The negotiations between the three nations dragged on for much longer than the Ice-Fire Clone had anticipated. It wasn't until three months later that any real progress was made.
By this time, however, the cooperation between the Land of Rivers' Silver River Village and the Land of Wind's Sand Village had long since begun. A large amount of gold and ninjutsu data flowed into the Silver River Village in exchange for a large shipment of food and the friendship of both parties. Ruri promised that in matters of foreign policy, she would stand on the same side as the Land of Wind.
The Land of Wind also wanted to dispatch a large number of personnel to be stationed in the Silver River Village, but they were flatly refused. They had to settle for second best and proposed jointly hosting a Chunin Exam. This was agreed upon.
Subsequently, the Land of Earth and the Land of Rain learned of this matter and, not wanting to be left out, also expressed their hope to join in.
And so, the Joint Chunin Exams became a grand event co-hosted by the four nations, with the venue set in the Land of Rain, which was geographically central to them all. The Third Tsuchikage and the Third Kazekage both decided to attend this grand event in person, and incidentally, to hold formal talks regarding "the plan." Ruri, having to give face to these two great leaders, also had no choice but to attend.
Such a major event attracted the attention of the rest of the nations in the ninja world. Even the conflict between the Land of Thunder and the Land of Fire was temporarily halted because of this. They had to consider whether this new development signaled a threat to their own interests.
Konoha, Hokage's Office.
Danzo took the initiative to come here and present his opinion to the Third Hokage. "Hiruzen, I believe Konoha must also participate in this Joint Chunin Exam being held by the four western nations."
"Why? The Land of Thunder is being aggressive right now. We don't have the spare capacity to worry about matters over there," the Third Hokage replied.
"Has a mere Land of Thunder already frightened you?" Danzo sneered. "During the First War, we faced a joint attack from four great nations. In the Second War, we fought against three nations consecutively. I don't believe a single Land of Thunder can put Konoha in peril."
"But the situation on the other side is different. If those four nations truly unite, that would be the greatest threat to us in Konoha. Because it means the armies of the Land of Wind and the Land of Earth could appear directly on our borders. You should understand this principle, Hiruzen."
"I understand everything you're saying." The Third Hokage took a drag from his pipe, slowly exhaled, and said in a low voice, "But what can we do? Forcibly stop them? That would only deepen their hostility towards Konoha."
"No. We just need to join them and sow discord among them."
"Join them? Are you sure they'll agree?"
"I already have a method. I'm just waiting for you to make a decision."
"Tell me your method first."
And so, Danzo laid out his plan, sending the Third Hokage into deep thought. After a long while, he finally sighed and said slowly, "If we follow your method, the chance of success is indeed high, but there is also a risk of failure. Once we fail, the personnel we send to the Land of Rain could be completely wiped out."
"Hiruzen, are you still going to be so indecisive?" Danzo said coldly. "If we don't break this stalemate, Konoha will face an even greater threat in the future, and could even be destroyed. When that time comes, how will you face the First and Second Hokage in the Pure Land?!"
"This time, I will go personally. That should put your mind at ease."
"Mmm, since you've put it that way, then alright." The Third Hokage nodded in agreement.
"Then the selection of participants for the Chunin Exams will be entirely up to you."
"Good!"
Danzo flicked his sleeves and turned to leave. The Third Hokage stood up, walked out onto the balcony, looked up at the statues on the Hokage Rock, and let out a heavy sigh. "No matter what, I will ensure that the Will of Fire burns eternally and is passed down forever."
...
Ever since the entire Land of Grass had been unified by the chakra clone, public order had improved considerably. All the bandits and robbers had been wiped out, and their wealth had been confiscated. The Village Hidden in the Grass had transformed into a more purely mercenary organization—as long as you paid, they were willing to do anything.
However, the scarcity of Jonin-level personnel severely restricted the expansion of Kusagakure's business. Even with significant price discounts, they couldn't compete with the major nations. Therefore, the chakra clone had his subordinates constantly searching for rogue ninja wandering throughout the ninja world, with the intention of secretly recruiting them.
After a year of implementing this policy, the results were remarkable. Kusagakure was now teeming with talent. And on this day, he finally got a lead on the whereabouts of the ultimate mercenary he had in mind.
"He's in the Land of Rice Fields? Alright, I'm heading over immediately," the chakra clone said eagerly.
"My lord, are you planning to go alone? He's an S-rank rogue ninja!" said Wulei, who had become his right-hand man, his voice filled with worry.
"Mm. Taking anyone else would just be a burden. It's better if I go alone. Don't worry, I have a hundred percent certainty I can handle him."
Without waiting for a reply, the chakra clone waved his hand and vanished from sight.
Wulei couldn't help but marvel, "The lord's Body Flicker Technique is getting stronger and stronger."
...
Land of Rice Fields, in a certain mountain forest.
With a massive roar, a large swath of forest collapsed, sending up a thick cloud of smoke. When the smoke cleared, a gloomy-looking man with disheveled hair and a mask walked up to a mangled corpse and chuckled softly. "Heh, another three million ryo in the bag."
His eerie, dark green eyes swept over the corpse's heart, and he sighed. "A pity his attribute doesn't match. I can't replace my heart with his."
"My water-attribute heart is reaching its limit. I need to find a suitable replacement quickly."
As he pondered, he bent down. Just as he was about to hoist the corpse from the ground, his pupils suddenly contracted, and he looked up at a tree branch not far away. A stout man with thick eyebrows and large eyes had appeared there at some point, and was looking at him with a smile.
He actually managed to sneak up on me, getting this close? He looks like a strong fellow. I wonder if the heart in his body is a match? He was very confident in his own strength and didn't believe this sudden intruder could defeat him.
Seeing Kakuzu's gaze gradually fill with killing intent, the chakra clone shook his head and was the first to speak. "My name is Souta, leader of the Village Hidden in the Grass in the Land of Grass. And you must be the famous S-rank rogue ninja from the Land of Waterfalls—Kakuzu."
"Leader of Kusagakure? You know me?" Kakuzu looked surprised. Many years had passed since he had defected from his village; most people thought he was already dead.
"Of course, I know you. The guy who threw a shuriken at the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, from half a mile away and then booked it—that was you, wasn't it?"
"What?! Who told you that? Utter nonsense!" This experience had always been a source of pride for him, and to have it mocked like this was simply unbearable.
Kakuzu's anger flared instantly, and he roared, "Die! Tentacle Fist!" He thrust out his hands, and like Astro Boy, shot out both of his wrists, which were connected to his arms by black threads.