Naruto: Wooing Tsunade from Day One!-Chapter 355: Taking It All 2
Chapter 355 - 355: Taking It All 2
"No, no, you're mistaken if you think that."
"We in Sunagakure have always been upfront and sincere with our allies. Who knows? We might even need Akatsukigakure's help in the future."
Yoshino stood up in a hurry, and if his mouth had moved any faster, he would have blurted out that they must take the money, even if they didn't want it.
"I'm really touched by what you're saying, Yoshino," Yahiko said, suppressing a smile and pretending to be moved.
"I can feel the sincerity of your village. But this is indeed not a small amount of money, and Sunagakure has not been wealthy since the Second Shinobi World War. How can we care only about our own village?"
Nagato, looking as if he were considering Sunagakure's interests, wore the expression of a traitor. Yet, his act failed to earn even a shred of gratitude from Yoshino.
How did someone like this become a veteran? Yoshino thought. If this happened in Sunagakure, I'm afraid they'd be left with no head after being fed to the scorpions.
"Well, this, alas..." Yahiko sighed, appearing deeply conflicted. His indecisive demeanor made Yoshino itch to bite him. He really is a hothead with no sense of responsibility. How can he possibly command respect?
"Lord Yahiko, the alliance will do more good than harm," Konan interjected.
"Suna has come with sincerity, and I don't think we should make Lord Kazekage feel slighted. As for assistance, just a token amount will do."
Konan's words, though spoken with apparent conviction, were entirely against her conscience. She simply hoped for as much money as possible.
"Yes, Lord Akatsukikage. An alliance is definitely something that will benefit both of us," Yoshino chimed in, thinking at last there was another sensible voice in the room—completely unaware he was being led by the nose.
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"That's not a good idea," Nagato muttered, his tone all too familiar to Yoshino.
"Nagato, stop talking," Yahiko interrupted sharply. "Since Sunagakure is so sincere, I will enter into this alliance even without any assistance."
Yahiko's decisive response finally brought satisfaction to Yoshino.
"Lord Akatsukikage, you are wise," Yoshino replied quickly. "After I return to the village and report to Lord Kazekage, someone will come back to discuss the follow-up matters."
"That's easy to say. I understand the need for confidentiality," Yahiko said, wearing an ambiguous smile that made him seem just a bit foolish.
"I wonder how much funding your village can provide?" Kakuzu finally spoke, breaking his silence for the first time.
"Didn't I just say that we can do without assistance?"
Yahiko's smile immediately vanished, the kind of expression one might expect when being publicly contradicted by a subordinate.
"Lord Akatsukikage, there is no need to be angry," Yoshino interjected, attempting to pacify Yahiko, who was visibly unsettled now that the mission seemed to have concluded. "This lord is also straightforward. How could Sunagakure not assist its allies?"
"I'm sorry to have made you laugh, Yoshino," Yahiko said, forcing a smile and maintaining a deferential tone. "Kakuzu is from a small place and is a bit greedy."
"No, no, Lord Kakuzu's concern is genuine," Yoshino replied, though he was secretly on edge. He had heard of Kakuzu's reputation before and never imagined he would encounter such a ruthless figure in Akatsukigakure. This was definitely something he would report to Lord Kazekage as soon as he returned.
"So, how much aid is your Sunagakure actually prepared to offer?" Kakuzu asked nonchalantly, disregarding Yahiko's attempt to smooth things over.
"I dare not say how much, but 100 million would be no problem," Yoshino answered confidently, knowing that amount fell within the upper limit set by Lord Kazekage.
"I thought you guys were rich," Kakuzu sneered, his disdain evident. "Konoha's handouts are even bigger than yours."
"Kakuzu, what are you even talking about? If you're not fully awake, go back to bed!" Yahiko's initial shock quickly gave way to anger, his sudden change in expression making him the unexpected center of attention.
"Has Akatsukigakure contacted Konoha?" Yoshino's face darkened instantly, the mention of Konoha stirring deep unease. For Sunagakure, Konoha represented a lingering nightmare, having nearly destroyed them in the past.
"No, absolutely not," Yahiko quickly denied. Yet, his insistence seemed weak and unconvincing in the face of Yoshino's growing suspicion.
"Of course, you wouldn't know. I was the one who reached out to them," Kakuzu said coolly. "Konoha's offering 500 million—a massive difference."
"No! An alliance with Konoha is like asking a tiger for its skin," Yahiko declared firmly. "Even if it were one billion, I still wouldn't agree."
Yahiko's decisive tone deeply moved Yoshino, who felt he had underestimated the Akatsukikage's resolve.
"Lord Akatsukikage is right. Konoha is the strongest of the five ninja villages. Frankly, an alliance between Akatsukigakure and Konoha would reduce Akatsukigakure to little more than a subordinate," Yoshino admitted, reluctantly siding with Yahiko.
"Subordinates are worth 500 million," Kakuzu remarked coldly. "So isn't your Sunagakure being a bit insincere?"
"Kakuzu, stop!" Yahiko snapped, his authority cutting through the tension. "No more contact with Konoha. I call the shots in Akatsukigakure."
Yahiko's firm handling of the situation reassured Yoshino, leaving him with a newfound confidence in the Akatsukikage's leadership.
"Lord Akatsukikage, you are also very sincere," Yoshino said. "Our Sunagakure really can't afford 500 million. But I will definitely report back to Lord Kazekage and do my best to help Akatsukigakure. Is that acceptable?"
Yoshino understood how much Rasa feared Konoha. Even if it meant exceeding the 200 million upper limit, he was determined to stabilize relations with Akatsukigakure and prevent any alliance with Konoha.
"No problem, don't worry," Yahiko replied, his voice filled with assurance. "I am the Kage of Akatsukigakure." His heart brimmed with joy, though he masked it with a reassuring pat to his chest.
"Hmph, ungrateful," Kakuzu muttered before storming off, leaving the table abruptly and bringing the tense negotiations to a dramatic conclusion.
Bang!
The sound of the door slamming shut caused Yoshino's mouth to curl slightly in satisfaction.
"Don't worry about him; we have a deal," Yahiko said, his slight displeasure at Kakuzu's exit evident but well-restrained. "Yoshino, you can go back with peace of mind. I'll be waiting for your good news."
"Thank you, Lord Akatsukikage. I will not let you down in terms of funding," Yoshino replied, entirely unaware that he had walked straight into a trap.
"That's all right to say. In the future, Akatsukigakure and Sunagakure will be allies," Yahiko said, his demeanor warm and overly polite. "Come and visit more often when you have time."
"I will," Yoshino said, preparing to leave. "Then I'll be going back, as Lord Kazekage is still waiting for news from me."
Yoshino wanted to avoid any further trouble. Kakuzu was clearly an unstable factor, and the sooner he left, the better.
"Alright, have a safe trip. I've got some things to take care of, so I'll have Kappei see you out," Yahiko said. He walked Yoshino and his team to the door, calling Kappei over to escort them.
...
The Sunagakure acted swiftly, and in less than a week, a second group of envoys secretly arrived at Akatsukigakure. They came bearing 300 million in cash, a gesture that greatly pleased Yahiko. With this, the alliance between the two villages was finalized.
While Sunagakure openly criticized Konoha, Yahiko and his team employed the same tactics to also deceive Iwagakure into handing over a substantial sum of money.
Meanwhile, Konoha's supplies quietly made their way into the Land of Rain, managed discreetly under Shōta's supervision.
With the influx of money, everything became easier. The construction and development of the Land of Rain began in earnest, ushering in a new phase of progress for the region.
