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"Kumogakure has also been defeated?"
On the sickbed, the Third Kazekage listened to the intelligence from the Anbu beside him, his voice hoarse and difficult, causing the breathing tube in his nose to tremble slightly.
"Yes, Lord Third."
Sasori, sitting beside him, whispered in his ear, "Sawara Kiri is too strong. The Raikage was no match for him, and the Two-Tails Jinchuriki personally delivered the surrender letter to Konoha."
"..."
The Third Kazekage lay on the sickbed, silent for a while, then slowly said, "That Yugito Nii, she is truly brave."
"I am not as good as her."
Sasori was startled. At only eleven years old this year, he was not yet at an age to understand the complexities of human relationships, only feeling that Yugito Nii was weak.
Kumogakure still had so many people and resources, yet they had surrendered to Konoha for no reason, completely unlike their Sunagakure, which possessed the courage to seek life in death, let alone compared to the Kazekage who personally led the battle.
However, since the Kazekage said so, he couldn't refute it, only whispering, "Lord Third, you don't need to say such disheartening words. Once your body recovers, our Sunagakure will still have a chance to start over."
Listening to the young boy's murmur beside him, the Third Kazekage turned to look at him. His once heroic face had aged considerably due to illness, and even his originally smooth skin had developed a few wrinkles, making his smile appear somewhat benevolent at this moment.
He extended his hand with some effort.
Sasori leaned forward slightly.
Thus, the Third Kazekage's palm rested on his soft red hair.
"Sasori, you are a sensible child."
"The great undertaking of Sunagakure in the future will depend on you young people."
"How have you been practicing the Magnet Release that I taught you a few days ago?"
Sasori's small face was serious as he solemnly said, "I can already feel the magnetic force, but when applying it, the frequency is a bit off, and I can only summon some glowing small stones."
"That's not bad."
The Third Kazekage smiled gently.
Having successors is always a comforting thing.
As for those bothersome matters, he wasn't yet at an age to need to know about them.
As they were speaking, Karura, who was temporarily acting as Kazekage, also walked in from outside the door.
This slender, yellow-haired woman carried a tall puppet on her back, yet her steps were very light, clearly having adapted to the weight.
The Third Kazekage patted Sasori's back, indicating, "You go out first. Karura and I have something to discuss."
"Yes."
Sasori nodded obediently.
Ever since his parents and great-uncle passed away, he had become much more sensible, putting both Chiyo and the Third Kazekage at ease.
Once the door was closed, the Third Kazekage's expression became a bit heavier as he turned to look at Karura:
"How is it?"
Karura sighed softly, "The Daimyo has now been held hostage by the opinions of the noble council. The responsibility for the defeat should fall on us, and at the same time, various expenses from now on will be greatly reduced, I'm afraid..."
"It's fine."
The Third Kazekage's voice was calm: "The responsibility for the defeat rests solely on me. For a dying man, his posthumous reputation is not a big deal."
"What's the situation with the business expenses?"
"After the previous war negotiations concluded, Konoha's people originally intended to continue business cooperation according to the war negotiations, which had already been ongoing for over a month," Karura continued, "When Konoha was still in a stalemate with Kumogakure, their various negotiation terms were reasonable, but they were slow to sign."
At this point, Karura lowered her eyes: "Now, the demands have increased again."
"Agree to them."
The Third Kazekage's voice was calm: "If we don't sign now, once Konoha's power grows after the war, they will only become more greedy. Sawara Kiri can still live for many years."
"Yes."
"Cough, cough, cough..."
No sooner had he finished this brief statement than the Third Kazekage couldn't help but cough and vomit blood, staining his handkerchief a deep crimson.
Karura lowered her head with a pained expression, not daring to look.
The Third Kazekage, however, seemed to have come to terms with it, throwing the handkerchief aside, completely unconcerned about the bloodstains on it.
Since his defeat and return to the Village last time, the entire Sunagakure had undergone various tasks such as rebuilding the Village, establishing trade routes, and transportation nodes.
His health, already poor due to emotional distress, had worsened, to the point where he couldn't even get out of bed, becoming completely incapacitated.
At the same time, many voices within Sunagakure directed their anger at him, with everyone using this 'Strongest Kazekage' as a scapegoat, attempting to save the last shred of face for Sunagakure, which was already rapidly declining.
The Daimyo of the Land of Wind, who had previously fully supported him, had also been completely sidelined by the noble council, becoming a mere puppet. His son was now primarily responsible for handling important affairs, and his attitude towards Sunagakure was difficult to ascertain.
Under the accumulation of immense pressure, it was inevitable that the Third Kazekage would end up in his current state.
"I'm sorry, Karura."
The Third Kazekage's hoarse voice carried a hint of helplessness: "Leaving you with such a mess."
"Teacher..."
Karura's face was tense, her eyes a little red.
The Third Kazekage, however, didn't care about his own life, only feeling some guilt.
