Reborn as Danzō’s Grandson, Must I Offend the Entire Ninja World?

Kitsuchi and Baki sensed the tension the moment they heard Yami's cold and firm tone.

This wasn't what they had expected.

No matter which village it was, every past peace talk with Konoha had ended without Konoha taking serious losses.

And this wasn't just a policy from the era of the Third Hokage. It had long been a tradition of Konoha.

Ever since Senju Hashirama sold the Tailed Beasts to other villages at incredibly reasonable prices, Konoha had always shown a gentle and accommodating attitude in foreign diplomacy.

Even the death of Senju Tobirama occurred during a peace negotiation mission to Kumo.

That particular Shinobi World War had been initiated by Kumo, and after realizing they couldn't win, they sought negotiations.

It wasn't unreasonable for Tobirama to consider peace talks. After losing both the First Hokage and Uchiha Madara, Konoha no longer had the power to dominate the entire ninja world. Peace was indeed the most rational path.

Ever since then, Konoha had only responded passively to war, never proactively starting one.

Yami was the first Hokage to break this pattern.

And that rendered all the pre-written scripts and carefully planned approaches Baki and Kitsuchi had prepared completely useless.

After a moment of silence, Baki stepped forward to break the ice. "Hokage-sama, this was all Orochimaru's scheme. He killed the Fourth Kazekage and posed as him to contact Iwa. We're actually victims too."

Yami leaned back in his chair, not even bothering to raise an eyebrow. "My spy under Orochimaru reported that the Konoha Crush plan had been in preparation for half a year before the Chūnin Exams."

"As for the Kazekage, didn't he die on the way to the Land of Fire? If you're going to shift blame, at least try to come up with a smarter excuse. Don't assume everyone's as gullible as you."

Baki's eyelids twitched uncontrollably.

He hadn't expected that Yami, the very target of the Konoha Crush, would be this clear about the entire plan.

"Hokage-sama, Sunagakure is willing to pay 500 million ryō in cash, and an additional 500 kilograms of gold sand," Baki offered, stating 70% of the terms they had previously prepared. The remaining terms were to be used for negotiation flexibility.

Suna wasn't completely broke. They had both funds and gold. However, due to the high transportation costs of supplies into the desert, prices had skyrocketed. Many items couldn't be acquired no matter how much money they had.

That's why people thought Suna was poor.

Kitsuchi's expression darkened, his eyes wide with disbelief as he stared at Baki.

This was several times more than what they had agreed on before!

Stabbing an ally in the back right at the negotiation table... These Suna shinobi were truly two-faced. Kitsuchi was starting to wonder if Baki was really less of a traitor than himself.

Left with no choice, Kitsuchi was forced to raise his offer.

"Iwagakure is willing to pay 300 million ryō in compensation, along with 400 million worth of iron ore."

"No more?" Yami asked indifferently.

Kitsuchi and Baki exchanged glances, then finally nodded.

Yami didn't respond. He leaned over the table and wrote something down.

Then, with a flick of his wrist, two sheets of paper floated into their hands.

Each paper had one massive character written in red ink:

"Kill!"

"This is Konoha's declaration of war."

"There's nothing more to discuss. We'll settle it on the battlefield."

Baki's hands trembled. "Hokage-sama, we're willing to negotiate. Sunagakure will seriously consider any condition, but we cannot go to war!"

Baki understood Suna's current situation all too well. The only Kage-level combatant left was an aging Chiyo, even older than Sarutobi Hiruzen.

If war truly broke out, Konoha only needed to send Tsunade—who completely countered Chiyo—to crush Suna without mercy.

Yami smiled. "You don't want war? Fine. 1 billion ryō in cash, 3 tons of gold sand, and 50% of all mission commissions for the next five years."

"Also, hand over the senior officials responsible for pushing Pakura to her death. If you meet all these conditions, Konoha and Sunagakure can still be friends."

"The same applies to Iwa. But since your old men didn't offend me, they can live."

"Impossible!" Baki stood up in shock. Yami's conditions weren't terms for negotiation, they were a death sentence for Suna!

Let alone the unreasonable 50% commission cut, that alone would shake Suna's standing as one of the Five Great Hidden Villages.

If those terms were implemented, how would Suna be any different from a subordinate branch of Konoha?

And as for handing over the high-ranking officials who wronged Pakura...

Baki had originally wanted to discuss bringing Pakura back to Suna, but Yami had flipped the script before he could even speak.

Hand those old men over?

He wanted to, but did he have the power to?

Kitsuchi clenched his fists and growled in a low voice, "Hokage-sama, I came here with genuine intent for peace. Your terms are simply too much."

"Even if it comes to war, Iwagakure won't accept such extreme demands!"

Izumi, who had been silently standing behind Yami, had blood-red light flicker in her eyes. Her Three Tomoe Sharingan activated without a sound.

