Yōkō entered Hatake Sakumo's tent and saw both Hatake Sakumo and Mitokado Homura sitting behind the table.
With a quick glance, he noticed the uneasy looks on the faces of the surrounding staff officers, as if the conversation between Hatake Sakumo and Mitokado Homura had not been pleasant.
Yōkō thought to himself, We won, so why the tension?
A trace of anger still lingered in Mitokado Homura's voice as he said, "Fox, bring an ANBU squad and come with me to the negotiations."
"Yes, Mitokado Homura-sama."
Mitokado Homura and his four assistants, along with Yōkō and the Spotted Deer Squad, left the temporary camp together.
Sometimes, Yōkō felt he was somewhat biased, treating the White Ram Squad and Spotted Deer Squad too well, while being rather average towards the Hippo and Yak Squads.
However, he had never targeted the Hippo and Yak Squads either.
For many important tasks, he still trusted the White Ram and Spotted Deer Squads more.
On the way, Mitokado Homura asked, "Fox, this conflict will likely produce 3 to 4 new Jōnin. Do you have any recommendations?"
Yōkō instantly understood why the contradiction had arisen between Mitokado Homura and Hatake Sakumo.
Logically, a major victory in the conflict was a good thing; Mitokado Homura shouldn't be giving Hatake Sakumo a hard time at a time like this.
Hatake Sakumo must have brought up Jōnin recommendations in front of Mitokado Homura.
Hatake Sakumo had worked hard and achieved great merit, but he just didn't understand that high merit didn't necessarily guarantee rich rewards.
Yōkō said, "Mitokado Homura-sama, I recommend White Ram for promotion to Jōnin."
White Ram's Parasitic Destruction Insect secret technique was growing increasingly powerful, especially after becoming proficient in use of Yōkō's Cross Seal, allowing him to rapidly breed a massive insect swarm in a short time.
A larger insect swarm meant more mutations and greater diversity.
Cultivating Parasitic Destruction Insects with superior traits individually, continuously producing stronger insects, was the most important training method for the Aburame clan.
Sometimes, an Aburame ninja's own strength might have reached its limit, but a single mutation in their insects could usher in a second spring, allowing them to break through their limits.
Seeing Mitokado Homura look at him, Yōkō quickly explained:
"White Ram is an Aburame clan ninja named Aburame Kinkaku.
To date, White Ram has completed 3 S-Rank missions, meeting the conditions for Jōnin promotion.
His strength is still in a period of rapid growth; he will only become stronger in the future. I recommend him for Jōnin."
Mitokado Homura nodded repeatedly and said, "Far better than the Shinma and Hayama that Hatake Sakumo recommended.
The Shimura clan lost 2 Jōnin in the Land of Grass. In this Land of Hot Water conflict, there is a Shimura clan Special Jōnin waiting for promotion.
Let the ANBU promote one as well, taking one slot.
After the ANBU was streamlined to 4 units, adopting an elite soldier approach, it's not excessive for unit captains to be Jōnin.
As for Hatake Sakumo, he recommended two people. It's not good to reject both. Probably one will be approved and one denied."
Yōkō thought to himself, Not a bad deal.
On the surface, only one of Hatake Sakumo's two recommendations was approved, but if you rounded up, White Ram could also be considered part of Hatake Sakumo's faction.
They arrived in a city within the Land of the Moon. Samurai led the way as Mitokado Homura and Yōkō entered a deep residential compound.
A noble had offered his mansion to serve as the venue for these talks.
The compound had distinct mountainous characteristics, with several courtyards rising layer by layer. Each rear courtyard was half a level higher than the one in front, making the entire compound tiered upwards.
Although nobles lived precarious lives, easily assassinated by ninja, their living conditions were truly excellent.
Being a local despot in a town like this seemed quite comfortable.
Upon entering the main hall, Mitokado Homura and Yōkō sat on two cushions.
Behind them, the assistants and the Spotted Deer Squad stood on either side.
On the cushions opposite sat Kumogakure Advisor Omoi and the Raikage's assistant, Dodai.
