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From Iwagakure's perspective, this move might bend the rules a bit, but does Konoha have to be so utterly unreasonable?
Threatening us at every turn, constantly bringing up the prospect of war!
Does Konoha truly want to start a war with Iwagakure?
In any case, Ōnoki didn't believe Iwagakure had done anything wrong. All the fault lay with Konoha. Iwagakure was blameless.
"Lord Advisor, the matter concerning Kusagakure…"
"This issue is no longer just between Konoha and Kusagakure; it now involves Iwagakure as well! Konoha has always projected an image of being somewhat weak to the outside world. Now, Iwagakure even wants to ride roughshod over us."
If Ōnoki had simply said that Iwagakure would not interfere further and that Konoha could handle the matter as it saw fit, Kazuki would not have immediately left with his team.
But seriously, you want to assert dominance over Konoha and then expect no retaliation?
You even expect Konoha to play along nicely for the sake of its own reputation?
Ōnoki, you certainly have some nerve.
"Let's go. Since Kusagakure loves to stir up trouble, we'll play along."
After sending a scroll to Tsunade detailing the events at Iwagakure, Kazuki led his team away, heading towards the border between the Land of Earth and the Land of Grass.
He was curious: how long could the Kusagakure representatives hide within Iwagakure? And how long would Iwagakure be willing to protect them?
In terms of spy prevention, intelligence gathering, and defense, Iwagakure was one of the most proficient among the Five Great Shinobi Villages. Even if the Kusagakure team stayed in Iwagakure, they would be met with constant suspicion and vigilance.
Kazuki wanted to see just how thick-skinned they could be, overstaying their welcome in Iwagakure.
"What? The Konoha delegation has left?"
When the Kusagakure representatives received the news, they were dumbfounded.
Hadn't they come to Iwagakure precisely to leverage the village's influence and demand an explanation from Konoha?
Yet Konoha refused to play by the rules. At the slightest disagreement, they simply packed up and left, leaving the Kusagakure delegation stranded in an awkward position in Iwagakure.
Worse still, they had even threatened to ambush them on their way back!
This was essentially trapping them within Iwagakure.
"My apologies."
The Tsuchikage's secretary said regretfully:
"Iwagakure's intention was to act as a mediator between Kusagakure and Konoha, facilitating negotiations to resolve the matter. However, the Konoha delegation believed that Iwagakure was overstepping and dictating terms. After a heated argument with the Tsuchikage, Konoha's representative, Hokage Advisor Uchiha Kazuki, chose to leave. He also declared that he would ambush all of you on your journey back."
"Dammit! How did it come to this?"
The Kusagakure representatives panicked.
Konoha never used to resort to such extreme measures! For one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages to openly threaten to ambush representatives of a minor village—if this got out, it would severely damage Konoha's reputation.
It was precisely because Kusagakure had banked on this that they dared to come to Iwagakure and make a scene, asking Iwagakure to help them seek justice.
But Konoha wasn't having it.
Screw negotiations!
There's nothing to discuss. Just wait for your fate!
If you dare to leave, we'll kill you!
As for reputation? Konoha isn't concerned.
"Sir, this isn't what we agreed upon during our discussions."
The Kusagakure representatives hoped to cling to Iwagakure as their lifeline.
But Iwagakure wasn't about to extend that lifeline so easily.
Doing so would mean openly confronting Konoha.
Although supporting Kusagakure already bordered on bullying Konoha, it was still just a suspicion—nothing too overt.
Even that was enough to provoke Konoha's ire, let alone if Iwagakure openly took a stand.
"I apologize. We did not anticipate things would escalate to this extent. Konoha stubbornly believes that Iwagakure is trying to dominate them. The village can no longer assist you in this matter, unless we are prepared to engage in direct conflict with Konoha."
A lifeline isn't given away so easily.
With an apologetic glance at the Kusagakure representatives, the Tsuchikage's secretary promptly took his leave.
What they chose to do next was their own affair.
Whether they went around playing the victim or knelt down begging for Konoha's forgiveness—none of that concerned Iwagakure.
In the past, Ōnoki would have seized this opportunity to launch a propaganda campaign, ideally tarnishing Konoha's reputation.
But unfortunately, Konoha's representative this time was Kazuki. Faced with someone as unreasonable and unpredictable as Kazuki, Ōnoki didn't dare overstep.
He was afraid that if he reached out, Kazuki's blade would immediately come chopping down.
Ōnoki would have dared to cause trouble if he were dealing with Tsunade or the Third Hokage, because he was certain they wouldn't act recklessly.
But if the person in charge was Kazuki… Ōnoki wasn't willing to gamble.
What if, after he fueled the flames with propaganda, Kazuki directly stormed into Kusagakure and forced its leaders to submit? What if he then offered them some benefits to make Kusagakure turn around and accuse Iwagakure? That would be a real disaster.
Don't doubt it—Kusagakure, that fickle village, would absolutely be capable of such a thing.
If that happened, Iwagakure would truly be in a predicament.
Rather than taking that risk, it was better to distance themselves from the affair as quickly as possible. They had argued, exchanged harsh words, and torn up decorum, but the two villages were unlikely to go to war over such a minor issue.
Faced with the choice of risking being dragged into the conflict by continuing to support Kusagakure, or cutting ties early to extricate themselves, Ōnoki decisively chose the latter.
His attitude towards Kumogakure was much the same.
When the Third Raikage was still alive, whenever Kumogakure harassed Iwagakure, Ōnoki would always choose to retaliate, responding in kind.
But now, Ōnoki had no interest in dealing with Kumogakure.
Because compared to the more cautious Third Raikage, who would consider the consequences first, the Fourth Raikage, A, was an outright hothead.
There was no predicting what astonishing moves he might make in a fit of rage.
If Iwagakure were to retaliate with constant petty maneuvers, harassment, and provocations, the Fourth Raikage's temperament might very well lead him to escalate into open warfare.
It wouldn't be like the Third Raikage's era, where both sides would exchange a few symbolic blows and then call it a day before heading home for dinner.
It's over. What should we do now?
Kazuki had already made his threat. These people didn't even have the courage to leave Iwagakure, fearing death the moment they stepped outside.
Given their strength, it wouldn't take much—a single ANBU squad would be enough to eliminate them.
The thought of dying at any moment turned the faces of the Kusagakure representatives green with fear.
No, Iwagakure "has" to do something about this. They're one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages. Only they can stand up to Konoha. Only they can resolve this situation.
Unwilling to accept this, the Kusagakure representatives sought out Ōnoki to plead their case.
They hoped Ōnoki would intervene and persuade Konoha to call off the ambush.
Ideally, he would make the Konoha delegation return to their own country and their own village, and stop causing trouble outside.
That way, they could return home safely.