They never imagined that Orochimaru Konoha Sannin had completed hundreds of S-rank missions for the Konoha and enjoyed immense prestige, would so easily betray Konoha and join Kumogakure.
This turn of events happened so fast, they couldn't even believe it.
"Damn it, Orochimaru, why did you betray Konoha? Why did you betray the village?"
Jiraiya spoke up to question him.
Konoha Sannin, one of the former Tsunade, has joined Kumogakure and even married the Fourth Raikage.
Now that Orochimaru has chosen to join Kumogakure, Jiraiya unable to accept this outcome.
"Betrayal? Jiraiya, I think you've got it backwards. It wasn't me who betrayed the village; it was the village and the Konoha High Command who betrayed me. I simply made a choice by going with the flow."
Orochimaru said dismissively.
He didn't really have many desires for Konoha anymore, especially after failing to become the Fourth Hokage.
The reason he didn't immediately betray them was simply because Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly decided to have him research the Impure World Reincarnation.
But now the Fourth Raikage has given him more authority, and the future development of Kumogakure is definitely much better than that of Konoha, so he naturally made his choice.
"How could the village betray you, Orochimaru!"
Jiraiya persisted, pointing out that he still had feelings for Orochimaru, which was why he angrily questioned him.
" Jiraiya, you're still too naive. How could you possibly understand how I feel right now? Stop talking."
Orochimaru knew Jiraiya well; he had been completely brainwashed by the Will of Fire.
So any further explanation would be pointless, and Orochimaru was too lazy to bother.
Jiraiya, stop talking!
Just as Jiraiya was about to continue questioning, Hiruzen Sarutobi rebuked him.
He could already sense that Yeyue Ziyun's aura was rising, and if he angered him, things would get out of control.
" The Third Hokage was truly sensible. I was genuinely saddened when you stepped down Hokage, knowing we wouldn't be able to recruit talent from Konoha anymore."
" Third Hokage, I will remember your contributions to Kumogakure."
Ziyun looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi with a fascinating expression, then sighed.
If it weren't for Hiruzen Sarutobi's rule, how could I have recruited so many geniuses from Konoha?
It can be said that Hiruzen Sarutobi's contribution to the Kumogakure's current strength is second only to his own.
"Damn it!"
"Asshole."
The Konoha Anbu and several high-ranking members standing nearby gritted their teeth, but dared not show it too obviously, which was extremely comical.
After all, Ziyun's words were extremely hurtful and highly insulting.
Then, under the watchful eyes of many of Konoha's top fighters, Ziyun left with Orochimaru, leaving behind a group of Konoha members who were seething with hatred.
"That damned Fourth Raikage, he's too arrogant."
Jiraiya was furious. His goddess Tsunade had become Ziyun's wife, and his friend had joined Ziyun's side. The two people closest to Jiraiya had been stolen away by Ziyun, so of course he was angry.
Getting angry won't help. If he were to fight, he wouldn't be a match for Ziyun, and he might even end up dragging Konoha down with him.
Jiraiya felt like he was about to suffer internal injuries from anger.
"Getting angry won't help. Strengthen your abilities, Jiraiya. Now that Orochimaru is gone, the task of researching the Impure World Reincarnation is entrusted to you."
This was all Hiruzen Sarutobi could do.
In truth, Jiraiya wasn't very skilled at researching such cruel Ninjutsu, but there was no other way. Orochimaru had left, and Konoha was the only Jiraiya Konoha suitable to research this Ninjutsu.
Jiraiya looked troubled, but he had no choice but to agree, since this was a time when Konoha needed him.
Over the next two days, Five Kage arrived.
No, apart from the Third Mizukage of Kirigakure declaring that he would not attend, the other four Kage all arrived in Konoha.
After all, the Third Mizukage was already a puppet; whether or not he attended the meeting wasn't up to him, but rather Madara Uchiha.
So the Five Kage Summit was held anyway.
Just like in the original story, the four Kage, excluding the Third Mizukage, sat around a round table, surrounded by bodyguards sent by the village.
The most impressive lineup undoubtedly belonged to the Kumogakure Yeyue Ziyun, Kushina Uzumaki, Tsunade, Uchiha Mikoto. Any one of them was strong enough to suppress a ninja village or even sweep across the Shinobi World, which made the other Kage very uneasy.
They were afraid that the Fourth Raikage might suddenly decide to launch an attack, leaving them with no means of countermeasures.
"Aside from the Mizukage, it's rare to see Five Kage gathered together. I've brought everyone together this time to discuss something."