Dodai's strength was mediocre, and Yōkō did not need his Lava Release rubber Kekkei Genkai ability. Instead, he turned his gaze to Omoi.
This tall, lean middle-aged man was a Lightning Release expert from Kumogakure and a trusted advisor to the Third Raikage.
Yōkō wondered if Omoi was proficient in the Lightning Body Flicker. With the need to continue dealing with Root, Yōkō urgently needed to strengthen his minor identity, White Ghost.
Omoi slammed his fist onto the floor, causing the floorboards to rapidly crack: "Mitokado Homura! You Konoha, go too far!"
Yōkō placed his hand on the floor, using Earth Release chakra to reinforce the floorboards.
The floor within two meters in front of Mitokado Homura remained completely intact.
Mitokado Homura nodded satisfiedly and said, "Oh? How has Konoha gone too far?"
"After the war ended, Konoha first sent White Fang to attack the Two-Tails Jinchūriki, Ryūjin, at the port! Then you sent Orochimaru to invade Kumogakure, causing the death of the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki, B!" Omoi stared at Fox and said:
"And in this conflict, you killed the Storm Release clan leader, Darui!
Do you want an undeclared war?! Do you want to start the Third Great Ninja War!"
Facing Omoi's hot temper, Mitokado Homura spoke unhurriedly:
"Don't be impatient. You Kumo-nin are always in such a hurry. Let's discuss things point by point.
Darui died on the battlefield because he wasn't strong enough.
We are ninja. If we die on the battlefield, should our villages seek revenge for us? Don't be so foolish, Omoi."
"You!" Omoi was furious but didn't know how to refute.
Mitokado Homura said, "As for the two Jinchūriki incidents, why don't you reflect on yourselves?
Kumo-nin spies have never given up on Konoha's Nine-Tails Jinchūriki and nearly succeeded in abducting her once.
Consider this retaliation for your scheming to steal the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki. At most, it evens the score."
Dodai's breathing grew heavier; he knew about that Nine-Tails Jinchūriki abduction attempt.
At that time, Kumo spies in Konoha discovered that several factions within Konoha were secretly fighting amongst themselves, and the relationship between Konoha Village and the Senju clan was poor. They thought they could take advantage of Konoha's internal strife to kidnap the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki.
They nearly succeeded, but then the Jinchūriki's classmate suddenly appeared and actually defeated the Kumo spies.
Namikaze Minato – that name first appeared in the Raikage's office.
Mitokado Homura continued, "We heard you claimed to have a Perfect Jinchūriki. Konoha didn't believe it, so we came to test it.
Now the test is over, and you were indeed boasting, glorifying yourselves.
If you knew this would happen, why did you spread such big talk about a Perfect Jinchūriki in the first place?"
Omoi stopped shouting loudly. His voice suddenly dropped low, threatening Mitokado Homura:
"It seems you have no awareness that you are provoking a war!
Just wait. Kumogakure will not swallow this insult. B's death, Darui's death – you Konoha will pay the price!"
Mitokado Homura was full of imposing momentum. When he spoke now, he instantly overpowered Omoi:
"Konoha has never feared war. A Third Great Ninja War just one year later is not impossible. If you want war, Konoha will give you war."
Yōkō was inwardly surprised. Was Mitokado Homura this assertive?
Dodai spoke up from the side: "Mitokado Homura, let's exchange the ceasefire agreement.
I know you're bluffing. Konoha lost over 4,000 people in the Second Great Ninja War.
Do you even have ten thousand ninja now to think about starting a Third Great Ninja War??
If Konoha loses another 2,000 ninja, how will you six Second Hokage guards – you ambitious schemers who fled the Land of Lightning like beaten dogs, can't wait to return to Konoha and seize power – how will you continue to hold power then?"
Yōkō saw Mitokado Homura's expression change.
Amidst the unfriendly and heated exchange of words, Mitokado Homura and Omoi exchanged the ceasefire agreement.
Neither side made any demands for reparations. After two months of fighting and many ninja casualties, they ceased hostilities, having gained nothing.
***
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(Chapter End)