"Betrayal? No, I never thought about betraying. But shouldn't you give me a reason to continue?" The Third Kazekage answered with a cold expression.
"What reason do we need to give you? Is the threat of Uchiha Ryun not reason enough? What other reason do you want???" The Third Tsuchikage asked through gritted teeth.
"His threat is indeed a reason. It's just that this threat is about to be resolved now..."
"Are you stupid? Do you actually believe Uchiha Ryun's nonsense?" The Fourth Raikage couldn't help but curse.
"Do you think I want to believe it?" The Third Kazekage suddenly raised his voice, his gloomy eyes coldly staring at the Fourth Raikage.
"The lives of countless people in the Land of Wind rest on me. Can I afford not to believe? Of course I can stand on your side. I also want Uchiha Ryun's life. But the question is, can it be done?"
"If you can propose a solution now, even with just half the chance of success, I am willing to risk my life and gamble with you. But do you have one???"
"How many days have passed since that battle? Have you thought of a good way to deal with Uchiha Ryun?"
No one could answer the questions raised by the Third Kazekage. The Raikage and Tsuchikage's emotions gradually cooled down after hearing these words.
The Third Kazekage indeed wanted to admit defeat and seek peace, but these blunt truths were also sincere enough. At least, the three Kage found it difficult to vent their anger at him after listening...
"Uchiha Ryun is a mad dog. Our Land of Wind does not want to provoke this mad dog. So I want to let this matter end here..."
After saying this, the Third Kazekage slowly let out a turbid breath, clearly feeling much more relaxed.
"Since you know it's a mad dog, it should be killed all the more. Otherwise, when it's your turn to be bitten, you might not even have a place to cry." The Third Tsuchikage was still trying to persuade the Kazekage. Their alliance truly could not fall apart.
Originally, the five-nation alliance was well established. After one defeat, the Hokage defected first. Now, seeing the Kazekage also trying to protect himself, the Tsuchikage could no longer remain seated.
"Mizukage, shouldn't you state your position? The Tsuchikage and I both oppose withdrawal. Now it depends on your opinion..." The Fourth Raikage finally remembered the Fourth Mizukage next door.
This guy was short, soft-spoken, and even his presence felt lower than the other Kage...
"Before discussing whether to withdraw troops, I would like to ask the Tsuchikage a question." The Fourth Mizukage spoke unhurriedly.
"Speak..." Ōnoki frowned almost imperceptibly.
"If we do not withdraw, Uchiha Ryun said he would bring four tailed beasts to the Fire-Earth battlefield. Then, may I ask, how will the Tsuchikage respond?"
Yagura directly asked this critical question.
Upon hearing this, Ōnoki's expression changed abruptly.
"Eliminating a scourge cannot rely on one village alone. Our Iwagakure alone cannot defeat Uchiha Ryun. That is why we need to collaborate closely..."
"Get to the point. If the Land of Earth does not withdraw, what will you do next..." The Fourth Mizukage coldly interrupted Ōnoki's long speech.
"You must send elite ninjas to assist us... This doesn't even need explanation..." The Third Tsuchikage said with a dark face.
"How many people do you need? Or rather, how many elites from each country do you think are needed to capture Uchiha Ryun?" The Fourth Mizukage continued to press.
Ōnoki remained silent for a long time upon hearing this, finally giving a number that the other three Kage found unacceptable:
"Ordinary ninjas meeting Uchiha Ryun only have death awaiting them. So I only want elites, no cannon fodder. I want 50 jōnin, plus 50 elite jōnin..."
"Hiss..."
Although they knew the Third Tsuchikage would ask for a lion's share, the three Kage still underestimated Ōnoki's cheek and appetite. They even subconsciously gasped.
"You might as well ask all three of our villages to go help you..." The Third Kazekage couldn't help but say.
Could each country muster 100 jōnin? The answer is definitely yes (in the original work, the Third Tsuchikage sent ten thousand ninjas just to kill the Third Raikage)... But these high-end combat forces are essentially the lifeblood of a major ninja village. Losing any would make any Kage jump. Who would be willing to use their lives to fill that 'bottomless pit' on the Fire-Earth battlefield...
"I emphasize, this is not helping me. This is helping yourselves. After all, the main battlefield is on our side. How much pressure and risk Iwagakure has to bear, everyone can imagine..." The Third Tsuchikage corrected sternly.
"Tsuchikage, I'm afraid our Kirigakure cannot help you..." Yagura suddenly sighed.
"What does the Mizukage mean by that?" The Third Tsuchikage's eyebrows instantly furrowed together.
"Uchiha Ryun only gave us 48 hours to respond. Kirigakure is too far from the Fire-Earth battlefield. Taking a ship to the Land of Iron takes at least two days alone. After landing, we still have to detour around the Land of Fire...
By the time our people reach the Fire-Earth battlefield, probably five days will have passed... Can you hold off Uchiha Ryun for three days..."
The Fourth Mizukage's words made Ōnoki's expression change dramatically. He had forgotten about the distances between countries!
Three days... For a mad dog like Uchiha Ryun, Ōnoki felt he wouldn't need half a day to slaughter his way through the Iwa ninja forces...
"I overlooked this point too... Our Kumogakure is also very far from the Fire-Earth battlefield. Even at full speed, it would take three days...
Also, the Heavenly Transfer Technique cannot be used without spatial coordinates. Even if it could, it would require overcoming many difficulties, making large-scale spatial transmission impossible..." The Fourth Raikage said with a regretful expression.
Upon hearing this, the Third Tsuchikage's face changed colors repeatedly, finally forcing him to turn his gaze to the Third Kazekage.
The Land of Wind, Land of Earth, and Land of Fire are neighboring countries. Sunagakure's forces can reach the Fire-Earth battlefield in one day.
"Don't look at me... Have you all forgotten about Konoha? If everyone sends all their domestic elites to the Fire-Earth battlefield, let me ask you, how do we stop Konoha if they attack???"
"!!!"
At this moment, the Third Tsuchikage's heart had half cooled, his entire old face pale as paper...
The number one major ninja village in the ninja world plus Uchiha Ryun. If this war really starts, the four countries undoubtedly have no chance of winning.
The Land of Fire can mobilize at least four tailed beasts. The four countries here cannot even mobilize one...
The Land of Earth has no tailed beast. The Land of Lightning only recently sealed the unstable Eight-Tails into a small black child. The old monk of the Land of Wind still cannot use the One-Tail Shukaku's power. The Six-Tails Jinchuriki of the Land of Water is the same... (The Land of Rivers declared isolation, the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki is also unstable)
Even taking a step back, even if these tailed beasts could be used, would the four Kage dare to use them against Uchiha Ryun? Isn't that purely 'throwing meat buns at a dog'...
"Iwagakure... withdraws troops!"
After a long silence, the Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki announced formally, devoid of energy.
"Sunagakure... withdraws troops!" The Third Kazekage also announced.
The Raikage and Mizukage did not speak, but everyone knew they actually had no other choice.
The outcome of this Five Kage Summit was decided the moment Ryun walked into the communication room!
Currently, in the entire ninja world, Ryun is the only one 'sitting at the table'. The Five Kage are really just a dish to him.
"Everyone, let us endure for a period of time. During this truce, we can cultivate a new generation of high-end combat power, accumulate strength, and prepare for war... After ten years, we may yet make a comeback!"
"Right!"
"Indeed!"
"Exactly my thought!"
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