None of Kumogakure's higher-ups brought up what to do if Konoha responded hard, because the answer was obvious.
What else could they do?
Forget it—were they really going to keep fighting?
Even if they had to, it wouldn't be a real fight; it would just be for show to calm public opinion.
Although it was a small-scale war, after more than two years the consumption was no less than a large-scale war.
As for Konoha's other senior figures, Kumo's leadership didn't care.
Because the ones who truly made decisions in Konoha were the Hokage and the three elders, with the Hokage's will prevailing; others at most had the right to advise.
Even Kumo's economy had been affected by the war, not to mention Konoha being continually drained by two small wars.
Reasonably speaking, Konoha's leadership and many Konoha shinobi no longer wanted to keep fighting.
After the meeting, the Fourth Raikage A immediately had the front line convey to Konoha's front that they wanted peace talks.
Seeing hope to end the war, Sarutobi Shinnosuke and the others were overjoyed and reported to the village at once.
On receiving the news, Sarutobi Hiruzen was delighted and immediately instructed the front to negotiate; as long as the terms weren't excessive, they could agree.
The smoothness of the negotiations exceeded the expectations of Sarutobi Shinnosuke, Nara Shikaku, and the others.
Others didn't overthink it, assuming Kumo was tired of war and the village's economy had taken a heavy hit.
Nara Shikaku felt something was off, but after careful thought couldn't pinpoint what, so he let it go.
When Sarutobi Hiruzen received word the talks had succeeded, he beamed and immediately decided to publicize the good news widely.
First, to tout his own and the front leadership's merits; second, to cheer up the villagers; third, to overawe Iwagakure.
Most important was to deter Iwagakure—Konoha and Kumo were about to sign a peace accord; would Iwa still keep grinding it out?
One on one—let's see who can outlast whom!
Unlike the original timeline, with Kageyama Kogetsu involved, Iwagakure not only gained nothing, they took heavy losses, gritting their teeth just to hold on.
After confirming the news through various channels, Ōnoki decisively ordered a withdrawal.
As for peace talks—forget it. That would make it look like Iwa couldn't withstand Konoha's pressure and had been beaten into negotiating.
Hiruzen held a grand welcoming ceremony for Kumo's delegation not only out of a genuine desire for peace, but also with a similar mindset.
Thus, Konoha's war with Iwagakure ended several years earlier than in the original.
In the original, it wasn't until Konoha Year 58—after Yakushi Nono and Yakushi Kabuto had lost their value, learned too much, and were set up by Danzō to kill each other—that it ended.
With Iwa withdrawing, Kageyama Kogetsu naturally had no need to remain at the front and returned with the army.
Back in the village, Kogetsu and Orochimaru went together to the Hokage Building to report.
Sarutobi Hiruzen lavished praise on both men, giving particular commendation to Kogetsu.
"By the way, the Kumo delegation should arrive in Konoha tomorrow. You two will join me for the events."
Orochimaru said casually, "Not interested. I'm resting tomorrow."
Hiruzen glared, but Orochimaru wasn't moved at all.
Unable to issue a hard order, Hiruzen could only agree helplessly.
"Ahem, Hokage-sama, I'd like to rest too—I'm tired."
"And Kumo hates me. If I go, I'll probably spoil the atmosphere," Kogetsu said with an embarrassed smile.
Hiruzen nodded. "All right, both of you get some proper rest."
Moments later the two left the Hokage Building. Orochimaru gave a brief farewell and was about to leave, but Kogetsu stopped him.
"What's the rush, Orochimaru-senpai?"
"Come on, let's relax at the bathhouse first."
"Not interested—hm?"
Orochimaru frowned when he saw the hand on his shoulder.
Ignoring Orochimaru's displeasure, Kogetsu lowered his voice: "Doesn't Orochimaru-senpai want research funds?"
"Hm?" Orochimaru's voice rose, and with interest he cocked his head, half-smiling. "Sounds like you've noticed something?"
Kogetsu chuckled freely and said softly, "Of course."
"Shadow clones are hard to tell apart, but given time you can still spot something off."
"Seems you've seen a thing or two. Now I'm interested in a soak," Orochimaru said, his smile deepening, voice low and husky.
"Then let's go."
Kogetsu withdrew his arm and stepped ahead; Orochimaru followed.
