"We cannot accept what you offer at all! There's no sincerity in this negotiation. If this continues, we'll have no choice but to bring Tsunade sama here to handle things directly," Shikaku said coldly.

"Then let that violent girl come," Chiyo snapped, unfazed.

She paused for a moment, then added, "I'll say it again. As long as you can make Kaito admit that he's from Konoha, we'll proceed with formal procedures. Otherwise, this compensation package is final."

"To put it bluntly, the only reason you're even sitting here is because Konoha betrayed your kinds!" Chiyo sneered, her tone laced with sarcasm.

"You… You!" Shikaku pointed at her, so furious he couldn't even finish his sentence.

Suddenly, a loud crack of thunder echoed through the sky.

With a flash of lightning, Kaito appeared, carrying Tsunade in his arms. The moment he landed near the negotiation table, the atmosphere shifted.

Shikaku's expression lit up, clearly relieved. Chiyo, however, frowned slightly.

"Kaito sama, Tsunade sama, you've arrived just in time," Shikaku said quickly. "As the defeated side, Sunagakure is offering our Konoha village ten million ryo, five hundred bags of grain, and a hundred explosive tags. Isn't that a pathetic excuse for compensation?"

As he spoke, Shikaku deliberately used the phrase "our Konoha." It was a calculated move. If Kaito didn't object, it would imply he accepted his status as part of Konoha.

But was Kaito the kind of man who played those kinds of games?

He'd never had any love for Konoha's inner circle, especially not its older generation. The likes of Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo Shimura, Homura, and Koharu had all taken part in schemes that ultimately led to the decline of the Senju clan. For Kaito, they were enemies of his very bloodline.

Even if he hadn't been a time traveler, he'd never have sworn allegiance to Konoha. It was simply a matter of principle—and survival.

So, when Shikaku finished speaking, Kaito didn't hesitate to correct him.

"You said 'our Konoha.' That's incorrect," Kaito said flatly. "I'm not from Konoha."

"Haha! Kaito sama, you're joking. You and Tsunade sama are so close. Isn't that the same thing as being one of us?" Shikaku said, refusing to back down.

"What happens between Tsunade and me is our business. It has nothing to do with Konoha," Kaito replied coolly.

Chiyo's heart soared. She had been tense when Kaito arrived, but now? All that anxiety vanished. His statement was more than enough.

Shikaku and the other Konoha representatives looked humiliated. Their expressions darkened instantly.

Kaito, meanwhile, didn't care. He didn't know any of them personally, nor did he owe them anything. He was simply being honest.

Shikaku turned to Tsunade, silently pleading with her to step in.

But Tsunade wasn't inclined to help them either. After what had happened with Hiruzen and the others, her loyalty to Konoha was already shaky. What Kaito said today only solidified her doubts. In that moment, she even considered leaving the village altogether.

She gave a small shake of her head, signaling that she wasn't going to intervene.

Kaito ignored them and turned his attention back to Chiyo and the other Sand leaders.

"Ten million ryo, five hundred bags of grain, and a hundred explosive tags… Sunagakure is feeling very generous, huh?" he said with a smirk.

Chiyo's cheerful mood took a sudden dip.

On the other hand, Shikaku and the others looked hopeful. Maybe Kaito didn't belong to Konoha, but if he pushed Sunagakure into offering more, the benefits would still fall into their lap.

Chiyo eyed him warily. "What do you mean by that?"

"Simple. Remove all the zeros," Kaito said with a calm smile.

"…What?" Chiyo blinked.

"I said remove all the zeros."

Chiyo's face twisted as she mentally calculated. That would turn the offer into just 1 ryo, 5 bags of grain, and 1 explosive tag!

"Are you serious?" she asked in disbelief.

"Yes," Kaito nodded without hesitation.

"Wait—if it goes like this, our Konoha will have paid a heavy price for nothing!" Minato finally spoke up.

"And what does Konoha's lack of spoils have to do with me?" Kaito shot back. "Let's not forget, it was me who defeated Sunagakure's forces. Not Konoha."

He turned to Shikaku, sarcasm in his voice. "You just stood on the sidelines, and now you want a piece of my victory?"

"…Then what are you suggesting, Kaito sama?" Shikaku's expression darkened.

"It's simple," Kaito said. "If you want compensation, then fight for it. The Sand shinobi are standing right there. Challenge them. If you win, take your payment."

Chiyo's eyes lit up with admiration. Despite the heavy losses her side had taken, the idea of Konoha and Sand going head-to-head—without Kaito's involvement—was suddenly very appealing.

Kaito had wrecked their frontline, but he was just one man. The real threat had always been Konoha.

With a sharp smile, Chiyo seized the opportunity. "Kaito sama is absolutely right. If Konoha wants to fight, we'll meet them in battle. We can start right now if you'd like. Let's see who comes out on top!"

She radiated confidence. After all, they had Rasa, plus three other Kage-level fighters. That made four total.

And what did Konoha have? Tsunade, Minato—though he wasn't officially part of the current command—and Yuhi Shinku, who was strong but not quite at their level.

Tsunade raised her hands and shrugged. "Don't look at me. This is the first time we've even met. I can't order him around. He helped because of a deal between us."

Shikaku looked grim. "I can't make that call. I'll have to report this to the Hokage."

After more than a month of battle and heavy casualties, they were now walking away with nothing. It was a devastating blow.

"That's your problem," Kaito said with a shake of his head. "I'm done here."

He turned to leave.

"Wait! If Kaito sama is leaving, please stay a few more days," Shikaku said urgently.

"Not interested," Kaito replied flatly. Then he turned to Rasa. "You said you received intel that I was coming. Mind telling me where that information came from?"

Rasa hesitated for a moment, then took a small note from his pocket and handed it over. "It's a bit strange. One of our ANBU was attacked, and when he woke up, this was in his hand."

Kaito took the note, eyes narrowing as he scanned its contents.

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