Article by article, clause by clause, they were like heavy shackles, not only locking down the Land of Earth's territory and wealth but also its political, economic, military, and even ideological and cultural autonomy.
Signing this treaty would leave the Land of Earth and Iwagakure with only a nominally independent shell, essentially completely reduced to a vassal of the Land of Stars, with even the most basic right to self-defense firmly held in the hands of the Land of Stars.
Onoki's hand began to tremble uncontrollably. The writing on the document became blurry in his eyes.
He raised his head and looked at Minato, who had a calm expression, and the Star Ninja behind him. His voice was hoarse as he spoke:
"Minato-sama… these… these conditions… aren't they too…"
Minato met his gaze, his lifeless eyes serious. He slowly spoke, his voice echoing in the silent conference room:
"Third Tsuchikage-sama, this is not a discussion, but a notification. The defeated have no right to choose."
"I believe you understand."
As Minato's words fell, the atmosphere in the top-floor conference room of the administrative center became so heavy it was almost palpable.
The Third Tsuchikage picked up the pen with a slight tremble. The lightweight brush now felt as heavy as a thousand pounds.
Looking at the densely packed clauses on the paper before him, like venomous snakes coiling around the lifelines of the Land of Earth and Iwagakure, Onoki's Adam's apple bobbed, and cold sweat poured down his forehead.
Minato watched Onoki calmly. Kanon's expression was indifferent. Hikari had activated her Three-Tomoe Sharingan, her cold, arrogant gaze seeming to warn the other party.
Finally, Onoki let out a deep, near-despairing sigh. The tip of the pen ultimately landed on the paper, signing the treaty that would completely alter the fate of the Land of Earth.
Meanwhile, in a relatively quiet residential area of the Star City, inside a spacious, bright apartment, the scene was completely different.
"Sir, look, the war is over, prices are falling, and we're paying six months' rent upfront. Can we negotiate this price a bit?" Shizune, holding the pink pig Tonton, negotiated with the landlord in a gentle yet firm tone.
The landlord was a kind-faced middle-aged man. He looked at the thick stack of bills Shizune had placed on the table, then at the reliable-looking young woman before him, who seemed to be a Ninja, hesitated for a moment, and finally nodded. "Alright, considering you're renting long-term, we'll go with the number you said. But you'll have to pay the electricity bill separately."
"Naturally, thank you, sir." Shizune breathed a sigh of relief, a smile appearing on her face.
Saving money was always good, especially since their expenses were... not small.
After seeing the landlord out, Shizune returned inside and began busily preparing lunch.
Tonton also helped with a series of 'puu', nudging some lighter bags of ingredients with its nose, seeming very intelligent.
Sunlight streamed through the clean glass window into the living room, making the room warm and bright.
By the time the sun was directly overhead, a sumptuous lunch was already laid out on the living room table, its aroma filling the air.
Shizune wiped the fine sweat from her forehead and walked to the master bedroom door, knocking gently. "Tsunade-sama, it's time to get up. Lunch is ready."
A muffled grumble and the sound of blankets shifting came from the room.
After a while, the bedroom door was pulled open. Tsunade, her blonde hair somewhat disheveled, walked out, bleary-eyed.
She was still wearing a loose nightgown, her face bearing the lethargy and irritability of a hangover.
She walked dazedly into the bathroom, completely not minding the exposure caused by her loose nightgown. She splashed cold water on her face a few times, finally dispelling some of the sleepiness.
Sitting down at the dining table, she picked up her chopsticks, grabbed a piece of golden-brown fried pork cutlet, and while chewing, complained discontentedly, "Tch, this Land of Stars is good in every way, except for this ban on gambling! It's so annoying! It makes my fingers itch unbearably. Even holding chopsticks feels like my fingers are itching to play a few hands!"
Shizune sighed helplessly, serving her a bowl of miso soup, and tentatively asked, "Tsunade-sama, how about... I play a few hands of cards with you later?"
Hearing this, Tsunade glanced at her sideways, let out a light hum, her tone carrying a bit of sarcasm. "Play cards? With the little pocket money you have, how many hands is that enough for? What, are you planning to lose all the savings you've scraped together over the years to me in one go?"
Shizune looked down sheepishly, muttering in a voice almost only she could hear, "Anyway… anyway, you're just going to lose it all in the end, might as well lose it to me…"
"Hmm? What did you say?" Tsunade raised an eyebrow.
"Nothing! Nothing at all!" Shizune quickly waved her hands, hastily changing the subject. "By the way, Tsunade-sama, since the Land of Stars bans gambling, why did you still have me rent the place for six months straight? The housing prices in the Star City are quite a bit more expensive than anywhere we've stayed before."
Tsunade put down her bowl, picked up the sake bottle on the table, and poured herself a small cup. A complex light flashed in her eyes.
She took a sip of sake and said slowly, "There's a reason for the high price. This country… it's very interesting. Don't you think so? I always feel that something we've never seen before is happening here. Staying a bit longer, we might see more interesting things."
