Chapter 84: Alliance and Regret

Chapter 84: Chapter 84: Alliance and Regret

The roar swept across the land. After the flash of white light, the Hidden Sand, once one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages, was completely erased.

Beneath his feet, the Hidden Sand had become a complete ruin, with no trace of life remaining.

Whoosh!

Coincidentally, rain began to fall from the sky.

In this arid land, a torrential downpour poured forth.

The long-parched desert earth, after losing those who had most yearned for this rain, finally received its blessing.

Listening to the constant notifications of defeat ringing in his ears, Uchiha Xuan’s expression remained calm.

Killing had never had any effect on his thoughts.

What he did, he did with a clear conscience.

Whether it was slaughtering a village or destroying a nation, he would never show mercy to anyone who stood in his path.

"It’s time to return... to Konohagakure."

His faint voice fell into the rain, seemingly plain yet carrying a hint of... sorrow?

...

Several days later.

Land of Iron.

Onoki looked grimly at the Third Raikage A before him.

"A, this war between the Hidden Stone and the Hidden Cloud must stop!" ℯℯ𝑙.

"What, scared, shorty?"

The Third Raikage A stood up, looking down at Onoki with disdain.

"Hmph, you must have received the intelligence. The Hidden Sand Village... has been completely annihilated by Konohagakure! Since you’re here, you must share the same thoughts as I do!

Though you look like you have no brains, I don’t believe you’re just a brute who only knows how to swing a sword."

Faced with the Third Raikage A’s mockery, Onoki ignored it and spoke in a low, serious tone.

Having fought against the Third Raikage A for so long, Onoki was very familiar with this old rival.

Seemingly a brute, but in reality, he was rough yet meticulous.

"Heh, still as foul-mouthed as ever, shorty. Speak, what’s your plan?"

Hearing this, the Third Raikage curled his lips, then narrowed his eyes and spoke gravely.

"Cease the war! Recover and rebuild! Wait for time to cool the hatred spawned by this war... then form an alliance to strike Konohagakure together!!

At the same time, try to make contact with the Mizukage of the Hidden Mist Village and draw them into our alliance as well. The current strength of Konohagakure... I can’t see through it."

Onoki’s expression was extremely grim. The more he learned about Uchiha Xuan’s intelligence, the clearer the figure of one person became in his mind.

’The Ninja World... must never allow another Uchiha Madara to appear!!’

"Heh, you don’t have much credibility, shorty. A title like ’Two Scales’... even I find it... heh."

The Third Raikage A narrowed his eyes, staring intently at Onoki’s troubled expression.

Onoki, known as "Two Scales" for his cunning, adeptness at balancing interests, and maintaining the Hidden Stone’s stance in turbulent times.

It was hard to trust the words of such a man in a conference room.

"A, I have no mood to argue with you over these pointless things now. You should understand in your heart the ambition of Konohagakure!!"

If it weren’t for the war between our villages making it difficult to form an alliance now, I would even suggest joining forces immediately to attack Konohagakure.

You must understand that while we are recuperating, Konohagakure is also recuperating! And Konohagakure is the cradle of geniuses!!"

Onoki watched Third Raikage A with a grim expression as he spoke loudly.

At this moment, he was beginning to doubt whether he had misjudged Third Raikage A. Could A truly be a fool?

"I heard you, I heard you. No need to shout so loudly. Seventy percent—I want seventy percent of the benefits after crushing Konohagakure. If the Hidden Mist Village joins in, then I’ll take sixty percent."

Upon hearing this, Third Raikage A casually picked at his ear before speaking softly, his indifferent tone suggesting he would turn and leave immediately if Onoki refused.

"....You truly possess.....unreasonable greed. Deal!"

Looking at Third Raikage A in this state, Onoki shot him a disdainful glance before speaking in a low voice.

For Onoki, the most important thing now was to completely crush Konohagakure, or rather...to completely crush Uchiha Xuan!

As for benefits? Those were things to be discussed only after everything was over.

"I’ve already negotiated with the Daimyo of the Land of Earth. Given your relationship with the Daimyo of the Land of Lightning, there shouldn’t be any issues there.

Moreover, we can now also approach the Daimyo of the Land of Wind. The events in the Hidden Sand Village....he should be very concerned about them."

Onoki continued, speaking in a deep voice.

"Understood. However, what about the Hidden Mist Village? Have you let go of what happened to your teacher?"

After getting the answer he wanted, a smile appeared on Third Raikage’s face as he looked at Onoki curiously.

He knew that Onoki’s teacher, that short-statured man, had died at the hands of the Hidden Mist Village.

"Before crushing Konohagakure, I must set aside my teacher’s grudge. Given Konohagakure’s strength, an alliance of four nations and three villages must be established. Even.....those smaller villages can be brought into the fold."

Onoki stood up and gazed in the direction of Konohagakure, his eyes cold as he spoke in a low voice.

The fear that figure had instilled in him should also come to an end!!

"Your resolve is truly.....In that case, have your village’s Roushi and Han come to the Land of Lightning. Don’t worry, I won’t do anything underhanded.

It’s just that, to deal with Konohagakure, your Hidden Stone Village still needs to boost its strength further. We possess a method to reconcile Jinchuriki with their Tailed Beasts."

Looking at Onoki, Third Raikage A grinned before speaking.

He admitted that Onoki, as he was now—without resorting to schemes and tricks—had earned his approval.

.....

Graveyard of Mountains.

Inside the underground cave.

A smile played on Uchiha Madara’s face.

"Interesting, truly fascinating. I never expected the Uchiha clan of today to produce such an Uchiha, hahahahaha, what a pity...what a pity you were born too late..

If you could have appeared in the same era as me, perhaps the Ninja World would be a different sight today. Unfortunately, I... have already seen through this world with these eyes.

Keep up your antics. I am curious—with strength equal to my younger self, and without Hashirama’s interference—just how far you can walk down that mistaken path..."

Uchiha Madara’s voice, tinged with regret yet carrying a hint of anticipation, echoed through the underground cavern.

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