Starting as the Hidden Mastermind from Naruto

Chapter 182: Why Does it Feel Like Every Ninja Village has a Grudge Against Me?

Naraku Uehara and Mei Terumi left the street corner.

After walking onto the street, the two subconsciously straightened their respective clothes, then subconsciously glanced at each other, and the corners of their mouths twitched at the same time.

Naraku Uehara finally spoke first, "Hey, hey, hey, Lady Mei Terumi, let's not act as if we've done something shady!"

"..."

Mei Terumi gritted her teeth resentfully, then suddenly broke into a smile, "You've really grown up! Little brat, if that felt good just now, be sure to contact me, okay!"

After speaking, Mei Terumi ignored the gazes of the people around them, winked at Naraku Uehara, and turned to walk towards the venue for this negotiation.

Clearly, Mei Terumi genuinely wanted Naraku Uehara to contact her.

This was not a convenient place; she wanted to have a proper talk with Naraku Uehara.

Because the matter of Mangetsu Hozuki was very important, even concerning the future of Kirigakure. After all, that guy had defected with four of the ninja swords to become a spy!

Even if he had left just one behind!

No, at least two should have been left behind!

Besides Mangetsu Hozuki's younger brother, Suigetsu Hozuki, another promising seedling had emerged in Kirigakure who could fill a position among the Seven Ninja Swordsmen.

"Tsk…"

Naraku Uehara cleaned his ears and followed Mei Terumi boredly into the negotiation venue.

Not long after, Granny Chiyo from Sunagakure also arrived at the daimyo's mansion, walking tremblingly into the venue. The leader of Takigakure had arrived much earlier.

Now, all the participants from the five ninja villages had arrived.

Naraku Uehara sized up everyone present. The three great ninja villages seemed to have some grudge against him, and even Takigakure could be considered to have some enmity.

After all, Konan had once planted a Takigakure rogue ninja to seize the position of Takigakure's leader in order to investigate intelligence on the Seven-Tails. It was only due to Konoha's support that the plan failed. However, it was estimated that this leader, Shibuki, wouldn't dare to hold a grudge.

As for the three great ninja villages, that went without saying. Naraku Uehara had killed the leaders of all these great ninja villages.

The Fourth Kazekage of Sunagakure, he killed him.

The Fourth Mizukage of Kirigakure, he killed him.

The Third Hokage of Konoha, he killed him.

Naraku Uehara admired his own guts a little.

With so many enemies gathered here, he still dared to come and participate in the talks.

This was only because Mei Terumi didn't know he had killed the Fourth Mizukage.

Tsunade probably wouldn't be so brazen as to bring up the matter of him assassinating the Third Hokage to his face, as it involved Danzo Shimura's plot to seize the position of Hokage.

Once it was laid bare, Konoha Village would definitely lose a lot of face.

Chiyo, however, didn't have so many scruples.

Ever since the Fourth Kazekage Rasa died in battle, Sunagakure had become increasingly poor and declined. Naraku Uehara, who had killed the Fourth Kazekage, was the culprit behind Sunagakure's decline.

Chiyo glanced sideways at Naraku Uehara and brought her palms together, "Lady Tsunade, this is a great nations' meeting. I don't think Amegakure is qualified to participate, nor can it play any role in our upcoming plans…"

"No one can insult our Amegakure!"

Naraku Uehara squinted his eyes and said with soft sarcasm, "Heh, a village whose leader was killed like a dog, is it also qualified to sit at the same table as us? Our Amegakure's leader is the Ninja Demigod, Lord Hanzo of the Salamander!"

After speaking, Naraku Uehara looked at Chiyo and said, "Hey, old woman, tell me when your village's Fifth Kazekage takes office. I'll go and kill him while I'm at it!"

"What did you say!"

As Chiyo's palm flipped, a scroll landed in her hand, "You bastard brat, I'll kill you right now!"

"Then bring it on!"

Naraku Uehara glanced at Chiyo and sneered, "Heh, your grandson, Sasori of the Red Sand, was beaten by my teacher until he begged for mercy and surrendered. That kid cried and begged me for the corpse of the Fourth Kazekage. Is this all you puppet masters are capable of!"

What Naraku Uehara said was rather vicious.

Who knew if Sasori of the Red Sand would fight him to the death after hearing this.

Anyway, even if Sasori fought with his life, he definitely couldn't beat Uehara.

Tsunade slammed her fist on the table and said coldly, "We are gathered here for the same goal. This is not a place for arguments. Only by putting aside past grudges can we cooperate sincerely now."

"That's right."

Mei Terumi stroked her cheek, glanced at Naraku Uehara, and nodded lightly, "The fact that we are willing to sit here means we already have the intention to cooperate. Why bother dwelling on the poison left over from past wars?"

The Land of Fire, Land of Water, Land of Wind, and Land of Rain, after three great ninja wars, their grievances were so entangled that they couldn't be clearly investigated or counted.

Only Shibuki, the leader of the Land of Waterfalls, was better off.

This somewhat naive young man smiled awkwardly and tried to smooth things over, "Yes, yes… Lord Hokage is right, Lady Mei Terumi is right!"

Chiyo and Naraku Uehara snorted coldly at each other and turned their heads away. However, they listened to Tsunade's and Mei Terumi's advice and stopped arguing in public.

Tsunade finally breathed a sigh of relief in her heart. She didn't want to be like her great-grandfather, bowing her head and submitting to other ninja village leaders as soon as they met!

To be honest, Tsunade disliked Chiyo a little.