Baki and Kitsuchi suddenly felt a cold shiver run down their spines, like they were being stared down by a terrifying beast.

Uchiha were still Uchiha—passionate to their core.

All of Izumi's warmth and gentleness were reserved only for Yami and her family. Kitsuchi's challenge had touched a nerve.

If Yami had given her the signal, she would've killed both of them on the spot without hesitation.

"Don't be angry." Yami gently held her hand and comforted her.

"As the saying goes, when two countries are at war, envoys are not killed. If we're going to kill them, we'll do it once the war starts. Let them live a few more days."

"Mm." Izumi slowly withdrew her gaze. Baki's back was already soaked in sweat. Kitsuchi wasn't doing much better.

"Since you won't agree, there's no need to keep talking. Take the declaration back to your villages."

"Hokage-sama, your terms are beyond my authority. I must report them to our village leaders. They'll make the decision."

Baki tried to buy some time. He was hoping to come up with an alternative plan.

Yami didn't object. He also needed time to clean up the mess left by the Third. Even if war was declared, fighting wouldn't start immediately.

Before leaving, the two made one last request.

Baki wanted to see Gaara's team, while Kitsuchi asked about Han and Kurotsuchi.

Yami sent an Anbu to escort Baki to the prison, but flat-out denied Kitsuchi.

"The Five Tails jinchūriki is already dead. As for Kurotsuchi, she's living in my home now. No man has ever set foot in my residence. Don't even think about it."

Baki's heart skipped a beat as he walked out the door.

Five Tails... is dead?!

This was bad. He had to bring Gaara back immediately.

Iwa had a strong foundation. Suna didn't. If they lost Shukaku, they would be completely removed from the ranks of the Five Great Hidden Villages.

But no one could reverse what had already happened.

Han was dead. Even if Kitsuchi was furious, that fact wouldn't change. As for Kurotsuchi, he wouldn't see her unless he dared to break into Yami's house.

And if he did, well....

After sending the two away, Yami got to work.

Konoha was in shambles. The reconstruction, backlogged missions, border patrol arrangements, department reports, project approvals...

The mountain of documents could crush his entire desk.

Only now did Yami truly understand why Naruto looked so drained as the Seventh Hokage. With this workload, even a rubber-stamp machine would collapse from exhaustion.

Thankfully, Yami specialized in delegating work.

Teams of Anbu were dispatched across the village, and soon everyone Yami had summoned gathered in the Hokage Office.

Nara Shikaku and Shikamaru, Hyūga Hiashi and Hizashi, Yamanaka Inoichi, Kakashi, Hayama Shirakumo, and Iruka.

"Uncle Shikaku, Shikamaru, you two will handle village reconstruction planning and the finances."

"Patriarch Hiashi, Hizashi-sensei, you'll oversee task distribution. Prioritize and assign based on urgency."

"Uncle Inoichi, the intel department is yours. Report non-S-class intel to Izumi weekly."

"Kakashi, compile the Defense War merit reports and handle the promotions for Chūnin."

"Shirakumo, border patrol duties go to you."

"If manpower is lacking, recruit from your clans. I'll authorize and assign positions, but I'll only hold you personally accountable for the results."

The world didn't lack capable people. It lacked leaders willing to delegate power.

Yami granted specific authority, but reserved the right to manage how that authority was distributed.

Everyone except Kakashi accepted their assignments with enthusiasm—even Shikaku.

Back when the Third had asked Shikaku to help with village affairs, real authority still lay with the Hokage and his advisors. It wasn't like Yami, who just cared about results and didn't micromanage the process.

With the Nara clan's intelligence, managing a reconstruction project was nothing.

The Hyūga clan had it even worse under the Third. Despite their high prestige and status as Konoha's foremost clan, Hiashi hadn't even been included in decision-making.

That was no longer the case.

"I.."

Kakashi was about to protest, but Yami looked at him with a grin. "Work, or be my sparring partner. Pick one."

Kakashi laughed awkwardly. "Work. I love paperwork the most."

Paperwork might drain him, but sparring with Yami would kill him. No question which was safer.

After distributing the assignments, only Iruka remained—awkward and unsure of what to do.

Compared to those elite jōnin and clan heads, a mere chūnin like him felt out of place.

"Iruka, you'll be the new principal of the Ninja Academy. You're also in charge of textbook reform."

A new Hokage meant new history. Since he was Hokage now, the title of "strongest Hokage" in textbooks needed to be updated.

Iruka's best trait wasn't his strength. It was his loyalty. As long as he followed orders faithfully, he was perfect to manage the school.

He wanted every student in Konoha to know the meaning of kindness... and remember what loyalty truly was.

They talked until dusk, when the office door suddenly swung open.

Tsunade walked in lazily. "Yami, come drink with me."

(To be continued.)

***

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