Eight thousand people from Kumogakure and ten thousand people from Iwagakure completed the rendezvous at the border of Land of Fire.
The two teams were spread out on the plain, with flags interlaced and noisy voices. Kumogakure's dark armor and Iwagakure's khaki uniforms formed a sharp contrast. They were clearly distinct but had to be mixed together.
Shaoyu rode the red horse and stopped at the front of the team. Fangtian Halberd stood beside him, his red armor particularly eye-catching in the sun.
Iwagakure's team, a tall figure emerged from the crowd.
That's Han.
Five-Tails Jinchuriki. He is tall and burly, wearing Iwagakure's special red Steam Armor. His whole figure is like a moving hill.
He was wearing Iwagakure and Forehead Protector on his head. There was no expression on his face, and his eyes were staring at Shaoyu from a distance.
The two people looked at each other from a distance of tens of meters.
Han looked at the young man riding a red horse and wearing red armor opposite.
Red armor, black halberd, and red war horse. The halberd looks very heavy at first glance. It is a question for ordinary people whether they can lift it, let alone swing it.
But the young man just held it with one hand, as casually as a branch.
The horse's pace is very steady. The person's sitting posture is very stable. That kind of stability is not pretended, it is the confidence that comes from the bones.
Han remembered what Ōnoki said to him before setting off.
"That Uchiha Shaoyu, you have to be careful."
Ōnoki's voice is very deep.
"He is definitely not an ordinary Uchiha. Kumogakure letting him lead the team shows their absolute trust in his strength. After meeting, be polite and don't cause trouble."
"Hey, that kid, why didn't you come to our Iwagakure back then? Our Kumogakure is not much better than their Kumogakure..."
Han didn't take it too seriously at the time. He was Five-Tails Jinchuriki. With all his strength, who did he need to be afraid of?
But now that he saw Shaoyu in person, he suddenly understood what Ōnoki meant.
Just looking at his stance is terrifying.
It was an indescribable feeling. The other party didn't release chakra, didn't put up any attack posture, just sat there and looked at him. But Han just felt that this person was not easy to mess with, very hard to mess with.
He walked towards Shaoyu.
Shaoyu also rode up to meet him.
The two met in the middle.
"Iwagakure, Han." Han spoke first, his voice deep and thick, as if it was rolling out of his chest.
"Uchiha Shaoyu."
Han looked at his face so close. Young, much younger than he imagined.
But those eyes were very calm, as calm as two bottomless wells. Being looked at by such eyes, Han felt inexplicably uncomfortable.
"Ōnoki Master asked me to say hello to you." Han said.
Shaoyu nodded. "Third Raikage also asked me to say hello to you."
The two looked at each other and neither continued to be polite.
Han turned his horse's head and stood side by side with Shaoyu, looking ahead in the direction of Land of Fire.
"According to the plan, we attack from the direction Land of Grass, and you attack from the direction Land of Hot Water." Han said, "Both sides attack at the same time, letting Konoha focus on the head and not the tail."
Shaoyu nodded.
"What's the specific attack time?" Han asked.
"Three days later, Chenshi." Shaoyu said, "When the sun comes out."
Han calculated the time in his mind and nodded.
"Okay. Then in three days."
He turned his head and looked at Shaoyu.
"After this battle, even if Konoha is not dead, he will still have to shed his skin."
Han continued, "When Konoha collapses, Land of Fire will be divided between our two families."
Shaoyu glanced at him.
"Divide?" he said, "How to divide?"
Han was stunned for a moment, then smiled.
"That's for the future." He said, "Knock Konoha down first."
Shaoyu did not answer the call.
The two people stood side by side, looking forward, looking very harmonious, like two old friends who have worked together for many years.
But they all know it in their hearts.
This alliance is just because we have a common enemy.
When Konoha was around, they were allies. When Konoha collapsed, they were opponents.
Land of Fire is just that big. There is just such a piece of fat. Whoever gets more will get less. If we don't fight, we won't be able to tell the difference.
Han glanced at Shaoyu again.
This young man will be a powerful enemy when the time comes.
He withdrew his gaze and turned his horse's head.
"See you in three days."
He rode back to Iwagakure's team.
Shaoyu looked at his back with no expression on his face.
Shisui came up from behind. "Brother, that guy... seems to be very jealous of you."
Shaoyu did not answer.
Lianhuo came over, stood next to Shaoyu's horse, and whispered, "Iwagakure's people can't be trusted. Ōnoki That old fox might have something up his sleeve."
Shaoyu nodded.
"I know."
He raised his head and saw that Iwagakure's team was setting up camp on the spot. The camp of 10,000 people was very large, with tents densely packed, and smoke rising from the cooking pots and floating in the air.
"Let the brothers also camp." He said, "Stay alert and keep your distance from the Iwagakure people."
Lianhuo nodded and went down to make arrangements.
Shaoyu rode a horse and slowly walked towards Kumogakure's camp.
Shisui followed him and looked back in the direction of Iwagakure.
Kumogakure's camp is set up three miles away from Iwagakure's camp.
Not too far or too close. We can support each other when things happen and don't bother each other at ordinary times.
Lianhuo arranged it very carefully. Sentries, patrol routes, and warning areas were all laid out.
The camp of eight thousand people quickly became orderly, with tents erected in rows and bonfires lit in piles.
Shaoyu was sitting in his tent, looking at the map.
Shisui sat next to him and helped him grind the ink. Lianhuo stood aside, waiting for instructions.
"Iwagakure, will there be any movement tonight?" Lianhuo asked.
Shaoyu shook his head.
"No. Han is not that kind of fool."
He paused.
"But when the war breaks out, that won't necessarily be the case."
Lianhuo nodded.
Shisui raised his head. "Brother, you mean, Han may be behind..."
"Not necessarily." Shaoyu said, "But you have to be prepared."
He pointed to several locations on the map.
"Starting tomorrow, send people to explore these places clearly. How to take the road, whether there are any ambush points, and where to set up defenses. You must know well."
Lianhuo nodded and kept these locations in mind.
Shisui looked at the map and suddenly asked, "Brother, do we really want to fight Konoha with Iwagakure?"
Shaoyu glanced at him.
Shisui said, "I know Konoha is not good to us. But Iwagakure... they are not good people either."
Shaoyu did not answer immediately.
He looked at the black dot representing Konoha on the map for a while.
"Shisui," he said, "The war is not for friends. It is for profit."
Shisui said nothing.
"Konoha blocked Kumogakure's way, so we have to fight Konoha. Iwagakure can help us fight Konoha, so we are allies now." Shaoyu said.
"When Konoha falls, if Iwagakure still wants to block Kumogakure's way, then they will be the next enemy."
He looked at Shisui.
"Understand?"
Shisui nodded.
"Got it."