The Uchiha's Path to the Top, Starting from Konoha

Chapter 189 Negotiation

Meanwhile, negotiations between the Bahars Empire and Amegakure were also drawing to a close.

At a temporary meeting place where the two sides were locked in a tug-of-war, [Blood Emperor] Gilkenif met [Walking Poison Tide] Salamander Hanzo for the second time.

The first meeting was intentionally arranged by Gilknefer, who reluctantly allowed a bodyguard who knew about him to be "accidentally" captured by Amegakure ninjas, and then set up a carefully prepared trap.

Hanzo the Salamander and his staff had their doubts, but the well-organized intelligence in the memories of the Blood Emperor's guards, along with their probing of various details, made Amegakure no longer hesitate and led their elite troops in.

And so, amidst a sea of ​​ice and fire, swords and spears, and the howls of the undead, Gilkenif, who had set the trap himself, encountered the legendary Hanzo of the Salamander.

The foul-smelling poisonous fog was shielded by a magical barrier. Gilkenif, whose clothes were no longer shiny and whose body was covered in blood and whose face was pale, relied on various magical artifacts to withstand the first wave of attacks. After completing his decoy mission, he retreated to the second line.

The archmage Fluder, fighting on the front lines, activated a variety of meticulously laid traps. Together with the Morning Star-level [Ghost Gun] Renas and the selfless Imperial Knights, he enraged Hanzo the Salamander, who fought until his eyes were bloodshot.

The city walls had already collapsed in the battle. Standing on a section of the ruins, Gilkenif watched Hanzo the Salamander flee and considered giving chase.

However, our side has also suffered heavy losses and no longer has the strength to fight.

This battle also marked a turning point in Amegakure's strategic policy shift. Hanzo of the Salamander began to see Gilknefer as a true adversary, rather than the incompetent native leader who had initially been eager to fight.

"Commander Balu, please have a seat."

Hanzo of the Salamander invited Uchiha Baru, the commander of the Southeast Ninja Army, to sit down, which also represented Konoha's exercise of supervisory power and the intention to deter the Empire. He then gave the Salamander Emperor a deep look before taking his seat.

On the long wooden table, on the Konoha side were Uchiha Baru, Hanzo of the Salamander, and several key members of Amegakure.

Opposite them were Gilkenif, Fluda, Renas, and the Empire's civil officials.

"The true power behind Amegakure...?"

Looking at Uchiha Baru, who sat in the main seat, dressed in combat ninja uniform, with a tall and upright figure, a solemn and imposing aura, and an air of authority without anger, the empire members all thought the same thing.

If it weren't for the fact that Amegakure had the support of the Ninja World behind it, the Empire would never have even considered sitting down for negotiations.

With only a few thousand soldiers, even though each one was exceptionally strong, they were all just ordinary mortals. Even Hanzo the Salamander was wounded by Furuta.

The lower-ranking ninjas, including Renas who has broken through to the Morning Star level, are capable of dealing with the enemy. The sheer number of knights can overwhelm them with sheer numbers.

If we simply face Amegakure, as long as the Empire doesn't make any brain-dead mistakes, the final victor will inevitably be the vast and resource-rich Empire.

Unfortunately, the world is ultimately cruel.

Gilkenif focused his attention and began negotiating with Hanzo the Salamander.

Even though the empire was weak, with the Blood Emperor present, the empire's civil officials were very eloquent and quickly refuted the battle-hardened ninjas of Amegakure, leaving them speechless.

"At this point, we should bring those people who are struggling to make ends meet over here."

Hanzo the Salamander, realizing that the negotiation had taken a turn against him, showed no sign of anxiety whatsoever.

Truth is always within the range of cannons!

They may not be as good at talking as their opponents, but the combat ninjas of Amegakure are determined to stick to their own needs.

"Your country must unconditionally submit to the ninja world. From top to bottom, all official appointments, including the emperor, as well as military, political, economic, and territorial matters, will be subject to the unified control and arrangement of the ninja world!"

Faced with Amegakure's overt and covert threats of attack against their dissent, the empire's civil officials, striving to protect their own interests, were gradually sweating profusely and on high alert.

"Amegakure is not a victorious nation, so it's impossible for them to conquer the entire Empire in one fell swoop!"

Upon realizing this, Gilkenif finally spoke up, causing the civil officials to collectively breathe a sigh of relief. The sudden shift from heaviness to relaxation after facing this meeting that would determine the fate of the empire almost made them slump in their chairs.

No one cared about their predicament now, and Hanzo the Salamander, too lazy to find a reason to refute, simply said.

"Indeed, Amegakure cannot annex the entire empire, but you should also be aware that Amegakure is merely a newly emerging force in the ninja world."

After nearly two months of fighting, Gilknefer also learned about the power structure of the ninja world from various aspects, and was quite clear that what Hanzo of the Salamander said was true.

The real big tiger, at this moment, sat as steady as Mount Tai in the back.

Just like how he once instigated the fighting between nobles, he always had a condescending and playful attitude, and when he got tired of it, he would turn around and kill it.

Hanzo the Salamander stared at the silent Gilkenif, a secret sense of satisfaction rising within him.

Once upon a time, the Rain Village, oppressed by the larger village, was like this: wanting to speak but unable to, forced to keep all their thoughts to themselves.

With Konoha backing him up, Hanzo of the Salamander was brimming with confidence, and his words naturally carried an air of undeniable authority.

"Your Excellency should understand that the current negotiations are merely a way to save face for yourself. If you wait for Commander Balu's ninja forces to intervene, it will be impossible for you to maintain your dignity then."

Upon hearing this, Gilknefer looked at Uchiha Baru, who had been silent and even somewhat absent-minded. The crest of the moon on the other's shoulder and his indifferent attitude made him take the matter very seriously.

"Don't bring up my name; I only want the final result."

His deputy, Thousand Hands Peach Blossom, was conscripted by the Royal Court Ninja Army, while he himself had to attend a negotiation meeting that was utterly meaningless.

Uchiha Pazu, who desperately wanted to exchange for the [Flame Release: Blood Seed] and become a recognized strongman within the Uchiha clan, was also envious of the merits gained from slaying enemies.

As for the meeting between Amegakure and the Empire, there was absolutely no mention of meritorious service.

"You don't care about the affairs of the empire, do you?"

Gilcaniffe, having noticed this from Uchiha Baru's attitude, turned his gaze to Hanzo the Salamander.

"Lord Amekage, the Empire may acknowledge the Ninja World as its suzerain state, but stripping the Empire of all administrative and military power seems to be underestimating the Empire!"

"The Council Kingdom, the Theocracy, the Empire, and even the newly emerged Great Tomb of Nazarick are all targets of the ninja world's attacks."

Under the frowning gaze of the Uchiha clan, Gilgamesh paused and said in a deep voice.

"Fighting on multiple fronts has drained the ninja world's resources. As long as the empire retains its autonomy, the Bahars Empire is willing to become a vassal state of the ninja world, and its manpower, resources, and finances can all be mobilized by the ninja world!"

(End of this chapter)