Naruto: Wooing Tsunade from Day One!-Chapter 405: Determination

All kinds of arguments and discussions filled the air, but the Third Raikage didn't interrupt. He remained silent until the noise gradually died down, then spoke slowly.

"Quiet down."

"From now on, let's all speak civilly. I don't want this to happen again."

The corners of his mouth lifted slightly, and a sharp gleam flickered in his eyes.

In just a short time, the room had split into three factions. The majority opposed handing over Two-Tails, the neutral group followed, and the smallest faction supported the idea.

"Lord Raikage, I don't think it's impossible to hand over Two-Tails."

The voice belonged to Dodai, the Third Raikage's most trusted subordinate. Though he hadn't spoken during the earlier debate, his words now left many stunned. Was this really the same Dodai, so devoted to the village?

"You... Did you just say—?"

A burly man shot up from his seat, but as he met the Raikage's cold gaze, sweat beaded on his forehead. His anger-clouded mind cleared instantly, and he sat back down with an awkward smirk.

"Many disagree," the Raikage stated. "Tell me your reasoning."

He withdrew his gaze, signaling Dodai to continue. His expression remained unreadable.

"This is how I see it," Dodai began. "Two-Tails is nothing more than an ornament in Kumo right now. Guarding it requires several elite shinobi, making it a burden rather than an asset."

"Furthermore, Tailed Beasts are difficult to control. I doubt Akatsukigakure could find a suitable Jinchūriki in such a short time."

"That means there's still a chance to reclaim it after the war."

Dodai's words were based on facts. Under the current circumstances, Two-Tails wasn't indispensable.

"Lord Dodai, you're basing this on the present situation," someone countered. "But in the long run, the value of a Tailed Beast far outweighs that of any wartime ally."

This time, the opposition was calm and measured.

"You both make valid points," the Raikage said.

"Does anyone else have an opinion?"

He didn't let Dodai continue but instead scanned the room.

"If we hand it over, we gain a powerful ally. If we don't, we can train our own Jinchūriki," a neutral member spoke. "It's a tough choice, so Lord Raikage should decide."

Their stance was logical—they would accept either outcome.

"Any other opinions?"

The Raikage surveyed the room once more.

Silence. ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com

The only sound left was steady breathing.

"You've all finished, so I'll say a few words."

The Third Raikage stood up, placing his hands firmly on the table as he leaned forward slightly, exuding an overwhelming sense of authority.

"Everyone understands the village's situation."

"Our military strength has reached its peak."

"How long do you think the Daimyō will continue to fund us at such a high cost?"

"One month? Three months? Six?"

With each word, his tone grew sharper. As he scanned the room, taking in the furrowed brows and tense expressions, his mood darkened. Problems that had been overlooked in times of peace had now become unavoidable.

There was no easy solution. The only viable path was to strike back swiftly.

Nothing in this world came without a price—there were no free meals, no miracles. The Daimyō's generosity had a purpose.

"Once the war begins, whether it's through coordinated attacks or shared burdens," he continued, "we will need a strong ally."

"And Akatsukigakure is the most suitable choice."

After he finished speaking, silence settled over the room. There was no immediate objection. No matter how much some had belittled Akatsukigakure, they all had to acknowledge its strength.

The impact of Tsunade's demonstration years ago had been too significant to ignore. Combined with the Land of Rain's unique economic growth, it was clear that Akatsukigakure's military power was not to be underestimated.

"It's just a useless Tailed Beast," the Third Raikage finally said. "What does it matter if we give it away? The world is vast—we can find another."

The meaning behind his words was becoming clearer: any losses now could be reclaimed in future wars.

"Lord Raikage, how can you be certain that Akatsukigakure will cooperate if we give them the Two-Tails?"

One of the opposition members clung to this last argument, unwilling to accept defeat.

"Heh."

The Third Raikage sneered, too impatient to entertain the question.

Unfortunately, he had miscalculated. If Yahiko had been an ordinary, ambitious leader, then an alliance between Akatsukigakure and Kumo would have been reliable—at least until the war's end.

But Yahiko was Konoha's pawn. Neither ambition nor the threat of Kumo's might would sway him.

"But—"

A dark-skinned man attempted to protest, but the words caught in his throat. He was already convinced.

"There's nothing more to discuss."

"We cannot afford to focus only on immediate gains and losses. We must look further ahead."

"This time, we've spent years preparing—we won't repeat the mistakes of the past."

The Third Raikage slammed his fist against the table, his voice thunderous.

"Should we consider negotiating further?"

"Akatsukigakure might just be testing our resolve. It may be possible to offer something else instead of the Tailed Beast."

Though their numbers were dwindling, the opposition still made one last attempt to sway him.

"Yes, exactly!"

"Our ancestors paid a great price for each Tailed Beast!"

A few voices chimed in, each presenting their own reasoning.

"Then think about this—given Akatsukigakure's stubbornness, how much longer will negotiations drag on?"

"And who among you will handle them?"

The Third Raikage pointed at several people in turn. None dared to meet his gaze. Yahiko was notoriously difficult to deal with, a fact that Kumo's leadership had long since accepted.

Otherwise, they wouldn't have sent Killer Bee to accompany the Fourth Raikage.

"If you raise a problem, you'd better have a solution."

"Why don't one of you go ask the Daimyō for another year? Or even six more months? Tell him we need more time to find an ally."

No one spoke.

The Third Raikage let out a bitter chuckle.

"The Daimyō has already sent five letters this month. Lord Raikage is under more pressure than you realize," Dodai said, his tone neutral but firm.

A heavy sigh came from the opposition's side.

"Is there truly no better option?"

They knew appealing to the Daimyō was unrealistic.

"If we lose it now, do you not have the confidence to reclaim it twice over in the future?"

"If we give up Two-Tails, we may gain the One-Tail, the Three-Tails... or even..."

"The Nine-Tails."

The Third Raikage's eyes burned with fury. His hatred for Konoha, buried deep, had never faded. It was an unhealed wound, a shame that still festered.

"We'll do as you command."

Whether it was shared resentment toward Konoha or the recognition that handing over Two-Tails was the most practical choice, the opposition finally relented. The matter was settled.

"Father, do you need me to deliver it again?"

A spoke up, eager to share his father's burden.

"No."

"Let them come and take it themselves."

"Sincerity is mutual."

The Third Raikage's lips curled into a slight smirk.

This was his final test.