Chapter 183 Deidara: Konoha is full of talented people, and they speak so well.
"Mr. Iwata from Takigakure is currently in our Konoha." Uchiha Touko said.
"Is that so? How much support does Konoha plan to provide them this time?" Onoki sneered.
"Heh, Tsuchikage, you jest. Since your special military operation began, Konoha has not provided any support to Takigakure. What we have given them are only humanitarian supplies for the people of Takigakure." Uchiha Touko said without changing his expression.
"So, according to you, those explosive tags in Takigakure's military camp that bear the logo of your Land of Fire's ninja tool factory just appeared out of thin air?" Onoki gritted his teeth.
"Hasn't Konoha already explained this? It's all normal business practice." Uchiha Touko said.
"Enough, is the Hokage making this video call with us just to make excuses?" Onoki said.
"Of course not," Uchiha Touko said. "This war has displaced countless innocent civilians, and it's time for it to end."
"Konoha is willing to act as a mediator between your village and Takigakure. What does the Tsuchikage think?"
"Is the Hokage joking?" Onoki scoffed. "This war has lasted for two years; how can it be stopped so easily?"
"In that case, let Konoha be your village's opponent, how about that?" Uchiha Touko said calmly. "Then you can fight for as long as you want."
Onoki's expression turned serious upon hearing Uchiha Touko's words. Two years ago, if Uchiha Touko had this attitude, he wouldn't have tolerated it; war would have been the only option.
But now, after two years of war, although Iwagakure had maintained an overall advantage, they hadn't gained any substantial benefits. What territory had they acquired through the war? The barren lands in the northwest of the Land of Waterfall were so bad that even if they were given to the Land of Earth for free, they might not want them. And the mineral-rich lands within the Land of Waterfall were all in the southeast, completely out of their reach.
Furthermore, after two years of war, the Land of Earth had suffered devastating financial losses, and anti-war sentiment had risen considerably within its borders. Even the ninjas of Iwagakure were secretly wondering if the war should have never started.
Under these circumstances, if Konoha were to intervene, it would be questionable whether the Land of Earth could even emerge unscathed from this war.
After taking a deep breath, Onoki said, "What does Your Majesty mean by this? Have you forgotten that our two villages signed a non-aggression pact? Does Your Majesty intend to tear up this pact?"
"Of course not. Who in the entire ninja world doesn't know that I, Uchiha Tokō, am the most trustworthy?" Uchiha Tokō said. "However, Your Majesty should carefully consider my suggestion. The mainstream voice in the ninja world is still peace. Some things can be resolved at the negotiating table."
After a moment of silence, Onoki finally spoke, "When will the negotiations take place?"
"A week from now. I will be in Konoha, awaiting your arrival," Uchiha Tokō said. "However, Your Majesty, could you first show us some sincerity?"
"I will issue an order shortly to have the border troops temporarily cease their attack," Onoki said, staring intently at Uchiha Tokō.
"Thank you for your concessions for peace," said Uchiha Touko. "Konoha will also intervene to ensure that Takigakure's army exercises restraint."
"I hope so," Onoki replied, then hung up the call.
...
Two weeks later, Onoki arrived in Konoha as promised and, witnessed by Uchiha Touko, held his first meeting with Iwata Sawamoto since the start of the war.
With Konoha's mediation, both sides exchanged views extensively, enhancing mutual understanding. The talks were beneficial, but both sides remained reserved about the current outcome.
Currently, the core of the dispute lies in Iwagakure's greatest loss in this war: the Five-Tails, Kokuo, and its Jinchūriki, captured by Akatsuki.
Onoki demanded that Takigakure take responsibility, but Iwata Sawamoto disagreed, angrily denouncing Onoki as an executioner during the negotiations, claiming the loss of the Tailed Beasts was entirely Iwagakure's fault.
Due to his agitated remarks, Konoha, as the host of the meeting, politely asked him to leave the negotiation venue.
Onoki clearly stated that if the Five-Tails issue wasn't resolved, the war would not end easily.