Thinking of the Edo Tensei Minato and Kushina, and the Uzumaki Clan, Hyuga Clan's branch family, even the entire Uchiha Clan gathered on one street, an indescribable feeling welled up in her heart.
What she didn't say explicitly was that Shura, and the power gathered around him and the ideals he displayed, had subtly touched something deep within her that had long been dormant.
As the granddaughter of the First Hokage, she had witnessed how her grandfather's grand ideal of pacifying the Ninja World became empty talk, and had seen how Konoha gradually deviated from its original purpose amidst power and strife.
The Land of Stars, this newly risen nation, seemed to be walking a completely different path, which aroused in her a strong curiosity, even a trace of anticipation she herself was unwilling to admit.
Shizune nodded, somewhat understanding. Then she said, "By the way, Tsunade-sama, when I went out to buy groceries this morning, I heard the news that the war is over. Sunagakure and Iwagakure were defeated."
Hearing this, Tsunade's hand holding the cup paused slightly.
She didn't show much surprise.
Having witnessed Shura easily defeat the Sunagakure's elites led by Rasa, and seen the two Tailed Beasts in the Sea of Death, she never doubted the Land of Stars could win this war.
But…
"Over? So quickly?" Tsunade put down her cup, frowning slightly. "If I remember correctly, Sunagakure officially declared war just seven days ago, right? It's finished already?"
Shizune nodded affirmatively, a tone of disbelief also in her voice. "Yes, the news is spreading everywhere. I heard Sunagakure's Elder Chiyo died in battle, the Fourth Kazekage was captured, and Sunagakure's main force was almost completely wiped out."
"Chiyo… dead?" Tsunade's orange pupils contracted slightly.
As a longtime rival who had experienced the Second Great Ninja War, she knew all too well how troublesome that old woman was.
Her exquisite puppet techniques and insidious poison use had once caused huge casualties for Konoha's Ninjas.
'Such a legendary figure active in the Ninja World for decades had actually fallen in this lightning-fast war?'
She was silent for a moment, then suddenly stood up, not even caring about the unfinished lunch, and said to Shizune, "Let's go, we're going to the Uzumaki Residence."
"Now?" Shizune looked at the table full of dishes, somewhat hesitant.
"Yes, now!" Tsunade's tone was decisive. She had already picked up her green robe with the [Gamble] character on it hanging on the back of the chair and put it on. "We'll clean up the dishes when we get back!"
Seeing Tsunade's firm attitude, Shizune had to quickly pick up Tonton and trot after Tsunade, who was already heading for the door.
The two left the apartment, passed through the increasingly prosperous streets, and arrived at a quiet residential area on the east bank of the Yuga River.
This was the core residential area allocated by the Land of Stars to the various Ninja Clans, with relatively strict security.
At the entrance, two Star Ninja in dark blue uniforms were on duty.
Seeing Tsunade and Shizune approach, one of the Star Ninja stepped forward and politely stopped them. "You two, please show your pass or identification."
Shizune quickly took out the temporary pass that Kushina had procured for them from her small bag and handed it over.
The Star Ninja carefully checked it, stood at attention, saluted them with a standard Star Ninja's military salute, and stepped aside. "The procedures are correct, please proceed."
Tsunade, carrying her ever-present gourd, took a sip as she walked. Every time she saw this kind of disciplined, strictly obedient style of the Star Ninja, she felt an indescribable sense of incongruity and curiosity.
It completely overturned her perception of the 'Ninja' profession.
'How did that kid Shura manage to train these Ninja, who are accustomed to freedom and laxity and focused on missions, to be so disciplined?'
Entering the clan district, compared to their last visit, this place seemed even more prosperous and lively.
The streets were clean, children played in open spaces, the emblems of some Ninja Clans were clearly visible on the houses, and the atmosphere was one of peace and tranquility.
Soon, they arrived outside the Uzumaki Residence.
It was a Japanese-style building with an independent courtyard. The main gate was wide open, allowing a clear view of the situation inside the yard.
In the courtyard, a figure with striking red short hair and the character for [Love] on his forehead was quietly crouching in front of the engawa, looking eagerly at a black-haired woman sitting on the engawa.
The woman was side-on to the gate, her head lowered, carefully sewing up a somewhat worn-out small teddy bear with a needle and thread.
Sunlight spilled over her smooth, black hair, outlining a gentle and serene profile.
"It's just the thread on the arm coming loose. It'll be fixed soon. Gaara, do you want to go watch TV for a while?" The woman said in a gentle voice.
Gaara shook his head, his small hands nervously clutching the hem of his clothes, his voice soft but clear. "Thank you, Mikoto-obasan. I'll wait here."
His emerald-green pupils were filled with cherishment for the teddy bear, as well as reliance and trust towards the woman before him.
Outside the gate, Tsunade looked at the black-haired woman's back, feeling it was somewhat familiar, but couldn't place it for a moment.
Just then, Shizune beside her let out a surprised low exclamation. "Eh? That… isn't that Mikoto-sama?"
"Mikoto?" Tsunade was momentarily stunned, then a light bulb went off in her head, and a name escaped her lips. "Uchiha Mikoto?!"