The Alliance of Thunder, Water, and Earth

Konoha

In the Hokage Office, Namikaze Minato sat on the sofa, holding a steaming cup of tea in his hand, gently blowing on it, his face showing some fatigue and a hint of embarrassment.

"The Land of Lightning reacted so quickly? You just arrived at Iwagakure, and the Raikage arrived with his ninja forces..."

At the Hokage's desk, Naraku rested his chin on his hand, his words tinged with helplessness.

"Yes, under the conditions we offered, Tsuchikage Ōnoki hesitated for a while before deciding to submit to our Konoha."

But the Raikage's arrival shattered everything...

Namikaze Minato was somewhat embarrassed. A few days ago, he led a large force to attack and persuade Iwagakure to surrender, and the negotiations were going quite smoothly. However, things changed after Kumogakure of the Land of Lightning intervened.

"All right..."

Upon hearing Namikaze Minato's words, Naraku sighed slightly, a hint of helplessness in his voice. Naraku knew that Namikaze Minato's actions were not wrong, but he felt somewhat powerless against his kindness and friendliness.

"With the intervention of the Fourth Hokage Kumogakure, we cannot put too much pressure on the Iwagakure. After all, the Iwagakure is one of the Five Great Shinobi Countries. Although the village has been damaged, it still has considerable resources."

In particular, the selfless help provided by the Raikage of Kumogakure made Ōnoki truly admire the Fourth Raikage, and the two reached an agreement on the spot, forming an alliance.

Including the Land of Water, the Land of Lightning, spearheaded by the Land of Lightning, has formed the Lightning-Water-Earth Alliance.

If I become too forceful, it might backfire and start a war, which is not what we want."

Minato Namikaze Minato noticed Naraku's sigh and frown, and somewhat ashamedly offered a soft explanation.

The culprits who destroyed Iwagakure, like those who destroyed Kirigakure last time, were both S-rank missing-nin from Konoha.

These countries even suspected that Konoha was behind it all, and that Ōnoki's attempts to win over Namikaze Minato were met with rejection and resistance.

As for Kumogakure in the Land of Lightning, since its establishment more than 60 years ago, it has never produced a single missing-nin. Compared with Konoha, which frequently produces powerful missing-nin, it is obviously much more reliable. The straightforward Fourth Raikage also doesn't have many tricks up his sleeve. The Tsuchikage is very clear about all of this.

Naraku nodded. He could understand the situation Naraku Namikaze Minato was facing. Ninja Hawk Namikaze Minato returning to Konoha, so Naraku generally knew the situation. However, it was still somewhat difficult for Naraku to accept the report in person.

Naraku silent for a while, then smiled and said:

"Minato, your mission wasn't entirely fruitless. At least you mediated the conflict between Iwagakure and Sunagakure, and Iwagakure returned the One-Tail Beast to Sunagakure."

After all, it was Orochimaru who orchestrated all of this. Even the Fourth Kazekage of Sunagakure was secretly murdered by Orochimaru. Sunagakure was the second victim in this conflict.

It's quite commendable that the stubborn Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, could recognize this.

"Yes, Sunagakure is our ally after all. Now that I have arrived in Iwagakure and met with Ōnoki, I will naturally mediate the conflict between the two sides."

Previously difficult to communicate with, Ōnoki has indeed become unusually kind after Iwagakure suffered heavy losses, returning the One-Tail Jinchuriki without hesitation...

Namikaze Minato recalled his meeting with Ōnoki. The Third Tsuchikage, who had fought in several Shinobi World War, and known as Ōnoki of Both Scales, was surprisingly soft compared to his usual steely hardness.

Upon hearing these words, Naraku sneered with disdain:

"He couldn't be unkind either, otherwise the village would have been almost destroyed, and the neighboring Land of Grass would have loved to kick someone when they were down."

Aside from Ōnoki, Iwagakure's strength is probably not much different from Kusagakure's; they no longer have the qualifications to be compared to us.

