Chapter 264: Ōnoki's Grand Strategy
Ōnoki's usually placid, ancient expression instantly darkened. It was a terrifying sight.
How many years had it been?
Since he ascended to the position of Sandaime Tsuchikage (Third Tsuchikage), how many years had it been since anyone—let alone a young Kumogakure representative—dared to speak to him in such a defiant tone, making thinly veiled threats!
But Ōnoki, the Ryōtenbin (The Two Scales), had to admit the crushing truth. There was no other way but to form an alliance.
Konoha was simply too strong now. Its cold, brutal, surgical ability to annex Sunagakure (Village Hidden in the Sand) so quickly—demonstrated by the lightning-fast destruction of their border—meant that its power was something neither Kumogakure (Village Hidden in the Clouds) nor Iwagakure (Village Hidden in the Stones) could possibly contend with alone.
Time passed, minute by agonizing minute. The tension in the Tsuchikage's office was suffocating.
Ōnoki closed his eyes.
In his mind, countless strategic options, defensive maneuvers, and historical precedents flashed wildly, being analyzed and discarded.
An alliance with Kumogakure was akin to playing with fire. Ay, the Yondaime Raikage (Fourth Raikage), was a reckless brute. Arrogant, self-righteous, valuing only brute force. Definitely not a good, trustworthy ally.
But... if there was no alliance, what then?
Konoha's military might could point towards Iwagakure at any moment. Hidden Sand Village served as a terrifying cautionary tale.
Currently, Iwagakure alone was simply no match for Uchiha Akira and his unified, fanatic Konoha. Without an alliance, there was a constant, immediate risk of being devoured.
Ōnoki recalled the terrible, visceral scene of facing Uchiha Madara decades ago. His frail, ancient body trembled slightly even now.
He did not want to experience that bone-deep, humiliating sense of powerlessness a second time.
After a long, protracted silence that stretched the patience of everyone present, Ōnoki finally slowly opened his eyes. They were sharp, focused, and utterly ruthless.
He looked at Darui across from him.
"An alliance is possible, Darui."
Darui grinned upon hearing this. He knew that Ōnoki had no choice; an alliance was an inevitable, forced decision for Iwa's survival.
"However, I have three proposals. And I hope Kumogakure will cooperate with them fully, without argument." Ōnoki continued, his tone regaining its usual commanding authority.
Darui raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Please elaborate, Lord Tsuchikage. We are listening."
"First." Ōnoki held up one gnarled, ancient finger.
"The alliance agreement cannot be signed in Iwagakure. Nor can it be signed in Kumogakure. To ensure maximum impartiality and seriousness..."
"We will go to the Land of Iron (鉄の国, Tetsu no Kuni)."
"Let General Mifune of the Land of Iron serve as the official witness for our two Village's alliance!"
Darui, Kitsuchi, and Kurotsuchi were all momentarily stunned upon hearing this.
Go to the Land of Iron? Mifune?
This proposal was, politically, brilliant.
The Land of Iron was a permanently neutral country, home only to the Samurai. General Mifune's reputation as a samurai leader carried significant, incorruptible weight across the entire Shinobi World.
Having him as an impartial witness would indeed maximize the legitimacy and fairness of the agreement, preventing either party from secretly tampering with it or reneging on their word later.
"Alright, Lord Tsuchikage." Darui nodded in agreement with almost no hesitation. "That is acceptable. The Raikage values honor. We will sign in the Land of Iron."
"Second." Ōnoki held up a second, trembling finger. A cold, cunning smile—the smile of a predator—appeared on his face.
"Since we are already going to the Land of Iron, merely having Mifune as a witness would be a waste of his considerable talent and influence."
"Konoha's current power already threatens the balance of the entire Shinobi World. I believe General Mifune sees this very clearly."
"Therefore, I propose that the Samurai of the Land of Iron also be brought into our alliance!"
"For this, Darui, I hope the Raikage can cooperate fully and persuade General Mifune with the gravity of Konoha's actions."
What?!
Darui was taken completely aback. Recruit the Samurai!
This old man had an absolutely colossal appetite!
Although Samurai did not possess world-destroying ninjutsu like shinobi, they were still a formidable, professional force.
Especially the elite Samurai of the Land of Iron. They wore Chakra-conducting armor, wielded sharp blades, and their swordsmanship was legendary. They posed a great, specialized threat to ordinary shinobi on the battlefield!
