Darui and Kurotsuchi let out shocked exclamations.
Sitting across from them, Nara Shikaku and Kamizuki Hikari wore "kind" smiles.
As for why Hikari was even here—that went back to last night, a long, long story in itself.
Hikari enthusiastically pointed at the numbers. "There’s another two million after that. It’s one billion and two million."
Only then did Kurotsuchi and Darui notice the extra two million tacked on at the end. Sure enough, compared to one billion, two million really was insignificant. After a glance, they didn’t bother to dwell on it.
"This price is way too high. We really can’t bring out that much money!" Kurotsuchi grimaced, looking at Shikaku with a pleading expression. "Can’t you give us a discount?"
"Actually, it doesn’t have to be cash." Hikari explained warmly, pointing out a note in the contract. "Iron ore, grain, medicinal herbs, and so on are all acceptable. We’ll evaluate everything at market value, you can rest assured about that."
But Kurotsuchi and Darui weren’t in the mood to look.
A Kage was important, yes, but so was one billion in funds for a hidden village.
"No way. It’s just too much. Even if we had it, there’s no way we could pay that!" Darui’s tone was firm.
It was just short of saying outright: At this price, forget the Raikage—we’ll leave him here. Do as you wish.
"Then name your price. This is a negotiation, after all. We can talk it over." Shikaku remained calm.
To be precise, he had no reason to be anxious. It wasn’t the Fifth Hokage, who was captured. As the victor, he could leisurely wait for them to reveal their bottom line.
Negotiation was all about patience—whoever broke first would fall behind.
"One hundred million!"
Kurotsuchi gritted her teeth and gave her offer.
"Heh. No deal." Shikaku sneered and gestured at the door, signaling that Kurotsuchi could leave.
Of course, she wasn’t actually going to leave. This was just haggling—if it worked, great. If not, nothing lost.
"How about two hundred million, then?" Darui tried to smooth things over.
Shikaku simply picked up his teacup, not even bothering to reply.
"It seems you two aren’t sincere about today’s negotiations." Hikari spoke again. "Shikaku-sama is very busy. If you’re going to act , then we’ll have no choice but to see you out."
Of course, that was only for show. The Raikage and Tsuchikage definitely had to be sent back; getting some money for them was a bonus.
Truth be told, Konoha didn’t desperately need their money. It’d be nice to have, but it wouldn’t break them if they didn’t.
"By the way, what’s that two million at the end for?" Kurotsuchi quickly changed the subject.
They’d come today determined to bring their leaders home, but Konoha’s demand was outrageous. Even if they could scrape it together, such a ransom would cripple their village’s finances. For Iwagakure, already not wealthy, it would be a crushing blow.
"Oh, that." Hikari chuckled. "Since our esteemed guests are here, we naturally provide the best service. Firstly, we have numerous jōnin providing round-the-clock, close-protection security, ensuring their safety. As for food, as honored guests, they enjoy meals of the same standard as our Hokage. All in all, two million is actually quite a fair price."
Are you sure it’s protection and not keeping tabs on the Tsuchikage and Raikage?
Kurotsuchi grumbled inwardly but didn’t push the point further.
"Why don’t you name a price, Shikaku-sama? We came today with sincerity—we truly want to bring the Tsuchikage back. After all, having him trouble your shinobi every day with constant care... we feel guilty about that."
After all, under such tight "protection", Kurotsuchi feared they might take an interest in Dust Release and make a move on Ōnoki.
As a living fossil of Iwagakure, Ōnoki’s value far exceeded mere resources or ryo.
If Konoha gained his knowledge of Earth Release and Dust Release training methods, Iwagakure would be devastated.
"Since you put it that way, Kurotsuchi, I’m willing to make a concession. Nine hundred million. How about that?" Shikaku lowered the price—slightly.
Kurotsuchi didn’t answer but exchanged a look with Darui.
Darui stepped in. He couldn’t just sit back—not with the Raikage still being "a guest" here.
"Shikaku-sama, nine hundred million is still too much. How about three hundred million? If both our villages contribute, that makes six hundred million total. That’s no small amount."
Shikaku calmly sipped his tea, blowing gently on the leaves before taking a slow drink and setting the cup back down.
"Your offer is far too low. We asked for one billion, and you counter with three hundred million? If I agreed, I wouldn’t be able to explain it to the village. How about this—I waive three hundred million from each of you. That leaves seven hundred million."
Hearing that, Darui hesitated for a long while, then clenched his teeth.
"Shikaku-sama, forgive me for speaking disrespectfully of the Raikage-sama, but on the black market, his bounty is barely over a hundred million. For us to spend seven hundred million to redeem him... I couldn’t explain that to the village!" The most update n0vels are published on 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡✶𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚✶𝙣𝙚𝙩
He looked at Darui with admiration. If the Raikage ever learned he dared say such a thing, he might beat him to death back home.
Hikari, equally impressed, exchanged a glance with Shikaku.
’Look, this guy is desperate. They probably can’t afford much!’
Shikaku nodded slightly. ’Yeah, Kumo knows Konoha won’t easily start a war, so aside from his own strength, the Raikage’s not worth that much to them. They’re not likely to pay a fortune to get him back!’
’Then let’s nudge it down.’
With just a few silent looks, the two had reached an understanding.
Then Hikari stood and spoke: "How about this—we’ll give a bottom line. The Raikage and Tsuchikage are esteemed figures. Using black market bounties to measure their worth is an insult. Shikaku-sama mentioned seven hundred million, and Kumogakure’s envoy offered three hundred million. How about we meet halfway—five hundred million?"
The moment Hikari finished, Shikaku slammed the table and shouted angrily: "The village demanded one billion, yet you dare suggest five hundred million? Do you think you can make that call? Or have you accepted bribes from Kumo—or perhaps fallen prey to Iwa’s honey trap?"
"Shikaku-sama, I only meant..." Hikari began to protest, but Shikaku seized him by the collar. "We’ll have Intelligence review your record right now. Let’s see if you’re really a spy!"
Even knowing Shikaku and Hikari were putting on an act, Darui had to intervene.
He stepped in to block the ’furious’ Shikaku.
"Even if Konoha wants a billion, it depends on whether our villages can pay that much. Why not go with the price that was mentioned? Five hundred million. How about it?"
Read 40+ advanced Chapters on my P@treon.
[email protected]/KakuzuTL