As the host Hiruzen Sarutobi took the initiative to speak.
"After three Shinobi World Wars, the pain caused by war is too great. Each of our villages has suffered considerable losses. Therefore, we can sign a peace treaty, hoping that war will never break out again."
Upon hearing this, Ōnoki and Rasa immediately turned their gazes to Ziyun.
While they suffered heavy losses in the Third Shinobi World War, the Kumogakure suffered no losses whatsoever and even gained the greatest benefits.
Although they were unhappy, they dared not say anything on the surface, not daring to provoke Ziyun's anger, and could only keep it to themselves.
"Forget about peace agreements, but the various ninja villages can pay a protection fee to our Kumogakure, and I guarantee there will be no more war."
Ziyun said with a smile, but to the other three shadows, it was terrifying.
Could it be that Kumogakure) wants to collect protection money again?
Third Shinobi World War, Iwagakure and Sunagakure paid a large sum of money, while Konoha surrendered half of its territory and a large amount of supplies.
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They really can't afford to collect protection money now.
So no one spoke to Ziyun, afraid that he would continue talking.
"I think the Third Hokage is right. We can follow the example of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, the God of Shinobi, and sign a peace treaty. The shinobi world will definitely maintain peace for a long time."
I agree to this proposal.
Ōnoki and Rasa stated this in turn.
"Don't get this wrong. Whether there's peace or not isn't up to you. Our Kumogakure can only have peace if we want it, so everyone... pay up."
Ziyun looked at the three shadows with the same expression he'd given them, practically wearing the sign "pay protection money" on his face.
After all, this is the current state of the Shinobi World; any peace treaty is completely useless.
If Kumogakure) doesn't want peace and starts a war, which of the other major Kumogakure villages would dare to oppose it?
" Ziyun is right, everyone, just pay up. It's better to lose money than to suffer a greater disaster."
Kushina spoke leisurely behind Ziyun at that moment.
Upon hearing this, the three shadows' faces darkened, but they couldn't retaliate.
Kushina has a much more explosive temper than the Fourth Raikage; if you anger her, a fight might break out on the spot.
However, the three shadows remained silent, after all, speaking out meant money, and they were unwilling to be taken advantage of.
"Alright everyone, that's enough. Give me 10 billion taels in one lump sum, or 20% of the village's annual income. The choice is yours."
The fact that the three shadows are silent does not mean that Ziyun is silent.
Give them an option and let them choose.
"Damn the Third Hokage! He ripped us off again by bringing us here!"
Upon hearing this, Rasa and Ōnoki simultaneously cursed Hiruzen Sarutobi in their hearts.
If they had known, they wouldn't have attended the meeting; they wouldn't have had to spend this much money.
So they pinned the score on Hiruzen Sarutobi, since it wouldn't have mattered if they pinned it on Ziyun, and they didn't dare seek revenge on Ziyun anyway.
Now that Ziyun has given them a choice, they naturally have to choose it, since they don't want to offend Kumogakure over something like this.
Although Ōnoki and Rasa were very unhappy, Hiruzen Sarutobi breathed a sigh of relief.
At this point, giving Kumogakure a sum of money to maintain peace would be a more advantageous choice for Konoha.
If the Impure World Reincarnation can be developed to revive the First Hokage, the village can surely repay all the sins that Konoha has suffered over the years to Kumogakure.
"I agree to the Fourth Raikage's plan. Konoha is willing to pay 10 billion ryo to sign a peace treaty with Kumogakure."
At this moment Hiruzen Sarutobi stepped forward and agreed to Ziyun.
Seeing this, Rasa and Ōnoki's faces darkened even more.
As the host, you, the Third Hokage of Konoha, called us here, causing our two villages to be extorted by the Fourth Raikage. Instead of stepping in to smooth things over, you even stood up for the first time to agree with the Fourth Raikage's agreement.
Aren't you putting Sunagakure and Iwagakure in a very difficult position?
This made Rasa and Ōnoki even more unhappy with Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Despite their displeasure, being in Konoha, they couldn't directly turn against him; they could only silently hold a Hiruzen Sarutobi.
I'll have to pay this back sooner or later.
"Now that the Third Hokage has agreed, what about the Tsuchikage and Kazekage's response?"
Ziyun couldn't care less about Hiruzen Sarutobi's inner schemes; it was meaningless who Impure World Reincarnation as.
Even if it were Hashirama Senju his peak, Ziyun, being a Six Paths Level cultivator, could easily defeat him; getting the money in hand is the most worthwhile thing.