The Impact of the Alliance Treaty / The Delegation Returns

The news of Leaf Village's alliance with Iwagakure spread like wildfire across the continent.

When everyone heard the news, they all thought they had been working too much overtime and were hallucinating.

The Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, is known for two distinctive characteristics.

First, it will not form alliances with any village.

Secondly, the challenge letters were always late.

For decades, that stubborn, hot-tempered Ōnoki has actually formed an alliance with someone?

As the person directly involved in this explosive news, the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato, sat at his desk, striking the classic pose of Commander Ikari.

"Overall, this is very good news," Namikaze Minato said in a deep voice. "Now, the question we need to consider is the reaction of Cloud Village."

At this moment, the Hokage's office was filled with a group of bigwigs.

Namikaze Minato and Uchiha Fugaku represent the new era.

Representing the old era Sarutobi Hiruzen, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura.

Compared to when Namikaze Minato first took office, it's actually just a different person, but when everyone reunites now, they can only sigh that things are very different now.

Namikaze Minato was already a proper Hokage in every respect, and no one thought he needed the help of the old guard.

Sarutobi Hiruzen, however, is now so engrossed in teaching his grandson that he can't extricate himself from it. Although he came today, his mind is still not here. From the moment he entered until everyone started talking about serious matters, Sarutobi Hiruzen has said to everyone at least twice, "My grandson is now learning staff fighting. He is very much like me."

Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura don't have any grandchildren to teach, and they still want to continue to shine. However, because Namikaze Minato's governing philosophy is quite different from Sarutobi Hiruzen's back then, their previous experience is no longer applicable in many areas.

But they remain at the top level, that much is certain.

"Do you all think that Cloud Village will back down, or will they take a more forceful stance?" Namikaze Minato asked.

Uchiha Shingen gave everyone in Leaf Village a huge surprise.

No one had high expectations for this mission to Iwagakure.

Iwagakure is not Hidden Mist Village after all; it has always maintained a stable situation and possesses considerable strength. Ōnoki's adherence to non-alignment is based on solid grounds.

Therefore, everyone expected the negotiation outcome to be the same as it was with the Third Hokage: that everyone would acknowledge their poor performance this time, take a few years off, and then try again.

However, the letter sent back by the mission ahead of time showed that Ōnoki had directly chosen to form an alliance.

They signed an agreement as thick as a book.

The letter also mentioned that Iwagakure plans to formally send a delegation to Leaf Village next year to discuss the specific details of the cooperation between the two sides.

"Fugaku, take a look." Namikaze Minato handed the letter to Uchiha Fugaku. "To be honest, I didn't quite understand it either. You're the only one who understands this. Take a look and see if it's reliable?"

Uchiha Fugaku took the letter, opened it, and read it as quickly as possible.

"Ōnoki is truly planning to form an alliance," said Uchiha Fugaku. "However, the extent of the relationship will depend on finalizing the details after the Iwagakure delegation's official visit next year."

After saying that, he put the letter back on the table.

"That's good." Namikaze Minato relaxed. "So, we only need to consider Cloud Village now."

"No, there's also Sand Village," Sarutobi Hiruzen suddenly said.

Although he doesn't manage things much anymore, he still has a very clear understanding of how his old friends in the Ninja World think.

He was also the one who orchestrated the alliance treaty with Sand Village back then.

He had to admit that he had no good intentions at the time. The entire alliance agreement contained no indication of Leaf Village's malice towards Sand Village, but once it was implemented, it was all malicious.

After all these years, Sand Village should have come to their senses by now.

Essentially, Sand Village and Cloud Village are quite similar; both are highly aggressive villages that covet the resources of the Land of Fire.

This nominal ally of Leaf Village could betray the alliance at any time, and Sunagakure needed Leaf Village's strength to resist Iwagakure, which was Sand Village's greatest need for the alliance.

The formal alliance between Leaf Village and Iwagakure may lead to Sand Village withdrawing from the alliance and instead allying with Cloud Village.

