Chapter 252: Dirty Politics! Strive for More Chips!
Tetsuya-kun! What in the world are you spouting nonsense about?!
What ceasefire and peace talks?!
What intentionally leaving a path for the three of us to survive?!
If that's the case! Then our sacrifices! Today's battle! And all those lost comrades!
What does it all mean?!
Fujiwara Tetsuya's words!
Not only touched Hanzo's nerves!
But also deeply stimulated the nerves of Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade!
Compared to Orochimaru's profoundness and Jiraiya's silence!
Tsunade's reaction was undoubtedly more direct!
Amidst her roar!
She directly grabbed Fujiwara Tetsuya by his collar!
Before Fujiwara Tetsuya could even react!
She swung him around once and slammed him hard onto the ground!
"Cough~"
"Tsunade… Senior Tsunade! Are you trying to… murder me?!"
It wasn't until the stinging pain in his back came!
That Fujiwara Tetsuya reacted to this sudden change!
Looking at Tsunade's furious expression!
After coughing up two mouthfuls of clotted blood, Fujiwara Tetsuya cautiously reminded her!
Damn it! Damn violent woman!
He must have been blind!
To have developed even a tiny bit of affection for her after Tsunade healed him!
He even felt a hint of shame!
This high-stakes situation today!
Even if it had fallen into Hanzo's hands!
He wouldn't have bled as much as these two mouthfuls he just spat out!
"Tsunade! Let go!"
"If this continues! Tetsuya-kun won't have died at Lord Hanzo's hands, but he'll be killed by you!"
"But! Orochimaru…"
"I know, Tsunade!"
"Jiraiya and I both understand! Too many comrades have died in this war! And too many Ninja of the Senju Clan have died! Those… are your blood-related clansmen!"
"But! This is war! This is politics!"
Compared to Tsunade and Jiraiya!
Orochimaru, as the frontline commander, was undoubtedly more qualified to be a leader!
Because!
He was much wiser!
He could see the untouchable darkness!
"Politics?"
As Tsunade murmured, her right hand slightly loosened!
Fujiwara Tetsuya was also able to escape from that terrifying suffocating sensation!
"That's right! Politics!"
"Tetsuya-kun! Since you're the one who revealed this! Then… you continue to explain it!"
Looking at Tsunade's ashen expression!
Orochimaru sighed twice!
Then he turned his gaze towards Fujiwara Tetsuya!
Though it was cruel! But… this was reality!
"Uh~ Me?!"
Hearing Orochimaru's voice!
Fujiwara Tetsuya took two sharp intakes of breath and slowly stood up!
After staring at Tsunade intently for several seconds!
He decisively moved to the position on Jiraiya's left!
The angle here was good!
If Tsunade were to flare up again! He would have ample time to react!
"That's right! Politics!"
"The reason Lord Hanzo chose to respond to Konoha's declaration of war was to display his strength through this battle, so that he could demand greater benefits from the subsequent war with Konoha and the Land of Fire!"
"From a certain perspective! Through a small amount of sacrifice, to achieve a ceasefire! To gain more resources… to save! To allow more civilians of the Land of Rain to survive! No longer enduring the threat of hunger!"
"This decision! Is undoubtedly an extremely rational and correct choice!"
"Am I right, Lord Hanzo?!"
"What a clever brat!"
"I'm already regretting! Not killing you just now…"
Meeting everyone's gaze!
Hanzo gradually straightened his body!
Although he still had quite a few injuries on his body!
But that gradually rising aura, like a mountain pressing down!
Still made people feel terrifying and oppressive!
"Since you all already understand my thoughts!"
"Then take these thoughts of mine back to Konoha! Tell your Hokage! Hiruzen Sarutobi!"
"I will be waiting in the Hidden Rain Village!"
Scanning Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade!
After a brief silence!
Hanzo also gave his answer!
An answer to… this war!
"Fujiwara Tetsuya! Right?!"
"That's right, Lord Hanzo! It's me!"
"Brat! You certainly have the right to be given a title by me!"
"However! Although your performance today showed me the wisdom, will, and talent of the younger generation of the Ninja World!"
"But I! Can still feel endless darkness behind that youthful face of yours!"
"Konoha's junior! This brat! Is far from as simple as you perceive him to be!"
"Cough~ Lord Hanzo!"
"Although I killed many people from the Hidden Rain Village!"
"But you are a 'senior' after all! To just throw baseless accusations at me based on some vague feeling!"
"Isn't that a bit beneath you…"
Looking at the solemn Hanzo!
Fujiwara Tetsuya only felt a throbbing headache!
He decisively chose to interrupt Hanzo's eloquent speech!
Who knew! If Hanzo's words today were to reach Konoha!
And reach the ears of the Konoha Higher-Ups!
How many more troubles would arise for no reason!
At the very least! Danzo and Utatane Koharu!
Would most likely jump out! And viciously slander him in front of Hiruzen Sarutobi!
Furthermore!
Does this 'darkness' thing have anything to do with him?!
Perhaps it does!
But this kind of thing! Should always be viewed dialectically!
You can't just kill it with one blow, can you?
After all! All he wanted! Was to become stronger!
Strong enough to protect the people around him!
And then! To live longer!
That's all!
"What a sensitive brat!"
Facing Fujiwara Tetsuya's rebuttal!
Hanzo did not delve deeper!
He just smiled chillingly!
Expressing his attitude in silence!
"Then! Brat! I solemnly ask you a question!"
"What is your dream?"
"My dream, you ask?!"
"I have many dreams! But for now! What I desire most! Is to become stronger! To become the strongest in the Ninja World!"
"To surpass you! To surpass the strongest of all past Hokage!"
"The strongest in the Ninja World, huh! What an extraordinary brat!"
"Then! In response to your request! I agree to bestow a title!"
"But! Likewise! You must agree to two conditions from me!"
"Conditions! And two of them?!"
Hesitantly looking at Hanzo for several seconds!
Fujiwara Tetsuya was momentarily unsure of Hanzo's intentions!
After glancing at Orochimaru! He nodded cautiously!
"First! Before the war between the two countries! And the two Ninja Villages completely ends!"
"Brat!"
"You are not to lay hands on any Ninja of my Hidden Rain Village within the Land of Rain's borders!"
"Stop! Hold on a moment!"
"Lord Hanzo! I have a question! What if… a Ninja from your village attacks me first?!"
"Hmph! I will restrain them!"
"But! If someone truly violates my command! Then you naturally have the right to retaliate!"
"Is that so?!"
"Then I agree!"
Looking at the calm Hanzo!
Fujiwara Tetsuya secretly muttered to himself!
Wondering if Hanzo was already planning to use his hands to clear out those subordinates with ulterior motives!