Chapter 234: Conditions

It's not just Hatake Kakashi.

Other Jonin ninjas heard the news and began to doubt their own lives.

The war started too suddenly, catching everyone off guard, and ended just as abruptly, leaving everyone feeling uninvolved.

"Although the wars we remember were cruel, today's events..."

"There's not even a hint of joy in this victory..."

"Hey, that's going too far!"

"That's not what I meant... I just feel like I didn't do anything..."

"Because we really didn't do anything..."

Other Jonin ninjas were also at a loss, wondering what they were really doing and why they had attended such a strategy meeting. Did this strategy meeting really serve any purpose? No.

But it was still useful.

At least everyone could sit together and complain.

"Before attending the meeting, I discussed the cruelty of war with my subordinates, hoping my dear subordinates would train hard before the war intensified, striving to survive the war..."

"Do I have to tell them tomorrow that the war that just scared them is already over? I feel like I might lose their trust..."

"They'll probably ask... Did a war really happen?"

"Lady Tsunade started a war with the Mist and the Sand on her first day in office, but quelled it within twelve hours, spreading the news throughout the ninja world. Wouldn't our enemies think this is fake news..."

"At the succession ceremony, I also seriously told Shikamaru that war is a terrifying thing, and many comrades might die beside us..."

Nara Shikaku shrugged and chuckled, "I have to tell him when I get home that the war ended within twelve hours, well, that's good at least, we didn't have to sacrifice too many comrades..."

"Lady Tsunade."

Hatake Kakashi sat in his chair, suddenly turned his head to Tsunade: "The war ended within twelve hours, was it Kagura's doing?"

"Yes!"

Tsunade immediately reacted, nodding her head quickly and said solemnly, "Everyone must not take this lightly. It was Kagura's solo effort that conquered the Sand and Mist, bringing victory to Konoha without sacrificing many comrades..."

Because the war seemed too brief and trivial, Tsunade almost forgot how cruel a real war could erupt to be, and that it ended so quickly was all thanks to Kagura! But...

She seemed unable to promote Kagura.

Simply conquering two ninja villages and quickly ending a war, it would be only natural for Kagura to become the Hokage, but since Tsunade had just assumed the role of Hokage the day before, and then resigning the day after seemed a bit improper.

"Let's adjourn the meeting!"

Tsunade waved her hand to signal the end of the strategy meeting and continued, "Everyone go back and rest early. Notify everyone in the village tomorrow, the war is over..."

The next day.

The villagers of Konoha were still immersed in worries about the war.

Then they received the news that the war had ended, with the Mist and the Sand having declared their unconditional surrender to Konoha the previous night, making the atmosphere in Konoha rather strange.

"Is this..."

"Did I not sleep well or sleep to well?"

"Could it be that I didn't fall asleep last night, but actually passed out, sleeping until the war ended?"

All villagers were somewhat doubting their ears.

However, no matter what, the end of the war was a good thing for them, the only question was whether they should celebrate the victory...

Because...

The war didn't bring any suffering.

Even before they had time to worry about the issues the war might trigger, the war they were worried about before going to bed last night ended, and the readily available joy made it unclear whether they should cherish it.

Of course.

They were fortunate.

At least the news they received was in the right order.

Inside the Cloud Village.

The Fourth Raikage, A, looked at the two pieces of intelligence on his desk.

Both were the latest intelligence collected by the Cloud, and they were bewildering.

"When did the war start?"

The Fourth Raikage's expression turned grim as he pondered, "Could it be because of the death of the Third Hokage?"

Previously, the Cloud had received news of a riot during the joint Chunin Exams in Konoha and the death of the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen. The Fourth Raikage had been waiting for news of the war to erupt, but instead, he received continuous peace offerings from the Mist and the Sand.

Because of this.

The Fourth Raikage even sent assassins to kill messengers from the Mist and the Sand in an attempt to provoke conflict among the three villages, which would also help weaken the enemy countries.

On the other hand.

The Fourth Raikage was also waiting for an opportunity.

To strengthen the Cloud, the Fourth Raikage had been continuously scheming to acquire secret techniques and kekkei genkai from other ninja villages, waiting for a chance for the Cloud to rise to dominance in the ninja world.

Unabashedly...

The Fourth Raikage believed that under his rule, the Cloud had become the strongest among the nations, but had not yet found the right opportunity to rise as the dominant force in the ninja world.

Now...

It seemed like an opportunity had appeared?

Or perhaps not.

"Lord Raikage!"

A dark-skinned female secretary rushed in, hastily placing a document on the desk: "News from the Land of Fire, the newly appointed Fifth Hokage of Konoha, Tsunade, has issued a war notice against the Mist and the Sand, a new Great Ninja War..."

