162 Chapter 162: Iwagakure's Crisis and Kakuzu's Plans

On the other hand, in Iwagakure.

The pressure on Onoki became even greater. Although he immediately sent envoys to the Sunagakure camp, trying to contact Rasa to jointly deal with the formidable enemy, Konoha.

And explained the pros and cons, making it clear that if they didn't unite at this moment, they might be defeated one by one by Konoha, which possessed top-level combat power. But in the end, he couldn't convince Sunagakure.

"Kirigakure has already withdrawn from the war, Sunagakure is in negotiations with Konoha, and although Kumogakure is still holding out, it is only a matter of time before they surrender to Konoha... So now only our village remains." Onoki frowned, his face darkened.

How did the advantageous situation where Konoha was besieged by the Four Great Shinobi Villages become what it is now in such a short time?

Damn it! How did this battle turn out like this? Why is the progress of this Shinobi World War so fast, turning into this state in such a short time? In the past, didn't the Shinobi World War take several years to come to a conclusion? Now, in less than a year, it's almost over.

"Natsuo, if it weren't for him..." Onoki showed a grim expression, while gritting his teeth in hatred. 'If it weren't for this guy suddenly appearing in Konoha, how could we have ended up in this situation?'

"Tsuchikage-sama, what should we do?" Kurotsuchi asked in a low voice. "Should we surrender to Konoha?"

Among the Four Great Shinobi Villages, only Iwagakure and miserable Kumogakure remain.

Actually, if it weren't for the fury and desire for revenge of the Kumo Shinobi after the Fourth Raikage was captured. And if Nii Yugito wasn't there to stabilize the situation inside Kumogakure, they probably would have bowed their heads in surrender by now.

In reality, the only ones who can continue the war is Iwagakure. Although Iwagakure is not weak, but even if Natsuo doesn't make a move, they are no match against Konoha.

In the past, it took all the Great Shinobi Villages to work together to make Konoha bleed...

A mere Iwagakure is really no match for Konoha.

Onoki could only smile bitterly. "No, we can't bow our heads to them."

Konoha is in a great position and has more than enough strength to demand even more benefits. In this situation, will they show mercy to Iwagakure?

How is that possible!

They let Sunagakure go, and they let Sunagakure go, but they won't let Iwagakure and Kumogakure go.

Even if Onoki chooses to bow his head without hesitation, Konoha will definitely demand a large amount of benefits.

Onoki cannot bear this result, and Iwagakure also cannot accept this result.

"Contact Akatsuki, don't worry about money, spend more to get their help." Onoki could only sigh. "I'll send some people to persuade Kumogakure, maybe we can get them to join us."

"It's a pity that Kirigakure and Sunagakure are so foolish and lack the courage to fight Konoha to the death."

Onoki had already sent people to contact Terumi Mei and Rasa, hoping that they would continue fighting and share the pressure with Iwagakure. To be honest, Onoki didn't understand the reasons for Kirigakure and Sunagakure's withdrawal at all.

Clearly, the strength of the Four Great Shinobi Villages is not inferior to that of Konoha, and Terumi Mei and Rasa also achieved great victories, if they united it is very likely that they could defeat Natsuo. But why did they back down?

If both Terumi Mei and Rasa are not confident that they can defeat Natsuo, Onoki was willing to go help them.

But it's useless. Even if he sends people to try to convince Terumi Mei and Rasa, they still choose to give up without hesitation, wasting their current achievements and negotiating with Konoha.

"What guys without a backbone!"

"What's with the First Mizukage's impetus unifying the Land of Water by force?"

"What about the First Kazekage's ambition demanding land from Senju Hashirama?"

"They are really embarrassing them by not continuing their legacy!"

Onoki angrily jumps and curses.

Kurotsuchi sighs lightly and can only silently close the door, not letting others see Onoki's current irritable state. It's not Onoki's fault, the pressure he's under is just too much.

And no one can share the burden with Onoki in Iwagakure...

...

On the other side, the Akatsuki organization.

The people who received the information are all confused.

"Is Rasa really that strong?"

"Terumi Mei actually hid such strong power?"

These two are experts who can compete with Uchiha Natsuo and confront him with a fully manifested Susanoo.

They thought they were just ordinary Kage-level, but they turned out to be hiding so much?

Sasori thinks about Rasa and can't help but sigh. Things are not always what they seem. Rasa really hid so much, which I didn't expect.

Remember that after killing the Third Kazekage, it was Rasa who took power and led Sunagakure. But when they went to the battlefield, they were beaten like dogs by other countries... Perhaps the reason why he now has such strong power is because of that experience?

Lying in wait, enduring hardships for ten years, able to rival Susanoo!

"This is a strong-willed warrior!" Sasori sighs deeply.

Kisame has mixed feelings for Terumi Mei. He was recruited by Obito, who controlled the Fourth Mizukage, and met with Terumi Mei several times.

At first, he thought she was just an ordinary kunoichi with a strong loyalty to the village. Although her strength is good, what Kage of any country has no achievements? But he didn't expect her to have the strength she has now...

Although Obito said that the Fourth Mizukage, who was a perfect Jinchūriki, was killed by Terumi Mei because the Fourth Mizukage wanted to die. But now that he thinks about it, even if he didn't want to die, it wouldn't have changed much, right?

"What a tremendous woman!" Kisame exclaimed in admiration.

Others also watched the achievements of the two, especially the changes in the terrain of the battlefield caused by the fight between Natsuo and Rasa and were amazed.

These two have hidden themselves too deeply. If it weren't for this Great Shinobi World War, would they continue to hide?

Terumi Mei is fine, after all, she has the achievement of defeating the Fourth Mizukage...

But Rasa has nothing! For so long pretending to be the shame of the Kage levels...

