Hiruzen Sarutobi's Name, Stirring Reactions Everywhere

They were brought back to their respective Hidden Village along with the ninjas rescued from Kusagakure by Konoha.

The "Kage" of Major Hidden Villages, or the leaders of Small Hidden Village, immediately convened a meeting to discuss Konoha's intentions...

The Small Hidden Village, Amegakure, Takigakure, and Yugakure, were quite surprised by Konoha's performance.

Isn't that treating them way too kindly?

They also gave the Kusagakure compensation, which, though not much, warmed the hearts of many of them...

Amegakure.

"Hiruzen Sarutobi, what is he doing..."

Hanzo of the Salamander frowned as he looked at the intelligence report in his hand, "Konoha has such military strength? Then they weren't using their full strength when fighting me..."

"They conquered Kusagakure in less than two hours. The foundation of the former number one Hidden Village is truly not to be underestimated."

"They even sent our ninjas back..."

"Does supporting the Dove Faction of Kusagakure mean the complete extinction of the Hawk Faction?"

Hanzo of the Salamander let out a long sigh.

The Second Shinobi World War was inseparable from his own ambition.

Having mastered the profound techniques of Water Release and Body Flicker Sword Technique, they further developed the Salamander Poison Array with wide-area destructive power...

Hanzo once believed he had the potential to unify the Shinobi World.

Because Hanzo did indeed have an outstanding performance in terms of battlefield dominance.

Terrifying poisonous fog, exquisitely precise Water Release and Body Flicker Technique, plus a swift sword capable of interrupting a ninja's Hand Seals...

Given the right combat environment, even an elite Jonin squad would be instantly killed if they entered his trap.

Thus, Hanzo instigated the Shinobi World War, wanting to unite the Five Great Hidden Villages into one in pursuit of the "peace" he desired.

However, Hanzo was quickly jolted awake.

According to Danzo's evaluation system of Hiruzen Sarutobi, Hanzo was indeed a strongman with "unique characteristics".

The problem is that the ninjas of other Great Hidden Village also have their own "unique characteristics" and exceptionally abundant reserve resources.

Even though Amegakure won several battles in the early stages by utilizing the terrain and Hanzo's abilities...

However, after Chiyo and Tsunade neutralized the poison of the Ibuse, the tide of battle quickly turned, leaving only Hanzo struggling to hold on until the day they had to offer each other a way out...

"It seems that not fighting those three brats to the bitter end was the right thing to do..."

"Otherwise, Amegakure would be destroyed by my hand."

Hanzo refers to Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Jiraiya, the Sarutobi team whom he named the "Sannin Team Hiruzen".

Letting the Team Hiruzen was Hanzo of a gamble Hanzo had with Hiruzen Sarutobi years ago.

If he fought with all his might, Hanzo was confident he could kill Orochimaru and the others...

The problem is, if Hokage's students die on the battlefield, then it will be a fight to the death.

The result is self-evident.

"Fortunately, Hiruzen Sarutobi is an honest man. I released his disciple, and he released Amegakure..."

"But the hellish Shinobi World forced even this kind-hearted man to become ruthless."

"They've already begun to proactively use force as a deterrent..."

"Not only that, but they also distinguish themselves from the barbarians of Kumogakure by cloaking themselves in a 'peaceful' facade... They didn't seize land, didn't completely annihilate Kusagakure, and didn't monopolize the spoils of war..."

"This is tricky!"

Sending the Amegakure caused Hanzo to fall into deep thought.

Without this step, Hanzo would have chosen to publicly condemn Hiruzen Sarutobi.

He used his reputation to stir up emotions in various Hidden Village, waging a propaganda war against Konoha...

But with this step, Hanzo becomes very difficult.

The Amegakure felt nothing but disgust at the Kusagakure's acts of plunder; no one felt sorry for the destruction of the Kusagakure Village's Hawk Faction faction.

In fact, this also applies to him, the leader.

"Stop the negative propaganda against Konoha, and change the cause of the Second Shinobi World War to Sunagakure's greed for land and Iwagakure's instigation."

"The main cause of the war between Amegakure and Konoha lies in the conspiracy of Sunagakure and Iwagakure. Both Amegakure and Konoha are victims; they were unfortunately deceived." "I emphasize that the Hokage and I are both peace-loving ninjas, and it's time to completely dispel past misunderstandings."

"Amegakure hopes to establish a closer relationship with Konoha; stopping at a 'ceasefire agreement' is regrettable for the ninjas of both villages." "We must conduct extensive propaganda throughout Amegakure and even the Land of Rain!" Hanzo rubbed his temples and instructed his superiors. "Lord Hanzo, are we really going to do this?"

A high-ranking member of Amegakure hesitated and asked, "Will the rest of the village believe it?"

"Then we'll find a way to make them believe it!"

