Seeing Hanzo's intense reaction, Danzo smiled slightly, picked up his teacup, and took a leisurely sip.
"Why does Hanzo-dono look like that?"
"You tell me why I look like this?"
Hanzo glared at Danzo, then took a deep breath, calming the shock inside him after a while.
He looked up and saw Danzo leisurely savoring his tea. His thoughts turned a few times, and he couldn't help but press further. "Danzo, are you serious about suggesting Amegakure attack the Land of Iron?"
"Why does Hanzo-dono think I'm joking?" Danzo looked at him with a half-smile. "Is it because the Land of Iron is a permanent neutral country, and no Shinobi Village has ever attacked them since its inception, so you think this option is impossible? Or do you think Amegakure can't defeat those samurai?"
"Neither." Hanzo shook his head lightly and continued, "The Land of Iron is separated from the Land of Rain by several countries. Even if we attack them, we can't seize land. But they also don't have a Shinobi Village. Even if we kill all the samurai, there are no mission commissions to compete for. So why would Amegakure attack them?"
"Chakra Metal Ore!"
Danzo softly uttered a term that instantly changed Hanzo's expression.
Chakra Metal was a type of metal with excellent Chakra conductivity. Shinobi could channel Chakra into it to enhance power and impart properties.
Of course, ordinary metals could do that too.
However, ordinary metals had poor Chakra Conductivity and would suffer metal fatigue after five or six uses.
Chakra Metal was rare. Most Shinobi's weapons were made of ordinary metal, and generally, Chakra wasn't channeled into weapons.
Only a few wealthy individuals or those exceptionally skilled at imbuing weapons with Chakra would specially craft a weapon from Chakra Metal.
And the Land of Iron had a Chakra Metal Mine.
If attacking the Land of Iron succeeded and they captured that mine, Amegakure would strike it rich.
Whether forging weapons to sell to other countries or keeping them for their own military equipment, it would greatly enhance Amegakure's strength.
Honestly, Hanzo was tempted.
However, gains and losses still had to be considered.
The samurai of the Land of Iron weren't idle. Even if Amegakure could win, they would inevitably suffer heavy losses.
Moreover, the Land of Iron had no Shinobi Village.
If he attacked the Land of Iron, it would no longer be a war between Shinobi Villages but a war between countries.
The Land of Iron could completely hire other Shinobi Villages to participate during the war.
Although the nearby Great Shinobi Villages were at war and couldn't spare the effort, there were still Kirigakure overseas and Sunagakure far in the desert.
If these two villages were hired to join the war, could Amegakure still win?
Obviously not.
Hanzo voiced his worries.
Danzo laughed heartily, "Hanzo-dono has quite the appetite, thinking of seizing the entire metal mine."
"What do you mean?" Hanzo frowned, somewhat displeased.
"My meaning is, it's enough for Amegakure to seize the Chakra Metal Ore the Land of Iron has stored over the years and retreat before the Shinobi Village they hire arrives."
"Then Amegakure would become bandits, wouldn't it?"
"Huh?" Danzo looked at the man before him in surprise, as if seeing him for the first time. "Preparing to jointly attack Konoha… isn't that bandit behavior?"
"How can that be called bandit behavior?" Hanzo glared at him displeased, correcting him, "That's called business competition."
"..."
Looking at the Demigod of the Shinobi World speaking so righteously, Danzo opened his mouth but ultimately closed it obediently.
He dwelled in Konoha's darkness, investigating the shadowy aspects of every person in Konoha, understanding human nature to the extreme.
But at this moment, he couldn't tell if Hanzo was pretending to be pure or truly that naive.
'Or perhaps neither, just a fool brainwashed by certain ideologies?'
Because he couldn't figure it out, Danzo hesitated for a long while before finding words that definitely wouldn't displease the other.
"Hanzo-dono, as the leader of Amegakure, don't you have the resolve to sacrifice reputation for the sake of the village?"
"Or is the plan to send troops to the Land of Iron more difficult than joining forces with a group of disparate fellows to attack Konoha?"
Hearing this, Hanzo fell silent.
Which of the two was more difficult depended on the specific situation.
If the Allied Forces didn't develop as Danzo described, then undoubtedly joining the Allied Forces and sending troops to attack Konoha was simpler.
Moreover, the benefits were greater.
Danzo knew this well too, so he wasn't in a hurry. Slowly, he said, "Hanzo-dono, you still have time to think before the Allied Forces decide to dispatch troops. I'll take my leave now."
Hanzo looked up at him and nodded, "I will consider it carefully."
Thus, Hanzo rose and left.
