CHAPTER 75
(A/N: Today was an exam So i couldn't write new chapter in the past two days, as I was travelling to college and preparing for that exam. I will try to deliver two chapters tomorrow.
According to my busy schedule I will try to deliver one chapter a day from now onwards, its really very difficult as my college just announce exam whenever they want, trying to cope with it.)
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Within the stony halls of Iwagakure's grand council chamber, the Third Tsuchikage, Onoki of Both Scales, leaned back on his elevated stone throne, his calculating gaze fixed on the scroll being drafted.
His close advisors, including Kitsuchi and several elite Jonin, stood silently by, awaiting their Kage's orders.
"Make sure the proposal is tempting enough," Onoki instructed his chief scribe.
"Offer Sunagakure land near the Fire Nation's border—a tactical outpost—but add the clause that they must cede critical mineral resources to us once the war is over."
The scribe nodded, his brush moving swiftly over the parchment.
Onoki smirked. The Kazekage may be prideful, but he is also desperate. His village lacks water, food, and weapons. He'll be forced to accept, even if the terms are harsh.
He turned to his Jonin commander. "Send the scroll by swift hawk, ensure it reaches the Kazekage personally. And... prepare for contingencies. If Sunagakure refuses, we'll rely on Amegakure's ninja forces."
"Make a offer to rain village Hanzo also, and assure him that we will give weapons and rations for wars to rain village to ally with us against konoha, being a leader of a village he will surely know what to do."
"Yes, Tsuchikage-sama!" the commander barked, vanishing in a puff of smoke.
Onoki chuckled grimly. "The Kazekage won't resist such an offer… not when survival is his only option."
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The Third Kazekage sat in his sparsely decorated war council room, flanked by his advisors Chiyo and Ebizo.
The walls were cracked from years of desert heat, and a map of the Elemental Nations was pinned to the central wall. Before him lay Onoki's scroll, sealed with Iwagakure's insignia.
"An outpost near the Fire Nation's border..." Chiyo muttered, reading over the scroll. "Tactically, it's invaluable, but the cost... we'd have to cede iron from the northern mines."
Ebizo adjusted his glasses. "Without those resources, our weapon production will suffer after the war."
The Kazekage clenched his jaw, his piercing steel-gray eyes scanning the map. "We can't afford to refuse. Konoha's power is growing unchecked, and Onoki's offer gives us a chance to strike first."
Chiyo nodded slowly. "But we should send scouts to verify the location. Onoki is crafty—he may be setting a trap."
The Kazekage tapped the table thoughtfully.
"Agreed. Prepare scouts and have them report within the week. Meanwhile, we'll draft a response accepting the proposal under the condition that the resource cession will be renegotiated based on the war's outcome. If he doesn't agree we will not attack."
His advisors bowed, disappearing from the room. Alone, the Kazekage stared at the map. Konoha will fall... even if I have to crush them myself.
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In the storm-shrouded peaks of Kumogakure, the Third Raikage stood like a mountain of muscle, his arms crossed as lightning illuminated the darkened war council chamber.
His most trusted generals, including Darui's predecessor, lined the room.
"Our elite ninja are already conducting skirmishes along the Fire Nation's northern border," the Raikage rumbled. "Continue these operations. Hit and retreat tactics—no prolonged fights."
One of his generals bowed. "What of the Uzumaki village, Raikage-sama? Shall we begin mobilizing our primary forces?"
The Raikage nodded firmly. "Yes. Assemble the Storm Company and the Lightning Fang Division. We'll strike once the first report of Sunagakure's assault reaches us. I want the entire force ready to move on my command."
The room crackled with tension as the assembled shinobi acknowledged their orders.
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Meanwhile, within the vast war hall of the Hokage Tower, Konoha's Jonin leaders gathered in an atmosphere thick with tension.
Torches flickered, casting long shadows across the room as the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, stood at the center, his sharp eyes surveying the room.
Seated near him were Homura Mitokado, Koharu Utatane, and Elder Uzumaki Mito, whose presence alone commanded the utmost respect.
Homura spoke first. "Hokage-sama, we've received reports of increased skirmishes along the Fire Nation's borders. Several of our outposts have been attacked."
Hiruzen's eyes narrowed. "It's as expected. The enemy is probing our defenses, I have already warn them of the attack before-handed."
Kagami added, "Our scouts report minor engagements initiated by Kumogakure and Iwagakure forces. Their tactics are meant to keep us distracted."
Hiruzen nodded. "And soon, the real assault will begin. I have reason to believe that their true target is to weaken our forces, rather than engage us in full scale war."
The room fell silent. Elder Mito finally spoke, her voice regal but tinged with worry.
"If that's true, we must act quickly. The Uzumaki cannot withstand the combined forces of three villages."
Hiruzen's fist tightened. "Which is why we must be ready for war on all fronts. I'm deploying our four strongest: Sakumo, Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru. Each will lead a 200-ninja unit to different fronts—Kiri, Kumo, Iwa, and Suna."
The Jonin murmured in agreement. Clan heads like Setsuna Uchiha, Hisashi Hyuga, and Shuzaku Nara remained stoic but resolute.
"Clan heads," Hiruzen continued, "station your forces throughout Konoha. Uchiha, Hyuga, and Yamanaka will form the village's primary defensive perimeter. Civilian protection will be our highest priority."
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Far from the gathering storm, deep within the hidden burial valley, Black Zetsu appeared in the shadowy cave where Madara Uchiha rested.
"Madara-sama," Zetsu hissed, "everything is proceeding as you planned. Iwagakure, Kumogakure, and Kirigakure are ready to strike Uzushiogakure. Sunagakure is ready to take the bait. Their Kazekage is preparing for war. While Onoki also deployed Amegakure to ally with them too."
Madara's Rinnegan flickered faintly. "Good. Chaos breeds opportunity. Prepare the white zetsu to ready to transfer Nagato and his family to Amegakure. Once the war start it will be the time to start planning for the eye of the moon plan."
Zetsu hesitated. "And Konoha...?"
Madara chuckled darkly. "Let them struggle. Their fate is sealed. When the Uzumaki fall, the age of war will consume this world... and from its ashes, true peace will rise."
The shadows swallowed his words, leaving only silence... and the faint, malevolent hum of destiny unfolding.
To Be Continued...
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