The Shinobi World Trembles

Konoha

Top floor of the Hokage Building

Standing before Naraku were hundreds of ninjas. After carefully inspecting them, Naraku nodded slightly and said in a deep voice to Namikaze Minato beside him:

"Minato, I'll have to trouble you this time. We can't let Kumogakure steal the spotlight again."

"Understood! If all goes well, we'll sign a humiliating treaty with Iwagakure; if not, we'll adapt to the situation."

Namikaze Minato's face was serious. In the recent major incident in the Shinobi World, Iwagakure was attacked by Sunagakure and the newly emerging Otogakure. The village was almost completely destroyed, and the Iwagakure Ninja forces that fought against the enemy were almost entirely wiped out, leaving only some villagers and ninja students hiding in the Iwagakure shelter.

Having suffered such a blow, Iwagakure's strength is no longer sufficient to stand alongside other major powers, making its situation even more dire than that of Kirigakure in the Land of Water.

"Hmm! It's good that you know how to adapt to changing circumstances! The Shinobi World has been at peace for a long time. The best course of action is to subdue the enemy without fighting and sign a treaty under duress."

We're going there with the relief funds; hopefully, the Third Tsuchikage won't be so stubborn."

With Namikaze Minato involved, Naraku felt at ease. Although Namikaze Minato was friendly, he was not a rigid person; he understood the cruelty of the Shinobi World better than anyone else.

He knew better than anyone what the main force of Konoha Ninja would do at this time, given that Iwagakure had suffered such heavy losses.

"If we can negotiate amicably, that would be best; we'll help them rebuild their homes. If they remain stubborn, I have ways to get them to agree."

Namikaze Minato was full of confidence in leading his team on this mission.

"Alright! That's all for now. Best wishes for your continued success."

Naraku smiled, turned to look at the many Konoha Ninja standing before him, and said seriously:

"Shisui, Itachi, Kakashi, Manao-maru, Hayato, Ai, Hangetsu, and all the elites of Konoha, you must do your utmost to assist Namikaze Minato in accomplishing the great feat of subduing Iwagakure!"

"Yes, sir!" X99

"Set off!"

With a wave of his hand, Naraku transformed the bustling Naraku Hokage Building from a few moments ago Naraku a solitary figure standing alone amidst the dust drifting across the floor.

Naraku around and looked in the direction Namikaze Minato had left.

"With Namikaze Minato the team, along with elite ninjas including the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Blade, and over a thousand members of the Western Border Guard, the team was also present."

"With such a small but elite force, I'm sure Ōnoki understands what I mean?"

Naraku pondered that the first purpose of this ninja force's attack was to aid Iwagakure, form a humiliating alliance with Iwagakure, and force Konoha to submit to Iwagakure.

If Iwagakure doesn't agree, they might just be wiped out. Iwagakure has suffered several powerful Ninjutsu, resulting in heavy casualties. Now Iwagakure, morale is low, and they desperately need help.

Naraku's aid, conditional on the Land of Earth's submission, isn't too unreasonable. At present, Iwagakure is probably about the same size as Kusagakure.

The only advantage that Iwagakure had after suffering losses was that the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, had not died in the turmoil, and the backbone of their village was still alive.

Da da da

The group ascended the stairs to the top floor of the Mitokado Homura, Kurama Ryota, and Nara Shikaku arrived together. The other two advisors Hatake Sakumo and Uchiha Fugaku, were preoccupied with their own departmental affairs and did not appear.

Mitokado Homura, a veteran advisor, combined with the fact that Uchiha Nara was not in the village during the previous attack on Mitokado Homura Iwagakure, had some general guesses, especially that the attackers of Iwagakure were Konoha, Orochimaru Konoha missing-nin, and Konoha Sunagakure of Konoha.

"Fourth Hokage, did you orchestrate the situation in Iwagakure?"

Mitokado Homura walked up to Naraku and directly asked the question that had been bothering him.

Naraku was somewhat surprised by Mitokado Homura's question and said softly:

"No."

Naraku was not lying. This was indeed not his plan, but Naraku 'Orochimaru. Naraku was merely the executor and assistant. Naraku answered truthfully regarding the planner.

Nara Shikaku, with a respectful expression, said in a deep voice:

"Lord Hokage, I heard that the entire village of Iwagakure was razed to the ground, and the invading Sunagakure was also severely damaged."

I believe this is the perfect time to annex Iwagakure.

Nara Shikaku and Kurama Ryota were summoned by Mitokado Homura to meet and consult with the Hokage. During the period when Iwagakure was damaged, the powerful Fourth Hokage Uchiha Nara, was not in the village, which made the village's high-ranking officials think twice.

In particular, the Fourth Hokage had always harbored the ideal of unifying the world. Considering the previous situation in Kirigakure, the higher-ups had some guesses in their minds.

"Oh, that's what you think?"

Naraku became interested, turned to look at Nara Shikaku, and asked softly.

It was no secret that Namikaze Minato led the ninja forces on the expedition; it was a decision made after discussions among several advisors, not a unilateral decision made by Naraku.

Everyone knows that such an opportunity is extremely rare.

"Of course, although your ideas are ahead of their time, the new generation of Konoha ninjas all admire and respect you."

We will certainly fulfill our responsibilities and assist you in achieving your goals.

Nara Shikaku flattered the new generation of Konoha ninjas, saying they had been trained and influenced by Naraku, and that Naraku often spread ideas of universal harmony during his speeches.

Although the Hokage rarely discussed these matters with the higher-ups, these shrewd individuals were able to somewhat fathom Naraku's thoughts.

"Universal harmony, what a grand idea! The nations of the Shinobi World have existed for thousands of years; such an idea is simply unimaginable."

However, I've always kept in mind a saying the Lord Hokage once said, "Nothing is impossible to a willing mind..."

Kurama Ryota joined the Uchiha clan in his early years, and his status in Konoha has risen along with that of the Uchiha. Kurama Ryota agrees with and approves of almost all of Naraku's ideas.

However, the concept of universal harmony was still Kurama Ryota, since no one had ever actually achieved it.

"Fourth Hokage, we have experienced three Shinobi World War. This peace has not come easily. I hope you will cherish it."

Mitokado Homura sighed. Ever since Naraku power, the nations of the Shinobi World had begun to suffer unprecedented hardships.

Naraku's face was gentle as he chuckled softly:

"The ideal of a world in harmony is my ideal, but it depends on the circumstances. If the five kingdoms are in conflict, then this ideal will be difficult to achieve."

Kirigakure of the Land of Water, suffered severe damage and was nearly destroyed. Now, Iwagakure has also been severely damaged, even more so than Hidden Mist before.

This is indeed a good time to promote the ideal of a world of great harmony, don't you think?

As Naraku finished speaking, Mitokado Homura, Kurama Ryota, and Nara Shikaku were absolutely certain that, in recent years, Naraku had been the source of misfortune for all the countries in the Shinobi World, except for Konoha.

After making his judgment, Nara Shikaku turned to Mitokado Homura and whispered:

"A world of universal harmony—isn't that a form of peace?"