Naruto: Tenseigan Eye

Chiyo's guard looked perplexed, his mind racing. Did Chiyo-sama truly understand what she was saying? Using women to sway one of Konoha's top-ranking figures? Was this a joke?

Sure, Sunagakure had its share of beautiful kunoichi, but did Konoha lack stunning women? Certainly not. However, the guard dared not voice his doubts in front of Chiyo, lest he court trouble.

"It might be... difficult," Chiyo sighed, her voice tinged with resignation.

Even if Hyuga Shinki favored beautiful kunoichi, Konoha's resources and sincerity would far outshine anything Sunagakure could offer.

The Hyuga clan itself was known to offer girls from its branch family for political leverage. Compared to such gestures, Sunagakure's efforts would look half-hearted. It was nearly impossible to bribe Shinki unless his mind was entirely broken.

Hokage's Office: A Late-Night Discussion

In the Hokage's office, the Third Hokage sat surrounded by papers, his pipe emitting gentle plumes of smoke. Beside him, Mitokado Homura quietly reviewed reports.

"How's Koharu doing?" Hiruzen asked suddenly, recalling his longtime friend and fellow elder.

Homura paused his writing, lifting his head slightly. "I haven't checked on her since she was hospitalized. She's probably furious with us—especially you."

Hiruzen exhaled heavily. "I'm sure she is. I haven't visited her, nor have I stood up for her. After this negotiation with Sunagakure concludes, I'll pay her a visit. Maybe by then, she'll have calmed down enough to think clearly about her situation."

Homura hesitated, then spoke cautiously. "Hiruzen, are you absolutely certain about this approach?"

Hiruzen turned to him, a tired smile crossing his face. "Do I have a choice? Even if we win outright, the benefits don't outweigh the long-term cost. This way, Konoha gains more stability."

Homura nodded solemnly. "You've done well in handling this, even if it means personal criticism. Besides, with Shinki's rising strength and status, it's no surprise he carries weight in these discussions. Honestly, he's much stronger than we were at his age."

Hiruzen chuckled bitterly. "He's incomparable. Not only is his power unmatched, but his knack for maneuvering without stepping on toes is frustratingly effective. And yet, he avoids drawing too much attention to himself. Sometimes, I wonder if I should be worried about him."

Homura smirked. "As long as Tsunade keeps him grounded, I doubt we'll see him vying for your seat anytime soon."

The Third Hokage winced. "That's another thing. Shinki is so unlike most people. He's a dedicated ninja, the head of the ANBU, and... well, his connections with certain individuals raise eyebrows."

Homura raised a brow. "Hiruzen, mind your words."

Hiruzen coughed awkwardly. "You know what I mean. He has an eye for beautiful kunoichi—though, come to think of it, didn't we have similar tendencies in our youth?"

The two elders exchanged sheepish smiles. They had shared their fair share of embarrassing moments growing up, though neither would admit it outright. Compared to Jiraiya's eccentricities, Shinki's interests seemed tame.

The Negotiation Resumes

After three days of tense silence, Sunagakure's delegation finally received a message: the second round of negotiations would take place the following day in the Hokage's office.

Chiyo recognized the significance of the invitation. The Third Hokage had decided to proceed with a contract favoring long-term benefits. The negotiations began promptly, with Konoha clearly focused on achieving results.

Hiruzen sat quietly, sipping tea while Mitokado Homura handled the discussion. "We are prepared to accept the terms proposed by Sunagakure," Homura began, "but Konoha requests one additional condition."

Chiyo narrowed her eyes. "What is it?"

"Your village's puppetry techniques, including the methods for puppet crafting."

The room fell silent. Chiyo's reaction was immediate—she slammed the table, standing abruptly. "Absolutely not!"

Homura remained calm, unfazed by her outburst. "Chiyo, you're well aware that your puppetry techniques are outdated. They hold little value to Konoha now, especially when compared to Shinki's advancements."

"No!" Chiyo snapped, her voice unwavering. "Puppetry is a cornerstone of our village's identity and one of our most treasured techniques. We cannot hand it over, not to Konoha or anyone else!"

Homura sighed, glancing at the Third Hokage for guidance. Hiruzen was about to interject when Chiyo suddenly turned to Shinki, her demeanor shifting entirely. She wore a warm, almost grandmotherly smile.

"But," she began, her voice saccharine, "I'm willing to make a deal directly with you, Lord Shinki."

"...?"

Shinki froze, utterly baffled. Why was she addressing him? What kind of deal could Sunagakure possibly offer him?

The room fell silent, the unexpected shift catching everyone off guard. Even Hiruzen paused mid-sip, his expression unreadable.

Chiyo's sudden change in tone left the entire room on edge. What was she planning?

>>>>>

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[Naruto: Maelstrom Of the Uzumaki]