Hanzo said in a deep voice:

"If you can't even control your own ninja mindset, what use are you to me? You need to understand, this is the truth, just with a different focus!"

"I released those three brats, Konoha didn't demand any compensation during the peace talks. That's irrefutable proof!"

He saw the sudden realization on his Genin.

Hanzo shook his head in exasperation.

Being born in Small Hidden Village has really made me feel exhausted...

He barely has any decent ninjas under his command, and he even has to personally design the details of the propaganda department...

In Hanzo's view, given the mysterious strength that Konoha has shown so far, choosing to cooperate is the best option.

Compared to the Sunagakure and Iwagakure, which are completely untrustworthy, and the Kumogakure.

Trying to form a strategic alliance with Konoha is a worthwhile move.

"If Hiruzen Sarutobi truly desires peace, then cooperation between Amegakure and him wouldn't be out of the question..."

"If Hiruzen Sarutobi is an imposter, such propaganda will further enrage the village's ninjas when war breaks out again, which will also be beneficial in the battle against Konoha."

Hanzo, who was not yet completely old, made this decision.

Kumogakure.

Dodai and the Third Raikage reported on the scene in Kusagakure.

The strong Third Raikage slowly lowered the enormous barbell from his hands.

"Is this a show of force... or a clever tactic of feigned retreat?"

"But this is all just for a bigger war."

"Senju Tobirama Ginkaku during the peace talks between Kumogakure and Konoha. Even if we define Kinkaku and Kinkaku as missing-nin, Hiruzen Sarutobi was, after all, his disciple, and it's impossible for him to have any real goodwill towards Kumogakure."

"Unless he doesn't want to lose his popularity in Konoha."

"Dodai, go and talk to the Daimyo of the Land of Lightning. Ask him to increase funding for the village, and intensify the training of the Yugito Nii and Killer B Jinchuriki..."

"We must also restart our efforts to master the Treasured Tools of the Sage of Six Paths."

"You brat, if you want to lead by example, go and give it a try!" The Third Raikage pointed at his son, the Fourth Raikage.

The Fourth Raikage immediately nodded. "Leave it to me, Father!"

The Third Raikage's gaze was deep and unfathomable.

"A battle between us and Konoha is inevitable. Don't let Konoha's hypocrisy deceive you... In the Shinobi World, ultimately, might makes right. Under the national village system, the Shinobi World will eventually only have one Hidden Village."

"I don't want that Hidden Village to be Konoha, but Kumogakure."

"Ninjas like Senju Hashirama will never appear again."

"Spread the word, link Blue B's death to the hidden Konoha!"

"On our side, we also need to comfort the captured ninjas and express the Raikage's apology to them."

The Third Raikage looked at the Dodai, which seemed to want to say something but hesitated.

"You're short on money, right? I'll pay you first, then you can ask the Daimyo of the Land of Lightning. If you're still short..."

"Go and lead a group to rob it," the Third Raikage said, pointing at his son.

The Fourth Raikage immediately replied, "Yes, Father! I've wanted to steal it for a long time!"

Iwagakure.

Similar conversations are also taking place.

Its general approach is very similar to that of the Third Raikage.

To appease the captured Iwagakure ninjas, diminish their gratitude towards Konoha, and emphasize the threat posed by Konoha.

However, Ōnoki's main point of view wasn't "Senju Tobirama," but rather "Uchiha Madara."

"Although Uchiha Madara is a topic that cannot be mentioned in Konoha..."

"But this man's mindset has long been ingrained in the very bones and blood of Konoha!"

Do you know who named Konoha?

"It wasn't Senju Hashirama, it was Uchiha Madara! So, this village is fundamentally flawed. Don't be fooled by Hiruzen Sarutobi's feigned innocence..."

"Taking a step back to advance is a good tactic, but I hope you all stay clear-headed."

"We need to see Konoha's military strength, not be blinded by scattered silver..."

"How many ninjas like Senju Hashirama have appeared in the history of the Shinobi World? He was an anomaly of the Senju Clan. Just think about what kind of ninja Senju Tobirama was..."

"The Uchiha Clan is still in Konoha!"

"Who knows, one day another Uchiha, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and lead Konoha to turn the entire Shinobi World into scorched earth!" Ōnoki floated in mid-air, spittle flying from his mouth:

"Therefore, we must have more children! We need to produce elites in Iwagakure!"

"Roshi, Han, you are not allowed to leave the village again. Speed up the control over the Tailed Beast!"

Roshi snorted coldly and got up on his own.

"Where are you going!" Ōnoki shouted in a deep voice.

"I can't be bothered to listen to what you're saying..."

"I've been hearing the 'Uchiha Konoha threat theory' for almost forty years..."

Roshi glanced back at Ōnoki: "If Iwagakure needs me, I will naturally go to the battlefield, but that doesn't mean I'll waste my time here." "I am a weapon, but I am also a human being; my time is precious."

