"What, you're not going to welcome me?"
The Fourth Mizukage...
Hearing this voice, Yagura instantly sensed that something was wrong. The voice belonged neither to a Kirigakure high-ranking official nor to any of his Anbu subordinates. And yet, he hadn't sensed anyone approaching at all.
Yagura immediately went on high alert. Looking up, he saw three figures slowly emerge from the shadows outside the door: a young man, a strange-looking person, and an old man.
"Enemy attack!"
"How audacious! To think three people would dare to invade Kirigakure alone!"
"The three of you won't be leaving here alive today!"
At this moment, Yagura was in no mood to listen to the intruders' nonsense. He didn't know how the three had infiltrated, but the Anbu hadn't made a move. Either something had happened to them, or the intruders' stealth abilities were beyond imagination.
But Yagura had no time to dwell on it. He gripped his weapon and lunged at the old man before him. In his judgment, the old man was the greatest threat among the three. As long as he took him down, the other two would be no cause for concern.
Facing Yagura's sudden attack, the elderly Madara frowned slightly.
"Enough nonsense. Let's do this. The Ninja World these days has less and less respect for rules!"
As the old man finished speaking, a Three Tomoe Sharingan instantly appeared in the young man's eyes. This Uchiha youth stared intently at Yagura, his terrifying Eye Power paralyzing him on the spot, rendering him unable to move.
Yagura stared at the young man, his eyes filled with horror.
Damn it! I can't move my body!
"Who in the world are you?"
"You paralyzed me with a single glance, and you possess the Sharingan..."
Yagura looked at the old man, his eyes filled with fear, his voice trembling.
Hearing this, Madara Uchiha slowly walked to the Mizukage's chair and sat down. His gaze swept over everything in Kirigakure below as he spoke, "I am Madara Uchiha."
At the mention of this name, Yagura's pupils contracted violently. He stared in utter disbelief at the man sitting in his seat.
"Impossible! Madara Uchiha died long ago! You can't be him!"
"Who are you people?"
Faced with Yagura's repeated questions, Madara had no interest in answering. The Three Tomoe Sharingan in his eyes spun gently, and Yagura was instantly plunged into a Genjutsu. Although Yagura could no longer see, Madara's mastery of the Sharingan was already perfect.
Seeing the focus gradually fade from Yagura's eyes, leaving them vacant, Madara released the technique.
"Alright. From this day forward, you are Madara Uchiha."
"I will never leak any of our future plans!" the young man promised in a low voice.
"That's enough."
After speaking, Madara Uchiha slowly walked out of the office. Although he didn't say where he was going, the young man knew full well and did not try to stop him. This might be Madara's final move. The young man stared at the departing figure for a long time, lost in thought.
A long silence fell over the office before Black Zetsu spoke again. "Alright, from today on, we will control this Fourth Mizukage and carry out our plan!"
"Order him to cut off all of Kirigakure's external communication channels!"
Under the control of the two, Kirigakure was soon completely cut off from the outside world. Even the ninja on missions outside the village were all recalled. The Ninja World could no longer receive any news about Kirigakure.
Kirigakure's abnormal behavior soon reached the ears of the other Hidden Villages, leaving everyone baffled and completely unable to grasp the situation.
Meanwhile, in the Hidden Stone Village...
"Lord Tsuchikage, the envoy from Konoha has arrived!"
Hm?
Hearing the Anbu's report, Onoki raised an eyebrow. In the last war, Iwagakure had voluntarily withdrawn its troops and had not suffered significant losses. What was Konoha's intention in sending someone now?
Filled with doubt, Onoki decided to summon the visitor. Soon, a figure, escorted by the Anbu, walked into the Tsuchikage's Office. Seeing the person's face, Onoki raised his eyebrow again.
"Hmph, I didn't expect Konoha to send you."
"Aren't you afraid I'll kill you right now?"
Faced with Onoki's slightly threatening words, Minato just smiled faintly.
"Lord Third Tsuchikage, Lord Aoki sent me here precisely because I have the strength to prevent myself from being detained by you."
"Besides,"
"Are you sure you want to make a move against me? The moment you do, it means Iwagakure will once again be an enemy of Konoha! By then, even if Kumogakure wanted to rush to your aid, they would be too far away to be of any help."
