Naruto: Starting with Snatching the Mangekyō Sharingan

At this moment, Killer B spoke up from the other side. He said, "Hokage-sama, twenty billion ryo in economic reparations is impossible for Kumogakure to afford. On this point, I agree with Tsuchikage-sama. If Konoha forces us into a corner, we will have no choice but to perish together!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen's cold gaze swept over them as he responded icily, "Eighteen billion. Not a single ryo less. This time, the two of you recklessly allied with the terrorist organization Akatsuki to start a war. Konoha suffered massive losses, and these reparations are your responsibility!"

"Ten billion at most. No more," Ōnoki said through gritted teeth, his fists tightly clenched. "We're just a shinobi village, not the entire country."

Killer B quickly agreed, "Kumogakure can only pay ten billion ryo at most."

Sarutobi Hiruzen let out a disdainful snort, fixing his eyes on Ōnoki.

"Was that your stance when you deployed your forces? Did you get approval from the Land of Earth's Daimyo? Fifteen billion. Not a single ryo less!"

Ōnoki's face flushed red, his chest heaving with anger at Sarutobi's words.

Sarutobi's gaze shifted to Killer B, his tone just as cold. "Kumogakure is no different. Fifteen billion. Do not think we're unaware of how far Kumogakure has developed!"

Economically and technologically, the Land of Lightning and Kumogakure had become the most advanced among the Five Great Nations. Their focus on technology had driven significant economic growth. If this momentum continued, it wouldn't be long before the Land of Lightning experienced an economic boom.

It was undeniable: the Land of Lightning had money.

Ōnoki took a deep breath and spoke sternly, "Third Hokage, this isn't the attitude for negotiations!"

"Attitude?" Sarutobi Hiruzen sneered. "What kind of attitude should I have towards warmongers like you? If you had won, would Konoha even have a chance to sit here and negotiate with you?"

He stood abruptly, his voice resolute. "Think carefully! If you want mutual destruction, so be it! Konoha is prepared to face any consequences!" With that, Sarutobi turned and strode towards the meeting room doors.

Ōnoki's eyes burned with fury as he watched Sarutobi leave, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white. Suddenly, a sharp cracking sound came from Ōnoki's body. His face turned pale, and cold sweat dripped from his forehead.

"Tsuchikage-sama…"

His bodyguards rushed forward in concern.

"I'm fine. Just twisted my back…" Ōnoki waved them off, his expression dark.

As Killer B silently left, Ōnoki muttered, "Let's go."

...

In the advisor's office

Mitokado Homura asked, "Hiruzen, how did the negotiations go this time?"

"From the looks of it, achieving our objectives shouldn't be a problem. That old fox Ōnoki talks tough, but his body betrays him," Sarutobi Hiruzen said with a hint of amusement.

"With these funds, even if the Daimyo notices something during the early stages of the reforms and reduces our funding, we'll have enough to sustain things until the changes bear fruit," Koharu said thoughtfully.

One of the main reasons they hadn't opposed the reforms was the anticipated influx of reparations from Kumogakure and Iwagakure. Such a significant sum made taking a gamble worthwhile.

Of course, the biggest deterrent was the current Fifth Hokage, Uchiha Akira.

This Uchiha had made it clear he was determined to reform Konoha. Any opposition would result in… accidents—conveniently labeled as suicides.

"We just need to grind down Ōnoki. That old man's temper is like a stone in an outhouse—stubborn and foul," Homura remarked with a smirk.

"Don't worry," Sarutobi Hiruzen replied. "If there's one thing I have plenty of now, it's patience."

Having stepped down as Hokage, Sarutobi felt a weight lifted off his shoulders, as if he'd regained his youth. At times, he thought slacking off wasn't such a bad thing.

As Sarutobi predicted, after nearly ten days of deadlocked negotiations, Ōnoki and Killer B finally signed the surrender agreement.

During these discussions, Sarutobi remained unyielding, refusing to budge even an inch. He made it clear that if Kumogakure and Iwagakure chose mutual destruction, Konoha was more than ready to meet them head-on.

Realizing that Sarutobi wasn't bluffing, Ōnoki and Killer B reluctantly signed the agreement and announced their surrender to the shinobi world that same day.

The agreement also designated Akatsuki as a terrorist organization, a target for extermination by all.

...

At Konoha's gates

Ōnoki hovered in the air, leading the captives from his village away from Konoha step by step.

"Damn those Uchihas… That Uchiha Akira dared to treat Iwagakure so dismissively…" Ōnoki muttered, his teeth grinding in frustration.

At the front of the group, Fourth Raikage Ay's demeanor was subdued. He was a shadow of his former self, no longer the boisterous leader who always made bold declarations.

The failure of this war had crushed him. He, the Raikage, had been captured and humiliated.

His secretary, her golden hair gleaming in the sunlight, fumed, "That damn Uchiha didn't even bother to show up… How arrogant!"

Ay walked silently at the front, his face burning with shame.

As they suspected, Akira hadn't given Kumogakure or Iwagakure much thought. Without their tailed beasts, they held no significant value in his eyes.

Once Konoha completed its full recovery, the other shinobi villages and nations would no longer matter.

Feudal lords, nobles—they would all be swept into the trash heap of history!

In Akira's residence, Fugaku and Shisui sat before him, puzzled by his summons.

"Akira, is there something you need us to do?" Fugaku asked.

Shisui, fresh from countless missions in the ANBU, also looked at Akira curiously.

"It's not about a task," Akira said solemnly. "It's about the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan."

"The Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan? Akira, are you planning to awaken this legendary power?" Shisui asked in shock.

Fugaku's face lit up with excitement. If Akira's strength reached a new level, their future would be secure.

----------------

Pls Drop some Power Stones

Read more than +80 chapters and support me on Patreon

Patreon(.)com/Jixo