The three Sannin were still kneeling on the ground below.
They were quite an eyesore, so the Marshal spoke.
"Head to the Land of Whirlpools, and take these three good-for-nothings with you."
Raiga Kurosuki, Kushimaru Kuriarare, and Jinin Akebino heard him and scrambled out of Marshal Hall.
"We don't need to go to the Land of Whirlpools, do we? After all, we just fought them. It wouldn't be good if we ended up fighting again."
After leaving Marshal Hall, Raiga Kurosuki sought out Wuming alone and spoke his mind.
In Raiga Kurosuki's eyes, the war with the Land of Whirlpools had only just ended. If they went there now, their lives would be in the hands of the Land of Whirlpools.
Wuming glanced at Raiga Kurosuki and said,
"There's no point making demands of me. You should take it up with the Marshal."
Raiga Kurosuki was stumped by his reply. He turned to Jinin Akebino behind him.
"What are you standing around for? Didn't you hear what that guy said? Go get ready. We're heading to the Land of Whirlpools again."
Jinin Akebino muttered under his breath, Even if you're my big brother now, you can't use me as your punching bag.
Kushimaru Kuriarare, bringing up the rear, said, "What rotten luck!"
Several days passed.
At the plaza in the Land of Whirlpools,
Uzumaki Shori was discussing the arrangements for the Daimyo's inauguration ceremony with his senior officials.
The ceremony was common knowledge throughout the Land of Whirlpools. They planned to use the attention drawn by today's event to spread their policies for attracting new residents throughout the Ninja World.
"Second Uzukage, the Konoha envoy has arrived in Ushio City."
A Genin hurried in and came before him.
Hearing this, Uzumaki Shori set off with Tsunade to welcome the Konoha envoy.
A tall man stood before them, the left half of his body wrapped entirely in bandages. His expression was stern, and his gaze was cold.
The envoy from the Land of Fire was none other than the elite guard who had served the Second Hokage in his youth. He was now the leader of Konoha's Root Division—and the darkness of the Ninja World.
"Lord Danzo came in person. On behalf of the Land of Whirlpools, I extend you a warm welcome."
Uzumaki Shori stepped forward and shook his hand.
"Young as he is, the Second Uzukage defeated Kirigakure. That's well worth these old bones of mine making the journey to pay him a visit."
"You're too kind. We've already prepared seats inside for everyone. This way, please."
Uzumaki Shori and Shimura Danzō shook hands, exchanging pleasantries.
The darkness of the Ninja World had never acted without a motive when it came to claiming the Hokage Position.
Konoha's clans were powerful, yet they hadn't been able to stop Danzo. Many of their members had been recruited into the Root Division.
They would have to meet every move with a countermove. Hopefully, they wouldn't damage their relationship with Konoha.
Tsunade spotted the Konoha envoy inside the hall.
Why was Danzo leading the delegation?
She hated the sight of him. What a hypocritical politician.
Danzo noticed Tsunade and walked straight over.
"After I pleaded with the Third Hokage, he forgave you for coming to the Land of Whirlpools without permission. Now that the war is over, please return to Konoha as soon as possible."
Tsunade's eyes widened. Shimura Danzō had some nerve. It was Grandma Mito who had gone to persuade the Third Hokage, yet he was acting as if he had pleaded on Tsunade's behalf.
"I'll return when I'm ready. Anyway, what brings you here in person?"
"Nothing major. According to our intelligence, the Land of Whirlpools has developed a powerful Rocket Launcher."
"Konoha can buy a few. The Land of Whirlpools has just come through a war and has plenty of expenses. This is a gesture of friendship between brothers."
Shimura Danzō spoke with a solemn expression.
Unwilling to listen any longer, Tsunade went elsewhere.
Orochimaru watched Danzo from nearby.
"I never thought Danzo would come to the Land of Whirlpools."
"Orochimaru, can you replicate the Rocket Launcher once you return to Konoha?" Danzo asked.
"Lord Danzo, I'm afraid not. I spent most of my time in the Land of Whirlpools fighting the Land of Water. I haven't studied how it's made."
Orochimaru replied calmly.
"If you can't find out, so be it. I'll get it by my own methods. How is the First's Wood Release research coming along?"
Danzo asked about his own project.
"We don't have enough samples. We've collected quite a few on the battlefield, enough for the next experiment. I'll need your support for the work after that, Lord Danzo."
Orochimaru was still most interested in eternal life.
Uzumaki Shori was arranging the delegations from each country.
Every time an envoy entered the plaza in the Land of Whirlpools, a loud announcement rang out.
"Envoy from the Land of Fire has arrived!"
"Envoy from the Land of Lightning has arrived!"
"Envoy from the Land of Earth has arrived!"
Envoys from various small countries had also come, but when one country's name was announced, whispers spread through the crowd.
"Envoy from the Land of Water has arrived!"
The envoys from the small countries whispered among themselves.
"Hadn't the war between the Land of Whirlpools and the Land of Water still been going on?"
"Weren't they mortal enemies?"
"Could the war have ended without us knowing?"
Uzumaki Shori looked at the envoys from the Land of Water.
He didn't recognize the man leading them, but the three behind him looked very familiar.
Wuming kept his eyes half-closed and smiled as he spoke.
"Second Uzukage, it's a pleasure to meet you. In the Land of Water, people still can't believe you defeated our Mizukage."
"But seeing you in person, it's clear you're a remarkable young man. Your accomplishments at such a young age speak for themselves."
"Allow me to introduce myself. I've given up my name, so please call me Wuming. I once served as a guard to the First Mizukage. Now, the Council of Elders and the Marshal of the Land of Water have appointed me to negotiate."
Uzumaki Shori sensed a dangerous aura coming from Wuming. Seeing his smile, Shori thought he looked like a fox.
"Then let's talk. First, the Land of Water must submit a formal surrender. After compensating the Land of Whirlpools for its losses in the war, we can discuss the prisoners."
At his words, Wuming slowly opened his eyes and stared directly at Uzumaki Shori, releasing a fierce aura.
Uzumaki Shori refused to back down. His own aura surged, chakra rushing into his eyes as red flames flickered in them.
Everyone present could sense the clash between the two men.
The Uzushio Ninja immediately surrounded them, staring intently at the envoys from the Land of Water.
Raiga Kurosuki cursed inwardly. I should've asked the Marshal for sick leave. At least then I wouldn't be about to die here.
Wuming met him head-on. After gauging his opponent's strength, he closed his eyes again and let his aura fade before speaking.
"Your strength is truly impressive, Lord Uzukage. Let's talk about something practical."
"You have more than two thousand Kirigakure shinobi prisoners. Do you really think that's everyone from Kirigakure?"
"Kirigakure Village has ten thousand registered shinobi. We lost more than a thousand in this war, and you've taken more than two thousand prisoner. Do the math: how many shinobi can Kirigakure still muster?"
Only now did Uzumaki Shori understand why the Five Great Shinobi Villages were known as the Five Great Shinobi Villages.
Their shinobi numbers alone far exceeded those of the small countries.
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