Konoha: This Uchiha is extremely sneaky

Chapter 481 Talks

"Lord Hokage, you flatter me too much!"

Mei Terumi wasn't embarrassed at all by Toshiro's praise. Instead, she gave Toshiro a flirty wink and then smiled and spoke.

"I've come to see the Hokage this time because I need your help with something."

As the saying goes, "When people are happy, they are in high spirits," and it can be said that Terumi Mei is currently at the peak of her life.

Her entire aura, emanating from within, was so captivating that even Toshiro, who had seen countless waifus in the world of anime, was utterly charmed by her.

"Calling me Hokage is too formal. Xiaomei, please just call me by my name. We're all the same age, there's no need to be so reserved."

When Mei Terumi asked for help, Toshiro didn't immediately agree. He was, after all, the Hokage; if he agreed to help every pretty girl who asked, he'd be too busy to handle anything.

"In that case, I won't stand on ceremony, Toshiro."

Mei Terumi gave Toshiro a wistful look, then turned and said, turning her gaze behind her:

"Kisame is a rare talent in our Kirigakure. He was originally slated to be the Samehada Master after Suigetsu Fuguki, but..."

Although he didn't finish his sentence, the meaning was already very clear: he wanted to get Samehada back from Konoha.

In the last major battle between Konoha and Kirigakure, Guy successfully killed Suigetsu Hozuki.

Samehada also fell into Kai's hands.

However, this guy had no interest in Samehada whatsoever and handed it over to the village afterwards.

Of course, Toshiro didn't treat him badly. He not only rewarded him with a very generous bonus, but also specially arranged for Tsunade to give him a physical examination.

Speaking of Might Guy, he truly lives up to his reputation as a rare beast of Konoha. The high-intensity training he has undergone over the years is something that ordinary people simply cannot withstand.

However, this guy's physique was truly superhuman; he actually managed to withstand it, but as a result, he suffered quite a few hidden injuries.

"Kisame Hoshigaki...?"

Upon hearing Mei Terumi's request, Toshiro's gaze lingered on the tall man outside the door, who was staring at Itachi Uchiha with small, round eyes.

Unexpectedly, Mei Terumi brought this guy with her to the Five Kage Summit.

"Since it was Xiaomei who brought it up, there's naturally no problem. However... during tomorrow's meeting, I hope Xiaomei can support the agreements I proposed."

Kisame Hoshigaki is just a nobody; he's not unacceptable to Konoha.

This guy is quite strong, but his weaknesses are also very obvious. One is that his attributes are relatively simple, and the other is that he has obvious Samehada characteristics.

Knowing the opponent's abilities gives ninjas plenty of ways to counter them.

"That's natural. If the terms proposed by Toshiro are endorsed by the five great nations, it would be a good thing for the ninja world."

With a bright smile, Mei Terumi was quite satisfied that Toshiro had agreed to return Samehada.

It wasn't in vain that I took the time to come here and talk to Toshiro about Samehada.

This is also where Terumi Mei's intelligence lies.

At this point in time, if she were to ask Konoha for Samehada, it would be highly unlikely that Toshiro would refuse her.

"Speaking of which, I wonder how Toshiro came up with these ideas that could reduce conflict among everyone."

What Toshiro proposed wasn't something extremely difficult to do; it wouldn't be too hard for the various ninja villages to accomplish.

However, according to Master Yuan, these clauses can reduce a lot of fighting between ninjas. I don't know how Toshiro came up with them.

"It's nothing, I just want to avoid some trouble!"

However, these are things similar to international conventions from the previous life, and it's unknown whether they will have any effect in this ninja world.

After all, it's a world that has been killing each other for thousands of years. It's still a pipe dream to think that peace can be truly achieved by relying on treaties or something like those made by some big shots.

The next day, the Tsuchikage and the Kazekage arrived.

On the morning of the third day, in a spacious conference room in a solemn building specially prepared by the Land of Iron, the Kage from the five great nations, witnessed by Mifune, began the second Five Kage Summit in this world.

"Isn't this loess?"

I never expected that the Third Tsuchikage would bring him along this time. It really has been many years since we last met.

Looking at the yellow earth behind Onoki, Toshiro didn't feel constrained by the solemn atmosphere and greeted the earth very naturally.

"And over here, where's the Raikage's brother?"

"Did that guy hold his own concert?"

"Fourth Kazekage, it's been a long time. I didn't expect that we would meet again not on the battlefield."

"And Yashamaru..."

"This guy's demeanor is really surprising!"

Seeing Toshiro frequently greeting everyone present, the naturally suspicious Onoki couldn't help but mutter to himself.

This Uchiha guy's demeanor is really... different from before.

It completely lacks the feeling of Uchiha Madara, who thought, "Hashirama Senju is number one, I'm number two, and everyone else is trash."

Then they turned their gaze to the newly appointed Water Shadow.

This was also a new face, and it was a woman.

There are also the Kazekage and Raikage.

Looking at the energetic younger generation gathered there, Onoki glared fiercely at his son standing behind him.

