Zetsu, You'd Better Seize This Opportunity!

Black Zetsu, hiding underground.

It just wants to see the negotiations break down so it can beat the person who hit it to a pulp, and then it will know whether Uchiha Shingen really knows the Eighty Gods Vacuum Attack.

If so, you won't be able to appease it for at least ten days to two weeks!

On the mountain peak, Uchiha Shingen set up a feast.

There were quite a few people involved in the negotiations; both sides had large groups of people.

On Rain Village's side, Konan and Kakuzu leading the way. There was a little incident when Kakuzu first returned.

It wasn't Uchiha Shingen who did it; it was Konan directly asked, "You're not dead," making Kakuzu's already pale face even darker.

He felt that Konan was eyeing the savings he had worked so hard to accumulate.

Then replace it with Explosive Tag to wreak havoc.

On the Sand Village side, the leaders were Rasa and... Chiyo, who had already arrived after hearing the news.

The old lady had clearly come for her grandson.

But Scorpion didn't come. Although she didn't say anything, it was obvious to everyone that she was very disappointed.

However, upon seeing Uchiha Shingen, the old woman reverted to her expected qualities as Sand Village elder, displaying exceptional eloquence and a truly benevolent smile.

So much so that Uchiha Shingen couldn't help but compare her to her younger self.

Girls really do change a lot as they grow up; you wouldn't recognize them anymore.

Just like Utatane Koharu.

As for Leaf Village, there was only Uchiha Shingen.

As for the Special Operations Team, he sent Uchiha Itachi and his team to "suppress bandits."

Anyone who attempts to sabotage the peace talks is a "bandit."

At Uchiha Shingen's invitation, the negotiators from both sides took their seats.

Although no one invited Black Zetsu to the fight underground, it didn't mind. In order to observe closely, it quietly crept up behind Kakuzu and continued to lie in wait.

In case of any trouble, the Kakuzu can protect it.

Anyway, I can die five times.

Chapter Twenty-Three: Jue'er, you must seize this opportunity!

Rasa looked much more energetic than during the Chunin Ninja Exams.

To be fair, the Lord Kazekage was in a good mood for a long time after the Chunin Ninja Exams.

Sand Village regained its share of the mission and also managed to hitch a ride on Leaf Village's coattails, greatly improving the situation in all aspects.

Rasa seemed quite relaxed about Leaf Village dominance.

Nothing in this world is eternally strong, and the same is true in the Ninja World.

When Leaf Village was first established, it was also the strongest, but it quickly went from being the strongest to being about the same as everyone else.

If it weren't for Uchiha Shingen, another founding clan, Leaf Village would have fallen from its position as the strongest after the Third Shinobi World War, given the trends at the time. Just one or two more local wars would have been enough to give way to the ever-stable Cloud Village.

A nation can rise because of one person, and it can also fall because of one person.

The mechanisms are all similar, and the organizational structures are on the same level; the competition comes down to talent.

However, Leaf Village, which has the most talented people, is also the most likely to fail to cherish them.

Even the most outstanding and powerful individuals will lose their former intimidating power as they age.

In Rasa's view, none of Leaf Village's current "rising stars" are the kind of players who can "rise to prominence on their own."

Therefore, the next generation will belong to his youngest son, Gaara.

The strongest position is not unattainable for Sand Village; it's just that the time isn't right yet.

Moreover, the environment of Sand Village is, in some ways, the best.

The desert is both a constraint and a protection. In reality, there isn't much in Sunagakure that outsiders would covet. Compared to the corresponding costs of war, attacking Sand Village with the aim of plundering is never a profitable business; breaking even would be a good outcome.

Only those lunatics from Cloud Village launched a war against Sand Village for this purpose, but they quickly gave up and switched to trying to win over Sand Village to attack Leaf Village.

Therefore, Rasa was not envious of Leaf Village's dominance at all; on the contrary, he hoped to form a closer relationship with Konoha.

The Kazekage has suffered countless grievances; is licking Leaf Village really considered grievance? Don't be ridiculous; it's nothing compared to the petty squabbles in the village.

Therefore, Rasa licked it without any guilt or pressure.

Until he learned that Sasori of the Red Sands had joined the Akatsuki.

The Sand Ninja can bow down to Leaf Village, after all, they haven't been able to defeat Leaf Village for decades, and everyone respects such a tough opponent.

Who exactly is Rain Village?

There is a type of village that, even without any terrifyingly powerful individuals, can become a giant in the Ninja World simply because of its sheer size, earning the respect of other organizations.

There's another type of village that, even if it has a terrifyingly powerful individual, won't be respected by other organizations.

Because of Uchiha Shingen, Sand Village and Rain Village are now sitting at the negotiating table, but Rasa still doesn't consider Rain Village to be qualified to negotiate with Sand Village.

"Nagato?" As the Kazekage, Rasa was the first to speak from the Sand Village side, and his words were not very friendly. "Excuse my bluntness, but only Rain Village Nagato qualified to speak with me."

Chiyo glanced at Rasa.

She felt...

The fourth generation leader had just gotten up when he left the village.

Is he getting a little too cocky?

Chiyo glanced at Uchiha Shingen again and noticed that this most famous ninja in the Ninja World showed no sign of stopping her or being displeased.

He returned her a polite smile.

As expected of the White Ghost, just as rumored, he always manages to portray ill intentions so vividly.

Chiyo didn't care about all that anymore.

Although the White Ghost of Leaf Village often acts incomprehensibly, he is a staunch Leaf Village purist. In Leaf Village's eyes, Sand Village and Rain Village are of completely different weight.

