Chiyo's analysis sounded in the Third Kazekage's ears. "Amegakure is just a small village. Their demands have always been equality. They only need recognition of Amegakure's existence and status, and for the Land of Rain not to be invaded."
"Konoha is different. We initiated the war with Konoha, and they have lost countless people on the battlefield. If we choose peace talks, Sunagakure will definitely be stripped of a layer of skin by them."
"Of course, how to choose is still up to you, Kazekage."
"Then, as elder Chiyo said, let's negotiate peace with Amegakure." The Third Kazekage said decisively after a moment of contemplation.
Chiyo nodded. "Konoha is the most important."
The Third Kazekage's dark eyes were heavy.
Ebizo said nothing. In his opinion, they should cease hostilities with both Konoha and Amegakure. Sunagakure had lost too much in this war.
"Elder Chiyo, I'll leave the matter of signing the treaty with Amegakure to you." The Third Kazekage looked at Chiyo beside him.
Did he not know Chiyo's selfish motives? No, of course he knew.
Chiyo's daughter-in-law died on the battlefield, and her son was seriously injured, how could she willingly let Konoha off the hook?
So she would induce him to end the war with Amegakure and focus on dealing with Konoha. The Third Kazekage saw no need to expose this poor old woman because Chiyo's analysis was indeed reasonable.
He also knew that once Sunagakure showed signs of fatigue in the battle with Konoha, Konoha would surely cling to them tightly and not let go. The losses for Sunagakure would be unimaginable then. Therefore, they have to focus on the battlefield with Konoha.
"All right." Chiyo nodded.
She had fought Hanzo of Amegakure countless times, so it was not bad for her to be in charge of the peace talks. After all, she was the bane of that poisonous old man with the breathing tube.
...
Good news arrived at the Amegakure ninja encampment. Sunagakure had proactively conveyed its desire for peace talks. The draft treaty from Sunagakure had already reached Hanzo's hands.
After reviewing it, Hanzo found no unequal clauses within it. Hanzo's heart, which had been in his throat, finally settled. He quickly had the news disseminated, lest Sunagakure change its mind at the last minute.
Hanzo immediately sent a reply to Sunagakure. That night, all the Ame ninjas in the encampment knew the news.
Bonfires blazed in the wide square of the Amegakure ninja encampment. Tonight, there was no rain on the border of the Land of Rain.
Flames licked the firewood, crackling and spitting tiny sparks. The firelight illuminated the faces of those gathered around. The fatigue on every face was, at this moment, dispelled by joy.
"The war is finally ending."
A fifteen-year-old Amegakure ninja, Juko, spoke with a trembling voice, tears welling in his eyes.
"Yes. After so many years, it's finally over." A middle-aged ninja's face bore the marks of hardship.
The Land of Rain was a country full of war. The wars between the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind would always only sacrifice the Land of Rain.
The people of the Land of Rain fled everywhere amidst the flames of war. They had not known stable lives for a hundred years.
Even if it wasn't the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind, there were samurai and rogue ninjas slaughtering civilians here.
Before Amegakure existed, the people of the Land of Rain had no one to protect. After Amegakure was established, Lord Hanzo declared war on the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind to expel their ninjas and bring permanent peace to the Land of Rain. They had fought many wars, and finally, everything was over.
Their dream had come true. The Land of Rain was about to welcome peace.
The middle-aged ninja closed his eyes, let out a deep breath, then reopened his eyes, his cloudy gaze fixed intently on the dancing flames. He would remember this day forever.
Emotions suppressed for too long erupted on this night. Laughter, tears, and sighs of relief intertwined, spreading amidst the bonfire.
Haruki sat beside Hanzo. Hanzo remained silent, but a gentle light shimmered in his eyes.
Haruki's gaze shifted from Hanzo, looking at the faces illuminated by the firelight, each streaked with tears.
Yushi's hand rested on Haruki's shoulder. Haruki turned his head and saw Yushi's tear-streaked smiling face.
"I've waited for this day for too long. We are not the sinners of Amegakure. We really did drive the enemies out of the Land of Rain." Yushi spoke, tears flowing.
For many years, he had endured unimaginable psychological pressure. The people of the Land of Rain believed that they were the ones who brought war to the Land of Rain. Therefore, whenever they saw them, it was like a mouse seeing a cat.
Now, they could finally straighten their backs and clear their names.
"Haruki, thank you. Without you, our battle would have lasted who knows how much longer." Yushi rubbed Haruki's head.
He knew that without Haruki, they would have certainly lost that last battle. Haruki was the greatest contributor.
Haruki shook his head, the blood-stained faces of Suzaku, Muteki, Kurogaya, Yuma, and other Ame ninjas appearing in his mind.
"No, I didn't do anything. It was the sacrifice of Suzaku and the others that brought us the chance for peace."
Haruki sniffled, wiping away the tears from the corners of his eyes with his sleeve.
Yushi looked at Haruki. Without Haruki, they might have all died long ago. Without Haruki, the final battle would not have been won.
Knowing Haruki's personality, he did not argue.
[Ding!]
[System detected Hanzo's affection value +5000]
[Your Love Curse growth value has increased to 6.5%]
"Once the treaty is signed, we can return to Amegakure." Haruki's voice was filled with excitement.
"I miss home." His voice held deep longing.
His words resonated with the Ame ninjas. No one didn't want to go home. Every single one of them wanted to go home.
After taking a deep breath, Haruki continued, "I want to bring Suzaku, Muteki... I want to bring every single one of them back."
His eyes were resolute, shimmering with tears. "They must miss home too."
[Ding!]
[System detected Hanzo's affection value +5000]
[Ding!]
[System detected Yushi's affection value +5000]
[Ding!]
...
[Currently, a total of 85,000 affection points have been collected. Your Love Curse growth value has increased to 15%]