Sunagakure was clearly so weak, yet it took the initiative to provoke Naraku Uehara. Weren't they afraid that Amegakure would invade them another day?

"Alright, let's get down to business now!"

Tsunade slowly stood up, walked to a wall where a map of the ninja world was hanging, and said softly, "Today's main topic is the distribution of benefits after the destruction of Kusagakure.

About a month ago, Kusagakure was destroyed by a powerful Fire Release ninjutsu. We believe it was likely done by Konoha's S-rank rogue ninjas, Obito Uchiha or Itachi Uchiha, with the aim of provoking a new ninja world war.

To avoid war and disputes over the territory of the Land of Grass, we have decided to incorporate the Land of Grass into the territory of the Land of Fire, under the jurisdiction of the Fire Daimyo and the protection of Konoha.

The former daimyo of the Land of Grass has already agreed to be enfeoffed as a noble of the Land of Fire."

"..."

Everyone present couldn't help but look up at Tsunade.

How thick-skinned was this woman to be able to say the things above!

To avoid war and disputes over a piece of land, so we'll just take that piece of land for ourselves. How shameless can you be!

Unfortunately, the Land of Wind and the Land of Water were too far away to have a say. The only ones present who had a dispute over the Land of Grass's territory were the people from the Land of Waterfalls and the Land of Rain.

Shibuki, the leader of Takigakure, naturally didn't dare to make a sound.

Naraku Uehara raised his hand and said softly, "Then what about the disputed land between our Land of Rain and the Land of Grass?"

Tsunade frowned and said in a deep voice, "Konoha will decide whether to divide it after an investigation. As for its return, you will have to wait for our arbitration."

"As you wish."

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Naraku Uehara nodded and did not argue on principle, "If the result is not satisfactory to us, we will neither support nor oppose it."

"Please let me finish."

Tsunade didn't look at him and continued, "Konoha has always advocated for the balanced development of all nations in the ninja world. The First Hokage distributed the Tailed Beasts to the major ninja villages precisely for this reason, which allowed the wars between ninja villages to be kept in check.

So this time, after Konoha obtains the territory of the Land of Grass, it will cede some of its own other interests to various countries to achieve a balance between the great powers."

Tsunade stood by the table again, leaning on it with her hands, revealing a large expanse of white on her chest, which was enough to make one's head spin.

"Of course, this is not given to the various countries for free."

Tsunade sized up everyone present and said slowly, "Each ninja village must cooperate to put pressure on Iwagakure, forcing them to give up their ambitions for the Land of Grass.

Once Iwagakure's troops withdraw and the Land of Fire and the Land of Grass successfully merge, Konoha will reach an economic and political alliance cooperation treaty with Kirigakure, opening markets and ports to each other; at the same time, Konoha will return the missions from the Wind Daimyo's mansion to Sunagakure."

These had already been agreed upon.

Both Chiyo and Mei Terumi nodded reservedly. The purpose of their arrival was precisely for this, and this was what their ninja villages urgently needed.

Tsunade turned her head to look at the bored Naraku Uehara and said slowly, "If Takigakure and Amegakure are also willing to contribute, Konoha will not be stingy with the benefits among allies…"

"Well, we only hope to obtain long-lasting peace."

Shibuki looked at Tsunade and shook his head gently, "Although we have always been long-time allies with Konoha, please forgive us for not being able to participate in this cooperation."

The Land of Waterfalls was a small country.

Takigakure dared neither to offend Konoha nor Iwagakure.

Shibuki's consideration was reasonable. Tsunade nodded lightly in acceptance and then turned her gaze to Naraku Uehara, "What are Amegakure's thoughts?"

Naraku Uehara slowly stood up, walked to the side of the map, and said softly, "We need to take the original site of Kusagakure as the dividing line. All the land to the south will be incorporated into the territory of the Land of Rain."

"Wishful thinking."

Even Chiyo couldn't help but shake her head.

"Heh heh…"

Tsunade was so angry she laughed, "That's more than half the land, and the west is mountainous, making it difficult even for Iwagakure to invade. It's the most fertile part of the Land of Grass!"

"Konoha and the Land of Fire are not short of fertile land."

Naraku Uehara shook his head gently and continued softly, "What Konoha lacks is a strategic point that can form an absolute advantage over Iwagakure. Clearly, the land north of Kusagakure is mostly bridges, fortresses, and canyons, which is the most suitable territory for Konoha."

Naraku Uehara glanced at the still somewhat disdainful Tsunade and said softly, "If Konoha agrees to this division, Amegakure can launch a joint surprise attack with Konoha on the Iwa ninjas, wiping out the Iwagakure ninjas entrenched in the Land of Grass."

"Sorry, Konoha can do it on its own."

Tsunade shook her head and turned to look at everyone present, "If Lady Chiyo and Lady Mei Terumi agree, please return to your countries and start mobilizing your forces to put pressure on Iwagakure and force them to withdraw from the Land of Grass!"

After seeing Chiyo and Mei Terumi nod, Tsunade looked at Naraku Uehara again and teased softly, "If you are willing, why don't you have a gamble with me? If you win, perhaps I can divide a village for the Land of Rain?"

"Don't humiliate me."

Naraku Uehara waved his hand and was about to leave the venue, but before leaving, he suddenly turned his head to look at Tsunade, his eyes narrowing into a slight smile.

"Our Amegakure has been tracking those traitors from Akatsuki who betrayed the Land of Rain and Lord Hanzo. Those traitors will not easily let go of the opportunity to provoke a war between Konoha and Iwagakure. Please cherish this time of peace, Lord Hokage!"

(End of Chapter)

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