Reborn as the Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen

Hiruzen and his group spent the next few days enjoying Sunagakure. They walked around, observed the village, and watched Shinku, Sakumo, and Naoto take on various challenges from Sand ninjas. Everyone was having fun.

Finally, Sunagakure finished their preparations. They were invited the Konoha group to the Kazekage's office.

This time, Hiruzen took Shikatsu and Torifu with him.

Before they left, Hiruzen reminded Shikatsu, "You'll be handling most of the negotiation. Focus on three things. First, we can help them seal the Tailed Beast, but they must pay at least 500 million ryō. Second, we won't interfere in their internal matters. Third, try to recover some funds from their dealings with the Wind Country Daimyō."

Shikatsu thought for a moment. His main task was negotiating the sealing issue, but he had a concern, "If we help them, they might demand our sealing techniques instead."

Hiruzen nodded, "That's possible. Sealing techniques are rare, but everything has a price. If they want our techniques, they need to pay ten times the cost or exchange secret techniques. If they agree to share Magnet Release or Puppet Techniques, that would be even better. Don't worry, I'll be there to stop things if needed."

Shikatsu shook his head, "That's unlikely. Puppet Techniques are their core specialty, and they spent a fortune developing Magnet Release. They won't give them up so easily."

Hiruzen smirked, "It's just negotiation tactics. See if they have anything else that Konoha might need. Alright, let's go. We shouldn't keep them waiting."

With that, he led the way out. The messenger ninja from Sand had already left, so they had to find their own way to the Kazekage's office.

Hiruzen muttered to himself, Sand's hospitality is terrible. They couldn't even assign someone to guide us.

Upon arrival, they found the messenger ninja waiting outside. He led them in. Inside the reception room, Shamon, Chiyo, and Takumi were already there.

After the usual formal greetings, the negotiations began.

Shamon invited Hiruzen for tea in his office, leaving his subordinates to handle the details.

"We hope Konoha will share a sealing technique with us," a Sand representative said. "As one of the Five Great Nations, it's only natural for us to help each other. Sand will remember Konoha's kindness, and you will gain our friendship."

A Konoha ninja responded, "Konoha won't ignore Sand's situation. But our sealing techniques weren't free to obtain. We can seal the Tailed Beast, but what will Sand offer in return?"

The Sand representative insisted, "Help should be selfless. If it's about trade, then it's not true friendship."

The Konoha ninja smirked, "Is that so? Maybe I wasn't clear. Konoha's finances are strained. We still owe years' worth of war pensions. Since we're all great nations, perhaps Sand could help us out? Konoha will remember your generosity, and in return, Sand will gain our friendship."

Meanwhile, in the Kazekage's office, Shamon and Hiruzen sipped their tea and chatted privately.

Shamon sighed, "I planned to let Takumi handle the talks, but Chiyo insisted on being involved too."

Hiruzen nodded, "Power is tempting, but those obsessed with it are often unfit to lead." He had mixed feelings about Chiyo. If she ever became Kazekage, Konoha might need to rethink its alliance with Sand.

Shamon's expression softened, "Chiyo has had a hard life. Her husband died on a suicide mission, leaving her alone with a newborn son. Since then, she's been focused on gaining power, hoping to protect those she loves. Her son is only six years old, and she's doing her best as a mother. I see her as my own daughter, and I don't want her to lose herself in her ambitions."

Hiruzen was moved by the old man's words. He knew Chiyo's tragic fate—her son and daughter-in-law would one day die in a mission against Sakumo, leaving her to raise a grandson alone. That grandson would later assassinate Third Kazekage and disappear.

Hiruzen sighed and decided to speak his mind, "Kazekage, I don't usually interfere in Sand's internal affairs, but I have to be honest today. Chiyo is in a dangerous state of mind. She's becoming too radical, and that could have serious consequences for Sand."

