At that moment, a scout suddenly entered the large tent of Iwagakure.
"Report. A Konoha shinobi has appeared outside the village gate out of nowhere. He says he requests an audience with the Tsuchikage." The scout said, kneeling on one knee.
Onoki suddenly realized something. He stood up abruptly. "Where is this person now?"
"Answering Lord Tsuchikage, he is right at the village gate." Before the scout could say more, Onoki flew out towards the village entrance. He had already guessed who the visitor was.
Eight years ago, when Kumogakure wanted to attack Iwagakure, one person also appeared out of nowhere, bringing Kitsuchi with him to negotiate. That person was the one who subdued two Jinchūriki, Ryun Uchiha, the Great Buddha who fought ten thousand shinobi.
Although Onoki had ordered the reconstruction of the buildings around the village back then, destroying many Flying Thunder God marks, who knew where else Ryun Uchiha might have left marks?
The only person he could think of who could suddenly appear in Iwagakure was Ryun Uchiha. And Ryun Uchiha's appearance here now meant they had already dealt with the situation in Sunagakure. They had now received the news and were heading to confront the Kiri and Kumo shinobi army.
Soon, Onoki saw that figure at the village entrance. Eight feet tall, a cold face, holding a folding fan, a murderous look in his eyes. Who else could it be but Ryun Uchiha?
Seeing Onoki appear at the village entrance, Ryun's eyes lit up. He opened his folding fan. "Lord Tsuchikage, long time no see. I trust the silver from back then was sufficient?"
Seizing the initiative, Ryun brought up the matter of looting the Daimyō's residence and dividing the spoils from back then. Onoki immediately understood what Ryun was getting at.
He smiled. "What are you saying, Lord Hokage? What silver? I am not clear about that." Onoki replied. Of course he was clear, clearer than clear. He had used that money to develop Iwagakure. But on the surface, he had not confessed to the Daimyō. The Daimyō continued to rely on Iwagakure, and the two coexisted peacefully.
"Heh, it does not matter if Lord Tsuchikage does not remember. Right now, there is an opportunity to plunder enormous wealth once again. I wonder if Lord Tsuchikage is willing to do it." Ryun looked at Onoki, closed the fan in his hand, and smiled slightly.
"Oh? What does Lord Hokage mean by that?" Onoki had a guess in his heart, but he did not voice it. Instead, he waited for Ryun to spell it out. That way, he might still be able to extort some money from Konoha.
Ryun cursed him as an old fox in his mind. But he used his fan to point east of Iwagakure, towards Kumogakure. Onoki understood perfectly. As expected. Drive the tiger to swallow the wolf. They want me to lead troops to attack Kumogakure, to reduce their own pressure.
At that time, the Third Raikage, A, would surely turn his army back to attack them. If it were only Kumogakure alone, what Ryun proposed could be considered. But now, with both Kiri and Kumo involved, he needed to think carefully.
Ryun understood what Onoki was thinking. He spoke. "Do not worry. On the main battlefield, I will take action. I will not say I can tear them all to pieces, but I can certainly break the alliance between the two villages apart."
Tsuchikage Onoki had already made a decision in his heart, but on the surface he just smiled amiably. "Would it not be better if we did not send troops? While there would be no gain, at least there would be no loss, correct?"
Ryun gave a cold smile. "That is correct. But in that case, Iwagakure will not gain Konoha's friendship." After saying this, Ryun's figure disappeared.
Kitsuchi, standing beside Onoki, frowned. "Father, is this Ryun Uchiha not too arrogant? Now Konoha is in trouble, they need our help, yet he is still so overbearing. Should not we just not help, sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight? If Konoha loses, we join the alliance and take a share. If Konoha wins, we attack Kumogakure and plunder some wealth."
Onoki glanced at him. "Fool. Do you still think Konoha will lose now? Since Ryun Uchiha can appear here, it means the matter in Sunagakure is already settled. Next, they will lead their troops to face the Kiri and Kumo shinobi army."
"Do you think Konoha will lose? With Ryun Uchiha, Madara Uchiha, and Izuna Uchiha, three shinobi who have mastered the power of Susano'o, attacking together, can the Kiri and Kumo shinobi resist them?"
"Moreover, this time, it is probably that brute the Raikage did something heinous. Otherwise, Ryun Uchiha would not have come to ask us to pressure them. When he reaches the main battlefield, he will naturally repel the great army." Onoki voiced all his speculations, instructing his son Kitsuchi.
Kitsuchi was stunned. Was there really that much to it? Damn, how did my little potato father figure all this out? Why can't I think of it?
"Then, then father, should we help Konoha?" Kitsuchi asked timidly. He carefully observed his father's expression. Onoki took a deep breath. "Help. Not only help, but we must beat Kumogakure to death, plunder Kumogakure to death, let Konoha see our activity." Onoki made his decision.
Why do this? Although Kitsuchi had questions in his heart, he held them back. He believed his father's decision must be correct.