Decades of effort, lost in an instant.
He was indeed a sinner of Sunagakure.
"Alright, go see Sasori."
He lay on the sickbed, seemingly tired, and closed his eyes again: "I am already in this state. Sasori is a talented child, and I can only rely on you to guide him."
"Yes."
Karura was silent for a moment before agreeing and stepping out of the sickroom.
"Sigh."
Once the room was empty, another long, faint sigh echoed within.
Konoha, why are they always so favored by heaven?
After Karura left the room, probably due to her inner turmoil, she didn't immediately return to the Kazekage's office but instead went to the training ground where Sasori usually practiced Magnet Release Ninjutsu.
From afar, she saw a lonely, small figure standing alone in the sand, diligently controlling tiny pieces of stone that continuously floated up from deep within the desert.
Magnet Release itself is not a Kekkei Genkai, but a type of secret technique. It merely incorporates the Earth and Lightning Release natures, not much different from Ōnoki's Dust Release.
However, it is extremely difficult to master.
For Sasori to be able to attract small stones after only one or two months of practice was already a remarkable achievement.
However, upon seeing the glowing broken stones attracted by Sasori's palm, Karura's eyes lit up, yet she also subtly frowned, her emotions somewhat conflicted.
"Sasori."
"Didn't I tell you to try attracting the simplest sand grains first?"
Karura's voice was somewhat cold.
Hearing this, Sasori suddenly turned his head. Seeing it was Karura, his expression immediately stiffened, and he stammered, "Sister Karura, I just thought it was easier to use this kind of thing, so..."
Karura didn't say much. She reached out and picked up the glowing small stone floating in mid-air, then turned and asked, "Did you ask the Mineralogist Guild about this? What kind of stone is this?"
Sasori stopped his movements, scratched his head, and whispered, "The Mineralogist Guild said it's a stone called uranium. They don't know what it's for, but it seems to have some radiation."
"You knew it had radiation and you still used it indiscriminately?"
"Start with the basics first."
Karura's face was stern, showing the serious demeanor of an older sister acting as a mother.
"Yes~"
Sasori seemed a bit helpless, pouting and muttering, "I think this stuff might be quite useful against enemies."
"That's only after you've mastered it."
"I know."
Seeing that this kid was also so troublesome, Karura sighed inwardly and casually tossed the stone aside.
In recent days, her teacher's health had been worsening, and all sorts of affairs were falling on her alone, creating immense pressure.
But, there was no other choice.
After the previous war negotiations were completed, the Land of Wind had almost become a vassal of the Land of Fire, completely controlled economically and militarily.
If this continued for another ten years, Sunagakure might not even have ten thousand Ninja left, would it?
The more she pondered, the more anxious Karura became.
They must unite with other countries.
Sunagakure must not sink like this.
Karura made up her mind.
This was not only her wish, but also Rasa's wish, wasn't it?
She thought to herself, her palm gently caressing the bandaged puppet on her back, a relieved smile slowly appearing on her face.
"Unbelievable."
In the Tsuchikage's office, Ōnoki murmured this as he looked at the reports from the front lines, yet his brows furrowed deeper and deeper.
In just one year, this boy who had appeared out of nowhere from Konoha had forcibly subdued Sunagakure and Kumogakure. Only their Iwagakure was fortunate; their last war was fought with Konoha in the Land of Rain, and it hadn't escalated into a full-blown conflict. The truce negotiations had already concluded earlier.
If not for that, even he might not have been able to withstand that boy's punch.
However, the current situation in the Ninja World was increasingly unfavorable for Iwagakure.
The period when the Five Great Nations were balanced was the most suitable time for their development. Whether it was war or peace, it wouldn't affect too much in the end. Each family was cautiously expanding, constantly breaking the original situation set by the First Hokage and that man.
Yet now, the situation was gradually returning to the period originally dominated by the First Hokage.
As the leader of Iwagakure, how could Ōnoki be willing to accept this?
"Dad."
Kitsuchi, standing nearby, was a big guy, but his mind hadn't fully matured yet. Seeing his old man's troubled expression, he completely failed to grasp the problem:
"Aren't the wars about to end? Then we can just make good money, right?"
"You brat!"
Ōnoki was startled by his words, then angrily flew up and hit him hard on the head: "Are you even my offspring? You can't learn Dust Release, you can't learn Explosion Release, you just keep showing off with that little bit of strength every day!"
"Look at Sawara Kiri from Konoha, then look at you!"
"Is the end of the war a good thing? At that time, see if you can out-compete Konoha or Kumogakure in business!"
"Our Earth Country is a landlocked country! We're a major importer, do you know that? You idiot!"
Ōnoki scolded him angrily, then flew back to his seat.
Kitsuchi, who had been inexplicably beaten, scratched his head, but he didn't take the minor pain to heart and grinned foolishly.
"Also, what about the Takigakure matter that I asked you to investigate earlier?"