Minato spoke calmly, and Onoki fell silent. He was well aware of the Land of Earth's current situation. It was already completely surrounded by Konoha, with the only escape route being the one that connected to Kumogakure through several small countries.
Listening to Minato Namikaze's words, a trace of apprehension grew in Onoki's heart. Kumogakure could sever ties with them at any moment, and then Iwagakure would truly be isolated. As he pondered, a smile suddenly appeared on his face.
"Hahaha, as expected of Konoha's Yellow Flash! Konoha is truly a cradle of geniuses."
Onoki praised him repeatedly, but his heart was filled with envy. Konoha's geographical location was uniquely advantageous, and geniuses emerged one after another. It was nothing like his own village, where he had to exhaust himself to cultivate just a few, while Konoha next door effortlessly produced a stream of rare talents. Anyone would feel jealous.
Hearing this, Minato respectfully placed the prepared list of supplies in front of Onoki. "We need Iwagakure to provide these supplies. Of course, Konoha will also provide corresponding assistance to Iwagakure."
Minato pointed to the scroll filled with a list of supplies. Onoki looked down at it, and his face instantly darkened with annoyance and anger. Konoha's actions were no different from extortion.
"I'd like to know what assistance Konoha can provide," Onoki said, his voice filled with fury.
Minato had anticipated Onoki's reaction from the moment he received this mission from Lord Aoki. Faced with his question, Minato thought for a moment before slowly replying, "Konoha's assistance is that we will not launch an attack on Iwagakure in the short term."
As soon as Minato's words fell, the office once again fell into a dead silence. Onoki and Minato stared at each other, Onoki's eyes screaming, "Are you kidding me?" while Minato's expression was serious, clearly indicating he was not joking.
In an instant, Onoki's anger completely erupted. A loud bang echoed as the desk in front of him was shattered on the spot. Enraged, Onoki used the Super Light-Weight Rock Technique and lunged straight at Minato.
"Good, good, good!"
"Just wonderful!"
"Does your Konoha really think it's number one in the Ninja World? Go back and tell your Fourth Hokage!"
"You underestimate Iwagakure too much!"
Onoki roared in fury. The Anbu outside the office heard the commotion and immediately rushed in, their eyes fixed on Minato, waiting only for Onoki's order to attack. But Onoki waved his hand, signaling them to withdraw.
He looked at Minato and said in a deep voice, "Considering you are an envoy, I will let you leave Iwagakure today. Take a message to that brat Aoki: we'll see each other on the battlefield! Iwagakure will never surrender!"
"As you command, Lord Tsuchikage!"
Minato replied in a low voice and immediately activated the Flying Thunder God Technique, leaving Iwagakure directly. He had known from the moment he arrived that these negotiations were destined to fail.
Using the Flying Thunder God Technique to return to Konoha in an instant, Minato immediately rushed to the Hokage's Office to report.
"Onoki did not agree."
"You've worked hard," Aoki replied faintly.
Aoki had already anticipated this outcome. Sending Minato was more of a preemptive measure, to prepare for the rejection in advance. Iwagakure's confidence rested entirely on its alliance with Kumogakure.
Compared to Onoki, Kumogakure's Third Raikage, and the future Fourth Raikage, were the real tough nuts to crack.
With negotiations having failed, they could only resort to force. But Iwagakure's situation was special. Aoki believed that as long as they took down Kumogakure, Onoki, being unable to clap with one hand, would eventually agree to merge.
After all, Aoki had no interest in the absurd fantasy of building some perfect world. His goal was to bring true peace to the entire Ninja World. Even if Onoki stubbornly refused, he had plenty of ways to deal with him.
"Alright, pass on my orders! Prepare for war with Kumogakure! The grand army will march to the Land of Lightning!"
With Aoki's command, Konoha's grand army quickly assembled once more. The current Konoha was far stronger than before, and soon, the entire army was gathered. In the ranks, besides the ninja from the major shinobi clans, there were also troops sent by the Wind Division.
The scale of this operation was unprecedented. After all, conquering the entire Land of Lightning, and the subsequent regions, required sufficient military strength. As for high-end combat power, Aoki would personally lead the army, accompanied by an entourage of elite ninja including the Three Legendary Sannin, Pakura, White Fang, Rasa, Minato, and Fugaku.
"Depart!"
With Aoki's command, Konoha's grand army set off with great momentum.
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