Rōshi's face was full of self-satisfaction. He had long been dissatisfied with Ōnoki, who always monopolized the power of Iwagakure alone, sitting in the village every day issuing orders, moving his lips to command anyone, including him and Han, the two esteemed Jinchūriki. Today, he finally got his chance.
"Oh? You are saying that some people will be dissatisfied with this action of mine?" Ōnoki's voice carried a tone of mockery as he slowly rose from his seat. "Who told you that what I am doing is wrong? Hmm? Have you forgotten who redeemed you intact after you were trampled underfoot by Ryun Uchiha?"
"And who, after inheriting the position of Tsuchikage, has been diligent and untiring for over twenty years, leading Iwagakure from the bottom of the Five Great Nations to its current position among the top three?"
"Was it you, Rōshi? A Jinchūriki who only knows how to cross his arms all day, with a dark face all day? Hmm? Or do you and Han both harbor some dissatisfaction towards me?" The words spoken by Tsuchikage Ōnoki were very calm at this moment, but no one present could ignore or question what he said.
Han, sweating profusely, stepped forward and clasped his hands. "Lord Tsuchikage, I, Han, absolutely do not question you. This matter has nothing to do with me." Han smiled bitterly. The tense standoff between Rōshi and Ōnoki on the scene was something he couldn't handle at the moment.
Han's gaze towards Rōshi became strange. "Bro, how are you so brave?" This was Han's current mental. He looked at Rōshi, wishing he could beat him to death. Now, because of Rōshi, he was under suspicion.
Rōshi looked at Han, frowned, and cursed inwardly, 'Damn! I thought you were a Jinchūriki like me. Originally, after this succeeded, we could oust the Tsuchikage and share control of Iwagakure. Tsk, tsk, it seems you don't have that blessing.'
"Hmm, Han, I know. You are loyal and devoted to Iwagakure, and you would definitely not have such despicable thoughts. After all, calling someone 'mother' when you need a bowl and cursing her when you put it down requires a level of thick-skinnedness that is not ordinary. I still believe in you very much." Tsuchikage Ōnoki walked down the steps, and Han quickly dropped to one knee.
Ōnoki smiled and patted his shoulder, then looked at Rōshi. "You said that this action of mine will cause dissatisfaction? That it will make the people of Iwagakure discontent? Fine, I will give you a chance, Rōshi. If you can find ten family leaders to say this, I will give you the Tsuchikage position."
"Humph, you said it yourself, Ōnoki. Don't regret it." After saying that, Rōshi also left this place that made him extremely uncomfortable. He had had enough of the mocking looks from Ōnoki and his faction.
Ōnoki did not pay him any mind, slowly walking back up the steps and sitting once again on the Tsuchikage throne. He said with a smile, "Han, I must apologize to you. My words earlier were too harsh."
Han, not daring to rise, quickly said, "Lord Tsuchikage, I dare not. I only hope Lord Tsuchikage sees clearly that aside from both being Jinchūriki of Iwagakure, I usually have no dealings with that Rōshi, with that traitor."
Ōnoki said cheerfully, "I naturally understand. He is him, Han is Han. However, I hope that if Han has any dissatisfaction with me, he can say it directly. I am someone who likes to discuss problems with others."
Han still kept his head bowed. "Lord Tsuchikage is wise and mighty. Your twenty years of governance, I believe anyone with eyes can see. Han only knows some fist and foot skills. If I can be of help to Lord Tsuchikage, Han would be more than satisfied."
The smile on Ōnoki's face grew wider. "Kitsuchi, quickly help your Uncle Han up. The floor is cold. Then, withdraw five billion silver from the treasury and give it to him. He has worked hard these years, toiling and laboring for our Iwagakure."
"Yes, Father." Kitsuchi quickly helped Han up. Hearing this, Han finally breathed a sigh of relief. He had finally drawn a clear line between himself and that fellow Rōshi. The words and actions just now were all taught to him by Kokuō.
Kokuō had said, 'Remember, Ōnoki is not simple. He is the only leader in the ninja world whose wisdom and strategy can compare to that Ryun Uchiha. He assesses the situation and his methods of governance are not as benevolent and kind as they appear. You, you stick closely behind him, and there will definitely be no problems in the future.'
Kokuō's eyes seemed to see through Tsuchikage Ōnoki. Originally, he wanted to explain his thoughts properly to Han, but thinking of Han's intelligence, he couldn't help but suck in a cold breath and simply taught him the behavior and words from before.
Han nodded fiercely in his heart. 'I understand, Kokuō. From now on, if the Tsuchikage tells me to go east, I will never go west.'
Kokuō nodded, feeling relieved. He was truly afraid that Han, under Rōshi's persuasion, might accidentally join Rōshi in rebellion. With his brain, both he and Han would suffer.
Ōnoki was not in a hurry. Didn't he tell Rōshi to go door-to-door finding people? Then let him go find them. Let him wait for a while, and see which families are dissatisfied with him, and eliminate them all together. Oh, right, if Ryun Uchiha holds me accountable, I will say Rōshi disagreed. Then, I can also effortlessly get rid of this Jinchūriki, right.