"Bah, the war is already over!"

The Fourth Raikage, A, looked at the document with displeasure and tore it up in a fit of anger: "I haven't even received news of the war starting, but I've already received intelligence that the Mist and the Sand have declared their unconditional surrender to Konoha!"

"Quickly ask the intelligence department what they are doing, let them find out the detailed circumstances quickly, and why the Mist and the Sand would surrender unconditionally to Konoha!"

"Yes..."

The Cloud female ninja could only rush to the intelligence department.

Compared to the comical intelligence department of the Cloud, the Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, highly valued intelligence. His received intelligence was indeed correct.

"So Tsunade that girl has taken the position of the Fifth Hokage?"

The Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, after lamenting the departure of old friends and the rise of new ones, saw the news of Tsunade declaring war on the two villages: "Is a new Great Ninja War starting?"

The Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, remembered the rare peaceful years and began planning to train troops while planning to hire the Akatsuki organization to stir up war between Konoha and the Sand and the Mist, hoping to make the three villages bleed more, buying time for the Rock to train ninja troops.

Result.

After the Rock paid the Akatsuki's hiring deposit.

The surrender announcements from the Mist and the Sand also appeared on the Third Tsuchikage Onoki's desk, making him so furious that he jumped like thunder. He had wasted a lot of money while the war had already ended?

"Cancel the commission!"

The Third Tsuchikage Onoki could only cancel the commission.

As for the deposit, it would just benefit the people of Akatsuki.

For a long time, the relationship between the Rock and Akatsuki had been maintained well, relying on Akatsuki's powerful combat abilities. The Rock did not need to maintain a large military force and could still ensure its position among the surrounding minor countries.

In the Land of Rain.

Akatsuki's base.

The news received by Akatsuki was always the latest.

Because Akatsuki had the fastest intelligence operatives in the ninja world, able to use White Zetzu's clones to collect explosive news from all over the ninja world at the highest speed.

Due to the involvement of Akihara Kagura, many news items couldn't be known by ordinary members of Akatsuki, only core members like Nagato were discussing this matter.

"Konoha's new Hokage Tsunade has started a war..."

As White Zetzu mentioned this intelligence, he felt somewhat surreal, "Konoha's Wood Release ninja Akihara Kagura single-handedly crushed the Sand and the Mist..."

"Just like the God of Ninja, Hashirama..."

Black Zetzu remembered the history he had experienced and looked strangely at Nagato's Rinnegan, still thinking about that persistent thought.

If Akihara Kagura could resurrect Uchiha Madara using Edo Tensei, and then have Uchiha Madara control Nagato using the Rinnegan's reincarnation technique to fully revive Uchiha Madara, it could accelerate their plan! The only problem was...

Akihara Kagura mentioned that he was not yet able to bring the resurrected Uchiha Madara back to his prime.

Of course.

If possible...

Black Zetzu still planned to continue with the original plan.

Although it might be delayed, even resurrecting an old and immobile Uchiha Madara at that time would be more beneficial for their plan...

Or...

Maybe not resurrecting Uchiha Madara was also possible, because Akihara Kagura could also use Wood Release, and with the transplantation of the Rinnegan, he could also assist in carrying out the Moon's Eye Plan.

Black Zetzu was somewhat excited in his heart.

With the emergence of Akihara Kagura, the Moon's Eye Plan had too many backup options.

"Hmph, even if you obtained the power of Hashirama, so what?"

Uchiha Obito thought of Akihara Kagura's previous solemn declaration of becoming the Hokage, and let out a sneer from the corner of his mouth, "That kid, didn't he also fail to become the Fifth Hokage of Konoha?"

Uchiha Obito really wanted to see...

What expression that Akihara Kagura kid had now!

"But, Kagura also holds some power."

Black Zetzu glanced at Uchiha Obito, then continued, "The last time, it was also thanks to his help that Kisame and Uchiha Itachi could escape from Konoha..."

Nagato controlling Pain nodded his head, fully agreeing with Black Zetzu's opinion, "Having such an insider is indeed a good thing for us..."

Not to mention.

Akihara Kagura helped to eliminate Shimura Danzo.

This alone was enough for Nagato and Konan to feel favorably.

"Alright."

Pain looked at Black Zetzu, softly asking, "Now that Kagura is a person of Akatsuki, the forces we can mobilize are definitely sufficient to capture all the Tailed Beasts, when will the plan start?"

"To avoid alerting these major countries, we must at least wait for the Three Tails to be reborn..."