This would cause the situation to become tense again.

"Does the Third mean to put pressure on Sand Village?" Namikaze Minato asked.

"That's about right." Sarutobi Hiruzen on his pipe, then offered a suggestion. "For this year's Chunin Ninja Exams, Leaf Village could propose that Sunagakure host them, with Leaf Village and Hidden Mist Village participating together."

"I see..." Namikaze Minato was still a little worried, "Could this lead to Sunagakure actually deciding to ally with Cloud Village?"

"Those two villages should have already made peace," Sarutobi Hiruzen said. "But that doesn't matter. Sand Village also wants to befriend Hidden Mist Village. All of this is just stalling for time. Providing the children with a peaceful environment to grow up in before they grow up is what we adults should do."

"The Lord Third is right," Uchiha Fugaku wholeheartedly agreed.

"However, these are all just speculations. We'll have to wait for Uchiha Shingen to return and then decide how to proceed based on the actual situation in Iwagakure," Sarutobi Hiruzen said with a smile. "To get Ōnoki to form an alliance, Uchiha Shingen must have done something truly remarkable."

"I can probably guess," Uchiha Fugaku laughed, "It's definitely related to the association."

"The association's influence is growing," Sarutobi Hiruzen. "It's also attracting more and more attention from the Daimyo's Court. Recently, some officials have proposed to bring the association under the Daimyo's Court."

"Presumably, Fire Daimyo did not agree."

"Of course, the official who made the proposal was dismissed on the spot." Sarutobi Hiruzen exhaled a puff of smoke. "But he died before he even returned to his territory. Fugaku, you didn't know that, did you?"

"Yes, with the association growing in number, some infighting is inevitable." Uchiha Fugaku nodded.

Uchiha Tekka and the others still aren't very thorough in their work.

I didn't learn the most essential skills from Uchiha Shingen.

But that's precisely why it was Uchiha Tekka and the others who went.

After all, it's for deterrence.

The ninjas of the five great ninja villages will not harm the daimyo. Even the daimyo of a small country will not harm the local nobles, large or small, unless under special circumstances.

However, special circumstances are another matter.

The intelligence has been obtained; it's not complicated at all. An association that makes a fortune every day has naturally attracted the attention of many people.

The vast majority were minor local nobles who lived in cramped quarters in Daimyo's Court, hoping to showcase their talents and obtain official positions. Most of them believed they were very talented, but were simply unlucky and had no opportunity.

They need opportunities to demonstrate their abilities and to gain the attention of the great nobles.

Of course, the truly powerful people wouldn't do that.

Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't continue the topic; he was just offering a reminder.

He had witnessed the changes in the Uchiha Clan, and he was personally very pleased. If the Uchiha Clan had been like this earlier, he wouldn't have been so troubled back then.

The group forgot about that topic and continued their discussion.

Chapter Twenty-Two: The Mission's Return

Those in true power in the Land of Fire naturally know that the true masters of the association are the Uchiha Clan.

To be more specific, it was Uchiha Shingen.

Leaving aside the title of "White Ghost of Leaf Village," this person will undoubtedly be the next leader of the Uchiha Clan.

To establish an association is to target Uchiha Shingen and the Uchiha Clan.

Nobody would willingly do something like that just for money.

They're all nobles; they're not short of money to this extent.

So, just as the Hokage Building selectively forgot about the incident, it didn't cause a ripple in Daimyo's Court either.

After all, people die every day in this world, so what's so strange about the death of an official?

No one says there aren't bandits in the Land of Fire who are lustful... no, I mean, greedy.

That was the end of it.

Because something even bigger is about to happen.

The Leaf Village delegation has returned from the Land of Earth.

On this day, Hidden Leaf Village was brightly decorated and bustling with activity.

Everyone was celebrating the triumphant return of their respective delegations.

The alliance with Iwagakure signifies that the light of peace has enveloped most of this land.