"Changing the Five Great Ninja Countries to the Four Great Ninja Countries would probably be more appropriate now."

Namikaze Minato shook his head and argued:

"No, Fourth Hokage, we cannot underestimate Iwagakure. After all, Iwagakure is one of the Five Great Shinobi Countries."

The Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, led Iwagakure for many years. As long as Ōnoki is there, Iwagakure will surely recover its strength soon.

Moreover, with the support and assistance of Kumogakure in the Land of Lightning, Fourth Hokage, what I am worried about now is the alliance of the three kingdoms of Lightning, Water, and Earth.

The alliances and rivalries between the Land of Lightning and the Hidden Kumogakure are likely part of a larger scheme.

Namikaze Minato was calm and gentle, never looking down on anyone, and his words were very pertinent, dissecting the ambitions of Kumogakure.

"Hmm, Kumogakure previously supported Kirigakure in the Land of Water, and now they're helping Iwagakure in the Land of Earth. They certainly have quite the ambition."

Naraku affirmed Namikaze Minato's words, then paused, and said softly with some doubt:

"Does the Kumogakure, with its widespread benevolence, perhaps aspire to become the overlord of the Five Kingdoms?"

Naraku's suspicions about Kumogakure's motives were quite accurate. As the overlord of five nations, Kumogakure could command a large following with a single call. Given Kumogakure's current actions, even if they didn't command a large following, they would at least garner support from multiple nations, including the Land of Earth Land of Water.

The image of the Fourth Raikage flashed through Namikaze Minato's mind, and he whispered:

"The Fourth Raikage, the man known as the 'Boss' of Kumogakure —perhaps that was his motive, or perhaps his ideology..."

Having communicated with Namikaze Minato, Naraku now understood the background and consequences of Namikaze Minato. His previous sigh and melancholy vanished, replaced by a warm smile.

"I understand, Minato. You've had a tough trip. Although you didn't manage to appease Iwagakure, you did manage to mediate the conflict between Iwagakure and Hidden Sand, which is a significant achievement. You also helped Sunagakure retrieve the Tailed Beast."

There's no need to worry too much about the alliance between Lightning, Water, and Earth. Just look at Sunagakure to see what allies are like.

If Konoha declines, its ally, Hidden Sand, will show no mercy.

Alliances are nothing more than pieces of paper used by these great powers to lull their opponents into a false sense of security.

Naraku was very clear about the character of his so-called allies. He knew that it was enough to help each other on the surface; to actually rely on these so-called allies was tantamount to suicide.

Hearing the comforting tone in Naraku's words, Minato Namikaze Minato, still looking somewhat guilty, said softly:

"I see."

"You've worked hard, go on."

"Yes!"

Namikaze Minato stood up, left the Hokage Office's Hokage Office, closed the door, formed a hand Hand Seals with one hand, Flying Thunder God Technique to leave.

Naraku rested his chin on his hands, his eyes deep in thought.

"Lightning-Water-Earth Alliance, Fire-Wind Alliance, two opposing forces, huh? With Kumogakure around like this, who will go and cause trouble there...?"

Bang! Bang!

The knocking interrupted Naraku's thoughts.

"Come in"

Mitokado Homura opened the office door and walked in, holding a letter in his hand.

"Whose letter requires Lord Yan to deliver it personally?"

Seeing Mitokado Homura's somewhat serious expression, Naraku couldn't help but smile and jokingly ask.

"Fourth Daimyo, this is a letter sent by his Daimyo..."

Mitokado Homura, with a serious expression, did not respond to Naraku's teasing. He stepped forward, placed the letter on Naraku's desk, and then said solemnly:

"An emergency has occurred in the Daimyo Mansion. The Daimyo has requested to take refuge in Konoha —oh, no, I mean to come to Konoha for inspection. Anyway, take a look."

Mitokado Homura briefly reported the contents of the letter and awaited the Hokage's response after reviewing it.