More importantly, the Land of Iron had always maintained absolute neutrality.
If they could be drawn into the conflict, it would mean that this war would no longer be merely a confrontation between Shinobi Villages.
Instead, it would instantly be framed as the entire Shinobi World's organized resistance against Konoha, the "hegemon" and "tyrant"!
Its political and ideological significance far outweighed its military significance!
"This…" Darui stammered, running a hand over his tired face. This matter was far beyond his authority to decide.
He looked at Ōnoki's determined face. "Lord Tsuchikage, this requires the immediate consultation of the Raikage. But I see the wisdom in it."
"Third." Ōnoki held up his final, third finger.
"Who is most afraid of Konoha annexing Hidden Sand Village?"
"It's not us Iwagakure. Our borders are defensible."
"Nor is it you Kumogakure. Your power is great."
"It's the small Shinobi Villages! The ones caught between the great nations, struggling to survive in the cracks! The Grass Village (Kusa), the Waterfall Village (Taki), Amegakure (Ame)..."
"Hidden Sand Village, one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages, disappeared just like that. Do you think the leaders of those small Villages can still sleep soundly now?"
"They all know in their hearts that it might be their turn next!"
Darui nodded, reluctantly agreeing with Ōnoki's harsh, pragmatic assessment. Fear was the most powerful motivator.
"Therefore, we must not only ally with Kumogakure and the Land of Iron... but we must also ally with all the small Shinobi Villages that now desperately fear Konoha!"
"In the joint name of our Iwagakure and Kumogakure, we will issue a formal, desperate call to the entire Shinobi World!"
"The message will be simple: If you don't want your Village to be erased from the map, there is only one path to take!"
"That is... join us!"
"Join our Shinobi Allied Forces (忍連合軍, Shinobi Rengōgun), resisting Konoha's tyranny!"
Shinobi Allied Forces!
This old fox! He actually intended to form a full-scale, historical Shinobi Allied Forces!
At this moment, Darui finally, fully understood Ōnoki's meticulous plan.
From the very beginning—from the moment he agreed to the alliance—this old fox Ōnoki had never intended to form a simple one-on-one pact with only Kumogakure.
What he wanted was to bind all the forces in the entire Shinobi World that could be united, onto the war chariot!
Using the Land of Iron (Mifune) to instantly increase the legitimacy and global righteousness of the alliance.
Then, drawing in the small, expendable Shinobi Villages to serve as the first line of defense against Konoha. Cannon fodder. To deplete Konoha's resources!
The shinobi of these small Villages might not be strong, but they were numerous! Hundreds, even thousands, of disposable ninja surging onto the battlefield would definitely give Konoha a headache!
They would be the perfect cannon fodder on the future battlefield!
One step, two steps, three steps... This old man had calculated everything from the moment he woke up three days ago!
Unbeknownst to Ōnoki, a layer of cold sweat had already seeped out on Darui's back. He felt a profound mix of relief and terror that Iwagakure was on his side.
Kurotsuchi and Kitsuchi, who were standing nearby, had also recovered from their initial shock.
They looked at their grandfather/father with eyes full of fervent, proud admiration for his strategic brilliance.
"How about it, Darui?" Ōnoki looked down at the younger man, his eyes challenging him.
Darui did not ponder for too long.
Ōnoki's plan was equally beneficial to Kumogakure, with no harm. It was politically sound.
It could even be said that it was more perfect than what the hotheaded Lord Raikage had initially envisioned!
"Hoo…" Darui let out a long breath.
"Lord Tsuchikage, you win. Your vision is... unparalleled."
"On behalf of our Lord Raikage, I agree to all three of these conditions."
"I will immediately return to Kumogakure and inform Lord Raikage of your plan, exactly as it is. We will begin issuing the call for the Shinobi Allied Forces immediately."
Subsequently, Darui did not linger, turning and striding out of the meeting room with grim urgency.
Watching Darui's retreating, determined figure, a satisfied, ancient smile finally appeared on Ōnoki's face.
"Uchiha Akira…" he murmured to himself, floating higher.
"Do you think annexing one Hidden Sand Village is enough for Konoha to dominate the Shinobi World?"
"This world is far more complex than a mere display of brute force. The real war, the political war, has only just begun."
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