Konoha's Pressure
One trouble after another befell Sunagakure.
Just as Chiyo was about to send someone to make a show of pursuing Yashamaru and his group, she heard her subordinate come to report that Konoha's envoy had arrived in the village.
Poor Chiyo, she's so old now. She used to like to pretend to be dead to scare Ebizo.
I'm really exhausted by all the terrible things happening in Sunagakure.
As soon as Chiyo entered the room, she saw a tall man whose clothes were different from those of ordinary Konoha Ninja.
The other person's black trench coat had blue stripes along the edges, and the ninja vest he wore also had the same blue stitching.
The renowned Internal Affairs Department.
Are those people wearing those black sunglasses that completely obscure their eyes from the Aburame Clan?
Chiyo had never dealt with the ninjas of the Aburame Clan; in her memory, they had always been an unknown force, never serving as envoys to other villages.
The Internal Affairs Department, plus the fact that the other party arrived at such a coincidental time...
Chiyo couldn't help but think about it.
"This is Aburame Ryoma from Konoha."
Upon seeing Chiyo's arrival, the Sand Ninja responsible for receiving her immediately stepped forward to introduce Ryoma's identity.
Chiyo's expression remained unchanged, but Ebizo paled.
Aburame Ryoma? Head of Konoha's Internal Affairs Department?
The other party's reputation is comparable to that of Danzo in the past, but his methods are even more insidious.
Ebizo immediately became alert.
However, Aburame Ryoma had no intention of playing tricks on them and instead stated his purpose directly.
"I have come on the orders of the Fifth Hokage to inform you that, due to Rasa's shameless attack on the Daimyo's Daimyo's Mansion in the Land of Wind, which has tarnished the profession of ninja, Konoha will, effective immediately, terminate its mutual defense treaty with Sunagakure."
After hearing this, all the Sand Ninja present fell silent.
Given Chiyo's previous temperament, she would have definitely blasted the Konoha Ninja in front of her away with a disdainful expression.
My Sunagakure, looks down on the so-called Konoha.
The absence of an alliance actually makes it easier for us to conquer the Land of Rivers.
However, the current situation in Sunagakure has completely dampened Chiyo's fighting spirit.
Before Pakura took office, the conflict between the Daimyo's Mansion and the village had not been resolved.
Once Konoha withdraws from the treaty, Sunagakure is very likely to be ripped out of gold by that cunning old fox Ōnoki.
Chiyo began to consider countermeasures.
Aburame Ryoma gave them no time to react. After explaining his purpose, he immediately turned around and prepared to leave Sunagakure.
"Please wait a moment, Your Excellency."
Ebizo quickly called out to stop him.
Another high-ranking Sand Ninja member also approached with a forced smile.
Both of them were buying time for Chiyo, trying to see if there was any chance to keep Konoha in the defense treaty.
Aburame Ryoma ignored them. His orders were to return to the village immediately after delivering the message, so no matter how much Sunagakure tried to persuade him to stay, he couldn't possibly remain there.
There are still many things in the village that await his attention.
"Did Konoha only send this one envoy?"
Chiyo, seeing the Ebizo, couldn't stop Ryoma at all, and whispered to her subordinates for advice.
"There is another deputy envoy next door, who is received by Tai Liang."
"Go see him."
Upon hearing Chiyo, Chiyo didn't waste any more time on Ryoma and immediately ordered her subordinates to take her to see the deputy envoy.
When they rushed to the next room, they saw a middle-aged man with a topknot saying goodbye to Tai Liang.
Please wait.
Chiyo quickly called out to stop the other person.
Who is this?
Seeing the short, elderly woman hurrying towards him, Hōen Nara was somewhat surprised and asked her identity.
"This is Advisor Chiyo; she's in charge of the affairs of this village."
Taira hurriedly introduced Chiyo to the other party.
"Chiyo, you should have already met Aburame, so why are you here to see me again?"
Upon hearing that the other party was Chiyo, Hōen Nara sized her up, never expecting that the strongest Puppet Master who was once famous throughout the Shinobi World would look like this.
"Aburame Ryoma has already informed us of the Fifth Hokage's orders. However, the two sides formed an alliance during the Hiruzen Sarutobi the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, before signing the mutual defense treaty. Konoha's actions..."
Ebizo was following Chiyo's lead, hurriedly tried to explain, but was interrupted by Hōen Nara.
"Advisor Chiyo, it's clearly stated in the treaty that all previous alliance clauses are null and void after the signing of the Mutual Defense Treaty. More importantly, the current Fifth Hokage is none other than the disciple of the Third Hokage."
Hōen Nara had no intention of continuing to entangle with the Sand Ninja. His mission, like Aburame Ryoma's, was to deliver the message and then leave.
"Please be sure to convey to the Fifth Hokage that what Rasa did does not represent Sunagakure. The Daimyo's Mansion has already appointed a new Kazekage and will send someone to Konoha soon."
Seeing the other party's firm stance, Chiyo unusually softened her tone, saying, "Please, Konoha, do not disclose this news for the time being. I believe that once the new Kazekage takes office, she will give you a satisfactory answer."
"I can deliver the message, but whether it's made public is beyond the control of a lowly Jonin like myself. Farewell."
Hōen Nara left the Sand Ninja Village with only a powerful silhouette.
As the other side walked away, the atmosphere on the Sand Ninja side fell silent.
"Damn it, that damned Rasa, that idiot, that idiot!"
Chiyo punched the wall.
The last time she was so emotional was when she learned that her grandson had murdered the Third Kazekage.
Incidentally, the time before that was when her son and daughter-in-law were killed by Hatake Sakumo.
Chiyo now harbored deep hatred for Rasa.
If it weren't for that idiot, how could she possibly beg Konoha in such a humble manner?
Thankfully, the current Hokage is Shimura Kazashiro. If Hatake Sakumo were still in office, Chiyo would rather hang herself than suffer such humiliation.
"Sister, Pakura's succession won't change anything. We still need to maintain our alliance with Konoha for a while."
Knowing his sister's humiliation, Ebizo gently comforted her.
In situations like this, all they can do is endure it.
Battlefield at Kumogakure.
Upon learning of the incident in Sunagakure, the allied forces, which had been steadily advancing, suddenly halted their advance.
Worried that the Sunagakure might act rashly in desperation and harm him, Ōnoki hurriedly sent someone to order Gari to refrain from taking action for the time being and to observe the situation before making a decision.
Danzo was even more direct. He used the excuse that the supply line passed through the territory of Sunagakure to lead his troops back more than ten miles.
Kisame, who has such a good temper, almost swore.
Sunagakure is to the west of Konoha, Danzo's troops are fighting in the north. How twisted and convoluted must Konoha's supply lines be to pass through the area controlled by Sunagakure?!