"In that case, I'll wait for Tsunade to arrive. I believe she'll give me a satisfactory answer!"
"Kurotsuchi, escort our guests out!"
Ōnoki cast a meaningful glance at Kakashi's left eye before giving the order to Kurotsuchi.
Kakashi had no intention of staying where he wasn't welcome. Since an agreement couldn't be reached, lingering would be pointless. It was better to return and discuss countermeasures while relaying the news to Tsunade.
Soon after Kurotsuchi returned, she stood silently, watching Ōnoki deep in thought.
After a long while, the old Tsuchikage finally looked up.
"Kurotsuchi, do you think my approach this time was right?"
Kurotsuchi shook her head. "I don't understand the Tsuchikage-sama's decision. A million tons of food would sustain the Land of Earth for three months. There's no way Konoha would agree to such a demand."
Ōnoki explained, "This negotiation was never meant to succeed. Tsunade is surely heading to meet that hotheaded Raikage first. She wants to placate him before dealing with an old man like me—but she's in for a disappointment."
"Why do you say that?" Kurotsuchi asked.
"The shinobi world has enjoyed peace for over a decade. In that time, not only has our village's shinobi population grown, but so has Kumogakure's. Yet the resources remain limited. Unless some major upheaval occurs, war is inevitable—both to reduce the number of shinobi and to seize what we want from the conflict."
Kurotsuchi still didn't grasp it. "War leads to casualties, weakening our village's strength. And the compensation for fallen shinobi would be enormous. Wouldn't such a war just leave both sides worse off?"
Ōnoki shook his head and pointed in a certain direction.
"As long as Iwagakure remains standing—as long as we remain one of the Five Great Villages—that's all that matters to the one over there. Too many shinobi are a threat to him."
"But war isn't the only option." Kurotsuchi argued. "I feel like war should only be a last resort. To wage it every few years... it's too cruel for us shinobi."
"Cruelty is inevitable." Ōnoki said solemnly. "A shinobi's fate is to live as killers in the shadows. Death is an inescapable part of our existence."
Kurotsuchi frowned. She understood his words, but she couldn't bring herself to agree.
Seeing her expression, Ōnoki didn't press his views further.
"These are just my thoughts. To you, I must seem like a stubborn old man, set in my ways. That's fine. When you sit in this seat one day, you'll have the right to speak your mind. For now, observe, listen, and learn. Understood?"
---
Compared to the grandfather-granddaughter harmony between Ōnoki and Kurotsuchi, Kakashi's group was far less harmonious.
"Ōnoki... he really wants a war."
The words left a bitter taste in Kakashi's mouth.
War... is it coming again?
Nara Shikaku nodded. "Indeed. Ōnoki is biding his time, waiting for the right moment."
Kakashi thought for a moment before pointing toward the Land of Lightning. "Shikaku, are you talking about the Fourth Raikage?"
"Yes." Shikaku admitted, turning his gaze in that direction. "I wonder how Tsunade-sama's talks with the Raikage are going. I hope things haven't escalated to war already."
"They shouldn't have... right?" Kakashi sounded uncertain.
Considering Tsunade's temperament, he wasn't entirely confident in his own words.
"It's unlikely. Their negotiations are probably as stalled as ours. But what I don't get is... has the Raikage really forgotten his father's death?" Shikaku voiced his doubts.
To outsiders, the Fourth Raikage often appeared as a reckless brute, but that was just a façade. His strategic insight was far sharper than most gave him credit for.
"He probably hasn't forgotten. But for the sake of Kumogakure's interests, he's chosen to suppress his hatred." Kakashi analyzed.
Shikaku considered this and had to admit it was the most plausible explanation.
"If Kumo and Iwa truly ally, it'll be a disaster for Konoha."
Konoha was strong, but Iwagakure and Kumogakure were no pushovers either.
The Fifth Hokage, Tsunade, didn't possess the overwhelming power of Hashirama Senju, who once dominated the entire shinobi world. If she did, none of these troubles would be happening now.
"The chances of an alliance between them are slim." Kakashi said.
"If those two villages could easily join forces, we wouldn't be facing a mere standoff—war would've already broken out."
Shikaku thought it over and conceded Kakashi's point.
"But that was before. Now that our talks with Iwa have failed, and Tsunade-sama's negotiations with the Raikage are likely in the same state, the Raikage and Tsuchikage might actually consider an alliance. We should prepare for the worst."
Hearing Shikaku's analysis, Maito Gai—who had remained silent until now—suddenly spoke up.
"If it truly comes to that, I'll open the Eight Gates. Anyone who dares attack Konoha is my enemy!"
"Gai, calm down!"
Most people might bluff about opening the Eight Gates, but not Maito Gai.
This man was as steadfast as they came. If he said he'd do it, he meant it.
"We're not at that point yet. At least have some faith in Tsunade-sama!" Kakashi hurriedly tried to dissuade him.
Though he often acted annoyed with Gai, deep down, he respected him more than anyone.
To Kakashi, Maito Gai was the only person in the shinobi world he could trust completely—no reservations, no wariness.
Losing him would devastate Kakashi.
"He's right, Gai." Shikaku added. Being older, he knew some of the village's hidden truths—including the terrifying power of the Eight Gates.
Years ago, Maito Dai had used this technique to annihilate Kirigakure's elite Seven Ninja Swordsmen.
Those were shinobi capable of destroying a small nation, yet Dai had crushed four of them in an instant, breaking the spirits of the remaining three and indirectly forcing Kiri's withdrawal from the Third Great Ninja War.
"It's not time yet. Besides, war isn't inevitable. Don't be so pessimistic, Gai."
"Don't worry! I was just talking about the worst-case scenario. Besides, with Tsunade-sama and Hikari on our side, even if we do go to war against these two villages, victory will be ours!"
Maito Gai flashed them a thumbs-up, his gleaming white teeth nearly blinding them.
Hearing Gai's unwavering confidence in Kamizuki Hikari, Kakashi couldn't help but ask, "Gai, you always say Hikari is strong, but where exactly does his strength lie? Taijutsu? Ninjutsu? Genjutsu? Surely it's not his talent at writing certain books?"
Gai's expression turned serious. "Of course not! It's intuition. When I look at Hikari, the feeling I get is completely different from when I look at you two."
Kakashi and Shikaku: 'So we're the benchmark for comparison now? Sorry for not being strong enough to meet your expectations!'
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