Onoki's intention was clear: the Land of Waterfall must hand over its tailed beast as compensation. However, Uchiha Touko would certainly not agree to this condition, as the Seven-Tails was now practically Konoha's property, and they couldn't simply hand it over so easily.
To push the negotiations forward, Uchiha Touko could only promise to help Iwagakure retrieve the Five-Tails from Akatsuki in the future. After further haggling, Onoki reluctantly agreed to the conditions.
With Onoki and Iwata Sawaki, who was forced to sign under pressure, signing the ceasefire agreement, this war, which had lasted for nearly three years, finally came to an end.
Just as Uchiha Touko had said at the beginning of the war, the glory of this war belonged to the Land of Waterfall.
As for who owned the land and minerals? That wasn't important. What mattered was that the Land of Waterfall had shown the ninja world their power in this war, exclusively claiming this unparalleled glory. After signing the agreement, Onoki had no intention of staying in Konoha any longer and planned to return to the Land of Earth that very night. However, before leaving, Onoki hadn't forgotten that he still had a disciple studying in Konoha.
"
Hokage, have Deidara come over. I'll take him with me," Onoki said, sipping tea brewed by Uchiha Touko in his office. "Of course," Uchiha Touko said with a smile. "Now that the war is over, it's time for Deidara to go home. I'll call him over right away."
Uchiha Touko summoned an ANBU member and asked him to inform Deidara. "That kid must have caused you quite a bit of trouble these past two years, right?" Onoki remarked after the ANBU member left.
"Not at all. Deidara is a very sensible child," Uchiha Touko replied.
"You're too kind, Hokage. I know perfectly well how much of a headache my own disciple is," Onoki said, waving his hand. Although he initially sent Deidara to Konoha to annoy Uchiha Touko, after more than two years, Onoki genuinely missed his disciple.
However, the ANBU who went to deliver the message quickly returned to the Hokage Building, bringing back Deidara's words: "Let that old man go back alone. I'm too lazy to go back to Iwagakure. I feel much better in Konoha than in Iwagakure.
Everyone in Konoha is talented, and they're all so nice to talk to."
Upon hearing the ANBU's message, veins bulged on Onoki's forehead. He glanced at Uchiha Touko before looking at the ANBU who had delivered the message, gritting his teeth, "Did that brat really say them.
"Don't be angry, Tsuchikage. He's just a kid; it's normal for him to be a little rebellious," Uchiha Touko said cheerfully. "How about we go and try to talk him out of it ourselves?"
"It's been too long since we've dealt with him! He's gone too far!" Onoki slammed his hand on the table and stood up. "Where is that brat now?"
Having no other choice, Uchiha Touko led Onoki to the construction site currently managed by the Yamato Construction Group.
However, before they even arrived, a deafening explosion suddenly erupted, sending a massive mushroom cloud soaring into the sky.
Hearing this familiar commotion, Onoki's lips twitched, and he looked at Uchiha Touko, seemingly trying to find a hint of annoyance on his face.
But Uchiha Touko continued walking forward without changing his expression.
"Heh, I'm really sorry, my disciple has caused trouble for Konoha," Onoki said, but his face wore the expression most commonly seen on the face of a parent who lets their unruly child run wild.
However, upon arriving at the scene of the explosion, the scene completely surprised Onoki.
"Deidara's awesome! This explosion's range and power are even greater than last time." A man wearing a safety helmet said after handing Deidara water.
As the smoke from the explosion gradually dissipated, several more men came to the edge of the crater to take measurements. They returned to Deidara, exclaiming in amazement,
"Deidara's skills are getting more and more refined! The data is exactly the same as the blueprints! I thought we'd have to manually refine it after this explosion."
"Of course!" Deidara laughed heartily, flattered by the group. "Recently, I've been studying the precise control of the yield! After all, as the Hokage once said, precision is the difference between slaughter and surgery." "
You guys get back to work," Deidara said with a smile to the workers around him. "I have another site to rush to. Mr. Yamato is already waiting for me there."