"Such a big thing happened right on our doorstep, and we still have no information about it. Why are you still smiling?"
Ōnoki immediately grew even angrier.
Kitsuchi, however, seemed to recall something and suddenly said, "Most of the people we sent in during the previous few rounds have died."
"However, some people still managed to send out a little bit of information using summoning beasts."
He paused, his expression serious: "The new leader of that organization calling itself the Moon Organization can use Susanoo."
"And has completely controlled the Seven-Tailed."
"What?!"
Ōnoki's eyes immediately widened.
As someone who had personally witnessed Uchiha Madara's power back then, Iwagakure had always held a deep fear of the Uchiha name.
For this reason, his teacher, Mu, had even personally created 'Dust Release,' a Kekkei Tota considered by the entire Ninja World to have excessive destructive power.
Back then, his teacher's greatest dying wish was to personally witness this technique break through the invincible Susanoo.
However, this wish was never fulfilled before he died.
But for the same reason, the Tsuchikage lineage had always held an extremely high level of apprehension towards the Uchiha's Mangekyo Sharingan Dojutsu, and their records were quite detailed.
At this moment, hearing that the person using Susanoo was an Uchiha, Ōnoki almost instinctively linked her to Konoha.
Takigakure is a small country sandwiched between the Earth Country and the Land of Fire.
Since its founding, it has always maintained close ties with Konoha.
If this country were also controlled by Konoha...
Just thinking about a Konoha stronghold right on his doorstep sent a chill down Ōnoki's spine.
Konoha, had they been planning a war with Iwagakure since that time?
Then what would Iwagakure use to resist?
Moreover, Konoha's habit of hiding trump cards had already become deeply ingrained in people's minds due to Sawara Kiri, so he almost instinctively believed that this Mangekyo Uchiha was also Konoha's trump card.
Complex thoughts rapidly surged into his mind, leaving him in a state of confusion.
"No."
"We must unite."
Ōnoki's tone was utterly decisive: "The current Konoha is no longer a monster that can be resisted by a single country or Village."
"We must unite all forces that can be united."
Compared to the previous two, Yugito Nii, who sacrificed herself for the Village, had a treatment that could be imagined.
Almost upon returning to the Village, this temporary Raikage was met with a fervent welcome from the people of Kumogakure, with rotten eggs and vegetable leaves flying everywhere, pelting him the entire way.
Kumogakure's negotiation results had returned to the Village before him.
This current Two-Tails Jinchuriki had also become the universally recognized traitor of the entire Land of Lightning.
However, he had already realized that this day would come when he made that choice, and he calmly endured the Curse as he returned to the Raikage Building.
Upon entering the office, without taking time to clean himself, Yugito Nii immediately spoke to A beside him:
"How are the other countries contacted?"
"This..."
A looked at Yugito Nii, who was covered in all sorts of things, his expression a little dejected. If he had also gone into Konoha Village at that time, he probably would have ended up like this, right?
However, Yugito was clearly the one who was wholeheartedly devoted to the country.
He thought so in his heart, then nodded with renewed vigor: "Ōnoki and Karura have both agreed to our terms. Only Hidden Mist, perhaps thinking they can remain aloof, has not responded."
"It doesn't matter."
Yugito Nii's expression was calm: "This kind of thing cannot be forced. Their unwillingness to send people might even be a good thing."
"But..."
A's words reached his lips, he tried to open his mouth, but couldn't raise his voice, his tone gradually falling: "Do we really need to share so much research material with them?"
Yugito Nii stopped, looked at the young man beside him, and suddenly said, "A, what do you think Kumogakure still has that can contend with Konoha?"
A was startled by his words, not understanding what Yugito Nii meant.
Seeing his expression, Yugito sighed softly: "This time when I went to Konoha, I saw many things that exceeded my previous imagination."
"Do you know?"
"Even though they were still at war with us, they opened up a new city, filled with ordinary people and civilian Ninja working everywhere. They also plan to build a new school specializing in training Chunin and Jonin on the original Ninja Academy site, and establish businesses, expand Ninja recruitment..."
"They are growing stronger and stronger by feeding on the profits taken from our Village. The most crucial thing is that the current Sannin do not have Sarutobi Hiruzen's indecisive nature, despite his cunning."
"If we continue to be complacent, our Village will only fall further and further behind them."
"Until the day one country can stand against four."
Yugito Nii patted A's shoulder, speaking earnestly: "At that time, with Sawara Kiri and the Nine-Tails above Konoha, and countless Chunin and Jonin below, what do you think will happen in this Ninja World?"
"..."
A suddenly fell silent.
Only then did he realize how far Yugito Nii was thinking.
How long would it take for these things to happen?
Ten years? Twenty years?
A felt he couldn't say for sure.
Yugito Nii then calmly said, "Therefore, we must show the greatest sincerity and cooperate with other countries."
"Otherwise, we have only one path: being swallowed by Konoha."
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