51 Negotiations

Along with Zeus's words, the tension had somewhat disappeared. Darui and numerous shinobi arrived a few minutes later, as they have initially attacked Zeus, but were quickly put down by the Raikage. After some deliberation, they decided to continue their conversation in the same spot where the battle has taken place.

Zeus understood the rationale behind this decision. No village would willingly invite an unstable Tailed Beast and a Kage-level monstrosity into their midst. Thus, he settled down on the ground, patiently awaiting the Cloud Village shinobi as they conferred with their Kage, pondering the best course of action.

Finally, the Raikage took his place before Zeus, his gaze a mix of skepticism and curiosity. Sensing the gravity of the moment, Zeus wasted no time and gestured toward Gaara, who stood a few feet away. "Your village harbors two Jinchuriki, both capable of taming their Tailed Beasts. Therefore, I presumed you possess a certain method, or at least an opportunity, to assist this kid in controlling his inner beasts."

The Raikage's frown deepened, his piercing eyes fixated on Zeus. "Do you grasp the weight of your request? You expect us to aid this child in gaining mastery over his Jinchuriki powers?"

Unfazed by the Raikage's doubt, Zeus met his gaze unwaveringly. "Indeed, that is precisely what I am asking for."

The Raikage's response was swift and unwavering. "Then my answer is an absolute no. Regardless of any compensation you may offer, I cannot provide a potential enemy with more firepower. Granting this child control over his Jinchuriki is akin to creating a ticking time bomb."

Zeus, undeterred by the Raikage's resolute stance, swiftly countered with a proposal. "How about this? In exchange for teaching your village an S-rank lightning jutsu and a B-rank lightning jutsu, you will assist in enabling this child to control his inner beast. This could prove to be a significant breakthrough for your village, empowering the Kages with a potent jutsu and equipping the Jonin with a valuable asset."

The Raikage's eyebrows shot up in surprise, caught off guard by Zeus's sudden offer. A brief silence fell over the battlefield as all the shinobi behind the Raikage stared wide-eyed at the unfolding scene. This mysterious man had materialized out of thin air, wounded the Raikage himself, and was now engaged in unprecedented negotiations with the Kage. The sheer audacity of the situation was not lost on anyone present.

Releasing a deep sigh, the Raikage locked his gaze with Zeus. "My answer remains the same."

Intrigued, Zeus raised a contemplative finger to his chin, pondering his options. However, a mischievous smile abruptly lit up his face, injecting an air of excitement into the atmosphere. "I cannot prove my goodwill toward your village, nor do I believe concealing my origins would change anything."

Zeus's smile widened further as he stretched his hands apart, a dramatic gesture that commanded attention. "However, your words have inadvertently confirmed my suspicions. You do possess a specific method for controlling the inner beast, don't you?"

The Raikage's brow furrowed, his skepticism intermingled with a trace of curiosity.

Rising to his feet, Zeus's smile remained unyielding as he faced the assembled shinobi, an entire army standing before him. His eyes gleamed with an intense fervor, bordering on madness. "Well, it seems you leave me no choice but to extract that knowledge from you by force."

A surge of electrical energy enveloped the Raikage's body, crackling and pulsating with power as he too rose to his feet. Veins bulged on his forehead, and behind him, Killer B instinctively gripped his eight weapons while the Jinchuriki's tail peered out from behind him. Darui, the shinobi whom Zeus had encountered earlier, firmly grasped the hilt of his sword. Every warrior readied themselves for the inevitable clash, their resolve etched upon their faces. The Raikage's anger seethed through clenched teeth as he spoke, "You may be strong, and you may have injured me, but do you truly believe you can defeat an entire village? Your arrogance knows no bounds. I had hoped for a peaceful resolution, but it seems that is no longer an option."

Zeus's expression turned steely, devoid of fear or hesitation. He took a deliberate step forward, and the very ground beneath him shattered, unleashing a torrent of raw energy. Blue radiance encircled his eyes, blending seamlessly with the crackling electricity that enveloped his body. The convergence of natural energy and lightning created a spectacle of awe-inspiring proportions. Zeus's gaze emitted an aura of killing intent, causing even the most battle-hardened shinobi to instinctively take a step back. It was as if a deity had materialized, commanding their unwavering attention.

Raikage and Killer B, the only ones seemingly unaffected, exchanged glances. However, the beads of sweat trickling down Killer B's face hinted at a newfound concern. He leaned toward the Raikage, whispering softly, "Yo, brother, Gyuki says this dude has mastered Sage Mode."

Arching an eyebrow, the Raikage's unwavering gaze locked onto Zeus, his frown deepening. His eyes then shifted, assessing the apprehensive shinobi behind him. While he felt a pang of frustration witnessing the fear in the face of this many shinobi, he understood the grounds for it. The man standing before them possessed an unfathomable strength, surpassing all expectations. Even the Raikage himself harbored doubts about his chances of victory, particularly without his protection,

Now, a pivotal decision loomed before the Raikage—should he blindly charge into battle, endangering the lives of his shinobi, or should he cautiously embrace the audacious offer, potentially safeguarding the future of his village? Clenching his teeth, he took a resolute step forward, boldly confronting the swirling tempest of Zeus's energy. "I accept your offer. In exchange for the S and B-rank lightning jutsu, we will teach this child the means to control his inner beast. However, I offer no guarantees of success."

'Can't believe that worked.' A spark danced in Zeus's eyes as he released the grip of Sage Mode, allowing the turbulent energy to subside. The tempest within him calmed, replaced by an air of assurance. "That's precisely what I needed."

Though still resonating with echoes of anger, the Raikage added one final condition, his voice laced with caution. "However, you must prove the authenticity of your claim right here, right now. If you were deceitful, I won't hesitate to disregard the lives of my shinobi and unleash our wrath upon you."

Zeus's smirk widened, his confidence radiating from every pore. "Very well, Raikage. Brace yourself then, I will show what is true lightning."

***

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