"What do you mean? These terms are standard for all and non-negotiable," Aburame Tadao declared, shaking his head no.
"Really? Don't tell me Konoha values genin and jonin the same?"
"Fine, what are your terms?" Tadao asked, unable to hold back.
"Just a few S-rank techniques," Kenshin replied with a satisfied squint.
"WHAT?! Impossible! Do you realize how absurd that is? A city beggar would become Hokage sooner!" the Konoha envoy exclaimed indignantly.
"Come on, Tadao-san, no need for drama. Here's a short list of what I need," Kenshin said with a soft smile, writing the required techniques in seconds.
Aburame Tadao suppressed his irritation and glanced indifferently at the list, unable to contain his outrage.
"WHAT?! You really want Hiraishin, Byakugou, Hachimon, and Shiki Fuujin?!" Tadao exclaimed in shock, hearing such outrageous demands for the first time.
"Good grief, Tadao-san. I don't understand your outrage. I'm not asking for all of them. How about Hiraishin and Byakugou?"
"No, no, and no again! Those are impossible. None of those techniques can leave Konoha's walls into foreign hands," Tadao shook his head.
Kenshin wasn't giving up easily and argued with the high-ranking negotiator for another fifteen minutes, carefully using all empathetic manipulation methods he'd mastered.
"Konoha doesn't value its allies at all. You want my sons to shed blood in Konoha's wars for the great Will of Fire? With all respect to your Hokage, my sons' lives are worth a thousand times more than dreamy Will of Fire ideals!" Kenshin declared, tired of the pointless talks.
"Listen, Nakayama-san, even if I want to meet you halfway, your terms are impossible. S-rank techniques can't be sold, and even if they could—your price is way too low."
"And what price do you want for one S-rank technique?..." Kenshin asked with a squint, to which Tadao just sighed bitterly.
Negotiations continued another fifteen minutes until both sides found a golden middle ground.
"Fine! Hachimon is the only one open for discussion," Tadao declared, exhausted from the long debate, as the Eight Gates technique was the most famous yet hardest to master.
Kenshin couldn't hide a satisfied smile but quickly composed himself and said: "What are your terms?"
An hour later, negotiations ended, and Tadao left Nakayama Family territory, promising to return the next day with news. He couldn't decide alone—only the Hokage or High Council could.
After negotiations, Kenshin was mentally drained and not in the mood for work. So, returning to the lounge, he sat on the sofa, unabashedly pulled the squealing Meyumi to him, and kissed her neck.
"Ummmpf... Kenshin, you're a magnificent lover..." she purred, in his arms.
"Mom, what does 'lover' mean?" Karin asked curiously, while Meyumi got a slap on the butt.
"Nothing, little one—Meyumi's joking. She just doesn't like when I touch her, so she's making stuff up, right, Meyumi?" Kenshin said with a smile, gently pushing her off the sofa.
"Nuu Kenshiiin!" Meyumi whined displeasedly, stomping her foot.
"But Red likes being petted, doesn't she, Red?" Kenshin said tenderly, stroking the puma that had climbed onto the sofa.
Feeling her master's caress, Red purred loudly throughout the room, delighting everyone. Kenshin shifted position, lay down, and pulled the huge, deliciously scented puma to him. Her fur gleamed with cleanliness, and rolling purring sounds came nonstop from her throat.
Evening of day 428, Konoha.
"Did you need something, Tadao?" Hiruzen asked in a fatherly soft tone to the quietly entering man.
"Yes, Hokage-sama. I met the Nakayama Family leader and am ready to report," Aburame Tadao said respectfully.
"Nakayama Family? Does this require my personal intervention?" Sarutobi Hiruzen asked in surprise, taking out his favorite pipe from its case.
"Yes, Lord. It can't be resolved without you..." Tadao said, and for ten minutes recounted everything he'd learned about the mysterious organization and the negotiations.
"Byakugou and Hiraishin? Ha-ha-ha-ha! This small organization's leader has huge ambitions. My Konoha could use ambitious people with fiery tempers," Hiruzen said with a pleased smile. He knew better than anyone that personnel decide everything, and he had no issue with a bit of defiance from an educated, ambitious man.
Education outside clans was a massive headache for all large organization leaders. Mercenary heads often couldn't read or write, let alone string two words together. This caused endless problems as ex-bandits used crude methods, openly breaking laws.
From Tadao's retelling, Hiruzen easily traced the high education level of this large organization's leader. Questioning his subordinate, he was pleasantly surprised to find no blemish on the Nakayama Family's reputation.
"The Nakayama Family leader is very clever, but even he fell for fanatical awe of S-rank techniques..." Hiruzen muttered thoughtfully, lost in reflections, occasionally puffing thick tobacco smoke rings.
Any mercenary or low-rank shinobi obsessed over S-rank techniques, believing mastery would elevate them to godhood. This was only partly true—the requirements were exorbitantly high.
Uneducated shinobi had slim chances of self-improvement starting at jonin rank. Education and reflexivity were key to powerful shinobi. That's why no animal ever matched an Elite jonin.
"Fine, I authorize you to sign that contract. After signing, warn him of the immense danger the Eight Gates technique carries. Vassals shouldn't think Konoha is full of vile deceivers," the Third Hokage declared authoritatively, to which Tadao bowed respectfully, signaling every word was heard.