Iwagakure
Ōnoki's energy was low at this moment, but he had to straighten his back. He could lose in battle, but he couldn't lose his spirit. If the leader gave up, the subordinates would become a disorganized mob, and Iwagakure would completely decline from then on!
He scanned the shinobi present, then took a deep breath and bowed. "I apologize, everyone. Due to my poor decision to declare war on Konoha, we have suffered heavy losses. As the Tsuchikage, I am deeply ashamed!"
"Lord Tsuchikage!"
"Lord Tsuchikage!"
The shinobi and villagers were shocked and quickly tried to comfort Ōnoki.
"Lord Tsuchikage, it's not your fault. Konoha produced such a monster. Losing isn't your fault!"
"That's right, Lord Tsuchikage. We all see your achievements. It was under your leadership that Iwagakure became as strong as it is today."
"Exactly, Lord Tsuchikage. You've worked hard. We'll be fine!"
Ōnoki looked at the villagers' comforting words, his eyes brimming with tears. He said in a trembling voice, "Thank you. Even after all this, you still believe in and trust someone like me, who has failed you."
"Father..." Kitsuchi's expression was complicated. Strictly speaking, this was all his fault for underestimating the enemy and advancing recklessly. However, the moment Kitsuchi opened his mouth, Ōnoki glared at him, signaling him to shut up.
If Kitsuchi spoke up now, the villagers wouldn't treat him the same way they treated Ōnoki. That was why Ōnoki stepped forward to take all the blame.
This was perhaps what parents did—planning far ahead for their children.
Kitsuchi fell silent. He sighed and sat on a rock, watching his old father apologize, feeling a pang in his heart.
"Thank you all for your support and understanding. I, Ōnoki, am endlessly grateful. However, my intuition tells me the war isn't over yet!" Ōnoki forced himself to sound alert, his voice cold and stern.
These words immediately drew everyone's attention to Ōnoki.
Ōnoki now radiated sharpness. Even though his body was exhausted and weak, he didn't dare let his guard down. Konoha's fierce tiger might be temporarily dealt with, but a hungry wolf was still eyeing them.
"Everyone, don't forget that Kumogakure has been our neighbor for decades. Their nature is no stranger to us," Ōnoki said calmly.
"Lord Tsuchikage, are you saying Kumogakure will take this chance to attack us?"
"Surely not? Just a month ago, our villages signed a peace treaty. Would they really go to war now?"
Seeing the villagers' doubts, he sighed. "No one understands A's way of thinking better than I do. Originally, he was neutral."
"If Konoha won, he would attack Iwagakure."
"If Iwagakure won, he would join forces with us to fight Konoha."
"As for treaties, in the Land of Lightning's eyes, treaties are worthless. They've broken promises countless times before," Ōnoki analyzed.
The villagers grew anxious. Soon, they turned their eyes back to Ōnoki. "Lord Tsuchikage, please think of a solution! After such a huge blow, Iwagakure can't possibly defeat Kumogakure now!"
Ōnoki snorted. "Have you forgotten the Will of Stone? Even if Iwagakure fights to the last moment, we must hold firm to our beliefs, never wavering, to protect the village!"
Ōnoki's imposing aura reassured everyone. Fortunately, this battle hadn't crushed his confidence.
Iwagakure still had hope!
"Then, Lord Tsuchikage, what should we do?" Everyone looked at Ōnoki with hope.
Ōnoki's mind raced as he considered strategies. Suddenly, an idea flashed through his head, and he grasped it immediately.
"Kitsuchi, I'll write a letter for you. You must deliver it to Konoha as fast as possible and hand it to Hiruzen Sarutobi or Uchiha Ryun."
"Remember, speed is crucial. Otherwise, Iwagakure will suffer heavy losses," Ōnoki said gravely.
Kitsuchi quickly stood up. "Yes, Father— Lord Tsuchikage!" Given the public setting, with villagers and shinobi present, it wasn't appropriate to call him 'Father' openly.
"Good. I trust you won't disappoint me. If you succeed, you'll be Iwagakure's hero!" Ōnoki nodded solemnly.
"Yes!" Kitsuchi replied respectfully.
"Everyone, please wait. I'll be back soon!" Ōnoki smiled, leading Kitsuchi into the administrative building. The two walked in silence.
Seeing this, the crowd relaxed slightly. It seemed the Tsuchikage truly had a way to save Iwagakure from this crisis.
Still, they didn't disperse. They waited outside for Ōnoki, eager to hear his plan and follow him in counterattacking Kumogakure!
After all, over the years, the two nations had clashed many times. Despite Kumogakure's Lightning Release chakra countering Iwagakure's Earth Release, under Ōnoki's leadership, they had always held the upper hand.
Inside the Tsuchikage's office,
Ōnoki sat down gently, took out paper and a pen, and began writing: "To Konoha, from the defeated Ōnoki..." From the start, Ōnoki humbled himself.
Kitsuchi watched his father write these words, his heart aching. But there was nothing he could do. To repel Kumogakure's attack, Iwagakure alone wasn't enough. Even if they could, the cost would be unbearable.
So, the solution lay with the ones who tied the bell—ask Konoha for help! If Konoha sent Uchiha Ryun, would A dare break the treaty then?
When Ōnoki finished, Kitsuchi had read most of it. Ōnoki stretched and handed the letter to his son.
Kitsuchi took it and glanced over it again. He couldn't help but feel sorrow. "Father, must you lower yourself like this? You're the Tsuchikage, the strongest of the Five Kage, Ōnoki!"
Ōnoki shot his son a look. "Fool! Idiot! This is the plan of driving away a tiger by letting in a wolf!"
"Konoha is the fierce tiger to us, and Kumogakure is the hungry wolf. To avoid further losses, the best way is to explain the stakes!"
"Do you think Konoha would stand by and let Kumogakure conquer Iwagakure, taking our land and resources? If Kumogakure occupied Iwagakure, it would bring Konoha nothing but harm!"
"As the leader of the shinobi world, they can't just watch Iwagakure fall without lifting a finger, allowing Kumogakure to grow unchecked."
"If they really do nothing, then I've overestimated Konoha. Iwagakure is fated to face this calamity!" Ōnoki closed his eyes.
"Father, so you're gambling?" Kitsuchi's eyebrows twitched. At this critical moment, his father was betting that Konoha would help them!
"Kitsuchi, remember this. A person can lack strength and resources, but they must never lack confidence and courage. Even with nothing, they can still suppress their opponent. Giving up means losing, but trying gives you a fifty percent chance," Ōnoki said firmly.