Chapter 171: Ōnoki Sets a Flag
After Ōnoki received the news of the invasion of Hozuki Castle,
his first reaction was that someone had hired "Crimson Moon" in an attempt to release the thousands of serious criminals inside.
But after carefully looking through the intelligence gathered by the ANBU, Ōnoki was stunned by the tragic state of the battle scene.
It was just like the Valley of the Moon a few years ago.
Even... more terrifying.
And the result of the Battle of the Valley of the Moon that time...
Kumogakure publicly announced that the Fourth Raikage, A, and the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki, Killer Bee, were both in secluded training.
But the real situation was that the Fourth Raikage recuperated for nearly half a year due to his injuries, while Killer Bee hid away in the Cloud-Thunder Gorge, seeking a way to become stronger.
Ōnoki didn't believe that with such a precedent, many prisoners could have escaped alive from "Ame-no-Minakanushi's" hands.
"Could someone be using this incident as a feint to attack elsewhere, or to provoke relations between nations?" Ōnoki's old face wrinkled into a tight ball.
Ever since the last Shinobi World War,
although the situation between the various countries was very stable on the surface, Ōnoki, who had grown crafty with age, understood that the end of every Shinobi World War was the beginning of the next.
The Five Great Ninja Villages, including Iwagakure, had been secretly accumulating strength.
"Kitsuchi, do you think someone is pulling strings behind the scenes?"
Ōnoki asked without looking up: "I don't think Hozuki Castle has anything worth noting. On the contrary, if their real target is our Land of Earth, that's a different story."
If one looked only at the surface, this matter should have nothing to do with the Land of Earth.
But Hozuki Castle, within the Land of Grass's territory, happens to be adjacent to the southeastern border of the Land of Earth.
This couldn't help but make Ōnoki suspicious.
After all, he had done similar things before.
"Father, are you saying they are attacking Hozuki Castle on the surface, but are actually eyeing the Land of Earth's southeastern border covetously?"
Kitsuchi, standing behind Ōnoki, his figure exceptionally tall, pondered for a moment after looking at the ANBU's intelligence.
Immediately, his tone was steady: "Father, I think this possibility is not high."
"Oh?"
Ōnoki's expression remained unchanged as he pressed: "Tell me your thoughts."
"It's only been four or five years since the Third Shinobi World War. I don't believe the other ninja villages are prepared to deal with a Fourth Shinobi World War."
Although these words sounded somewhat reasonable, Ōnoki still sighed inwardly.
"This child Kitsuchi's heart... is ultimately not black enough."
Although Ōnoki was old, his insight was still there.
Kitsuchi, with his personality and strength, could be considered an all-rounder, more than enough to serve as the commander-in-chief of the Iwagakure forces.
But sometimes, being an all-rounder was also equivalent to being mediocre.
He only saw the human factors in a ninja war but overlooked the most important point.
"A Shinobi World War has never been something that one person, or even one village, can control."
Needless to say about the militant Kumogakure; they had always been developing their military strength.
And Sunagakure, the weakest in overall strength, had always had serious internal conflicts.
Although they had always played the role of the ninja world's troublemaker, their ambitions were never much less than Kumogakure's. In recent years, their military mindset was by no means inferior to Kumogakure's.
If it could bring sufficient benefits to Sunagakure, they presumably wouldn't refuse to proactively start a war.
Coupled with Konoha's Uchiha massacre and Kirigakure's Village of the Bloody Mist...
The current ninja world, with its surging undercurrents, was like a tightly drawn string.
If any sign of trouble appeared, this string was very likely to snap.
Therefore, it was better to believe it than not.
The consequences of the Hozuki Castle incident had to be considered in the worst possible light.
"Sigh, playing mind games with a bunch of young people all day... I'm really fed up with it."
Ōnoki supported his forehead, sighing deeply: "If they were all as easy to deal with as Sarutobi Hiruzen, this old man would have probably abdicated in favor of a worthy successor long ago."
In this ninja world where the average age did not exceed forty, at seventy years old, he could be said to have one foot in the grave.
But Iwagakure simply couldn't find a young person to take over the Tsuchikage position.
Kitsuchi?
He could only be the Tsuchikage's "spear."
Akatsuchi?
He could only be the Tsuchikage's "shield."
If he really had to choose someone to become Tsuchikage...
"That brat Deidara is a suitable candidate."
Although Deidara was still young, he had already mastered the Kekkei Genkai, Explosion Release.
Even within Iwagakure's Explosion Corps, he was considered a main combat force.
"Explosion Release" is formed by the fusion of Fire and Earth nature transformations.
And the "Kekkei Tōta: Dust Release" he possessed was formed by the fusion of Wind, Earth, and Fire natures.
With that brat's talent, if he were willing, he could quickly learn "Dust Release."
However, Deidara still had a shortcoming that needed attention.
"Kitsuchi."
Ōnoki tapped the table and asked: "That brat Deidara is now..."
But before he could finish,
BOOM!!!
A thunderous explosion seemed to echo through the entire land of Iwagakure.
Even sitting in the Tsuchikage's office, one could feel a very strong tremor.
"Hiss!"
Kitsuchi stared dumbfounded at the light and dust from the distant explosion, unable to help but suck in a cold breath and complain: "Is this that brat's so-called art? Is he trying to blow up the village with art?!"
He didn't even need to look to know that this commotion was definitely caused by Deidara.
That fellow who loved to research the so-called "art of the moment."
"...What damn art! It's clearly a terrorist attack!"
Ōnoki was so angry his old face turned black. He grit his teeth: "This brat really doesn't give me a moment's peace! Doesn't he know the villagers are already very dissatisfied with him!"
Getting worked up, his arm movements became a bit larger.
Suddenly, only a crisp "crack" was heard.
"Ouch!"
Ōnoki clutched his side, his face twisted: "My old back! This is infuriating!"
If this continued, forget about inheriting the Tsuchikage position.
He would probably have to make Deidara live outside Iwagakure like Rōshi.
"Father, please calm down first."
Kitsuchi said with a helpless face: "I'll go check on Deidara first."
With that, he turned and walked out of the office, running towards the direction of the explosion.
After Kitsuchi left, Ōnoki sat back down in his chair, grimacing.
Thump!
"What a waste of all my painstaking efforts!"
He slammed the table hard, cursing angrily: "This brat is so stubborn and mischievous! How can he inherit the Tsuchikage position!"
But after a moment, he sighed deeply again.
"Sigh! Forget it, forget it. That brat is still too young..."
Looking at the lingering smoke and dust in the distance, Ōnoki murmured to himself: "At least while I'm still alive, I can ensure that brat grows up healthy and safe."
He just didn't know how many more years he could borrow from heaven.
(End of Chapter)
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