Onoki looked at the sky, a smile curling at the corner of his mouth. How old is Ryun Uchiha now? Only twenty six or twenty seven. And himself? Already forty or fifty. How long could he live? It was still unknown. But Onoki knew that for the next few decades, the ninja world would be ruled by Konoha.
He was not like that fool the Third Raikage, who believed a few words and raised an army to attack Konoha. And this time, because of the Third Raikage's impulsiveness, it not only brought Iwagakure a chance to plunder, but also gave Iwagakure a chance to befriend Konoha.
Would Onoki refuse such a thing that kills two birds with one stone? He would not. So Onoki spoke. "Kitsuchi, go call Han and Rōshi. We will discuss the matter of attacking Kumogakure immediately. Tell them they can use Tailed Beast Balls without restriction." Onoki's eyes turned fierce.
If they were going to play, they would play big. Make Konoha owe them a deeper debt of gratitude. After this matter is over, when Iwagakure needs Konoha's help in the future, you cannot refuse, right? My Iwagakure, for your Konoha, offended our "dear" old neighbor to death.
Surely Konoha will not have no response, right?
Onoki's calculations were very detailed. He was already making plans for decades later.
Soon, Rōshi, Han, and Kitsuchi arrived at the Tsuchikage building. They all looked at Onoki. No one spoke first. Although Kitsuchi had told them on the way that they were to lead Iwagakure shinobi to attack Kumogakure, he had not explained the purpose clearly. So the two were prepared to ask Tsuchikage Onoki.
Seeing the two arrive, Onoki smiled. "Please, sit. Next, I will have to trouble you two to lead troops to Kumogakure, to cause a big commotion in the Land of Lightning."
Although they did not understand, they nodded. Onoki saw their confusion and did not intend to hide it from them. Instead, he explained the matter of Ryun Uchiha coming to Iwagakure just now.
Han was fine. The Kokuō inside him laughed. "Good, good. Your leader is smart. He can see the pros and cons of the whole matter and bet on the right person. This is not easy."
"Right, Kokuō, I told you Lord Tsuchikage is brilliant and mighty." Han's lips curled up as he communicated with Kokuō in his heart. Kokuō rolled its eyes. Yes, yes, you are awesome, alright.
But Rōshi frowned. "Lord Tsuchikage, doing it this way, is it not giving Konoha an advantage? And back then, Ryun Uchiha caused Iwagakure significant losses. If we help him, will it cause dissatisfaction among the lower ranks?"
As soon as these words were spoken, Tsuchikage Onoki narrowed his eyes and scrutinized Rōshi. Kitsuchi frowned. Although he also did not understand, he trusted his father Onoki's judgment.
Han was confused now. Rōshi, have you forgotten that Lord Tsuchikage ransomed you back from Ryun Uchiha? Now you are contradicting Lord Tsuchikage like this, is it not a bit inappropriate?
Kokuō started speaking in Han's mind. "Stay away from this Rōshi from now on. Son Gokū is stuck with him, what terrible luck. And you, do not say anything later, just mindlessly side with your leader. That is correct."
Han nodded. He understood Kokuō was doing this for his own good. Since Han became a perfect Jinchūriki, the two often chatted and understood each other much better.
Son Gokū frowned inside Rōshi's mind. It did not speak, but in its heart, it did not approve of Rōshi's behavior. Rōshi's words now were no different from refuting Onoki.
Was this behavior not that of an ingrate? Son Gokū was a bit unable to bear Rōshi's character. Originally, it felt Rōshi had a very heavy mind, which conflicted with its own a bit, but he was still a hero.
Ever since losing to Ryun Uchiha last time, Rōshi had changed. He became moody, complaining about heaven and blaming others. This time, he even refuted his own benefactor. This disappointed Son Gokū.
"Rōshi, Onoki spent a lot of money to rescue you. We cannot..." Son Gokū reminded.
But Rōshi responded in his heart. "You do not understand, Son Gokū. Being captured back then was only because our standing was not high enough. If I were the Tsuchikage, then even if Ryun Uchiha defeated me, he would not dare to move against me casually."
"Besides, the position of Tsuchikage should go to the capable. If Onoki can do it, why can't I, Rōshi? Alright, Son Gokū, say no more." Rōshi said calmly in his heart.
Son Gokū: ...
So, Son Gokū started contacting Kokuō. "Kokuō, I cannot take it anymore. Can you let me separate from this Rōshi? He is simply like an idiot. And he repays kindness with enmity, his ambition is enormous. Being his Tailed Beast, I feel ashamed."
Kokuō was silent for a moment. "Son Gokū, I know you are anxious. Do not be anxious yet. Believe me, there will be an opportunity. With his character, he is destined not to live long."
"Heaven, wanting to destroy someone, must first make them mad. He is now openly drawing his sword against Onoki. Whether in strength or ability, he is completely crushed by Onoki. Onoki will not let him off easily. Just wait a little longer." Kokuō consoled.
Son Gokū sighed. How did it end up with such a Jinchūriki.
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