Konoha Still Has Face

Listening to the report from the Jonin about the situation with the Hidden Mist Village, especially Gengetsu Hozuki's threatening words... 

Uzumaki Ryuto scoffed disdainfully, "We're all grown-ups here, and they're still trying to tattle? Do they really think Konoha is their boss?"

"Konoha may or may not care about you. Even if they do care, at most they'll send someone over to reason with you emotionally and logically, urging the Land of Whirlpools to return the Three-Tails to the Hidden Mist Village without any payment, in the name of peace in the ninja world."

"As for anything else? What? Attack the Land of Whirlpools? Don't be ridiculous! Not to mention Uzumaki Mito is still alive, but even if she wasn't, Konoha still has face. Forget about the generations-long friendship established by Hashirama, during the Ninja Wars, the Uzumaki clan wholeheartedly fought for Konoha on the battlefield, losing so many lives. Konoha wouldn't dare make a move so easily!"

"They'd just resort to some underhanded means at most. Otherwise, how could they remain the big brother of the Five Great Ninja Villages?"

"At the Five Kage Summit, the other villages would directly say, 'Look at Konoha! The Uzumaki loyally fought to the death for them, but Konoha stabbed them in the back. It's dangerous to be their ally!'"

"That would ruin Konoha's reputation, wouldn't it? Keep in mind, Konoha has always claimed to be the messenger of peace, striving to uphold Hashirama's ideals as a righteous alliance. How could they possibly do things that would harm the reputation of the ninja villages? If this matter was exposed, even Danzo the 'Darkness of Konoha' couldn't take responsibility!"

"So... they'll just use underhanded tactics! Does Ryuto, who knows the Flying Thunder God Jutsu, really need to fear anyone? Who knows who might kill who first?"

"So if the Hidden Mist Village comes to tattle, Hiruzen will just strongly condemn it and demand the Land of Whirlpools return the Tailed Beast, but nothing more than that. And who in the Land of Whirlpools would care about those condemnations?"

"The hell with them! We won the war ourselves. If Konoha wants a piece of the pie, they should ask the 300,000 citizens and ninjas of the Land of Whirlpools if they agree first." 

"So even if Hiruzen inwardly curses the Uzumaki clan to extinction, he'll still put on a friendly face, shaking hands and praising the Uzumaki clan for producing a young hero!"

"As for any Konoha ninjas appearing on the battlefield, he'll just say Konoha sent reinforcements to support us, as a gesture of the generations-long friendship between our peoples."

Uzumaki Ryuto would just wipe away a tear emotionally and say, "I'm so moved by the everlasting friendship between Konoha and the Land of Whirlpools!"

"As for anything else? Heh, who cares what you all think!"

So Uzumaki Ryuto slurped up a mouthful of specially made ramen, waving dismissively at the Whirlpool ninjas, saying, "No need to worry about them, just go eat and we'll deal with it later."

"It's been so long since I've had ramen from a certain state. I'm really touched eating it again," he said, sounding genuinely emotional. "It's just that the beef has been kept too long and isn't very fresh. Looks like to improve the physical condition of our citizens, meat is an essential food. We should see if the livestock industry can take off. If not, we'll have to go fishing at sea since we're an island nation by the ocean. How can we not eat seafood?"

"System!" Ryuto slurped the food and called out for system

In the system panel he was checking all the recipe of foods which he buy and develop the cuisine of Uzumaki land.

"Burp!" Ryuto let out a satisfied belch after finishing his bowl, seeing the clan elders and his parents all had pleased expressions too. Seems this ramen suits the ninja world quite well.

Cuisine... it definitely has potential!

Seeing everyone had finished eating - there was only a little beef so not much ramen was made, with the Uzumaki clan elders having eaten most of it while the younger members like Komoku and Kai only got one bowl each - Ryuto cleared his throat at their regretful looks.

"Alright, let's head out. Time to go argue with the Hidden Mist Village."

Instantly... "Yes!" The Uzumaki clan ninjas responded resoundingly!

...

Gengetsu Hozuki felt like all the breath control training he had done over the years was about to be undone by that yellow-haired brat. He inwardly lamented - why was heaven so unfair? For such a formidable ninja to appear as that little 7-year-old kid... why couldn't he have been born in the Hidden Mist Village instead?

This is war! You understand, war? And he says to wait until they finish eating before coming over? Do they really think the Hidden Mist has no face left? That after winning this war, the Land of Whirlpools has gotten arrogant, thinking the Hidden Mist can't lift a blade anymore or something?

Heh, looks like you don't know your current position!

Becoming the God of the Ninja World isn't so easy.

Gengetsu narrowed his eyes dangerously, seeming to ponder something.

"Should we send the Whirlpool ninjas again to notify them?" the Mizukage's assistant said with a frown. Typical small nation, winning one war has made them lose perspective, not even according the respected Hidden Mist the proper regard.

"No need," Gengetsu shook his head impassively. "Since they want one of the Five Great Ninja Villages, the Hidden Mist, to wait for them, then we'll wait and see!"

"Let's see what that brat is capable of!"

"They should know, making the Hidden Mist Village wait is no easy thing!"

...

"Little Ryuto!" The Great Elder frowned. "Are you sure no other preparations are needed?" 

"None needed," Ryuto rolled his eyes. It seems like after so few victories, the Uzumaki clan has forgotten how to negotiate properly. It must be from acting as Konoha's pawns these past few years. And damn it...

Konoha doesn't even pay them! They're just a black-hearted corporation! Making the Uzumaki do the killing while Konoha reaps the profits. The Uzumaki take the blame while Konoha gets the credit. This has been Konoha's policy for years! 

No matter what, they push the Land of Whirlpools to the front lines, while Konoha takes from behind. The Uzumaki clan only continues believing in their so-called "generations-long friendship" and won't betray them. If it was up to Ryuto, he would have spat right in the Hokage's face long ago.

But no need to rush now!

Ryuto glanced at the frowning Senju clan nearby. For this mess, he the leader of the Uzumaki, has made up his mind - since there's a supposed "generations-long friendship", then Konoha should have no problem taking some blame for the Uzumaki, right?

Generations-long friendship, eh? 

Uzumaki Ryuto smiled and shook his head.

...

"Lord Hidezumi?" A member of the Senju clan said worriedly, "Is it really okay for us to appear here?"

After all, they were ninjas of Konoha. Suddenly showing up at someone else's negotiation was basically implying that the Senju had disobeyed the Hokage's orders. The Hidden Mist definitely wouldn't believe that.

Senju Hidezumi sighed, understanding the concern. But this was what the Land of Whirlpools needed them to do! Moreover, they had already been spotted on the battlefield, so it was too late for excuses now. He could only say resignedly, "I will take responsibility and apologize to the Hokage later."

"For now, we will follow the Uzumaki clan's orders!"

"For the future of the Senju clan!"

...

"The representatives of the Land of Whirlpools have arrived!!"

(End of chapter)