Chapter 412 Signature
Chapter 412 Signature
Kazekage Rasa and Mizukage Yagura watched from the sidelines, secretly sighing in their hearts.
Even the most resolute Iwagakure and Kumogakure have compromised; the trend of this shared destiny of the ninja world is now unstoppable.
Then there's envy. Damn it, they can be financially independent! I'm so envious!
"Since everyone has reached a consensus on the basic framework."
Shuimen stood up, placed his hands on the conference table, and his eyes became extremely solemn.
"So, as the initiator of the community of shared destiny in the ninja world, Konoha wishes to reiterate our bottom line to everyone."
The sound of the water gate wasn't loud, but it resonated throughout the entire conference room.
"Konoha pursues common development, aiming to improve the lives of both ordinary people and ninjas in the ninja world. We are willing to share our technology and invest funds."
"However, we will never accept any form of extortion, breach of contract, or underhanded tactics."
Minato's gaze swept across the entire arena like a knife.
"This cooperation is built on the spirit of peace and contract. If anyone attempts to use Konoha's technology to wage war or disrupt the operation of the community..."
Minato didn't continue speaking, but the strength he had just displayed was the best warning he could give.
The meeting room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
"very good."
Nishikawa Tetsu broke the silence, taking out five thick, beautifully bound agreements from his briefcase and handing them to the five Kage.
"My lords, this is the final agreement of the 'Framework Agreement on the Shared Destiny of the Ninja World'."
Nishikawa Tetsu's smile remained bright, but to the four Kage, it looked like a fox closing in its net.
The Third Hokage didn't even look at it before signing his name.
Rasa, Onoki, Ai, and Yagura each opened the agreement and read it carefully.
As they read on, the four figures' expressions became somewhat strange.
"Tsuchikage, Bi, take a look." The Fourth Raikage, A, frowned and pushed the agreement behind him.
Tu Tai carefully read the clauses prohibiting the dismantling of core equipment, his face grim.
Killer Bee leaned over for a look, then scratched his head: "This contract is like a maze, it's giving me a headache! But dude, it says the penalty for breach of contract is ten times the amount? Konoha's too greedy!"
"Lord Raikage, this is clearly an unfair contract. If we become completely dependent on Konoha for technology, then Kumogakure will truly become a vassal of Konoha." Tsuchikage lowered his voice, his tone filled with worry.
However, if they don't rely on Konoha, they will only fall further behind.
On the other side, Onoki also handed the agreement to Hirotsuchi and Han.
Huang Tu frowned as he looked at the terms: "This...this is practically handing over the lifeline of Iwagakure to someone else. Especially this clause about sharing geographical survey data, if Konoha uses this data to launch a military attack against us..."
Han also echoed in a deep voice: "Lord Tsuchikage, this is too dangerous. We cannot agree to it so easily."
As the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, looked at the agreement, he too was torn between his own conscience and his inner turmoil.
He handed the agreement to Ebizo and Yokura.
Ebizo slightly opened his squinting eyes, carefully examining each word, and sighed, "Kage-sama, these conditions are indeed harsh. But given our current situation in Sunagakure, do we still have any bargaining chips?"
Yekura bit her lip, a hint of resentment flashing in her eyes, but she knew that Ebizo was telling the truth, and Sunagakure had no way out.
The Fourth Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi, appeared much calmer, casually handing the agreement to Genji and Mei Terumi.
Master Yuan carefully examined the document and nodded slightly: "Lord Mizukage, although Konoha's conditions are harsh, breaking free from isolation is the most important thing for us in Kirigakure. As long as we can seize this opportunity to develop, we will eventually find a way to break free from Konoha's control."
Mei Terumi looked at the terms and conditions, a complex light flickering in her cool eyes.
She understood that this was a calculated move, a scheme that forced people to jump into a trap even when they knew it was a trap.
The atmosphere in the meeting room became extremely oppressive.
Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado sat beside the Third Hokage, taking in the reactions of each village.
Koharu whispered to Mitokado Homura, "It seems this tactic is working well. Although these terms are harsh, they are all testing the limits of what they can accept. They can't bear to give up the benefits that the technology brings, so they have no choice but to comply."
Mitokado Homura nodded slightly: "That's right. With these terms, Konoha will be able to take a dominant position in the upcoming cooperation."
Uchiha Fugaku stood to the side with his arms crossed. He didn't actually have anything to do today. As the head of the police force, he was just there to show that Konoha valued this meeting and had specially brought the head of the police force to act as security.
But look at the people here. Not to mention the Kage-level shinobi from each village, those who brought them to the meeting are either Jinchuriki, elders from each village, or people with special bloodline limits. Not to mention that Konoha also has two advisors, as well as Minato and Tetsuya.
Fugaku simply couldn't imagine who in the entire ninja world had the ability to sabotage this meeting.
Looking at the shadows hesitating before the agreement, he couldn't help but marvel at the deep cunning of Nishikawa Tetsu and Minato.
He had initially worried that Konoha's concessions would breed a tiger, but now it seems that this is simply putting the tiger into a gilded cage built by Konoha.
As long as Konoha holds the key to the cage, these tigers will have no choice but to obediently work for Konoha.
"Aren't the terms in your agreement a bit too domineering?"
After the discussion, Ohnoki pointed to one of the clauses prohibiting the disassembly of core equipment and complained.
"Lord Tsuchikage, how can this be called domineering? This is called protecting intellectual property rights."
Nishikawa Tetsu retorted confidently.
"We at Konoha Research Institute have poured countless hours of effort into developing this technology. We can't just let others learn it for nothing, can we? Besides, as long as everyone cooperates peacefully, these breach of contract clauses are practically meaningless."
The four figures looked at each other in bewilderment.
They knew that these so-called unfair terms were like invisible shackles around their necks.
But faced with enormous profits, they had no way out.
Ohnoki sighed, picked up the pen, and signed his name heavily at the end of the agreement.
Rasa and Yagura followed closely behind.
Finally, the Fourth Raikage, A, gritted his teeth, picked up the pen with his thick fingers, and signed his name.
This is the end.
A massive contract, woven from money, technology, and interests, that is enough to change the landscape of decades of war in the ninja world, has officially been implemented.
Konoha established its unshakeable hegemony in the ninja world without firing a single shot or shedding a drop of blood.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, looked at the signed treaty, a hint of relief and emotion flashing in his eyes.
He stood up and tapped his pipe lightly on the table.
"Gentlemen, now that the agreement has been signed, from today onwards, we are allies in the same boat."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice was steady and full of authority.
"Konoha will never bully the weak. We know that only when the entire ninja world prospers can this peace last. To demonstrate Konoha's sincerity, I hereby make this promise."
The Third Hokage's gaze swept over each of the Kage present, and he said firmly:
"Konoha will establish a special fund to assist the development of the ninja world, with an initial investment of 500 million ryo to subsidize the funding shortages that each village may encounter in the early stages of infrastructure construction. In addition, Konoha's medical department will provide each village with some basic first aid knowledge and prevention and treatment plans for common diseases free of charge to help reduce the casualty rate of civilians and low-ranking ninjas."
These words immediately eased the tension in the meeting room.
The expressions of displeasure that Ohnoki and the others had initially shown due to those unfair terms were relieved by the real money and concrete promises of medical assistance.
"The Third Hokage's magnanimity is truly admirable." The Fourth Mizukage, Yagura, spoke with a hint of genuine appreciation.
Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled and waved his hand: "This is all for the future of the ninja world."
He turned to look at Minato and Nishikawa Tetsu, his eyes filled with expectation: "I am getting old. The future of the ninja world belongs to these young people. I hope that the decisions we make here today will create a tomorrow for them that will no longer require bloodshed and sacrifice."
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