Ōnoki coldly stared at Roshi, his hands silently forming the starting stance for Dust Release.

It's not that he's cruel...

However, he is a Jinchuriki, which is quite detrimental to the Authority of the Tsuchikage.

If it doesn't yet have sufficient value, then dealing with it as soon as possible is the best option.

"I can't beat you, and besides, I love Iwagakure."

"Stop with your Dust Release. Save your energy for having nightmares about Uchiha Madara tonight..."

Roshi stared directly at Ōnoki: "I've already mastered the power of the Four-Tails. If you want to make a move, now's the time. Don't blame me for not giving you a chance; I won't resist."

"It's a good thing that I can escape this oppressive Shinobi World sooner."

Roshi stretched out his hand, and his left arm transformed into a giant red ape arm.

Partial Tailed Beast Transformation!

Ōnoki's expression changed instantly:

"Very good, Roshi... You've worked hard. Communicating with the Four-Tails must have taken a lot of your effort, something I, as the Tsuchikage, didn't consider. Go and rest."

"I'm also thinking of Iwagakure) and I get agitated sometimes, please forgive me."

Roshi was taken aback, then shook his head helplessly.

This is also a reason why he is becoming increasingly depressed.

Ōnoki, the Tsuchikage, was so slippery that he couldn't agree with him, yet he couldn't bring himself to hate him either...

He could only wander around the Shinobi World, trying to find some meaning in his existence.

Sunagakure.

The dialogue was quite interesting.

Pakura, who had a slight liking for Konoha's actions, blurted it out without thinking...

They were severely criticized by Rasa and Chiyo together!

One of them is Pakura's political rival in the race for the Fourth Kazekage...

One was an old man whose son and daughter-in-law had died at the hands of Hatake Sakumo.

"Hatred will never be severed."

The Third Kazekage said calmly, "Don't be so naive, Pakura. As a ninja who grew up in the sandstorms, your will and character must be stronger. We must inherit the will of the First Kazekage..."

"Unless Konoha is willing to give us a fertile land, our children will only live in this Yellow Sand Desert for generations to come, but you know that's impossible."

"Therefore, war was not a choice for Sunagakure."

"To demonstrate Konoha's true military power, we need to find a way to solve Sunagakure's funding and population problems..."

Pakura lowered her head in disapproval. "Thank you for your guidance, Lord Kazekage!"

Rasa stared at Pakura, a cold smile playing on his lips.

Why would such a foolish woman openly challenge him?

This is utterly foolish...

I'll kill her sooner or later!

"Lord Kazekage!"

"I can use my Kekkei Genkai mine gold for the village..."

"I will also soon be able to produce an excellent ninja for Sunagakure with Karura!" Rasa seized this opportunity and went out of his way to curry favor with the Third Kazekage:

"I believe my son is capable of wielding the One-Tail Beast for Sunagakure. Please let him try it out!"

"Oh? Not a bad idea, Rasa."

The Third Kazekage's eyes lit up. "Do a good job! I believe in you!"

Pakura gave Rasa a disgusted look.

Is this even human?

The unborn son has already become a candidate for the One-Tail Beast in order to please the Kazekage?

That's disgusting!

And Rasa also caught Pakura's gaze...

Rasa scoffed inwardly, "Fool, do Kazekage think you can become the Kazekage just by talking?"

Meanwhile, in Kirigakure).

The dialogue was relatively simple.

The Third Mizukage's policy in the Bloody Mist Village appears to be quite "successful" so far.

Everyone was listening to him, and they were fighting fiercely...

"Hiruzen Sarutobi is indeed my 'friend'."

"To return the Kirigakure ninjas across the sea shows respect and is beneficial to my prestige."

"Hmm, it seems there's no need to deal with the Kaguya Clan first. Let them maintain communication with the Hyuga for now..."

"Someone, take a few Ninja Academy and Genin brats to broaden their horizons!"

"Go to Konoha and bring those useless trash back..."

"If they're worthless, just find a secluded place and execute them. Don't make me worry about it."

The Third Mizukage said coldly.

In his heart, the lives of the Kirigakure Ninja were no longer that important...

The important thing is whether his influence as a Mizukage is effective.

If it's Kekkei Genkai ninja Ninja Clan brought back from Kusagakure...

The other Kage will definitely be happy, since it will replenish the village's fighting strength.

However, the Third Mizukage might not necessarily agree, because in his view, this was a different kind of "aiding the enemy"...

The ninjas who could be captured would most likely not fit the character of "Bloody Mist Village," thus affecting the current thriving state of Kirigakure.

Just to Hiruzen Sarutobi, they still had to go through the motions of bringing him back.

As for whether to throw it into the sea to feed the fish or use it to sharpen a knife...

The Third Mizukage didn't care.