It was all just an act.

If Rasa had not been defeated by Natsuo, perhaps he could have led Sunagakure to create a path that would shock the entire Shinobi World.

"The waters of the ninja world have deepened." Obito couldn't help but sigh. He thought that he was already hiding very deeply, thinking that he had the entire Shinobi World under his control. But he didn't expect that these guys, one by one, could hide even better.

First it was Rasa, then Terumi Mei, and now Rasa again. Who knows how many hidden strong people there are in the ninja world.

Black Zetsu and White Zetsu remained silent. With Natsuo's strength, even the skilled and hidden White Zetsu cannot get close.

But the destruction left on the battlefield is proof of how intense the fighting was. Whether it's Rasa or Terumi Mei, they both show considerable strength. After all, it's impossible for Natsuo to cooperate with them to pretend to fight, right?

These two powerful individuals sitting in their respective villages have put significant pressure on the Akatsuki members, who need to collect the Tailed Beasts for their future plans.

Everyone remains silent, not even the usually active White Zetsu says a word. This pressure is too heavy.

"Iwagakure has sent out an invitation to strengthen cooperation and increase mission rewards." Nagato pauses for a moment and says: "What does everyone think?"

The group remains silent for a moment.

The current situation in the Shinobi World is already clear. With Kirigakure withdrawing from the war as did Sunagakure, and Kumogakure being nearly wiped out, only Iwagakure remains of the four Great Shinobi Villages that attacked Konoha in this war.

Iwagakure's invitation shows that they are concerned about their own ability to withstand the pressure and are willing to hire Akatsuki shinobi, even if it means spending a lot of money.

Although the rewards have increased, so have the risks. Given the current situation, unless Nagato goes all out, who can stop Natsuo? But will Nagato take action?

The Three Tails was killed by Itachi, and it will take a few more years for it to be revived. Revealing his strength in advance and attracting the suspicion of the major nations? Nagato would never do that.

Although he is powerful, his body cannot withstand prolonged battles. He also plans to follow the examples of Terumi Mei and Rasa, remaining silent for three years and then making a stunning move to capture all the Tailed Beasts and fulfill his own dream.

"Reject Iwagakure's request." Nagato said indifferently. "Their mission carries too much risk."

Akatsuki is not only the members present, but also includes a large number of Amegakure shinobi who are not strong enough.

Nagato is not willing to sacrifice the lives of the Ame Shinobi just to obtain funds from Iwagakure.

Not to mention that if Natsuo takes action, even the current members of Akatsuki could die.

Before hunting the Tailed Beasts, he cannot allow Akatsuki to suffer such a huge loss.

Obito also agrees with Nagato's decision, and the others nod in agreement. Only Deidara, who came from Iwagakure, hesitated for a moment but finally said nothing.

Uchiha Itachi also squinted his eyes, remaining silent with a complex expression in his gaze.

Regardless, with Akatsuki's decision not to participate in the war, the fate of Iwagakure was determined.

After finishing speaking, Nagato's figure flashed and disappeared from the meeting.

Kisame let out a smile and mockingly added, "Our leader is really like an emotionless puppet..."

Konan, who hadn't left yet, looked at Kisame in surprise, not sure if it was just a random joke or if he had actually noticed something.

However, after observing Kisame for a while, she found nothing unusual about him. She can only consider it a coincidence.

Itachi, on the other hand, was very aware that Kisame seems to be... much more cheerful lately.

After this small exchange, everyone released the Magic Lantern Body Technique dispersing its projections.

...

Kakuzu opened his eyes, turned his ring, and then rubbed his chin. Since Akatsuki refused to cooperate with Iwagakure, they were no longer potential clients, so...

"I remember that Iwagakure has a new and powerful kunoichi, with excellent strength and great talent... What was her name? I think it was... Kurotsuchi?"

The turbulent situation in the ninja world had nothing to do with Kakuzu.

...

Natsuo, who had completed Tsunade's mission, spent his days eating, drinking, and working towards the revival of the Uchiha clan.

Except for Tsunade, who as Hokage could not fully dedicate herself to supporting Natsuo in the revival of the Uchiha clan. And other of his main wives that Natsuo focused on strengthening with his Renshu no Kankei, all the others dedicated themselves to the task of reviving the Uchiha clan.

Considering the feudal ideas prevalent in the Shinobi World that once a Kunoichi marries, they would become peaceful housewives who would not participate in battles. So taking care of the family wholeheartedly was her job.

Anyway, the Uchiha clan was not short of that amount of money, so it doesn't affect Natsuo that his wives become housewives.

Although there were exceptions like Anko, who was excited and wanted to go to the battlefield to make a name for herself, most of his wives wanted a quiet life. At most they continued their shinobi training, but they had no desire to join the battlefield.

But they were not idle either. Since Natsuo noticed that his children who had formed a bond with him, were stronger, more intelligent and developed some new abilities. He decided to let Yukino, along with his other wives, hire more tutors according to the children's abilities. Also because shinobi usually need to infiltrate or impersonate people with professions, there is a very complete educational system in the Shinobi World. The most complicated thing was that this system was not popular, but as members of the Uchiha clan, Natsuo decided to give his children the best education. And with more children in the Uchiha clan, most of his wives spent a lot of energy taking care of them.

...

As time passed, Sasuke and Naruto were about to graduate.

With Natsuo's occasional guidance to Naruto, he wasn't at all worried that Naruto wouldn't be able to graduate like in the Naruto Series. Or rather, it would be strange if he couldn't graduate.

However, unexpectedly, Naruto suddenly ran over with a terrified expression. "Natsuo, help me! There's something weird in my stomach!" He looked terrified, his face filled with panic. "Natsuo, I think there's a monster inside my stomach!"

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