r18novel Chapter 125 He dared not, and could not!
Chapter 125 He dared not, and could not!
Onoki slammed the reel onto the desk.
Click!
Wood chips flew everywhere from the table, and Onoki's voice was laced with suppressed anger:
"It's the Yellow Earth side. They've lost squads one after another, but they can't even send back any decent intelligence. All they've got are a bunch of so-called guesses and analyses. I've completely lost face."
Ohnoki actually knows his son very well.
Huang Tu's strength is undeniable; he can directly confront a Tailed Beast.
But as for leadership skills... if he had the decisive and efficient abilities of the Fourth Raikage, he wouldn't have had to remain in the position of Tsuchikage for so many years.
After a moment of silence, a dark glint flashed in Onoki's eyes.
The Thousand Hands and Wood Release were words he feared throughout his life—no, they were the nightmare and fear of everyone in the ninja world except for Konoha.
The current concern is that the information sent back by Huang Tu cannot definitively confirm that it is the same kid they encountered outside Takigakure Village last time; everything is just speculation and analysis.
Therefore, if he were to personally intervene, it would inevitably trigger a chain reaction, causing the border conflict to spiral out of control.
From a border conflict to a large-scale national war... to be honest, as the Tsuchikage, he didn't want it to come to that.
The Fourth Shinobi World War has already happened three times, so a fourth one is bound to happen sooner or later.
Before that, recuperating, building up strength, and cultivating talent are the things that Iwagakure should be doing right now.
This border conflict itself stemmed from a probing assassination attempt and Konoha's subsequent retaliation.
If Konoha were to relent and agree to some compensation, he would readily back down and agree to peace talks.
But once war breaks out, it's not so easy to control.
As the conflict escalates, both sides will find themselves unable to control their own destiny...
Do not! !
Onoki shook his head vigorously, clearing his mind of the chaotic thoughts.
He felt these thoughts were somewhat "weak".
Iwagakure is one of the five great nations of the ninja world, and it has never been a pushover!
For peace talks to be successful, Iwagakure must hold an absolute advantage in order to secure the greatest gains at the negotiating table, to make up for the losses of elite troops like Bunya, and to preserve Iwagakure's reputation!
Thinking of this, Onoki jumped off the chair and paced back and forth a few times.
The air pressure around him suddenly became fierce, and only ruthlessness and determination remained in Onoki's eyes.
He doesn't need to take action himself; Iwagakure still has a trump card up its sleeve!
"Akazuchi!"
"exist!"
"Pass on my order: immediately send Lao Zi to the front lines to await Huang Tu's command!"
"Yes……"
After hesitating for a moment, Akatsuki finally mustered the courage to speak:
"Lord Zi... we had a big argument a few days ago, and I told you I didn't want to be used as a 'weapon' anymore. This time... will you obey my orders?"
When this matter was mentioned, Onoki's face grew even more gloomy.
He certainly remembers the argument.
Old Zi was dissatisfied with being bound for so long and resentful that the village only treated him as a tool. In the end, he even threatened to rebel against the village.
That won't do!
The village has invested so much effort and resources in training Jinchūriki, especially at this critical juncture when war has reignited... it's simply...
"Hmph, he wouldn't dare, and he couldn't!"
Onoki scoffed, "His power was bestowed upon him by the village. Old Purple, he can argue with me, he can be irritable, he can be rebellious, but first and foremost, he is an Iwagakure ninja!"
"yes!"
Chitu dared not say more and accepted the order to leave.
……
Another week has passed.
There were almost no traces of Iwagakure around the supply line.
Konoha Camp
——Logistics outpost
The four members of the Shadow Guard met up and shared intelligence about their respective areas of responsibility.
"It's been half a month. The area north of the supply line has been basically cleared. A few scattered Iwa ninja have escaped into the Land of Rain. Zou and I did not pursue them further."
Xiyan reports to the director.
Kakashi nodded upon hearing this and said in a deep voice:
"Your approach is fine. The neutral Land of Rain has a 'demigod of the ninja world.' Don't drag the Rain Ninja into this unless absolutely necessary."
A thought struck Qingwu: a demigod... Hanzo the Salamander? At this point in time... he's probably already been killed by Nagato.
However, it could potentially involve diplomatic disputes.
With some Iwa ninja escaping, there was no need for him and Yugao to cause any further trouble.
In any case, the Iwa ninja will most likely not dare to come for the time being.
"The south side has also been cleared," Kakashi said. "Some Iwa ninja also escaped and entered the Land of Rivers and the Land of Wind."
After a pause, Kakashi said, "I have already negotiated with the border of the Land of Wind on behalf of Konoha, asking them to assist in capturing the Iwa ninja. As for whether Sunagakure will do so, I don't know."
After the Third Shinobi World War, Sunagakure and Konoha, who had suffered the most severe defeats, reconciled.
Even if they are allies, would Sunagakure offend the powerful Iwagakure for this? Kakashi believes that it is highly unlikely.
There are too many intricacies between countries, and the interests involved are also very complex.
In short!
Kakashi looked at the three of them and said, "The mission is complete. I will report to Lord Shikaku later. Whether to stay on the battlefield or go back depends on the Hokage's decision."
"Understood!" the three said in unison.
Xi Yan turned to look at Qing Wu and said in a relaxed tone, "I didn't expect going to the battlefield to be so scary. You completed the mission so quickly."
Tianzang opened his mouth, then couldn't help but say, "With the blue... elephant around, of course there's no danger."
Spending so much time together, the bond between the four members of the Shadow Guard deepened. Xi Yan, unusually, jokingly asked, "What? Still blaming me for stealing your... elephant?"
Tianzang: "..."
"Alright," Kakashi stood up. "You guys take a rest. You've been busy for half a month, you must be tired."
……
Kakashi returned after dark, bringing with him Nara Shikaku's orders: Remain on standby!
In Shikaku's words, even the Hokage probably didn't expect the Shadow Guard to complete the mission so quickly and so well.
Kakashi said, "I'll have at least one S-rank mission record. Now I'll just have to wait for the Hokage's next instructions."
The other three members of the Shadow Guard naturally had no objections.
With the supply lines cleared, there's no need to go out for the time being. The area around the stronghold has also been taken over by Qingwu's "spirit beasts," so we can finally rest for a while.
After leaving the tent, the four planned to go off separately to rest.
Tianzang glanced at the horizon and suddenly said, "Haven't you noticed anything strange tonight?"
Xi Yan followed his gaze and said casually, "A fiery sunset, huh? Looks like tomorrow will be a beautiful day."
She turned her head and said meaningfully, "It's a rare day off, how about we go for a walk around the neighborhood tomorrow? I'll make some bento boxes to take with us, so we can relax a bit."
"A picnic?" Qingwu was intrigued. "It's time to relax."
His current personal level is 34, and he has only leveled up twice in half a month, which is too slow. He is still a long way from reaching level 40 and getting the new magic.
Most of the time was spent searching for the "rat".
"I'm not going." Kakashi waved his hand lazily. "If you're going to rest, you should act like you're resting."
Upon hearing this, Xi Yan said coldly, "Tian Cang must be tired too. You are the youngest and need plenty of sleep."
What are you saying...? Qingwu realized it too late.
Xiyan wants to go out with me alone?