He paused before continuin,. "Since we're being honest, I'll say more. In the future I envision, there should be no wars between the Five Great Nations. The Five Kage should work together but a radical Kazekage would be a disaster for the ninja world."

Hiruzen spoke firmly, "Maybe you care for both as your students, but you must choose a successor. Being indecisive will only confuse them. Chiyo needs confidence, and your true successor needs to be prepared."

Shamon sighed, "As a sensei, I can't crush my own students. I just can't do it."

Suddenly, voices from the next room grew louder. It had turned into an argument. Hiruzen and Shamon stood up, listening closely. Chiyo's voice echoed through the room.

"You Konoha are insensible! You just intends to rob us! Spying on our Magnet Release and Puppetry! There's no need to continue this talk!"

Hiruzen chuckled and looked at Shamon, "Since you won't step in, let me be the bad guy."

His expression darkened, and he stormed into the room.

The Konoha negotiators froze in shock. Shikatsu hurried over, worried, "Hokage-sama, what's wrong?"

But Shamon's calm face confused him even more.

Hiruzen quickly dropped his angry act and turned to Chiyo, "Miss Chiyo, you say Konoha is full of robbers. What exactly did we steal?"

Chiyo glared at him, "You want to exchange sealing techniques for our core Sand Village secrets! Isn't that robbery?"

Hiruzen turned to Shikatsu, "Shikatsu, did I not tell you not to ask for their inheritance techniques? Doesn't Konoha have enough of its own? We don't have time to study techniques that don't suit us. Just ask for money."

Shikadai sighed. You didn't say that earlier… But as a Hokage, Hiruzen could change his stance anytime. Keeping his cool, Shikatsu replied, "Hokage, I told Miss Chiyo we would seal the One-Tail for money but she refused and insisted on buying a sealing technique for just 30 million. That's when I mentioned exchanging it for their secret techniques."

Hiruzen looked at Shamon, surprised, "Does your disciple not know the value of sealing techniques? 30 million for a Tailed Beast sealing? Or are your own sealing techniques dirt cheap?"

He smirked, "How about this? We'll buy sealing techniques from Sunagakure for 30 million each—no, 50 million. What do you say, Miss Chiyo?"

Chiyo's face turned red with anger. She ignored Ebizo's attempts to calm her, "You said Konoha would help us! Is 30 million not enough? You still want our secret techniques?! This is robbery!"

Shikatsu turned to Shamon and raised his voice.,"Kazekage-sama, Miss Chiyo shows no respect for Lord Hokage or Konoha! Hokage-sama has been calm and professional, yet she keeps insulting us!"

Chiyo snapped back, "I'm not being disrespectful! I simply respect young talent!"

Shikatsu scoffed, "Kazekage-sama, this is damaging diplomatic relations! Disrespecting the Hokage means disrespecting Konoha! And Miss Chiyo is talking about young leaders right in front of you and me. Isn't that absurd?"

He crossed his arms, "If Chiyo continues the negotiations, I refuse to take part."

Shamon sighed and looked at Chiyo, "Chiyo, in the ninja world, strength is what matters, not age. The Hokage is a strong leader, and you lack respect for that... Forget it. Takumi will handle the next negotiation."

Chiyo's face fell. Frustrated, she threw down her pen and stormed toward the door.

Hiruzen stopped her, "Miss Chiyo, diplomacy is not just bargaining. It involves many factors."

"You see our sealing techniques as something simple, so you refuse to pay more but for us, sealing techniques are valuable secrets that we won't give away cheaply."

"You treasure the Magnet Release and Puppetry, but to us, they are just another skillset. Konoha has at least 80 to 100 secret techniques—we don't need yours."

"Therefore, before you continue negotiating, I suggest you reconsider your stance."

With that, Hiruzen turned away, ignoring her reaction.

"Let's go, Kazekage. We have tea to finish."

Shamon and Hiruzen left the room, while the negotiation team carried on without Chiyo.