The twilight afterglow spilled onto the long corridor of the Uchiha Clan Compound.

Qianye stood in the courtyard, holding a scroll with a fire emblem, his brows slightly furrowed.

“Meeting invitation?”

He muttered to himself, a hint of confusion flashing in his eyes.

Recently, the village had been peaceful, with no external enemies or internal strife. Why would the Third Hokage suddenly summon representatives from all major clans? What was it for?

As he pondered, a series of hurried footsteps came from outside the courtyard.

“Clan Leader.”

Uchiha Fugaku walked over quickly, his black hair tied back, his expression calm and steady.

Since becoming a Fire Shadow Advisor, his demeanor had become more reserved, but the sharpness in his eyes remained undiminished.

“Fugaku, you’ve come at just the right time.”

Qianye held up the scroll in his hand.

“Do you know the content of this meeting?”

Fugaku nodded slightly.

“I came to tell you about this.”

“The Village Hidden in the Sand has sent an envoy, wanting to reclaim their Ninja captured during the war.”

“Reclaim?”

Qianye raised an eyebrow.

“How do they plan to reclaim them?”

Fugaku shook his head.

“I’m not sure about that, but the Third Hokage’s general meaning is… to release them directly.”

Qianye’s gaze instantly turned cold.

“Heh, we won the war, and yet we have to humble ourselves like a defeated nation?”

Fugaku didn’t respond, but the coldness in his eyes already showed his attitude.

Qianye put away the scroll and said indifferently.

“It seems tonight’s meeting won’t be peaceful.”

…

As night fell, the Hokage Building’s conference room was brightly lit.

When Qianye entered the venue with Mikoto, the clan leaders of the major clans had already arrived one after another.

Hyuga Hizashi’s face was stern, with an elite Ninja standing beside him.

Representatives from the Nara, Akimichi, Yamanaka, and Aburame clans, upon seeing Qianye, came forward to greet him.

Then Sakumo Hatake, leading an elite Ninja, pushed the door open and entered.

Compared to the people from the previous clans, Sakumo Hatake’s attitude towards Qianye showed an added closeness.

Lady Tsunade also came today.

Sitting in a front seat, her golden hair shimmered under the lights, radiant and dazzling.

She noticed Qianye’s burning gaze and gave him a glare.

Her gaze swept over Mikoto beside him, and a hint of displeasure flashed in her eyes.

Mikoto keenly noticed that Lady Tsunade’s gaze seemed somewhat unfriendly, and subconsciously leaned closer to Qianye.

Qianye gently squeezed Mikoto’s hand, giving her a comforting look.

Just as he was about to go over and greet Lady Tsunade, the conference room door opened again.

Hiruzen Sarutobi entered with Homura Mitokado, Utatane Koharu, and Fugaku.

Everyone immediately quieted down.

“Everyone, thank you for waiting.”

The Third Hokage sat in the main seat, smoke curling up from his pipe, obscuring half of his face and making his expression unreadable.

“I have gathered everyone today to discuss the issue of the Village Hidden in the Sand prisoners.”

He got straight to the point, his voice steady.

“The Village Hidden in the Sand has sent an envoy, hoping we will return their Ninja captured during the war.”

The conference room was silent, but Qianye could feel the undercurrents stirring in the air.

The Third Hokage continued.

“After preliminary negotiations, I believe that as a great nation, Konoha should show tolerance and release these prisoners to promote peace between the two countries.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Hyuga Hizashi suddenly stood up.

“Hokage-sama, I object!”

Hyuga Hizashi, however, stood up.

His chest rose and fell, clearly very agitated.

“The Village Hidden in the Sand massacred our Konoha Ninja during the war, and now that they are defeated, they want to take their prisoners without paying any price? There’s no such logic in the Shinobi World!”

His voice was resonant, and the temperature in the conference room seemed to drop a few degrees.

Homura Mitokado pushed up his glasses and said indifferently.

“Hyuga Clan Leader, the war is over. Continuing to detain prisoners will only escalate conflicts.”

“Escalate conflicts?”

Hyuga Hizashi sneered.

“When the Village Hidden in the Sand attacked our border, did they consider escalating conflicts?!”

He scanned the crowd, raising his voice.

“Everyone, have you forgotten the comrades who died at the hands of the Sand Ninja?”

These words were like a knife, piercing deeply into the hearts of many present.

Among the attendees, some frowned, some clenched their fists, and even the usually calm Aburame clan members couldn’t help but raise their heads and listen intently.

Qianye leaned back in his chair, his fingers gently tapping the table, his gaze sweeping over the Third Hokage.

Hiruzen Sarutobi remained expressionless, but the fire in his pipe flickered slightly.

Utatane Koharu, seeing this, quickly tried to smooth things over.

“Hyuga Clan Leader, we understand your feelings, but Konoha needs to recuperate now and should not start new conflicts.”

“Recuperate?”

