Ch-112 Telepathy.

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Inoichi, Shikaku, and Chōza arrived outside the Hokage building, their eyes immediately landing on Inoiki, who stood waiting for them with his usual composed demeanor.

Shikaku, ever the strategist, was the first to speak. "Did you learn the Mind Body Transmission Technique?"

Both Inoichi and Chōza turned their gazes toward Inoiki, expecting a confirmation.

However, Inoiki simply shook his head. Instead of answering aloud, he projected his response directly into their minds.

"Not exactly. I studied how the Mind Body Transmission Technique works, and with the help of my Kekkei Genkai, I was able to develop a new technique of my own. Now that my mental strength has improved, I've refined it into something I call… Telepathy."

A brief silence followed.

Inoichi, Shikaku, and Chōza exchanged glances, their expressions unreadable. But inwardly, they all came to the same conclusion—this boy is a genius.

They said nothing, but their silence spoke volumes.

These three understood the full importance of this ability. Inoiki didn't require handseals and could communicate directly into someone's mind, all while appearing to casually look around as if doing nothing. This skill could prove invaluable in group battles or when issuing strategic instructions.

Seeing their reaction, Inoiki smirked slightly. "Come on, Lady Hokage is waiting for us. We shouldn't keep them waiting."

Snapping out of their thoughts, the three men nodded in agreement and followed Inoiki into the Hokage building.

Inoiki's presence at the meeting was essential. He had firsthand experience battling the Iwa shinobi and was the one who captured Kurotsuchi. His role in the conflict made him a key figure in these negotiations.

Accompanying him were the trio of Ino-Shika-Chō—Inoichi, Shikaku, and Chōza. They weren't just there to observe; they were there to ensure nothing happened to Inoiki.

After all, Inoiki hadn't just fought in the skirmish—he had been the vanguard, the decisive force that turned the tide. He had slain multiple Jōnin and Tokubetsu Jōnin from Iwagakure. Losing a few Chūnin in battle was one thing, but the deaths of nearly ten high-ranking shinobi? That was a devastating blow to any village.

The concern wasn't just about Iwagakure demanding Kurotsuchi's return. No, the real fear was that they might make excessive demands—like demanding Inoiki's capture, or worse, his execution, as a condition for peace.

And the most terrifying possibility?

That Konoha might actually agree.

It had happened before. When the Hyūga Clan was caught in political turmoil, Konoha's elders had been ready to sacrifice Hiashi Hyūga to maintain peace. If not for Hiashi's twin brother, Hizashi, stepping forward and taking his place, the village's willingness to trade lives for diplomacy would have led to another tragedy.

Tsunade was strong-willed, and they trusted her judgment. But the same could not be said for the Konoha Elders—Homura Mitokado, Koharu Utatane, and, most of all, Danzō Shimura.

That was why they all needed to be here.

They would not let history repeat itself.

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Inside the meeting room, Kitsuchi sat patiently, though the tension in the air was palpable. He had been waiting for half an hour alongside the four individuals who had accompanied him from Iwagakure.

Finally, the doors opened.

Tsunade entered first, her presence commanding the room. Behind her followed the ever-calculating Danzō, along with the seasoned Konoha Elders, Koharu and Homura. Without a word, they took their seats, their expressions unreadable.

Mere moments later, another set of footsteps echoed through the chamber.

Inoiki entered, flanked by Inoichi, Chōza, and Shikaku. The Ino-Shika-Chō trio moved with practiced ease, their mere presence a silent statement—they were here to ensure this negotiation did not take a turn for the worse. Without hesitation, they took their seats.

And then, at last, the reason for this entire meeting arrived.

Kurotsuchi.

The young kunoichi stepped into the room, her sharp gaze immediately landing on the man she had longed to see.

"Dad," she said, her voice carrying both relief and restraint.

Kitsuchi stood without hesitation, his usually stern features softening for a moment as he embraced his daughter. It was a brief but meaningful reunion—one that spoke volumes without the need for words.

Once seated again, Kurotsuchi took her place beside him.

Shizune, standing near the Hokage, cleared her throat. "Now that everyone is present, we can begin the negotiations."

Kitsuchi, however, raised a hand. "One moment."

His gaze then shifted across the table, landing on a single individual.

"Inoiki," he said, his tone steady. "If I'm not mistaken, that's your name, correct?"

The young shinobi met Kitsuchi's piercing stare without a hint of hesitation. There was no nervousness in his demeanor, no uncertainty.

With calm confidence, Inoiki simply nodded.

"Yes," he replied, his voice unwavering. "You are correct. I am Inoiki."

A quiet tension settled over the room.

Kitsuchi's gaze hardened as he studied the young shinobi before him. His voice was laced with barely restrained hostility as he spoke.

"Hmph. So you're the one who slaughtered so many of our ninjas… and captured my daughter."

As he finished, his chakra surged, a wave of oppressive killing intent rolling toward Inoiki like a crushing tide. The air in the room grew heavy, the atmosphere charged with unspoken menace.

But Inoiki didn't flinch.

Instead, he exhaled softly—then countered.

A pulse of mental energy erupted from him, invisible yet undeniable. His will itself materialized as a sky-blue aura flared around him, pushing back against Kitsuchi's pressure with raw intensity.

Kitsuchi's momentum faltered. The weight of Inoiki's mental strength bore down on him—not enough to break him, but enough to force acknowledgment. Physically, it felt like carrying an immense weight; mentally, it was an unrelenting force pressing against his very being.

Yet, Kitsuchi was no ordinary shinobi. He endured it without faltering, his sheer strength allowing him to hold firm.

Still, the message was clear.

The rest of the room, though not targeted directly, felt it. A subtle but undeniable pressure pressed against their minds, a testament to just how far Inoiki had grown in power.

Danzo, in particular, narrowed his single visible eye.

For years, he had watched Inoiki from the shadows, waiting for the right moment to pull him into ROOT. Yet now, as he sat there, feeling the weight of Inoiki's presence, a rare tinge of regret flickered within him.

He should have been more aggressive.

He should have forced Inoiki into ROOT long ago.

Now, that window had closed.

If he moved against Inoiki now, it would not be a simple recruitment—it would be a battle. A costly one.

And ROOT was not ready for that.

For the first time, Danzo saw Inoiki not as a tool to be shaped, but as a force that could not be controlled.

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