Whoosh!
The paper sliding door opened, sunlight streaming in, making Danzo squint.
He raised a hand to shield himself, glanced at the sun in the rainy sky, a light smile appearing at the corner of his mouth, then turned and headed towards his guest room.
Outside, on a large tree, an Iwagakure's Shinobi who had been following a suspicious person happened to witness this scene.
His pupils contracted slightly, then he immediately retraced his path.
He returned to Onoki's room and reported what he had just seen to the Tsuchikage.
After listening, Onoki was startled and hurriedly asked, "Are you sure you didn't mistake? Danzo from Konoha came out of Hanzo's room?"
"I've seen Danzo's photo on the Anbu's target list. That person was definitely Danzo," The Iwagakure's Shinobi said with certainty.
Hearing this, Onoki's expression turned grave. "That's too coincidental."
Earlier, during the internal meeting, he sensed someone eavesdropping outside.
Just as he was about to capture them, the eavesdropper realized they were exposed and fled first.
Then, he dispatched this subordinate skilled in counter-tracking.
And the result was witnessing this scene.
"Your meaning is, someone deliberately let us discover Danzo secretly visiting Hanzo?"
"Otherwise, how could it be such a coincidence?"
Onoki replied sourly.
If it were a chance encounter while taking a stroll, he might believe it was coincidence.
But chasing someone and stumbling upon others' secrets… if someone said it wasn't deliberate guidance, he wouldn't believe it even if beaten to death.
Moreover, he roughly guessed who it was.
"Just wait. That guy will come to me tomorrow."
…
Onoki guessed perfectly right.
A new day, a new meeting, yet again ending in meaningless bickering with no progress in plans.
Then, Danzo visited quietly as a partner.
In a spacious, bright room, Onoki received Danzo alone, getting straight to the point, "Danzo, you came to visit me hoping Iwagakure withdraws from this allied operation, right? It's not impossible. Offer benefits that tempt me."
"As expected of the Tsuchikage, directly guessing my intention," Danzo replied neither humbly nor arrogantly.
"Cut the crap. You deliberately let my people see you coming out of Hanzo's room yesterday, didn't you? Wasn't it to sow discord in our alliance?"
"If the alliance of the four villages, Kumo, Iwa, Ame, and Kusa… truly trusted each other, then even if sowed with discord, it would be useless. But..."
At this point, Danzo chuckled lightly, "The Tsuchikage telling the enemy that you can directly sell out your allies without any concealment just happen to show you yourself don't really want to participate in this joint operation, right?"
Onoki frowned slightly, impatiently saying, "We're all smart people. Don't waste time. State your purpose."
"Since the Tsuchikage is impatient, I'll state my purpose directly." Danzo paused, then continued, "I am here representing Konoha to propose an alliance with Iwagakure to jointly deal with Kumogakure."
"Pfft!" The Tsuchikage couldn't help but snort in derision. "I thought you were going to say something, but it's just this?"
"Does the Tsuchikage find something inappropriate about these words?"
"Right now, Iwagakure and Kumogakure are allies, yet you want Iwagakure to ally with Konoha against Kumogakure. Do you think that's appropriate?"
"Agreements exist to be torn up. An alliance only exists when everyone wants to maintain it."
"You're not wrong, but currently, Iwagakure prefers maintaining the alliance with Kumogakure."
"Even after Kumogakure used Iwagakure's people as cannon fodder and pawns last time?"
Bang!
Danzo's sarcastic remark made Onoki lose his composure. He accidentally failed to control his Chakra, sitting through the tatami mat beneath him.
Kumogakure's actions last time were infuriating, but Onoki had to suppress his anger for the greater good.
Now Danzo directly pointed it out; it was no wonder he lost his composure.
He stood up, glaring at Danzo with a furious expression, "If you came to anger me, you've succeeded. But if you can't extinguish my anger, I guarantee you won't leave this room."
"I absolutely have no such intention. Please calm your anger, Tsuchikage-dono." Danzo inwardly didn't care, but on the surface, he sincerely bowed to Onoki to express apology.
Thus, Onoki's anger subsided slightly. He found another spot to sit down. "Then continue. Let's see if the cards in your hand can move me."
"The reason the Tsuchikage is willing to maintain the alliance with Kumogakure is that you believe the alliance of four villages gives you an absolute advantage against Konoha, allowing you to gain maximum benefits with minimal cost."
"Correct. But if Konoha actively gives Iwagakure its share of benefits, then I can guarantee Iwagakure won't get involved in this matter."
Danzo shook his head lightly. "I'm afraid the Tsuchikage is thinking too optimistically."