One arrow, three eagles. Perfect.
With Ryun Uchiha's temper, knowing that because of Rōshi, one more, or two more villages under Konoha's jurisdiction were destroyed, it wouldn't be something that could be resolved by just trampling him underfoot on the battlefield like before.
Moreover, Ōnoki was not afraid of Ryun Uchiha seeing through his plan of 'killing with a borrowed knife'. On the contrary, he believed Ryun Uchiha would help him take action. After all, a smart ally, an ally who can help their Konoha, an ally who can assess the situation, is what Ryun Uchiha needs.
The difference between a smart person and a fool is that one knows what they should do and what they should not do, while the other always has the idea in their head that 'I could do it too'.
How many people with strong abilities died because of arrogance and conceit? Ōnoki understood clearly. This era is not his era, but the era of Konoha's Military God, Ryun Uchiha. Since he cannot change the general trend, it is better to comply.
Unfortunately, many people do not understand this. One could even say many people are fools. Do they really not understand? No, they understand. They understand all too well. Just like Rasa. Did he not know Konoha was strong? Why did he declare war? For his own goals, for his own power.
Did Rōshi not know that helping Konoha would bring great benefits? He knew. But he was also blinded by power. He wanted to drive down the dictatorial and autocratic Ōnoki and become the supreme Tsuchikage himself. So he had to make an issue out of this matter.
There are so many smart people in the world, but very few who can hide their edge and win in the end. For no other reason than one being overconfident, and the other not having the destiny.
Just like that, after waiting two hours, Rōshi entered from outside the door. His face was dark with anger. Ōnoki looked behind him and couldn't help but laugh. "Well, if it isn't the great Four-Tails Jinchūriki, Iwagakure's Rōshi, back? Hmm? Why is there no one supporting you behind you?"
"Oh, I know. It must be that they don't know what's good for them, not your problem, Rōshi, right?" Ōnoki sneered.
Every staff member and high-ranking official currently in the Tsuchikage building's office, without exception, laughed at Rōshi, mocked him for overestimating his abilities, mocked him for not understanding politics at all.
Rōshi clenched his fists and said in a muffled voice, "I lost, Lord Tsuchikage. I failed to find anyone. Punish me." Rōshi did not submit; he was trying to save face.
But now that the two had torn face, would Ōnoki give him this opportunity? Of course not. His eyes shifting, Ōnoki suddenly thought of something and said, "Alright, since you are willing to accept punishment, I sentence you to go alone to Konoha, use the Tailed Beast Ball, and help Konoha by attacking the Kiri and Kumo ninja army. How about that?"
Then, Ōnoki frowned again. "Tsk, tsk, no, no. How can you alone be a match for an army of twenty thousand Kiri and Kumo ninja? I think we should forget it."
"No. I will go. No one stop me." Rōshi said resolutely. However, an awkward situation arose. No one present stopped him. Instead, they looked on coldly, watching him perform, including the Five-Tails Jinchūriki, Han, who had had dealings with him in the past.
Ōnoki's eyes lit up. "Good. From now on, no one is allowed to make an issue of this matter, otherwise they are my enemy. Rōshi is a benchmark of our Iwagakure. Do you understand?"
"Understood." x N
Rōshi turned around, snorted, and walked out of the Tsuchikage building. He didn't even glance at anyone present, leaving Iwagakure with arrogance and flying towards the direction of the battlefield.
After Rōshi left, Ōnoki's smile and raised flattened. "Kitsuchi, Han, I order you two to lead fifteen thousand Iwa-nin and charge straight towards Kumogakure. The momentum must be massive. Leave not a blade of grass standing wherever you pass. Plunder money for all you're worth."
"Yes." Kitsuchi and Han, having received the order, began to mobilize the army.
Ōnoki had the remaining high-ranking personnel ensure the provisions and supplies. If Kitsuchi and Han ran out of food or supplies during the fighting, every single person present would not only be executed but their families would also be implicated.
Everyone became highly alert and did their jobs to the best of their ability. They knew Ōnoki was not the kind of person who couldn't see your efforts. As long as you did your work seriously, you would be fine, even if the war was lost.
But if you could do well but were negligent... then it would be hard to say.
After everyone left, Ōnoki took out a smartphone and called Ryun Uchiha. This was given to him secretly by Ryun's Anbu when he attended Ryun's wedding.
Ōnoki didn't have to wait long before the call was connected. "Has Tsuchikage-sama made up his mind?" Ryun's voice came through.
"Correct. I feel that Ryun is more worthy of my bet. However..." Ōnoki hesitated, and even his expression became very troubled.
Ryun frowned. He was all too familiar with this way of speaking. What comes after 'however' is either a condition or the main point. However, Ryun didn't plan to expose it, instead patiently asking, "However what?"
"However, there is one person who disobeys orders and acts recklessly. He has now entered the Land of Fire and intends to use a Tailed Beast Ball..."
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