Hyuga Hizashi laughed in anger.

“Will the Village Hidden in the Sand give up revenge because we are ‘recuperating’? They will only think Konoha is weak and easily bullied!”

The atmosphere in the conference room grew increasingly tense.

Qianye spoke at this moment.

“Hyuga Clan Leader is right.”

His voice wasn’t loud, but it drew everyone’s attention.

“War is not a child’s game; the victor should receive spoils.”

Qianye slowly stood up, a rare chill on his handsome face.

“If the Village Hidden in the Sand wants their people, they can have them.”

“But they must pay a price.”

Qianye’s words were like a stone thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples.

People from the various clans exchanged glances, and many nodded slightly, clearly agreeing with his view.

The Third Hokage’s gaze pierced through the smoke, looking deeply at Qianye.

“Uchiha Chiye Clan Leader, what price do you think the Village Hidden in the Sand should pay?”

Qianye’s lips curved slightly.

“Very simple.”

“First, the Village Hidden in the Sand must publicly apologize and admit the errors of the war.”

“Second, compensate Konoha for its losses in the war, including supplies and pensions.”

“Third…”

He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone.

“Cede three border mines as compensation for their defeat.”

There was an uproar in the conference room.

Cede mines?

This would directly weaken the Village Hidden in the Sand’s resource lifeline!

Homura Mitokado’s face changed.

“This is impossible! The Village Hidden in the Sand will never agree!”

Qianye sneered.

“Advisor Homura, you’re not from the Village Hidden in the Sand, so how would you know if the Village Hidden in the Sand won’t agree?”

Hearing this, Homura Mitokado’s expression changed.

“Clan Leader Qianye, please don’t joke!”

“Joke? Unconditionally sending back the captured Sand Ninja is the real joke, isn’t it?”

“Clan Leader Qianye!!”

Homura Mitokado immediately slammed the table.

“Advisor Homura, don’t rush, let me finish!”

Uchiha Chiye was unconcerned by his actions.

His gaze calmly swept over everyone.

“If they cannot agree, then we will continue to hold their Ninja until they agree.”

Homura Mitokado stood up anxiously.

“This will only anger the Village Hidden in the Sand and trigger a new war!”

“See, Advisor Homura is anxious again!”

Qianye shrugged, his gaze becoming serious.

“War?”

His eyes suddenly sharpened.

“If the Village Hidden in the Sand dares to start another war, then we’ll fight again!”

“We’ll fight until they no longer dare to have any wild ambitions!”

His voice boomed like thunder, making the conference room hum.

Lady Tsunade looked at Qianye’s profile, the displeasure in her eyes gradually fading, replaced by a hint of admiration.

Mikoto, meanwhile, tightly clutched the hem of her clothes, her eyes filled with adoration.

The Third Hokage was silent for a long time, finally sighing.

“Everyone, let’s vote.”

“Those who support the unconditional release of prisoners, please raise your hand.”

Homura Mitokado and Utatane Koharu immediately raised their hands, but everyone else remained motionless.

“Those who support the proposals of the Uchiha Clan Head and Hyuga Clan Leader, please raise your hand.”

Lady Tsunade was the first to raise her hand, followed by Nara, Akimichi, Yamanaka…

Finally, even Shibi Aburame slowly raised his arm.

The Third Hokage looked at this scene, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.

“Since that is the case, then we will renegotiate with the Village Hidden in the Sand according to the Uchiha Clan Head’s proposal.”

He stood up, his voice low.

“Meeting adjourned.”

After the meeting, the clan leaders of the major clans left one after another.

As Qianye walked out of the Hokage Building, Lady Tsunade blocked his path.

“Oh, Uchiha Clan Head, you were very impressive today, weren’t you?”

She crossed her arms, a half-smile on her face.

Qianye looked her over.

“What, Lady Tsunade has an opinion?”

Lady Tsunade snorted softly.

“I don’t have an opinion, but…”

Her gaze swept towards Mikoto, who was following behind Qianye, implying something.

“Some people are quite good at picking the right time to show off.”

Mikoto’s face flushed, and she lowered her head, not daring to speak.

Qianye sighed helplessly.

“Lady Tsunade, don’t bully children.”

Lady Tsunade snorted coldly.

“Who’s bullying her? I’m just curious, when did you become so concerned about the younger generation of your clan?”

Qianye smiled, leaned close to her ear, and whispered.

“If you want to know, you can come to my room tonight, and I’ll tell you slowly.”

Lady Tsunade’s face instantly turned red, and she punched him in the chest.

“You just wait!”

Qianye laughed and dodged, then walked away with Mikoto.

In the distance, Fugaku watched this scene, a thoughtful look flashing in his eyes.

And by the window of the Hokage's Office.

Hiruzen Sarutobi silently smoked his pipe, enveloped in smoke.

His gaze was fixed on Qianye’s direction, his expression unreadable.