Shimura Danzo regained freedom to move within the village.
After all, no conclusive evidence could prove he committed actions directly damaging Konoha's interests.
Even those Root members dispatched to accompany Orochimaru, besides striking the Uchiha ANBU squad, also transmitted useful military intelligence back to Konoha.
This allowed Konoha to rapidly make effective responses to hired shinobi attacks.
With actions targeting the Uchiha lacking hard evidence while intelligence contributions could be verified through Root's internal systems, even Tsunade could not continue his house arrest.
Thus, after the Fifth Hokage's inauguration ceremony smoothly concluded, Danzo recovered superficial freedom of movement. However, merely that.
Most Root members remained restricted to their base, awaiting Tsunade's arrangements. Danzo himself was explicitly prohibited from entering Root's base again.
Though this did not mean his influence network cultivated for years throughout Konoha and the shinobi world had completely collapsed.
However, practically speaking, he became the only one among advisor elders lacking specific duties and jurisdictions.
Regarding current circumstances, Danzo felt unsatisfied yet momentarily lacked solutions.
What dissatisfied him more was that Orochimaru's operation only partially succeeded. That squad's casualties occurred on frontal battlefields, costing him operational space.
If the Uchiha remained stable, his ecological niche could not manifest. Sarutobi Hiruzen and the other two advisor elders would lack sufficient reasons supporting him regaining power.
Originally, survivor Uchiha Enblade could have served as an entry point yet was also rapidly pacified.
Though intelligence no longer flowed as freely as before, he still guessed whose handiwork this was.
That person belonged to Tsunade's shadow. Though possessing decent methods, ultimately insufficiently dark.
Such people could not become Konoha's new darkness, could not protect Konoha.
"What about the Sharingan?" he asked in low tones, voice echoing through the spacious Japanese-style room.
The trusted subordinate beside him respectfully reported, "Orochimaru claims temporarily inconvenient returning. Moreover, due to your current state..."
Hearing his subordinate's report, Danzo snorted coldly. Orochimaru also began proving uncontrollable.
However, currently he needed Orochimaru's techniques and power more than ever, also needing more chips reversing current disadvantages.
Past methods no longer worked. However, the Box of Ultimate Bliss incident provided a reminder. Within the shinobi world, not all legends proved illusory.
Then his breakthrough point perhaps required starting from those extraordinary powers.
Since the core ceasefire goal had been preliminarily achieved and Shuji's personal probing purposes were also met, he no longer displayed aggression in subsequent negotiations. This nearly made Mei Terumi believe that initial relentlessly pressing youth was merely her illusion.
"Since both sides have basically determined shared will to stop conflicts," Mei Terumi organized her thoughts, attempting proposing new topics, "then with peace's arrival, should normal trade exchanges between Water Country and Fire Country also be considered for gradual restoration?"
Genshi had not deceived Obito. Water Country daimyo's dissatisfaction with current circumstances truly existed.
Due to Kirigakure's previous series of military operations lacking clear strategic objectives with no visible actual gains, major maritime trade routes between Water Country, Tea Country, and Fire Country were nearly severed.
With national tax revenues thus reduced, Kirigakure still demanded Water Capital increase military expenditures, naturally arousing financier dissatisfaction.
Kirigakure as a national military organization acting independently was one thing. After all, they possessed bigger fists. Daimyo also found truly constraining them difficult.
However, prolonged military operations with unclear meaning while causing sustained negative economic impacts made daimyo unwilling to continue paying.
Currently, financiers already displayed negative attitudes. The culpable Kirigakure had no choice but attempting recovering some practical results at negotiation tables to appease domestic parties, especially the daimyo.
Regarding Mei Terumi's raised request, Shuji merely said, "When conflicts between Kirigakure and Konoha cease, merchants no longer having safety concerns will naturally resume trade exchanges."
His meaning proved clear: trade restoration was a natural result after conflict cessation but could not serve as negotiation preconditions or bargaining chips.
Everything must wait until both sides formally signed peace agreements and confirmed respective military force withdrawals.
Mei Terumi inwardly sighed. Securing clear benefits for Water Country during negotiation's initial period still proved impossible.
Though returning with currently achieved ceasefire consensus to report also counted as completing basic tasks Genshi assigned, not wasting this trip.
However, if possible, she still hoped securing somewhat better conditions for the village and Water Country.
Thinking this, she glanced at Shuji again.
Given capabilities this guy displayed plus his status in Konoha, subsequent similar negotiations or contacts would probably still feature him.
Suddenly felt like the future appeared bleak.
"Very pleased we could reach such important preliminary consensus during first contact, Miss Mei Terumi," Shuji spoke timely, drawing this meeting to conclusion. "Anticipating your village's subsequent response regarding this draft's details."
Mei Terumi stood, solemnly extending her hand. "Honestly, I cannot say I felt particularly pleased with this negotiation's process. However, Shuji-kun, you truly taught me considerable things."
During subsequent reflections, she also gradually clarified some initial negotiation mistakes. She should not have shown momentum concerns because opponent-proposed requirements generally fell within acceptable ranges, leading to opponent easily grasping dialogue's dominant position.
However, objectively speaking, this young Konoha shinobi before her, after gaining advantage, did not pursue victory by raising more harsh demands. To some degree, this counted as leaving leeway, even called magnanimous.
Otherwise current treaty contents would prove somewhat unseemly.
Shuji likewise extended his hand, lightly grasping hers.
"Regardless of process, ultimate purpose remains achieving agreements both sides can accept and possess capability maintaining long-term," he said calmly. "I believe this proves most important."
Hearing this, Mei Terumi slightly froze, remaining silent briefly before showing a smile. "If attitudes Shuji-kun upholds can represent Konoha's future direction, then in the future, perhaps between Kirigakure and Konoha, truly more anticipation-worthy outlooks than now may exist."
Chapters in advance there: patreon.com/Thaniel_a_goodchild