"Oh!"
"First, the alliance of four villages will become three."
"Are you trying to say Amegakure has already withdrawn?" Onoki looked at him playfully.
"Hanzo-dono isn't that foolish to give up the benefits that were about to be obtained."
"Oh, then is it Kusagakure withdrawing?" Onoki said with a half-smile, half-sneer. "If they want to withdraw, let them. It's fine. It's just right that there's one less party to share the benefits."
"Not that either? Do you want to say Kumogakure is withdrawing?"
"Don't make me laugh. This alliance operation was formally proposed by Kumogakure."
"Naturally not." Danzo shook his head lightly. "I reached an agreement with Hanzo-dono. If war breaks out and Sunagakure joins Konoha to fight against the Allied Forces of four villages, then he will withdraw to seek other prey."
Hearing this, Onoki's expression changed drastically.
Yes, Onoki wouldn't think Konoha and Amegakure had reached some agreement just because Danzo visited Hanzo once.
Because Hanzo wasn't stupid; he would never give up the benefits that were about to be obtained.
But what if the benefits weren't so easy to obtain?
If Sunagakure chose to join the war and help Konoha, then although the Allied Forces would still hold an advantage, victory would no longer be assured.
In such a situation, Amegakure would inevitably withdraw to preserve strength.
Because it was sandwiched between three great nations; if it suffered too many losses, it could easily be completely destroyed.
The question was, would Sunagakure really dispatch troops?
"Sunagakure is Konoha's ally, and you recently fought all the way to Sunagakure, nearly breaking through their gates and massacring them."
"While I came to the Land of Rain for negotiations, the Hokage also sent people to Sunagakure, prepare to offer benefits to invite Sunagakure to jointly fight."
"Although there's no news yet, I believe Sunagakure will definitely dispatch troops. After all, the enemies who nearly destroyed them are right here."
Danzo's following words made it difficult for Onoki to judge.
Putting himself in their shoes, although he could take advantage when the Allied Forces attacked Konoha,
But if Konoha offered sufficient benefits, and the enemies were those they had just clashed with, then he would also choose to stand with Konoha to jointly deal with the enemies.
Looking at Onoki's extremely unpleasant expression, Danzo understood inwardly and continued speaking eloquently, "It seems the Tsuchikage has also figured it out."
"Leaving aside whether what you say is true, even if it's all true, with Sunagakure dispatching troops and Amegakure withdrawing, both sides are evenly matched. Why do you think Iwagakure would choose Konoha?"
"Character."
"Huh?"
Onoki was stunned. He really didn't expect this man, who had always used interests as bargaining chips, to suddenly use village character as capital.
Onoki's reaction was within expectations. Danzo didn't mind either, saying calmly, "Since Konoha's founding, we have upheld the idea of peace and developed peacefully with villages across the Shinobi World. Our Shinobi on missions outside are also humble and courteous."
"In contrast, Kumogakure continuously strengthens its military power, even expanding by disregarding the financial burden."
"As their power grows, their behavior becomes increasingly aggressive, with strong offensive desires."
"If Konoha is destroyed in this war, do you think Kumogakure will coexist peacefully with Iwagakure?"
Onoki pondered slightly, "Kumogakure's military power is stronger than Iwagakure's. Coupled with their strong personalities, probably not."
"Then conversely, if Kumogakure is destroyed, can Konoha coexist peacefully with Iwagakure?"
"Although I think it's impossible, Konoha indeed hasn't actively attacked other villages since its founding."
"Then does the Tsuchikage know how to choose now?"
"Are you teaching me how to do things?" Onoki glared at Danzo displeased.
How to choose, of course he knows in his heart.
His earlier words were merely rhetoric to gain leverage. Danzo's demeanor of having everything under control irritated him greatly.
"Dare. I am merely offering suggestions for the benefit and friendship of Konoha and Iwagakure."
"Pretty words are something anyone can say." Onoki snorted coldly. "I don't believe Sunagakure will dispatch troops, nor will I doubt Amegakure because of your words. Leave, and don't come looking for me again."
'Is that really so?'
Danzo smiled slightly inwardly, but his expression remained unchanged as he stood up and bowed to the Tsuchikage. "I believe the Tsuchikage will figure it out."
After saying this, he took his leave.
And this scene was 'coincidentally' witnessed by Hanzo's subordinate.
And Onoki fell into deep thought, unable to regain his senses for a long time.
...
The next day, the Allied Forces' war council proceeded as usual, but the content remained bickering, as if nothing had changed.
However, secretly, there were many more temptations.