Alliance Commander

Mifune looked at the Five Kage, his eyes filled with hope.

Ōnoki frowned, remaining silent.

Dodai was calculating in his mind how much benefit this matter would bring to the Kumogakure.

Yagura and Pakura both turned their gazes to Kazashiro, while Kazashiro himself looked somewhat nervously at the center of the meeting place.

According to unwritten custom, at this point someone should rush out from this place and shout words like "I don't want to" to object.

Everyone had their own things on their minds, which meant that for a long time after Mifune finished speaking, no one responded, leaving him sitting there awkwardly alone.

"Hmph, although it's an alliance, there still needs to be a commander-in-chief to oversee the whole situation. Among the Five Kage, who should be chosen to take on this important task?"

Ōnoki chuckled and threw out this fatal question.

Ōnoki had expected this issue to cause a heated debate among the Five Kage, but the outcome was completely unexpected.

No one responded to his words. Even Raikage, who was known for his recklessness and daring, was now like a turtle hiding in its shell, closing his eyes and remaining silent.

And Pakura, that fiery woman, was now as docile as a quail, her eyes darting around uncertainly.

"Tch, those old-fashioned antiques certainly have a narrow perspective."

Seeing that no one spoke, Kazashiro decided to take over Gaara's role from the original work and prepare to have a good talk with this Tsuchikage.

"We are now facing an unprecedented enemy, not a village or a shadow that can be defeated by strategy and numbers."

If, faced with such an enemy, the remnants of the old era are still preoccupied with trivial matters like the interests of a single village, then I think this meeting can be declared over here."

Kazashiro bluntly and openly laid out his words.

I thought Ōnoki was going to turn into a big shot again, but this time the other party's expression didn't change at all.

Even his big, red nose didn't change color.

Has this old man finally come to his senses?

Not understanding why Ōnoki had suddenly calmed down, Kazashiro didn't provoke him further and instead demonstrated Konoha's sincerity.

"Leaving aside the nominal position of commander, if an alliance is formed, Konoha is willing to make public all current research results on the Ōtsutsuki, and welcomes ninjas from other villages to join in the exploration of the Ōtsutsuki Ruins."

Realizing that Konoha also supported forming an alliance, Pakura quickly stated her position. "In that case, Sunagakure is willing to form an alliance with Konoha."

"The teacher just agreed to it like that?"

Although it was clear that Sunagakure didn't have many options left, Maki couldn't help but speak up because Pakura had agreed so easily.

"The Lord Kazekage must have her own considerations, and that Ōtsutsuki does sound terrifying."

"Hey, Uncle Kitsuchi, did you hear that? That Hokage gave the old man another dressing down. Haha, I definitely need to have a good talk with this guy, hmm."

Deidara was still marveling at the sharpness of Kazashiro's words, completely ignoring the Kitsuchi beside him as Ōnoki's son.

"Well..."

The Kitsuchi remains silent, only sighing.

"It seems our Mizukage will also be joining this alliance."

Zabuza anticipated Yagura's choice.

Sure enough, Zabuza Yagura finished speaking than Yagura chimed in, "Faced with an enemy of this caliber, we should indeed unite. Kirigakure is willing to join the alliance."

"Indeed, now is not the time to deliberate on the choice of commander, but to face the difficulties together and resist the Ōtsutsuki."

With Mimura joining, well, the advantage is on my side.

This thought by Dodai also revealed his attitude.

"Young people are just so energetic and energetic..."

Seeing this, Ōnoki neither explicitly expressed his intention to join nor objected.

Peace in the Shinobi World...

There was a time when he believed Hashirama's words, thinking that under Hashirama's leadership, the Shinobi World could truly let go of hatred.

But the appearance of Madara Uchiha dealt them a real blow.

The enormous body of Susanoo is still etched deep in his memory, and Madara Uchiha's words still resonate within him.

Perhaps it's time for a change?

But is all of this truly not a conspiracy by the Hokage before us?

The Shimura Clan is known for its scheming and intrigue; how could they possibly produce such a benevolent person as Kazashiro?

Or rather, this guy isn't actually Danzo's offspring, but rather Hiruzen Sarutobi—

"Since the Five Kage have no objections, I, Mifune, on behalf of the samurai of the Land of Iron, hereby declare my joining the alliance, to contribute to the peace of the Shinobi World, and to fight against the Ōtsutsuki."

Mifune was incredibly excited.

I never imagined that in my lifetime I would actually have the chance to see peace in the Shinobi World and for ninjas to unite as one.

"Regarding the question of leadership raised by Lord Tsuchikage Land of Iron has maintained neutrality for a long time, we have some suggestions to make—"

"Regarding the position of commander-in-chief, I, a young man, have some thoughts. I wonder if the old Tsuchikage would be willing to listen?"

Kazashiro suddenly interrupted Mifune's speech and looked directly in the direction of the Tsuchikage.

"Tch, go ahead and speak, you sharp-tongued brat."

Ōnoki snorted coldly, knowing that the other party was probably still aiming to make him lose his temper, and he had already mentally prepared himself.

"I believe that, in terms of ability, experience, and judgment and command of battles, Tsuchikage is more suitable for the position of commander-in-chief."

Before Kazashiro spoke, everyone, like Ōnoki, thought he wanted to contribute to Ōnoki's rising blood pressure again.

But the result was beyond everyone's expectations. Kazashiro actually said with a sincere expression that he wanted to recommend Ōnoki as the commander.

Mifune was also surprised.

He should have felt offended by being interrupted, but after listening to the other person's words, he vaguely saw the image of Hashirama in that person.

Although he had never met Hashirama, the latter must have had the same demeanor back then.

Ōnoki had seen Hashirama, though only from a distance.

He didn't see any trace of Hashirama in Kazashiro, but he could see the sincerity in the other's eyes.

This time, the kid wasn't recommending himself to make fun of him; he genuinely wanted him to be the so-called commander.

Yagura and Pakura were both puzzled; they had originally wanted to nominate Kazashiro as commander.

As for Kazashiro, his thoughts were actually quite simple.

If Ōnoki becomes the commander, even if Ōtsutsuki comes knocking, the one who should be fighting is the other side, not himself.