Sincerity

"Sincerity?"

Sakura Haruno's lips curled into a cold smile. She stepped forward, staring intently at the Raikage, and said disdainfully, "Sincerity doesn't mean not fighting back when attacked or insulted!"

Glancing at the Fourth Raikage's grim expression, she said solemnly, "Lord Raikage, please understand one thing: this alliance is not Konoha asking Kumogakure to join the Ninja Village Alliance!"

"On the contrary, it is necessary for your village to join this alliance!" she said slowly. "Of course, you can choose not to join... but in that case, do you really think that the Kumogakure, which is independent of the Four-Village Alliance, can remain unscathed instead of being treated as a soft target and being the first to be crushed?"

The Raikage's expression grew increasingly grim.

"I'm not threatening you," the girl said calmly. "Our various ninja villages are currently banding together to weather this crisis. You need us, and we need you."

Therefore, the so-called sincerity cannot be a one-sided effort from Konoha alone!

The Fourth Raikage A, took a deep breath.

In this world that worships might, Sakura Haruno's demonstrated strength forced him to take her words seriously.

"In other words, we Kumogakure Ninja also need to make the same promise as you, put aside our hatred for Konoha, and fight together against the enemy?"

He asked in a gruff voice.

"That's right!"

Sakura Haruno nodded. "This is an alliance, not one side becoming the vassal of the other... Therefore, both sides in the alliance should show equal sincerity! In fact, it's not just about putting aside the hatred between Konoha and Kumogakure Ninja to achieve a five-village alliance; all the other ninja villages must also set aside their past grudges, including your Kumogakure Ninja and Stone Ninja!"

"Impossible!" Raikage's eyes widened, and without hesitation, he waved his hand and shouted.

"The blood feud between us and the Stone Ninja is far greater than the minor skirmishes with Konoha!"

Since their feud began during the First Shinobi World War, these two ninja villages have been locked in a love-hate relationship for over forty years.

Both being mountain ninja villages, the Kumogakure Ninjas are either graceful and agile or fierce and brutal; while the Stone Ninjas are steady, reliable, and unyielding, which is the exact opposite.

Similar circumstances, close geographical proximity, and drastically different personalities led to constant friction between the Stone Ninja and the Kumogakure Ninja, eventually turning them into irreconcilable enemies!

If the new feud between the Kumogakure Ninja and the Konoha can be let go or forgiven, then the long-standing grudges and deep-seated hatred between the Kumogakure Ninja and the Stone Ninja have long been so intense that they are irreconcilable!

"We can accept cooperating with Konoha against our enemies... but joining forces with Stone Ninja? Even if I agreed, my subordinates would never do it!" A's beard bristled, spittle flying as he spoke. "Similarly, those rock-headed Iwa Stone Ninja will never let go of their blood feud with us!"

"Times have changed, Lord Raikage."

Sakura Haruno said with a cold and serious expression.

"Perhaps you are right for your generation," the girl shook her head and said, "However, the Shinobi World has been peaceful for over ten years. For the new generation of ninjas who grew up in peace, hatred can be passed down, but it's not as deeply ingrained as experiencing it firsthand..."

Sakura Haruno looked around.

There are certainly young and impulsive people like Karui, but... most people remained restrained after being provoked by her.

"Moreover, when faced with annihilation, when confronted with a choice between life and death... even the most stubborn ninja will not dwell on the past, but will choose to fight bravely and cooperate with the enemy!"

"I believe that the Kumogakure Ninja and the Stone Ninja are not so narrow-minded."

Raikage A glanced at Sakura Haruno, slowly lowered his eyelids, and half-closed his large, bell-shaped eyes, silently pondering.

Suddenly.

"Hmph, since Konoha is like this, I'll trust you for now." He abruptly flung his hand away and said in a deep voice, "But!"

The Raikage's eyebrows twitched, his voice sharp and menacing as he roared, "However, if that old bastard Tsuchikage Two Scales dares to try anything funny... then within the Ninja Village Alliance, it's either me or him!"

Sakura Haruno stared intently at Ai, her expression solemn.

Ai's voice was rough and bold; even when he spoke calmly, there was a hint of malice in it. When he uttered harsh words, his momentum was even more turbulent, like an erupting volcano, making people tremble.

But the girl's expression remained unchanged, her demeanor calm.

After a long while, she smiled.

"I suppose the Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki of the Two Scales, has made the same promise..." Sakura Haruno smiled faintly, seemingly oblivious to the Raikage's imposing manner, and said, "As long as no one joins the alliance with the intention of causing trouble, then the Five Villages Alliance shouldn't have any major problems."

"We are confident that we can work together sincerely and overcome these difficulties."

"Hmph, don't be so quick to say that." Raikage snorted and waved his hand, "You've passed this question, but there's an even more important one!"

Who will lead the Allied Ninja Village Forces?

He stood in front of Sakura Haruno.

The height difference meant that Ai had to lower his head and scan downwards to see the girl's cold and aloof face.

This gives off a somewhat condescending feeling.

Using certain methods to increase one's own pressure and the other party's pressure, thereby forcing the other party to make some concessions, is a clichéd tactic that often works surprisingly well on many people.

However, Sakura Haruno is clearly not included in this category.

The girl herself was quite proud... Raikage A's condescending gaze did not make her back down!

"Since Lord Raikage has asked this question, you must already have the answer in your heart, right?" the girl said with a straight face. "Why not? I'm all ears!"

