Chapter 145

Old Zi's intuition proved correct; the battlefield in Taki no Kuni was indeed dangerous. If Onoki's strength wasn't strong enough, the destructive power of Dust Release and the art of manipulating heavy rocks could have led to Lao Zi collecting Onoki's body.

After Sarutobi Hiruzen led the Konoha Shinōbi to Taki no Kuni, they bypassed the rendezvous with Hatake Sakumo and went straight to Takigakure, capturing the entire village within a day. On the second day, Sarutobi Hiruzen, accompanied by the Uchiha Clan Leader and Hyuga Clan, advanced towards Iwagakure. The elite Jonin and Jonin from each Shinōbi Clan followed closely behind, forming a sharp wedge that pierced through the defenses of Iwagakure in Taki no Kuni.

When Onoki arrived in Taki no Kuni, he was met with a chaotic situation beyond repair. Sarutobi Hiruzen, amidst the Shinōbi Clan Shinōbi and commoner Shinōbi, divided the spoils of war using the Ida system. Whoever contributed more would receive a greater share. The interests were shifting, and the Konoha Shinōbi faced by Onoki were a group of Shinōbi who knew why they were fighting. Each Konoha Shinōbi had been fighting for their lives, utilizing an "injury-for-injury and life-for-life" style of combat that led to the collapse of Iwagakure's Shinōbi.

Onoki was determined to turn the tides of battle. Every time he made a move, it was against Sarutobi Hiruzen. There was even a confrontation where he faced Sarutobi Hiruzen head-on, and Hatake Sakumo served as a backup, nearly killing Onoki. When Lao Zi arrived in Taki no Kuni, he witnessed the Iwagakure Shinōbi desperately retreating under the relentless pursuit of Konoha Shinōbi. The Iwa Shinōbi appeared worn out, and Onoki, carrying a wounded comrade on his back, clenched his teeth in frustration. A swift and precise blade, like flowing water, took down an Iwa Shinōbi. Lao Zi clearly saw the blade's trajectory.

"Hatake Sakumo, go to hell!" Lao Zi roared in anguish, his Bijū transformation revealing four tails and lava covering his body. After crossing paths with the Iwa Shinōbi, Sarutobi Hiruzen unleashed a lava waterfall with both hands and a surge of red Chakra light burst forth from his mouth. Facing Lao Zi's madness, Hatake Sakumo could only grit his teeth.

Lao Zi's timely intervention successfully halted Konoha's offensive. The immense destructive power and ranged attacks from his Bijū transformation prevented Konoha from launching any significant counterattacks. The situation turned into a stalemate resembling a showdown between two generals. However, Lao Zi only managed to stop Konoha's offensive; the decline of Iwagakure couldn't be reversed. After ten days of relentless attacks from Sarutobi Hiruzen, Iwagakure was forced out of Taki no Kuni.

Sarutobi Hiruzen realized, for the first time, the immense power that could be harnessed when great profits were at stake. It united the Shinōbi Clans, typically prone to infighting, to fight together as a cohesive force. Previously, Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't fully comprehend the true strength of the Kurama Clan, but now he did. Three members of the Kurama Clan combining their Kekei Genkai to use Genjutsu swiftly dismantled Lao Zi's Bijū transformation. The five members of the Akimichi Clan, when transformed into their giant forms, became like five road rollers, crushing Iwagakure's camp. The Nara Clan's shadow techniques paved a path through the air, allowing them to charge forward.

All in all, driven by the allure of immense profits, the Shinōbi Clans of Konoha unleashed their true power. They utilized joint Ninjutsu that they had never even dared to consider before. Takigakure fell in a single day, and Iwagakure was expelled from Taki no Kuni in ten days. Even though Sarutobi Hiruzen had made preparations, he never expected everything to go so smoothly. However, as they say, everything comes with trade-offs, especially under Murphy's law.

"Cursed Sunagakure, they've ruined everything," Sarutobi Hiruzen exclaimed angrily in front of a group of high-level Konoha Shinōbi in the former Takigakure leadership building.

Just moments ago, Sarutobi Hiruzen had been in a good mood. The Konoha Shinōbi he had sent to ambush Iwagakure's village in Ame no Kuni were intercepted by Rasa from Sunagakure, who led a thousand Suna Shinōbi at the border. As a result, his ambush plan failed, and he could only watch as Lao Zi escaped with the Iwagakure Shinōbi. This was a significant missed opportunity. If the ambush had succeeded and lasted for a day or two, Sarutobi Hiruzen would have had the confidence to kill Onoki and inflict severe damage on Iwagakure that would last for at least ten to twenty years.

"It's all over now. Kaminari no Kuni must have already reacted. Lao Zi wouldn't have come here if the border between our countries wasn't in jeopardy," Sarutobi Hiruzen lamented, rubbing his temples with a headache.

He had a sense of foreboding when he saw Lao Zi, and now, with the backstab plan also falling through, he knew the situation was only half successful. He had gained Taki no Kuni but failed in other aspects. Now, he had to face the furious onslaught from Kaminari no Kuni.

"Fortunately, Kirigakure's attention isn't here, and Sunagakure is just a worthless stick," Sarutobi Hiruzen said, trying to console himself, though his frustration was evident.

In Taki no Kuni, within the Takigakure village, the Uchiha Clan Leader looked happily at the spoils of war obtained by the Uchiha Clan. "Aiya, aiya, we've made a fortune this time. The wealth we've gained is enough to multiply the volume of the Uchiha Clan several times," he exclaimed, his heart filled with delight. He believed that he would be ranked among the top Uchiha Clan Leaders.

"Father, you called for me," Uchiha Fugaku said, entering with his signature poker face.

"Oh, Fugaku, come and take a look at the spoils of war obtained by the Uchiha," Uchiha Clan Leader greeted him swiftly, eager to share the good fortune with his son.

"Father, isn't this a bit excessive?" Uchiha Fugaku said with agitation and a hint of fear as he witnessed Sarutobi Hiruzen's plot. He couldn't help but wonder if it was a plot against the Uchiha Clan. The immense wealth they had acquired was overwhelming.

"It's alright, it doesn't matter whether it's a plot against us or not. Here's what I think: since you're still unmarried, and Hokage has a niece who has been raised as a girl, there's no need for you to get married. So, there's no need to worry about any plots," Uchiha Clan Leader laughed, amused by his own ideas. He believed that this plan could work.

Uchiha Fugaku was left speechless, feeling embarrassed by his father's unrestrained behavior. But considering the strictness of Uchiha's family laws, he nodded in response.