At the Kumogakure front lines in the Land of Hot Water, in a tent at the main camp, Kinkaku, the one-armed swordsman, and his brother Ginkaku were angrily arguing with the Second Raikage.
"Peace talks? How long has this war even been going on? Are you really going to have such spineless peace talks? Second Raikage, you need to think this through!" Kinkaku said, his eyes practically blazing.
The Second Raikage frowned and replied, "This has nothing to do with the duration of the war. The front lines have been completely defeated, our combat forces are constantly sacrificing, and our strategic space is getting smaller and smaller. If we don't hold peace talks, what awaits us in the end will be an even more tragic defeat!"
"An even more tragic defeat? Where have we suffered defeat? Second Raikage, you need to think carefully! This is just the front line in the Land of Hot Water. We haven't even entered the territory of the Land of Lightning. No matter what happens, there's no such thing as defeat. We can even withdraw from the Land of Hot Water front lines and move the war into the Land of Lightning. At that point, Konohagakure's front lines and supply lines will be stretched even thinner, and our advantage will become apparent. With the right tactics, we might just be able to reverse this disadvantage!" Ginkaku also spoke, very displeased.
Upon hearing Ginkaku's words, the Second Raikage's expression changed abruptly, and he said, "In the Land of Hot Water, whatever happens is acceptable, but once the war is brought to our homeland, there will be real, personal pain. Do you not consider the common people? You should have all seen the situation in the Land of Hot Water with your own eyes. Do you want the Land of Lightning to become a ruin like that as well?"
This was actually the sorrow of a small nation. The Land of Hot Water was sandwiched between the Land of Fire and the Land of Lightning. The reason this country could exist was not because they were powerful, but because both the Land of Fire and the Land of Lightning needed it as a buffer.
For instance, in this current war, neither country wanted to bring the conflict to their homeland because they both understood that once a war enters one's own territory, it becomes even more tragic. This tragedy, which the great nations were unwilling to bear, was all forcibly shifted onto these small nations caught in the middle.
This was the mindset of both Konoha and Kumogakure. Although it was a dark reality, it was the reality of a powerful nation. After all, the Land of Hot Water had no power to stop a war between two great nations.
"That's just a temporary pain. As long as we can win the war, all the pain we endure will be worth it, and everything we've lost can be reclaimed!" Kinkaku showed no intention of backing down, staring defiantly into the Second Raikage's furious eyes.
"Nonsense! What makes you so confident that if the war is moved into our homeland, we will be able to win the war against Konoha? The current losses are acceptable, and there's not much instability within our homeland. But if our operations in our homeland still fail, then it could affect the entire village, the entire country!" the Second Raikage said with great firmness.
"And if we hold peace talks now, it won't affect anything? You're being too softhearted!" Kinkaku roared angrily again.
In reality, to look at it objectively, the strategy of the Kinkaku and Ginkaku brothers was very plausible. For example, by pulling the front line back to their homeland, they would have the advantage of the terrain, in addition to the popular support from the people's emotions.
The Land of Fire's supply lines would be stretched even longer, as they would have to pass through the Land of Hot Water and the Land of Moon before finally reaching the Land of Lightning.
The longer the supply line, the more susceptible it was to attacks. If some chaos were to truly erupt, they might just be able to turn the tide and seize the advantage, as the Kinkaku and Ginkaku brothers believed. Then, they could launch a counterattack, driving the Land of Fire out of the Land of Lightning, and even into the Land of Fire itself.
However, this was only from the perspective of a 'pro-war shinobi'. The Second Raikage clearly saw more, farther, and deeper than they did. They could only consider the war, but the Second Raikage couldn't just consider the war. Therefore, on this matter, the two sides were simply unable to understand each other.
After this debate, neither side was able to persuade the other. Instead, the accumulated conflicts deepened even more, and they grew to despise each other even more.
"If you want peace talks, go have them yourself. My subordinates and I will absolutely not agree to them, even if we have to wage guerrilla warfare against that damn Konoha within the Land of Hot Water! Coward!" Kinkaku gave the Second Raikage one last look, threateningly saying so with great anger. Then he tore down the tent flap and stormed out of the tent.
Ginkaku also said, "I hope you can think carefully before making a decision, Second Raikage!"
After speaking, Ginkaku also left the tent with an arrogant demeanor.
The actions of the two brothers made the Second Raikage, who was still sitting in the tent, so furious that his eyes turned red. The Lightning Release chakra on his body was almost out of control, occasionally flowing on the surface of his skin, making crackling sounds and flashes of electricity.
However, he still ultimately decided to pursue peace talks. As Raikage, in the absence of a clear future, he could not gamble the future of the entire village on the possibility of victory with Kinkaku and Ginkaku. He could only make the most stable choice. This was his responsibility, and also his helplessness.
