Chapter 44: Conditions
Mei couldn't help but feel speechless about hearing his words. Conditions after conditions. She couldn't even remember his first condition.
But after a little bit of thinking, she immediately remembered it and asked.
"But what if you can't learn it quickly? I can't keep this war ongoing for years."
"One Month! You just need to teach me for a month." Naruto stated his condition.
After thinking for a moment, Mei looked at Hiruzen and asked.
"I agree to his conditions. So, what do you think Hokage-dono?"
Hiruzen had a hard time agreeing to such a dangerous gamble. It was true that having Three Tails with them would boost their strength but the cost to get it might lower their strength.
Right now, Konoha still had their weapon since Naruto was here. But if he dies, then Nine Tails might also die with him forever.
But, at the same time, the thought of Naruto getting stronger and possessing another Tailed Beast made him hesitate more.
"Old Man, I know you are hesitating because of my safety and my status. But, you have to understand. We need to take risks in our life. I can't get stronger without putting my life on the line."
"Besides, fighting with a Jinchuriki might help me get stronger and control more of its power."
Hearing his words, Hiruzen gave this idea another thought and suddenly, something new came to his mind.
"Miss Mei, I will agree to this but I would have to change the conditions."
Mei almost rolled her eyes and seeing her annoyance, Hiruzen quickly replied.
"Instead of sending three Elite Jonin, I will send my own disciple Jiraya with him. Since Jiraya is a Kage Level by himself, the condition of hiring him is simply to enter an alliance with Konoha."
"This alliance will start when you are made the Fifth Mizukage."
Suddenly, Naruto snapped his finger and drew Hiruzen's attention.
"Old Man, you are cheating here. I am the one who is making a contract with her. I am the one who is putting his life on the line. And, I am the one who is helping Konoha gain a new ally."
"So, your condition will be null unless…."
Hearing his tone, Hiruzen narrowed his eyes and asked.
"Unless, what?"
"Unless we tweak the condition a little. Mist will enter an alliance with Konoha when she is Mizukage and I am Hokage. That's how it should be."
Hiruzen didn't get angry while Mei looked at him with surprise. It was surprising that a Genin could get so much lenience.
"Naruto, you know this is much more important than your previous contract. This is not a small village. This is the Mist Village, one of Five Great Hidden Villages."
"So?" Naruto's tone almost sounded insulting in Mei's ears.
"People are people, money is money, power is power. Just because Sand has a powerful military doesn't mean their people are living a comfortable life."
"Besides, I already told you why I need to make myself the main reason for this alliance. Besides, she is still young and you are too old. That means by the time I become Hokage, she will still be the Mizukage."
Mei couldn't help but interrupt.
"While I am glad that you call me young, is there something that I am missing between you two?"
Hiruzen sighed. He didn't want to involve Mei in this but it seemed like he had no other choice.
"You see, Naruto is a Jinhcuriki and due to the Kyubi incident, he would have a harder time becoming the Hokage which is his goal. That's why he wanted to gain more and more political power."
"During his previous mission, he managed to get a similar contract with the Land of Waves mayor and this contract will only be valid after he becomes Hokage which is similar to yours."
Hearing his words, Mei looked at Naruto with surprise. She knew Naruto was a kind man, not stupid but still a kind man. But, she didn't know Naruto wanted to become Hokage so badly.
Considering his position, it was true that the villagers wouldn't make him the Hokage even if he got stronger. That means if they continue to reject him, he will only have two choices.
Leave the Village or Continue to be its weapon.
Considering how powerful Naruto is at this age, she couldn't imagine Naruto remaining a Weapon for the village.
And, he was the kind of ally that she didn't want to lose. Of course, if she could bring Naruto to her village, it would be great but that would be impossible unless Hokage banishes Naruto.
At this moment, she got an idea. She looked at Hiruzen and smiled.
"Isn't it a good thing then? Naruto is already this strong and he will only grow stronger. You have been Hokage for forty years. You should know how much powerful ninjas Konoha has lost throughout those years."
"People tend to get frustrated if they do not get what they want. Naruto might have a lot of love for the village right now but if they continue to treat him like a weapon and do not make him the Hokage, Konoha might lose one of their most powerful ally."
"Is that really what you want to see?"
Hiruzen couldn't help but suck cold breath at the idea of Naruto rebelling against the village.
At this moment, Naruto instantly got an idea and said.
"Old Man, you know how stubborn I can be at times and how dumb those civilians can be. I love this village but there are people I don't like. I have no hatred against ignorant people but we mature with time."
"I can't say that I will remain as I am right now if they continue to treat me like that. And, I am too damn stubborn to give up on my dream. So, I might just leave the village and start a new village of my own."
"Naruto!" Hiruzen was about to shout when Naruto stopped him and continued.
"Old Man, civilians are ignorant and dumb. You can't take responsibility for everyone. The best way to solve this situation is to help me become the Hokage and you damn know how much I wanted to become the Hokage."
"You can't simply make me Hokage. Because that still needs the decision from others. And, the only way to influence those decisions is through my political powers, my allies, and my voices."
"Miss Mei will remain a Mizukage until I get a chance to become the Hokage and being one of the Kage of Five Great Village, she would have a lot of voice."
"Indeed, she can't influence our village but her power and status still hold a lot of influence which is exactly what I need if I want to become the Hokage."
Hearing his words, Hiruzen sighed heavily for a moment. He knew Naruto was right.
"Alright! I will agree to your conditions."
"Good! Now, shall we sign the papers?" Naruto smiled and looked at Mei.
"Right now?" Mei asked with surprised eyes.
Naruto took out a scroll and started writing the terms and conditions of the contract. Finally, there were three blank spaces on the bottom for their signature.
"Please sign this!" Naruto said while passing the scroll to Mei.
Mei was surprised at how fast he could work. She read through the terms and conditions and he even mentioned her conditions. The way he wrote them was perfect as well.
The whole contract will only work if Naruto finishes the Fourth Mizukage with his helper. And, at the same time, if the deal is done, Mei Terumi has to follow his terms and conditions to become an ally with Konoha.
After thinking for a moment, she signed this scroll as well. Soon, Hiruzen also read the terms and conditions. He was genuinely surprised at how good Naruto was with these contracts.
He also left his sign and gave the scroll back to Naruto.
"So Naruto, what if something happens to me and Mist decides to null the contract?"
"Then, the contract will be nulled. Remember, I am the one taking your Tailed Beast. If your next leader is stupid enough to wage a war, they will face the consequences."
"But on the other hand, if we remain the ally. The possibility of using the power of your Tailed Beast against your village doesn't even appear."
Mei was a bit silent after hearing his honest reply. She heavily sighed and said.
"Then, how sure are you to defeat the Fourth Mizukage? Remember, he is also a Jinchuriki of a Tailed Beast."
Naruto couldn't help but smile.
"Then, you don't know the true power of Kyubi. I will show you during our fight. But right now, you need to help me with Boil Release."
Mei thought for a moment and nodded.
"I can do that. But, before we start, I need to send a message to my people that we will start the war after a month. Are you sure you will be ready by then?"
"Definitely!"