If it weren't for this guy's incompetence, I wouldn't be so old and have to travel all this way to attend the Five Kage Summit.

"I'm sure everyone has different opinions on the several covenants I proposed. Now that we're all gathered here, let's finalize these matters one by one."

"In this way, it will benefit everyone, including our Konoha, the Earth, Lightning, Water, and Wind factions, as well as the people of all countries."

After greeting a few people he knew, Toshiro didn't mince words and went straight to the point.

"I have some questions regarding the Hokage's questions about trade, prisoners, the exchange of envoys between villages, and the so-called compensation principle."

No sooner had Toshiro finished speaking than the Raikage, whose temper was the most impatient, spoke first.

"Putting aside other things, could you explain in more detail the exchange of prisoners and captives between villages?"

Toshiro's proposals were very fragmented. One of them was about exchanging captured ninjas among themselves, including but not limited to prisoners of war, spies, and those captured during missions. It was even possible for three parties to exchange them.

However, for these villages, if these people are released and cause secondary harm to themselves, it will be difficult to explain.

"This is very simple. Everyone can provide each other with a list of prisoners. I believe that everyone in your village has prisoners from various villages."

After providing them with the most basic necessities for survival, we can exchange lists and release the prisoners through hostage exchanges, or even by paying ransom.

Seeing that no one objected, Toshiro continued:

"As for some more sensitive or valuable prisoners, it's inevitable that people will use various means to obtain information."

But these people are, after all, our comrades. Perhaps after we've thoroughly investigated their information and secrets, we could spare their lives, even if it prevents them from becoming ninjas.

"So that they can become each other's bargaining chips, giving them a chance to go home."

The person has already been captured, and torture to extract information and investigate their secrets is inevitable.

However, after doing all this, sparing the other person's life so that they can reunite with their family is also a good thing.

After all, it's better to live a miserable life than to die a good death.

"Does that so-called principle of compensation mean we should also adhere to this principle in our dealings with those smaller countries?"

No sooner had Toshiro finished speaking than the short-statured Onoki inquired about the compensation principle.

Toshiro proposed a compensation principle.

Conflicts between countries are inevitable. Since there are conflicts, some people will suffer losses and others will benefit.

Toshiro's proposed compensation principle is that if everyone gains an advantage in a conflict, they should offer some benefits that they themselves don't value to the party who suffers a loss.

These interests can be things like territory, money, or economic benefits that are not considered valuable.

To put it simply, it's like slapping someone in the face and then giving them a sweet treat or a consolation prize.

However, in Onoki's view, this kind of thing is fine as long as the five great nations follow this principle.

Those small countries are weak, so there's no need to give them things we don't even want.

"This principle can prevent the escalation of conflict."

"There are always various kinds of disputes between large countries, between large countries and small countries, and between small countries. These disputes often start from a small conflict, gradually accumulate and escalate into a large-scale conflict, and finally evolve into the Ninja World War."

"Although we are powerful, we can disregard the feelings of smaller countries in our dealings with them. No matter how unwilling those smaller countries are, they cannot change this situation."

But these people won't forget this resentment. As time goes by, this resentment will take root and sprout, and eventually, at some point, it will take revenge on us in a way we can't even imagine.

"The reason why the Shinobi World Wars have continued indefinitely is that these small countries have instigated them in order to retaliate against us, the great powers."

If we want to minimize conflict, we cannot completely ignore the feelings of these people. What we offer in return may not satisfy them, but it will help reduce the likelihood of them provoking trouble.

Although it's just a consolation prize, don't underestimate its significance; having it or not makes a world of difference.

Revenge is an eternal topic among humans, and an instinct buried deep in human genes.

Without this consolation prize, the idea of ​​revenge would linger in their minds. At the slightest spark, they would erupt like a volcano.

Then give the other person a big surprise.

Similar incidents have occurred during every Shinobi World War.

These small countries, when you bully them, can only silently swallow the bitter pill.

However, as the saying goes, retribution may be delayed, but it will come eventually.

Whenever a Ninja World War breaks out, it is a time when these small countries repeatedly switch sides between the major powers.

Betraying intelligence, acting as a collaborator, stabbing someone in the back—these kinds of actions are commonplace.

Especially those who are adept at maneuvering, caught in the middle of the two countries, are bullied from both sides. They also constantly sell intelligence to the two warring nations.

The purpose is to make the major powers shed more blood, so that they can vent their own frustrations.

Or, in ordinary times, if you encounter a lone ninja, they might sneak up on you and then frame someone else for it.

Such things are truly commonplace in the human world.

Giving a consolation prize can, to some extent, soothe the other person's sense of loss and frustration.

In particular, when the other person is pursuing a goal and expects to succeed, but ultimately fails to achieve it, their sense of self-worth and self-identity may be threatened.

At this time, receiving a consolation prize from someone else can reduce the sense of threat and alleviate the other person's inner pressure and pain.

Although this consolation prize may not completely satisfy those people, it can have a positive effect to some extent, helping them maintain an optimistic and positive attitude and mitigating the negative impact.

……

(End of this chapter)