Ten minutes later, the two were soaking in a steaming, pleasantly warm hot spring in white yukata, a tray of snacks floating on the surface.
"Kogetsu-kun has funds to support my research?"
"And not just a little—tens of millions of ryō don't last long."
Orochimaru smiled faintly. It wasn't that he doubted it, but the man before him, while not poor, wasn't exactly wealthy.
"Besides regular income, I have my own ways to make money. As long as there are results, I don't mind throwing everything I earn into it."
With a confident smile, Orochimaru said firmly, "Put it this way—if the funding is ample enough, I'm confident I can produce any result."
To get a patron to pay, even without certainty you must project it; never mind the rest—get the money first.
"Perhaps—but the timeline can't be guaranteed," Kogetsu answered lightly.
He might not understand research, but he wasn't stupid.
No matter how easily money came, he wouldn't play the sucker; there had to be deliverables.
"That depends on what results Kogetsu-kun wants," Orochimaru said evenly.
"First, I want a drug that permanently enhances physical attributes—permanently. No temporary effects and no side effects," Kogetsu said, raising one finger.
After a brief consideration, Orochimaru said, "It's difficult, but not impossible."
"To be frank, I already have a physique-enhancing tonic, but it likely won't work on you."
Given the man's taijutsu, a formula that worked well on genin couldn't possibly help him.
"I'll need to run a full workup to tailor it to you."
Heh—use the chance to probe the reason behind this man's rapid growth in strength. The body always leaves clues.
"I don't intend to expose my bodily data to anyone."
"Do your best. If the drug's effects are fierce and violent, we can just use it bit by bit."
This guy... clearly has secrets.
Orochimaru's heart stirred, but outwardly he remained calm. "Fine. Put up one hundred million to test the waters."
Tsk... Research truly burns money; opening ask is a small fortune just for a pilot.
One hundred million ryō—most shinobi couldn't earn that in a lifetime.
Kogetsu's eyes flickered. "No problem—but there needs to be at least some result."
Orochimaru nodded slightly. "I'll try, but I can't guarantee it."
"No one can guarantee outcomes in research. There are plenty of cases where you come up empty-handed—like Konoha's covert Wood Release experiments."
"Fine."
"Second, I want something to slow aging, maintain appearance and bodily functions—ideally, eternal youth."
"Other methods that achieve the same effect are acceptable."
Orochimaru's eyes lit up; suppressing his inner swell, he frowned. "That's not far from asking for immortality. The difficulty is immense."
Kogetsu said meaningfully, "Immortality would be better still—ageless and undying is best of all."
"Forget ordinary people—shinobi are as fragile as morning dew, gone at the first touch of the sun."
"It's a dream. Do your utmost."
He wasn't asking Orochimaru to study this for himself.
Once he finished assimilating Ōtsutsuki Isshiki's power, his lifespan would be at least a thousand years, with no side effects.
If he wanted agelessness and deathlessness, he held the Ōtsutsuki clan's evolutionary path—the canonical route in a chakra-based world.
In an endlessly long life, having no familiar faces would be quite boring.
Those who ascend and raise all around them—perhaps it's just to avoid boredom.
Shaped by his surroundings, he ultimately wasn't the same as those Ōtsutsuki.
At least for the foreseeable future he wouldn't be; without having personally tasted longevity, he couldn't fully grasp the long-lived mindset.
"All right—put up two hundred million to test the waters," Orochimaru said with a broad smile.
"Deal," Kogetsu replied without hesitation.
Just what money-making channels did this guy have?
He hadn't heard of them, nor uncovered them.
Three hundred million ryō and he didn't even blink?
A real tycoon!
"By the way, there's something I should remind you of."
"What?"
"Don't foul your own nest."
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed; he understood instantly.
It seemed this person wasn't as spotless as he appeared, but he had a bottom line, and some feelings for Konoha.
Influenced by the original, Kogetsu did have some sentiment for Konoha—two-thirds for its beautiful kunoichi, one-third for everything else.
"I'll keep it restrained."
Kogetsu gave a slight nod.
The two said no more and fully enjoyed the hot spring...
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I have published a new novel. You can check it out on my profile. The title is:
Naruto: I'm an Uchiha, But My System Wants Me to Revive the Senju
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