After saying this, Deidara took out a piece of clay, kneaded it a couple of times, shaped it into a large bird, and then jumped onto its back.
"Deidara, please take care," the workers around Deidara said respectfully.
Just then, Onoki's voice rang in Deidara's ears.
"Deidara!"
Deidara was startled when he heard the voice, then turned around and saw Onoki standing next to Uchiha Touko, glaring at him angrily. He frowned slightly and said,
"Old man?" Deidara said impatiently, "Didn't I tell you? You can go back by yourself."
"What were you doing just now?" Onoki looked at his rebellious disciple and asked after taking a deep breath.
"Didn't you see? I was practicing my art!" Deidara said impatiently. However, upon seeing Uchiha Touko, Deidara's expression changed. He flew to Uchiha Touko's side on his clay bird, his face beaming as if showing off a treasure. "Uncle Hokage, did you see that? My perfect control over the power of explosions!"
"Impressive!" Uchiha Touko clapped his hands and said, "In the art of explosions, I, Uchiha Touko, acknowledge you as the strongest."
"Hahaha! I knew it!" Deidara laughed heartily upon hearing Uchiha Touko's words.
"What exactly has this kid been doing for you these past two years?" Onoki looked at the two who seemed to be getting along extremely well, and a strange feeling welled up within him.
Damn it, it seems like I'm the one who's been teaching this kid ninjutsu by hand seals, and this kid has never been this polite to me.
"As you can see, Deidara is now the chief demolition expert for Yamato Construction, the largest construction group in Konoha," Uchiha Touko laughed. "Konoha's current development speed is largely thanks to Deidara; he's deeply loved by the villagers."
Indeed, besides being Yamato's chief demolition expert, Deidara also works as Konoha's fireworks master. His colorful fireworks show during this year's New Year's celebration was widely praised in Konoha. Even though today is a weekday, on weekends, many villagers with free time travel long distances to Deidara's construction sites to enjoy his performance.
Upon hearing this, Onoki's face contorted in disgust. So, this disciple, hated by everyone in Iwagakure, had become an idol in Konoha?
Moreover, Onoki recalled the various unprecedented and bizarre buildings he had seen in Konoha these past few days—was Deidara's contribution partly to them? Was he aiding the enemy? Did this kid even know?
"Deidara, get down here and come back with me!" Onoki yelled.
"No way!" Deidara raised his head and turned to fly away.
"Come back here! Doesn't Iwagakure have a place for you to showcase your art?" Onoki asked. "Come back with me now, and I'll clear out a spot for you to blow up to your heart's content, okay?"
"Those bumpkins in Iwagakure don't understand how to appreciate my art." Deidara curled his lip, unmoved by Onoki's offer.
"Only Konoha and the Hokage can truly appreciate my art!" Deidara said.
"Didn't you realize he was just fooling you?" Onoki was so angry he didn't even notice Uchiha Touko was right there.
"I won't allow you to talk about the Hokage like that!" Deidara directly confronted Onoki.
...
In the end, Onoki did take Deidara away, but according to the workers present, the screams at the scene that day seemed even louder than the explosions their beloved Deidara had caused.
The conflict between the Land of Waterfalls and the Land of Earth had come to an end, but the Hidden Mist Village, now divided into North and South, continued to be embroiled in conflict.
Northern Hidden Mist, led by Mei Terumi, was burdened with enormous debts from Kumogakure, leaving both civilians and ninjas impoverished. This was a stark contrast to Southern Hidden Mist, which was rapidly developing with Konoha's aid. Consequently, some Northern Hidden Mist villagers, unable to endure their hardships, chose to migrate south to the Peach Garden.
Meanwhile, in Southern Hidden Mist, led by Seiman Takagi, some who could no longer tolerate the Konoha garrison's abuses within their village also chose to migrate south to the Peach Garden.
The back-and-forth between the two sides was quite lively.
Read 100+ advanced chapters ahead on Patreon!
patreon.com/Horizons685
(End of Chapter)