The five great nations were mutually hostile, yet also mutually dependent.
There had never been wars that absolutely required the destruction of a nation. Even during the Ninja World Wars, great nations sometimes fought side by side.
Therefore, regarding Naruto's request for friendship, Ōnoki believed, first, that Naruto was merely making polite conversation; and second, even if Naruto genuinely wanted to become friends with Iwagakure, that was not impossible.
Once interests were involved, though, things like friendship naturally ceased to exist.
Ōnoki's forthrightness pleasantly surprised Naruto. He immediately broke into a wide smile and said, "That's wonderful. I never expected Lord Tsuchikage to want to be friends with me too."
"Of course." Ōnoki smiled. "We're friends now, aren't we? Everyone, wouldn't you agree?"
Ōnoki looked toward the other Iwagakure ninja.
"That's right, Lord Naruto. We're friends, good friends. Here's to us and Konoha becoming good friends." The Iwagakure ninja raised their cups one after another.
Seeing this, Naruto suddenly looked at Ōnoki with a solemn expression. "Lord Tsuchikage, we aren't friends yet!"
Seeing Naruto's serious face, Ōnoki froze for a moment, unable to figure out what Naruto was up to. However, having held the position of Tsuchikage for many years and seen countless situations, he calmly asked, "Lord Hokage, then what must we do to become friends?"
"To become friends with me, you have to let me see your sincerity. If I can't see your sincerity, how can you become my friends?" Naruto said.
"Oh, I see." Ōnoki narrowed his eyes. "Then how can Iwagakure demonstrate its sincerity?"
The atmosphere became somewhat delicate. Every Iwagakure ninja looked at Naruto with hostility. They all felt that Naruto had come to Iwagakure deliberately to make trouble.
Naruto was not concerned by the subtle atmosphere or the Iwagakure ninja's tense readiness for battle.