."
"And I am the Kazekage of Sunagakure. Do you think you can simply detain me?"
Ragnar shrugged slightly.
"That's true."
"But if I cut you down with one strike…"
He smiled faintly.
"You probably wouldn't have time to fight back."
The Kazekage fell silent.
The sheer confidence in Ragnar's tone made it impossible to dismiss as a joke.
Onoki quickly intervened.
"Rakshasa," he said calmly.
"Political negotiations are not battles."
"If you can persuade us logically, we will gladly sign a cooperation agreement."
"But if the agreement relies only on threats and violence…"
"Even if we sign today, how long do you think that peace will last?"
Ragnar looked at him for a moment.
Then he nodded.
"That makes sense."
His gaze sharpened slightly.
"Tell me something."
"Your Land of Earth already controls vast territory."
"Why are you so obsessed with a small piece of Rain's land?"
Onoki answered honestly.
"The Land of Earth is large, yes."
"But seventy percent of our country is mountains."
"There are very few plains suitable for farming."
"Our agricultural production ranks near the bottom among the five great nations."
He gestured slightly.
"The Rain Country is small, but it is mostly flat land."
"If we controlled it, we could turn it into a major agricultural region."
The Third Kazekage spoke as well.
"Our situation is similar."
"The Land of Wind is covered in desert."
"Growing food is extremely difficult."
"Most of our supplies must be imported."
He looked toward Sakumo.
"The Land of Fire is different."
"You have vast plains, forests, and fertile hills."
"Your agricultural reserves are unmatched."
"That is why your country has always been the strongest."
"For us, land suitable for food production is priceless."
Hatake Sakumo nodded slowly.
"So the issue is resources."
He considered the matter for a moment before speaking.
"As a gesture of goodwill toward future allies…"
"The Land of Fire can sell food to both of your countries at discounted prices."
But the Kazekage shook his head.
"That does not solve the problem."
"If our food supply depends entirely on imports from the Land of Fire…"
"Then the initiative always remains in your hands."
His voice grew more serious.
"What happens if one day you stop exporting food?"
"Our nations would fall into chaos overnight."
The room fell silent again.
Because everyone present understood something clearly.
The problem they were discussing was no longer just territory.
It was survival.
And survival was never a matter anyone could compromise easily.
End of Chapter 231
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