The only place on this continent that remains in shadow, refusing sunlight, is the Land of Lightning.

What an evil country...

Unconsciously, people on the Hokage Continent, whether nobles, ninjas, or ordinary citizens, began to look at the Land of Lightning with a strange gaze.

It was under these circumstances that Uchiha Shingen led the Leaf Village delegation back to Hidden Leaf Village.

At this moment, Hidden Leaf Village was in a frenzy, completely immersed in a joyful atmosphere.

As the delegation walked down the street, they were surrounded by countless accolades.

The veteran players were extremely spirited. As long-time Leaf Village players, they were very clear about the significance of the alliance between Iwagakure and Leaf Village.

They knew how great this achievement was, and that the lion's share would definitely go to Uchiha Shingen. They wouldn't compete for it, but as long as they participated in this negotiation, it would leave an extremely glorious record in their own and their family's resumes.

The cheers and praises coming from all directions were more intoxicating than any achievement.

Uchiha Shingen was also deeply moved.

Despite all the painstaking efforts, this has circumvented the storyline of Leaf Village's decline, fundamentally preventing a possible rift between the Uchiha Clan and Leaf Village.

All forms of involution inevitably begin with a contraction of the internal environment.

Once the Land of Lightning is subdued, peace will be achieved.

He only needs to sit back and watch the Konoha 12... wait, there's also Karin and Haku. Oh right, I don't know how Konohamaru Sarutobi came to be, but he was somehow created in the same year as Naruto Uzumaki and Uchiha Sasuke.

He's a bit Naruto Uzumaki, but a bit Uchiha Sasuke.

This isn't the Konoha 12; there's at least fourteen, if not fifteen.

It's great, really great.

I've fulfilled the expectations that the big idiot and the rich dog had for the Uchiha Clan.

When they arrived at the Hokage Building, it was already packed with people, but everyone consciously made way for the delegation to pass through.

Led by Namikaze Minato, the Konoha High Command were greeting the group at the entrance of the Hokage Building, all beaming with smiles, clearly in high spirits.

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at the young man walking at the front, thinking about how the young man had brought glory to the village time and time again over the years, he thought of the young and tragically deceased Kagami Uchiha.

The old man was very moved and gratified.

Another group of children has grown up and is now able to protect Leaf Village and rain.

In a daze, Sarutobi Hiruzen seemed to return to the moment he first stood in front of the Hokage Building, seeing those figures who had come together...

"Hiruzen, what's wrong?" Mitokado Homura noticed his old friend's unusual behavior.

"It's nothing, just thinking about the past." Sarutobi Hiruzen regained his composure and laughed heartily, feigning magnanimity. "Seeing the youthful energy reminds me of many things from the past. We were pretty much like this back then."

"Us...?" Mitokado Homura thought for a moment.

Hiruzen was a top student, Danzo was a contrarian, Koharu Utatane Koharu slept in class, Torifu Akimichi was always eating, and Kagami Uchiha was always the first to arrive and the last to leave. So, he was appointed the class's sanitation officer by Wu Zu Muzu, with the rule that the one who littered the most would be punished by standing in the corner—and it was always Danzo...

This is far from "almost the same"! It's completely different! Are there some differences in our memories?

"Hiruzen, he's completely different, isn't he!?"

"Uchiha Shingen has become an indispensable and important ninja for the village," Utatane Koharu suddenly said from the side.

"Koharu, what do you want to say?" Sarutobi Hiruzen looked over.

"Shouldn't a ninja as powerful as him be formally assigned to lead a team?"

"The school did indeed submit such an application." Sarutobi Hiruzen stroked his pipe. "I heard he already has students he's teaching, hmm... the Shingen Team ..."

He seemed to have thought of something amusing and laughed.

By this time, the delegation had already arrived.

"Thank you for your hard work, Shingen."

"It's no hardship for the sake of the village."

"Yes, this must be a very interesting story. You must tell it to us carefully."

"So-so, so-so," Uchiha Shingen chuckled dryly.