Chapter 289: Konoha Village Destruction Countdown
Night. Nara clan grounds.
The clan heads of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio sat together, meeting secretly once more.
"I never expected Wood Release cells and the Akimichi clan would have such poor compatibility. Not a single success."
"This was my mistake. My deepest apologies."
Nara Shikasuke prostrated himself very seriously toward Akimichi Chomusa on the other side.
"Ah, too serious." Akimichi Chomusa hastily returned the respectful gesture. "No one wanted this. Everything is fate—no one's to blame."
After pleasantries, the three entered the main topic.
Shikasuke presented the situation:
"Kumogakure, Iwagakure, and Sunagakure have all been contacted. They're all willing to accept our joining."
"Among them, Sunagakure's strength proves too weak, but they offered the most generous terms."
"Rasa agreed we could retain family lands and secret techniques, but merchant caravans and liquid assets must be surrendered."
"From Iwagakure, Old Man Onoki currently has no successors. He's very willing to let outsiders like us assist Kitsuchi in succeeding the Tsuchikage position. The conditions are also acceptable."
"After going there, we'd still be outsiders anyway—impossible to threaten the Tsuchikage position."
"Onoki values people and loyalty. He doesn't care about money or secret techniques. But to satisfy the village, we'd still need to surrender some things."
"Kumogakure proved quite harsh. That Raikage demands we surrender all family ninjutsu and secret techniques, plus requires arranged marriages with Kumogakure. Otherwise no other requirements."
"As for Kirigakure, I didn't even bother contacting them. Though Fifth Mizukage Mei Terumi cancelled their 'Bloody Mist' policy, the environment remains too terrible. Absolutely no need to go there."
After listening, both Akimichi Chomusa and the other nodded, obviously unable to comprehend Kirigakure's shinobi environment.
"Shikasuke, in your view, which should we choose?"
Nara Shikasuke analyzed:
"Actually, from a shinobi village environment perspective, Kumogakure should be best."
"Strong power, relatively harmonious internal village relations."
"But precisely because Kumogakure's advantages are so great, their conditions prove harshest."
"Yet family secret techniques are the foundation of our Ino-Shika-Cho trio—absolutely cannot be surrendered. Arranged marriages and such are actually secondary concerns."
"Precisely because of this, I'd rather risk tremendous danger to push our three families to participate in the village's Hero Trial, giving our three families more bargaining chips."
"Now we have Wood Release ninja. I don't believe Kumogakure won't be envious."
"Using this for negotiations, Kumogakure should relax some requirements."
"Um..." Yamanaka Inoichi suddenly spoke: "Meaning our migration target is already confirmed as Kumogakure? All other villages have been excluded?"
"Exactly." Shikasuke nodded.
He knew his two old partners needed detailed reasons to convince their clan members, so he explained seriously:
"Actually Sunagakure and Iwagakure's conditions are also quite good. We could negotiate better terms than Kumogakure. But ultimately I still chose Kumogakure."
"My primary consideration isn't just conditions we negotiate, nor just whether clan members can easily integrate into new villages. Actually more concerns lie with the shinobi world's future power structure."
"Shinobi world power structure?" Both Akimichi Chomusa and the other looked completely baffled, totally unable to understand.
"Yes, shinobi world power structure." Shikasuke sighed, worry appearing on his face. "Once Konoha Village is destroyed, the shinobi world's Five Great Nations balance will immediately shatter."
"What will the shinobi world become then? Have you considered this?"
"Uh..." Both Akimichi Chomusa and the other exchanged glances, scratching their heads. "Fifth Great Ninja War?"
"Correct. A Great Ninja War will definitely erupt—likely unprecedented in scale."
"The Land of Fire occupies the shinobi world's most fertile land. All nations want it. The other four nations will definitely fight another massive battle."
"Moreover, the situation probably goes far beyond just that."
"To connect their home territory with territory seized from the Land of Fire, those small nations sandwiched between the Five Great Nations will likely suffer catastrophic disasters."
"Intelligence indicates that due to land cession reparations, various nations have already experienced friction with some small nations. Only because absorbing and digesting enclaves requires time have conflicts not formally erupted."
"But once Konoha Village experiences trouble and new Great Ninja Wars erupt again, even just to shorten supply lines, nations will definitely annex small nations caught between them."
"Hiss..." Both Akimichi Chomusa and the other considered briefly before gasping.
They were both jonin possessing basic strategic concepts. Slight consideration revealed Shikasuke's meaning.
Seeing their expressions change dramatically, Shikasuke knew they understood. He continued explaining:
"The reason for not choosing Sunagakure and Iwagakure—one important factor is their villages' strength proves too weak."
"Sunagakure is famously the weakest village. If war truly erupts, they'd definitely rank last among the four nations."
"Though Iwagakure isn't weak now, they lack successors. Inevitably they'd need us surrendered generals propping up appearances. That really doesn't suit our three families' interests."
"Kumogakure is different. Those barbarians all love fighting desperately. Military force runs abundant. We'd merely need sending some people onto battlefields to demonstrate attitude."
After listening, both Akimichi Chomusa and the other felt this made tremendous sense, repeatedly nodding.
Shikasuke sighed heavily before continuing:
"The situation I just described isn't the worst. The worst would be the four nations engaging in survival of the fittest, destroying another great nation."
"Whichever nation's shinobi village proves weakest will likely be destroyed first."
"If we choose the wrong village, could we possibly defect to another again?"
"Ah!" Now both Akimichi Chomusa and the other immediately understood the matter's severity, hastily waving repeatedly. "Once is enough—absolutely cannot have a second time. Otherwise no one will continue trusting us."
"Of course, this is merely one reason." Shikasuke continued explaining: "Another important reason is Sunagakure and Iwagakure sit too close to Amegakure."
"For Kumogakure to attack the Land of Fire, they merely need traversing small nations like the Land of Frost, Land of Fields, Land of Hot Water—very safe."
"But for Sunagakure and Iwagakure to connect their territories into one piece, the Land of Rain becomes an absolute obstacle they cannot bypass."
"No one understands Amegakure's strength better than our Konoha Village."
"Though reportedly both Uchiha Yasushi and Orochimaru have already defected from Amegakure, Nagato hasn't been idle either during this time."
"According to intelligence, Fourth Mizukage Yagura died mysteriously—most likely also connected to Nagato."
"Kirigakure dispatched shinobi squads that clashed multiple times with Akatsuki members abroad. Some reports claim Nagato seized Kirigakure's Three-Tails and Six-Tails. Unknown whether intelligence is true or false."
"If we go to Sunagakure or Iwagakure, inevitably we'll eventually face Amegakure. That really isn't any wise move."
"You're right, Shikasuke." This time both Akimichi Chomusa and the other had absolutely no doubts, solemnly stating: "After returning, we'll convince all clan members. We'll choose Kumogakure."
"We'll entrust specific condition negotiations to you, Shikasuke. We'll just follow along and share the benefits."