Chapter 387: The debate in the Leiying Building!
Just as Hiruzen Sarutobi was guarding Danzo, waiting for him to awaken.
Just as Fujiwara Tetsuya reluctantly took on the responsibility of deputy commander, assisting Orochimaru in reorganizing the army and discussing how to deal with the upcoming situation.
Elite squads dispatched by Han, Kitsuchi, and Karyu, after an overnight raid, delivered intelligence regarding the arrival of the Third Hokage and the reinforcements led by Fujiwara Tetsuya to Ōnoki.
"Hiruzen Sarutobi... actually came to the Land of Rain in person?"
Holding the intelligence scroll in his hand, Ōnoki's eyes suddenly darkened.
The last time in the Land of Grass, he and Hiruzen Sarutobi had a brief skirmish... Although neither side used their ultimate trump cards, the heavy sense of oppression made him realize... the Hero of Shinobi! The title of Strongest Hokage... was no joke.
Hiruzen Sarutobi truly had that qualification!
"Go!"
"Summon the two elders of Hachimangu and Mibu Temple, and also... Roshi, I have something to tell them."
Several skirmishes, and feedback from messengers.
Had already allowed Ōnoki to see through Hanzō's thoughts... Even if Hiruzen Sarutobi personally came to the Land of Rain, as long as the war between Konoha and Iwagakure was not definitively decided.
Hanzō would preserve the remaining vitality of Amegakure and would not easily enter the fray again.
"Roshi, Hachimangu, Mibu Temple..."
"After I leave, the matters here will be entrusted to you."
"Don't worry, even if Hanzō knows I've left for the eastern battlefield of the Land of Rain, he won't act rashly."
"Before Hiruzen Sarutobi and I determine a victor, you only need to put a certain amount of pressure on Amegakure... and Hanzō, without committing too much combat power."
"Hanzō... Amegakure, in the end, are only our temporary enemies, while Konoha... is the biggest obstacle to my Iwagakure ascending to the position of Ninja World overlord."
...As Ōnoki led his personal guard away from the camp and headed for the eastern battlefield.
The messenger dispatched by Hiruzen Sarutobi also subsequently arrived at the Amegakure Camp.
Informing Hanzō of the arrival of Hiruzen Sarutobi and the reinforcements led by Fujiwara Tetsuya... that's right, just informing.
After Hiruzen Sarutobi learned of Amegakure's recent movements from Orochimaru, he quickly deduced Hanzō's intentions... Although his heart was filled with dissatisfaction, Hiruzen Sarutobi understood that too much pressure, too much urging... would only tip the scales in Hanzō's heart, pushing Hanzō and Amegakure... to the Iwagakure side.
At present, as long as Amegakure outwardly still stood with Konoha and could help Konoha tie down a portion of its combat power, that would be enough... Land of Lightning, Hidden Cloud Village.
The arrival of Utatane Koharu immediately caused quite a stir within the Hidden Cloud Village!
The incident of abducting the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki was still fresh in everyone's minds.
After that incident, Konoha and the Hidden Cloud Village almost entered a state of cold war... Neither the Third Raikage nor the think tank led by Dodai could guess Konoha's intentions for a while.
"Utatane Koharu! A disciple of the Second Hokage Tobirama Senju, a comrade of the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, one of Konoha's Three Hokage Advisors... also serving as the head of Konoha's administrative department. I wonder what important matter could trouble you to come in person..."
Inside the Raikage Building, in a massive conference room.
Besides the Third Raikage himself, Dodai, Ay... and the high-ranking officials of the Hidden Cloud Village, even Burabi was brought in.
Compared to the solitary Utatane Koharu, it was undoubtedly... a show of strength.
"Raikage! Is this the Hidden Cloud Village's way of treating guests?"
Feeling the surging auras from the opposite side, Utatane Koharu's expression did not change much in the face of the Third Raikage's show of force.
Since becoming a Hokage Advisor, she had experienced countless storms... and those "enemies" were not necessarily easier to deal with than the Third Raikage and others before her.
"As expected of the Third Hokage's strategist..."
"Dodai, I've already told you, this kind of intimidation will not work on Advisor Torifu. As men of the Hidden Cloud Village, it's better to be straightforward."
Seeing the Third Raikage unhesitatingly sell him out after hitting a wall.
Dodai began to feel depressed!
This... was not the same as the strategy they had discussed beforehand...!
"Then, Advisor Torifu, state your purpose!"
As the Third Raikage stood up, the surrounding Kumogakure people also reined in their auras... which suddenly eased the atmosphere in the room, as if even the air began to feel fresher.
"This is the temperament a man of the Yotsuki Clan should have!"
"I have come this time, entrusted by the Third Hokage, to request the Hidden Cloud Village to send troops to attack Iwagakure..."
"What...?"
"Hey~ did you hear that? This old woman actually wants our Hidden Cloud Village to help Konoha deal with Iwagakure? Hahaha~ I'm dying of laughter."
"What old woman, at most just an auntie... an auntie with wild ideas!"
"That's right, even if we help, it would be helping Iwagakure against Konoha... The high mountains of the Land of Earth, how can they compare to the fertile lands of the Land of Fire?"
...Utatane Koharu's request instantly ignited the entire conference room... Except for the Third Raikage, Ay, and a few others, everyone else uncontrollably fell into an uproar.
This loss of control lasted for several minutes, until Dodai, unable to bear it, felt that bullying a woman in such a way was an insult to the Hidden Cloud Village's dignity, and spoke up to stop it... only then did it come to an end.
"I believe Advisor Torifu has already heard their meaning... it should be very clear."
Meeting everyone's gaze, the Third Raikage's expression returned to calm, and he pointed to the Kumogakure powerhouses on his left and right... "Their meaning? Is it very important?"
"What's important is your attitude, Lord Raikage!"
"Lord Raikage, I have come with sufficient sincerity..."
"If the Hidden Cloud Village agrees to help Konoha fight against Iwagakure, I can promise on behalf of the Hokage to give the Hidden Cloud Village a portion of the Uzumaki Clan's Sealing Technique obtained by Konoha."
"At the same time, we will cede Konoha's mission share in the Land of Hot Springs..."
"I believe Lord Raikage should understand the current situation..."
"After the wars with Amegakure, Sunagakure, and Iwagakure, Konoha's strength has suffered great losses. Now... the one most qualified to threaten the Hidden Cloud Village is no longer Konoha."
"But Iwagakure, which is separated from the Hidden Cloud Village by the sea."
"Now that Ōnoki, the Four-Tails, and the Five-Tails Jinchuriki are tied up in the Land of Rain, it is the best time for the Hidden Cloud Village to eliminate threats, plunder the eastern coast of the Land of Earth, and acquire vast wealth."
...Inside the conference room, listening to Utatane Koharu's arguments... the people of the Hidden Cloud Village gradually fell silent!
After all, Utatane Koharu was right, and... if they could obtain the Uzumaki Clan's Sealing Technique from Konoha, perfect the sealing formula for the Eight-Tails, completely resolve the hidden danger of the Eight-Tails' rampage, and cultivate the most perfect Jinchuriki.
"Konoha's share in the Land of Hot Springs alone is not enough... the Land of Rice Fields must be added."
With a mighty roar, the Third Raikage... gave the Hidden Cloud Village's final answer.