The second negotiation did not have many twists and turns. After the clan leader threw out the conditions, Hozuki Gengetsu signed with a grim expression.
After guaranteeing that the money would be delivered in three days, the clan leader tossed over the sealing scroll containing the Three-Tails.
Uzumaki Jun did not care about any of this, nor was he worried that Kirigakure would refuse to repay the debt. This was not the transition period between the Second and Third Shinobi World Wars. There was still a long time between the First and Second Wars, enough for Kirigakure to repay the money.
If Kirigakure did not hand over the money after three days, he planned to send Uzu-nin to the Land of Water to spread the news that the Mizukage refused to repay.
He wondered if Kirigakure could withstand the damage to its reputation. If even the Mizukage did not keep his word, who would trust Kirigakure enough to commission missions?
For a shinobi village, credibility was extremely important. Once its reputation was ruined, no one would come to request missions. Without missions, the village would have no income.
So...
If Hozuki Gengetsu said the money would be repaid in three days, it would be repaid in three days. He could not afford to lose face. Even if he died, his clansmen would carry it out. The people of Kirigakure might even force them to pay.
As for how the Kiri-nin would get to the Land of Earth...
That was none of Uzushiogakure's concern.
According to reports from subordinates, the Mizukage was leading the Kiri-nin across the sea, heading toward Konoha. It seemed they wanted to borrow a route from Konoha.
But...
Would Hozuki Gengetsu demand compensation from Sarutobi Hiruzen at this time?
Heh.
The Konoha-nin stationed near Uzushiogakure would surely have strange expressions when they saw that the ones crossing the sea were Kiri-nin. Especially since most of them were swimming across...
Tsk. Just imagining that scene was amusing.
A maritime power actually had no ships. Was the Land of Water so poor that even its shinobi village could not provide boats? Did shinobi have to swim across the sea now?
How pitiful.
But none of this concerned Uzumaki Jun.
As the sky gradually darkened, Uzumaki Jun sighed inwardly. "The war is finally over."
Ever since coming to this shinobi world as a child, everything he did and said was misunderstood or disbelieved. The destruction of Uzushiogakure had weighed heavily on his heart. But now...
It was all over.
Perhaps Uzushiogakure would face war again in a few years, but by then, the country would surely have grown stronger.
Unlike the shinobi villages that grew weaker with each war, Uzushiogakure would catch up.
"Now we can inform the citizens in the underground shelter," Uzumaki Jun said to Uzumaki Kai beside him. "The war is over."
"If they want to come up, explain clearly that the outside is not ready yet. There are not enough places to live."
Because they needed open space for the battlefield, most buildings and facilities had been demolished. Moreover, after several Tailed Beast Bombs, the area was practically uninhabitable.
"Also, gather all remaining food supplies. The country is in a difficult situation now. From this moment, food will be distributed uniformly."
For now, they could only implement a communal system. Only after Uzushiogakure fully recovered could they reform policies.
"Yes!"
...
Underground Shelter...
After nearly a month of war, the people in the shelter began to panic. Their hearts were filled with worry...
They feared their loved ones had died on the battlefield. They feared Uzushiogakure had fallen. They feared they would become refugees, or even be killed by the shinobi...
The civilians of the shinobi world had too many fears.
"The war is over."
Suddenly, a voice came from the entrance. Everyone immediately grew excited.
The citizens looked at each other in disbelief.
"What did the shinobi say?"
"I... I don't know either," one civilian said uncertainly.
"I think they said... the war is over?"
"Really?"
"I'm not sure..."
As everyone buzzed with chatter, several Uzu-nin ran in excitedly. "The war is over. Uzushiogakure has won. We succeeded."
"Whoa!!!"
This time, they heard it clearly. Everyone jumped for joy.
"It's true. We really won."
"Long live Uzushiogakure!"
"We don't have to worry anymore."
"..."
The Uzu-nin did not stop the cheering crowd. When they had first heard the news, they had gone even crazier, firing off ninjutsu everywhere.
"Bimon! It's Bimon!"
An elderly voice suddenly called out.
"Grandma, I'm here." Uzumaki Bimon, a genin of the Uzumaki Clan, had come to deliver the news and check on his grandmother. He quickly ran to her side. "I'm fine. I even killed several Kiri-nin."
"Good, good!" His grandmother patted him happily. "The Uzumaki Clan fears no one. Your father was just like you, killing several jōnin back in the day."
Those familiar with Bimon's father rolled their eyes. His father had barely become a chūnin before being defeated. Killing several jōnin? That was just boasting.
"I'll keep working hard," Uzumaki Bimon said with a nod.
"Bimon, Bimon, have you seen Haruki?" A woman rushed to Uzumaki Bimon, her eyes filled with anxiety. "How is he?"
"He's fine. He's on a mission outside."
"What about my Hiroshi? What happened to him?"
"Hiroshi... I'm sorry."
"Hiroshi... he's..."
"Uncle Yoshi! Uncle Yoshi, what's wrong?" Seeing the middle-aged man about to faint, Uzumaki Bimon hurriedly supported him. There was nothing he could do. War meant death. Shinobi were prepared for this.
"And my son? What about him?"
"..."
No one paid attention to those who fainted. Everyone clamored to ask the Uzu-nin for news.
As for Kai at the entrance, he had expected this. That was why he hadn't gone in. It was better to wait until they calmed down.
Trying to speak now would only get him beaten. Believe it or not.
Even though he was a shinobi, some people would attack even shinobi when they were desperate.
Feeling someone tug on his flak jacket, Uzumaki Kai frowned and looked down.
"Miss?"
It was the clan leader's daughter.
He immediately bowed respectfully. "Miss, how may I help you?"
But Uzumaki Kushina ignored him. She peeked past him, trying to see outside. "Where's Jun-nii?"
Why hadn't he come to see her?
Her lips puckered unhappily.
"Jun-sama is still on a mission," Uzumaki Kai said carefully, wiping sweat from his brow. "He asked me to check on you."
"Really?" Kushina's bright eyes bore into him, as if warning him not to lie—or else she'd punch him.
"Of course," Uzumaki Kai said quickly. "Jun-sama also asked if you'd like to go to him first."
This little demon was not to be trifled with. She really would hit him.
"Really?" Kushina's eyes lit up, but after thinking, she shook her head cutely. "No, no. I promised Jun-nii I'd watch over things here."
"Don't worry. The war is over. It's safe now," Uzumaki Kai said with a smile.
"Still, no." Kushina thought again and shook her head. "I'll come out later."
"Understood, Miss."