Not long after, a Kumogakure shinobi walked in. He had a very strong physique and a resolute face. He said, "Sensei, have those two bastards come to cause trouble again?"
The Second Raikage looked at his disciple, then said, "Those two lunatics want to drag our Kumogakure into the abyss to gamble on some possibility of victory!"
"How can that be? The future of the village is at stake; how can we gamble on some possibility?" The future Third Raikage quickly said.
"I rejected their idea, so we parted ways on bad terms again. Those two also said they won't retreat from the Land of Hot Water front lines and will stay here to continue waging guerrilla warfare against Konoha..." the Second Raikage said helplessly.
The future Third Raikage was silent for a moment after hearing this, then he asked, "So what do we do?"
"I hope they were just speaking out of anger. But no matter what, we can't let our losses continue to grow. Go and send our 'goodwill' to Konoha..." The Second Raikage sighed, saying with some helplessness.
Although he had decided on peace talks, he also felt very stifled. After all, this meant he had to bow down to Konohagakure and become the loser in this war. It would be strange if he didn't feel stifled. But as Raikage, even if he was stifled, he had to make this choice, rather than dragging the villagers down with him to fight to the bitter end.
"Sensei, Konoha currently has the advantage. Will they agree to peace talks with us, or even... an alliance?" The future Third Raikage asked with hesitation.
"They will. The Five Great Nations need balance. This is one of Konoha's demands, and a necessary factor for maintaining peace. And what Konoha wants most is peace, because they have the most advantageous resources. As long as they don't experience war, they will develop rapidly, becoming even stronger than the other four nations. Therefore, they will never actively break the balance of the Five Great Nations. If our Kumogakure were to fall, it might become the fuse for a second war. This is not what Konoha wants, so they are very likely to form an alliance with us..." the Second Raikage said.
Then he paused for a moment, his gaze becoming serious, and he continued, "This is only the first point. The more direct impact is that our other plan has succeeded. The Land of Wind's Sunagakure has been provoked to a point where they can't stand it anymore. Shamon might also join the war with Sunagakure at any moment, catching Konoha off guard. Therefore, that Tobirama will also have to consider these things! This is the foundation for our peace talks and alliance. I'm afraid they are just waiting for us to bow down and show this intention!"
The future Third Raikage also nodded slightly upon hearing these words, feeling that there was some logic to it.
In any case, no matter what choice Konoha made, since they were in a disadvantaged position, they had to bow their heads first.
If everything could proceed according to this plan, that would be for the best. If Konoha truly took advantage of the situation and showed no mercy, then it might lead to the war becoming even more complicated, just as the Kinkaku and Ginkaku brothers thought...
"Sensei, I will now send an envoy to Konoha's war command post..." The future Third Raikage said.
The Second Raikage nodded, not saying anything more. Then, the master and disciple parted ways with a great understanding.
Not long after, in their own tent, the Kinkaku and Ginkaku brothers, who were still angry about the previous matter, had a sinister-looking shinobi run in. The moment this guy entered, he immediately said, "Kinkaku-aniki, Ginkaku-aniki, that Second Raikage has sent an envoy to Konoha's front line!"
Upon hearing this, Kinkaku was instantly enraged. With his one remaining arm, he slapped the table beside him, roaring, "That damned old fool, you've completely shamed Kumogakure's spirit and face, you bastard!"
Ginkaku's face also looked very gloomy. He was silent for a moment, then looked at Kinkaku and said, "Kinkaku, what do we do? If that Second Raikage is truly determined to hold peace talks with those Konoha bastards, will we just stay in the Land of Hot Water and wage guerrilla warfare?"
"Guerrilla warfare my foot! If that old fool really dares to do such a shameful thing, I'll..." Kinkaku stopped there abruptly, then his expression turned grim, revealing a sinister aura. He said again, "Let him do it. Don't cause him any trouble for now."
Upon hearing Kinkaku's words, Ginkaku asked, confused, "Why?"
"Hmph, if this matter doesn't go according to his plan, and Konoha continues to take advantage and show no mercy, that would be perfect. The war will have to continue. Perhaps that old fool will have no choice but to listen to us and pull the front lines back to our homeland. But if this matter really moves towards peace talks and an alliance, then... we will first act docile and lower that old fool Second Raikage's guard, and then..." Kinkaku's eyes flashed with a hint of ruthlessness.
As his biological brother, Ginkaku of course understood his brother's meaning with great tacit understanding. Then, a cruel smile appeared on his lips as he said, "I understand. At that point, that old fool shouldn't blame us for being ruthless!"
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