Black Zetzu reminded in a hoarse voice, then continued, "But don't worry, this strange war, after ending, should make the Sand and the Mist fully subordinate to Konoha. Kagura, as Konoha's Hokage's aide, might also help us in capturing the Tailed Beasts from those two villages..."

Inside Konoha.

The issues concerning the Sand and the Mist were quite troublesome.

Such matters definitely couldn't be publicly discussed in the village; only the Konoha higher-ups could make decisions. Once it involved major issues, they must also call upon the previous Hokages of Konoha.

Inside the Hokage Office.

A group of Hokages argued noisily.

The First Hokage, Hashirama, wasn't interested in how to handle the two villages, indifferently offering his opinion, "There's no need to handle it specifically, right? After all, they are just minor troubles that can be resolved at any time..."

"!!!"

The Second Hokage, Tobirama's forehead twitched.

His older brother believed that his own strength was sufficient to suppress wars in the ninja world. Did he not feel any lessons after being resurrected?

Actually, Akihara Kagura had a point. It was precisely because his older brother handled things too casually and did not choose to rule the entire ninja world that wars had erupted.

"We need to handle this properly, or future problems will arise!"

Tobirama looked towards Akihara Kagura, as if Kagura was the one in charge. His suggestion was very bloody, "Kill the high ranks of these two villages, force the two villages to disarm, and annex the lands of the Land of Water and the Land of Wind!"

"Their lands are not as rich as the Land of Fire..."

The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, carefully offered his opinion, "From a diplomatic perspective, if the two villages still exist and choose to submit to Konoha, it could still suppress the Rock and the Cloud, two enemy nations..."

"I agree..."

The Fourth Hokage, Minato, immediately nodded his head, bringing up his past thoughts, "The Fourth Raikage, A, and Killer B from the Cloud are a very powerful pair..."

"Indeed..."

The Fifth Hokage, Tsunade, remembered her past encounter with the Fourth Raikage, A, from the Cloud, but then thought of Akihara Kagura's performance, "How's that arrogant guy doing..."

"I just follow orders..."

Akihara Kagura sat in his place drinking tea, seemingly indifferent to how to handle the two ninja villages, although he was actually hoping that the two villages would recover and then rebel against Konoha, giving him an excuse to go and resolve the opposition.

In that case...

He would have to be stricter with them.

And he could also take this opportunity to learn some new knowledge.

Akihara Kagura quietly raised his finger, controlling the Fourth Hokage, Minato, to speak on his behalf, proposing his own thoughts, "Let the two villages hand over all their ninjutsu and forbidden jutsu scrolls, and I will let the Fourth Hokage meet Naruto..."

"..."

Minato felt this trade was quite appropriate, actively proposing, "Since they have surrendered unconditionally, let the Mist and the Sand first hand over all their ninjutsu and forbidden jutsu..."

"..."

Everyone present nodded in satisfaction.

This was definitely the most beneficial arrangement for Konoha, no need to mention any reparations, as these ninjutsu scrolls appearing in Konoha could also help train the village's ninja.

After the meeting reached a consensus, more consensus appeared quickly, and finally, a complete treaty was laid out on the table.

First, the Sand and the Mist must hand over all the ninjutsu and forbidden jutsu scrolls in their villages, including the highly confidential puppetry techniques of the Sand.

Second, the Kazekage of the Sand and the Mizukage of the Mist must be approved by Konoha before they can succeed as the leader of a village, and must always obey Konoha's orders.

Third, if the Sand and the Mist encounter missions that conflict with Konoha, they must automatically give up the mission, always prioritizing Konoha's interests.

Fourth, the Land of Wind and the Land of Water must be fully open to Konoha, allowing Konoha ninja to freely carry out missions in the two countries.

Fifth, the Sand and the Mist are not allowed to form other alliances; all missions from the controlled countries such as the Land of Birds and the Land of the Sea must be transferred to Konoha.

Sixth, the Sand and the Mist must pay a certain amount of war reparations to Konoha.

"These conditions..."

Tsunade, after reviewing all the drafted ceasefire agreements, felt immediately that if someone dared to present such conditions to her, she would fight them: "Other conditions might not raise any objections, but the second condition..."

The second condition proposed by Konoha nearly made the two villages completely give up their autonomy, even unable to decide on their own village leaders!

"Isn't the second condition too mild?"

Akihara Kagura looked at the ceasefire agreement, slowly nodded, and said, "Can we change the second item a bit? Isn't Lady Tsunade the Fifth Hokage?"

"Since both the Mist and the Sand have reached their fifth generation, can we change it so that Lady Tsunade also serves as the Fifth Mizukage and the Fifth Kazekage?"

~~~

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