Raikage A didn't mince words, readily agreeing, saying, "One of the primary requirements for the leader of the allied forces is that he cannot be too weak. Otherwise, if he falls to the ground after only a few blows on the battlefield, it will only lead to chaos in command and a significant drop in morale."

"Secondly, they must have a clean background. Their village must have no connection with Akatsuki, and they must not have any special members who have defected to Akatsuki, nor have they ever had any dealings or cooperation with Akatsuki, or hired these wanted criminals!"

"Thirdly..." Raikage thought for a moment, then said, "As for the third point, let's leave it for now... Let's stop here!"

Sakura Haruno let out a mocking laugh.

"Fourth Raikage, you might as well just say it directly, the position of leader of the Allied Forces is rightfully yours!"

Why not?

Raikage waved his hand, responding matter-of-factly, without a trace of humility on his face.

The Tsuchikage, Kazekage, was old and frail, while the Kazekage, Ōnoki, was still a Gaara. The Hokage and Mizukage were both women—in the mind of the Raikage, a man with a somewhat chauvinistic streak, women were all unreliable—therefore, he genuinely believed that he was the most suitable candidate.

"You're really underestimating women..."

Sakura Haruno could not agree with this viewpoint.

"Besides, the leader of the allied forces doesn't necessarily have to be chosen from among the Five Kage. There are many excellent ninjas in each village, and there is no shortage of people with strength and reputation. Why always focus on the Kage?"

"It's been many years since we've had a war; surely the villages have nurtured many outstanding young people?"

"You mean..." The Raikage frowned slightly, "... to choose from the new generation of ninjas?"

If that's the case, Jiraiya of Konoha is excluded first, which is good news.

Ai quickly scanned the lists of outstanding young people from various villages in his mind. Kurotsuchi and Kitsuchi of Stone Ninja; Kakashi of Konoha; all were excellent strategists and exceptionally strong. As for Sand Ninja, its talent pool was somewhat depleted, while Mist Ninja was about the same. And his own village? Killer B was strong enough, but his personality was somewhat...

However, it seems that this generation is not mature enough to lead the coalition forces and shoulder such a heavy responsibility.

Raikage's mind raced, a multitude of images and data flashing through his mind as he weighed the pros and cons.

"It's just a reminder." Sakura Haruno smiled faintly and nodded. "Regarding the leader of the Allied Forces, I can't make any promises to you here."

"This concerns five ninja villages. Even my master, the Lord Hokage, cannot make any promises to you alone! All decisions will be made jointly by the five ninja villages and discussed and approved at the Five Kage Summit. It is not a matter for one or two ninja villages to make decisions arbitrarily!"

The Raikage remained calm, seemingly unperturbed by Sakura Haruno's firm rejection.

Sakura Haruno concluded solemnly, "The only promise I can make to you is that, regardless of who becomes the leader of the allied forces, the fundamental principle of the Five-Village Alliance will remain solidarity and mutual support, not self-sacrifice and using allies as cannon fodder! If such a thing were to happen, Konoha would be the first to voice its opposition, no matter who the leader is!"

Silence.

Raikage's eyes flickered as he pondered something.

Then, he burst into wild laughter!

"Hahaha--!" Ai's beard trembled as he laughed loudly, saying, "Very good! Sakura Haruno, if you had really made me any promise just now, I would have started to doubt the motives of Konoha in forming the Shinobi Alliance!"

"Alright. In that case, I'll settle on the matter of the Kumogakure Ninja joining the Five-Village Alliance as the Raikage!" He looked down at Sakura Haruno and said loudly, "As for the leader of the alliance... that will be decided at the Five Kage Summit later!"

Raikage extended his large, bony, veiny hand.

Sakura Haruno, with a gentle smile on her lips, also extended her hand.

One hand is large, the other is large; one hand is thick, strong, and rough, while the other is slender, white, and soft.

They shook hands.

"It's a pleasure doing business with you."

"It's a pleasure doing business with you."

The two nodded simultaneously.

The Kumogakure Ninja on both sides also bowed in unison to Sakura Konoha, representing Sakura Haruno.

Karui then realized that he had almost become the culprit who ruined the alliance. He was immediately terrified, tears welling in his eyes, and hurriedly knelt down on all fours, begging for forgiveness.

"Karui, go back and reflect on your actions for a month! Don't leave the house!" The Raikage glared at her and said sternly, "If there's a next time, it won't just be your sword that breaks!"

Sakura Haruno didn't pursue the matter of this incident. Seeing Raikage raise the object high and lower it gently, she didn't say anything, just smiled and remained silent.

After all, she was deliberately provoking them... to test Kumogakure Ninja's attitude.

"That's enough, you can get up now." He first addressed the Kumogakure Ninjas on both sides who had been bowing deeply, then turned to look at Sakura Haruno.

"The Kumogakure Ninja have already shown some of their sincerity." He pointed to the Sakura Haruno delegation not far behind Konoha Haruno, "So, what about Konoha's sincerity?"

"You've been found out."

Sakura Haruno smiled slightly.

Behind the girl, the lifelike members of the delegation suddenly transformed into ice sculptures.

A cry of an eagle rang out from the sky, and a massive, dark-colored eagle descended.

"Secret Technique - Super Beast Imitating Drawing!"

The real members of the delegation jumped off Sai's ink beast.

"My apologies, Lord Raikage."

[First update.]

[I deleted a thousand words I wrote last night, so this chapter is late, but 11 o'clock is still barely morning?]