However, Rasa was not like the Third, who had a domineering nationalistic Kazekage; he was a conservative.

The personalities and governing philosophies of the Five Kage are information that cannot be hidden and are all public information.

Rasa is the kind of Kazekage that Leaf Village most hopes for.

The scene was now a lively and heated exchange of words.

The theme revolves around just one point.

Sasori of the Red Sands.

"Scorpion is a ninja from our village, we can't hand him over to Sand Village, especially since..." Konan's attitude was uncompromising when facing the Kazekage, one of the Five Kage. "Right now, Sand Village is at a disadvantage, and our allies haven't even entered the fray yet! If it weren't for Leaf Village's mediation, you would have no choice but to accept our terms in Sunagakure."

"Allies? Do you mean Akatsuki, or Orochimaru?" Rasa asked. "As for the outcome of the war, entering the desert might be the beginning of your nightmare. Sasori has been away from that desert for too long. Personally, I really hope this war continues. After all, war is the most thorough way to resolve disputes."

As Rasa spoke, he observed Konan's expression.

With Nagato absent, this woman is the highest-ranking person in Amegakure.

But to be honest, I'm a little disappointed.

Her strength is far inferior, but her temper is even more arrogant than Nagato's.

Rasa was quite used to Nagato's proclaimed "justice".

After all, all crows are black, but what makes Amegakure slightly different from other small country ninja villages is that Amegakure prefers to uphold the "justice" of a major power.

This was true during Hanzo's time, and it remained true during Nagato's time.

They never considered themselves aggressors, but rather victims and liberators.

The problem is that Amegakure's first target after embarking on this path was the Land of Iron, but the Land of Iron had never harmed or oppressed the Land of Rain.

"If that's the case, then we have nothing to talk about. Let's meet on the battlefield." Faced with Rasa's nonchalance, Konan was equally assertive, and she felt that Rain Village had the right to be assertive towards these defeated opponents of Sand Village.

But the next moment she was stabbed in the waist.

Theoretically, it was a colleague who stabbed him.

"I think we can talk," Kakuzu said. "Nothing is off-limits for discussion; we just need to show sincerity."

That woman is an idiot, absolutely.

Kakuzu had deeply defined this point in his heart.

"Kakuzu, I've heard of your name since I was young." Rasa was very interested in Kakuzu. Although he was also a missing-nin, Kakuzu's experience was similar to what Sand Village had done.

Therefore, in Rasa's eyes, Kakuzu a ninja of noble character.

"To be honest, I personally feel that Amegakure isn't the right place for you," Rasa bluntly extended an invitation. "You could have a much better future in Sunagakure."

"Let's get down to business," Uchiha Shingen tapped the table, glancing at Konan. "We're all adults here, and we represent many people. Please, representatives of Amegakure, don't speak rashly."

Konan almost lost her composure.

If it weren't for Leaf Village's interference, Rain Village would already be able to launch a full-scale attack on Sand Village.

In fact, Rasa, who was opposite her, had similar thoughts.

At this moment, Rasa was also filled with regret.

Sending Baki to Leaf Village was partly a show of weakness, establishing his own position as the underdog, and partly because he thought Leaf Village wouldn't mediate so quickly.

But Uchiha Shingen didn't follow the usual pattern again.

His preparations in the desert might not be needed.

"Following Shingen's suggestion, let's get down to business. Sasori betrayed the village and murdered the Third; I won't go into the related consequences." Rasa was no longer looking at Konan. "If he had secretly joined Leaf Village, we could have turned a blind eye. But joining Rain Village so openly makes no sense. Lord Kakuzu, without Nagato of Amegakure coming in person, I think it will be difficult to reach an agreement."

"He can't come for the time being," Kakuzu said. "We don't know where he is either. He's the kind of person who likes to wander around, but he's definitely not in the Land of Rain or the Land of Wind."

"I trust your character, but I don't believe Nagato would abandon this war," Rasa said. "I need stronger evidence to prove that he is indeed unable to participate in the negotiations due to factors outside of this war."

Evidence?

Where am I supposed to get evidence for you?

Kakuzu felt he had been taken advantage of in this job.

Meanwhile, Black Zetsu, hiding underground behind him, had already begun to silently chant "Let's fight!" in his mind.

"Here's what we'll do. If he's here, I'll give all the money I have in the Land of Wind to Sand Village." Kakuzu unleashed a powerful move.

The confidence to use this tactic stemmed from the fact that Nagato had told him he had other matters to attend to and that he would fight the Kazekage once he returned.

The Kazekage is doing well now.

Kakuzu up his mind: if Nagato really made him lose money, then Nagato would have to pay him back, with interest; otherwise, he would quit the game.

Everyone present was stunned by these words.

This also includes Uchiha Shingen and Black Zetsu, who is hiding underground.

Especially Black Zetsu.

It was a little surprised; Kakuzu actually so loyal to Nagato?

"I believe Kakuzu- san's words are credible," Chiyo said. "Lord Kazekage, Kakuzu- san's reputation is better than that of many ninja villages."

Rasa thought about it and realized that it made sense.

You can say Kakuzu has a bad personality, but you can't say he's untrustworthy.

For decades, Kakuzu has been a symbol of credibility in the black market.

"Mr. Kakuzu, please forgive my rudeness just now. Let's continue our conversation."

"Good."

Seeing that both sides had finally gotten on the right track, Uchiha Shingen was also very satisfied.

He can now eat the fruit in front of him without worry.

Picking up a date and taking a bite, Uchiha Shingen's gaze, however, was fixed on what was behind Kakuzu.

As he expected, Black Zetsu arrived.