After the meeting ended, Ōnoki led his Land of Earth shinobi back to camp. "Looks like the Land of Lightning is in for a rough time!" Yet beneath his delight at their misfortune, he was deeply worried about the future of the shinobi world. Would Iwagakure in the Land of Earth become the next target of sanctions?
Faced with the Holy Church's growing dominance in the Land of Rain, Ōnoki suddenly felt unequal to the task. "Looks like it's time to consider candidates for the Fourth Tsuchikage. Sometimes I really envy Konoha. They have so much talent," he sighed.
"Lord Tsuchikage, our Iwagakure isn't lacking either!" his assistant hastily flattered him.
"Haha! Let's hope so!"
"Minato, what do you think of the proposal for the two countries to establish embassies in each other's territory?" Jiraiya asked thoughtfully.
"I think it's an excellent proposal. Konoha can't shut itself off from the world either. More exchanges would let us learn from the Land of Rain's development and help Konoha grow. It would also broaden our village's shinobi's horizons!"
"I'm just worried the Holy Church in the Land of Rain has ulterior motives!" Orochimaru said, flicking his tongue.
"But refusing to establish embassies would mean pushing a powerful force like the Holy Church over to the Land of Earth's side!" Remembering how readily Ōnoki had agreed, Minato couldn't help worrying.
Jiraiya and Orochimaru both nodded in agreement. "Let's leave the decision to the old man!" Jiraiya said casually.
The following day, the two countries began withdrawing their shinobi forces to their own territories.
Meanwhile, Axel and Rich joined their two armies and began marching toward the Land of Lightning. This time, they would beat that troublemaker into submission!
In Kumogakure, in the Land of Lightning, A was training when the sudden news left