A hundred billion taels might seem like a lot, but the Kumogakure could spend it all in a year, and it still wouldn't be enough.
And then what? That's it.
But if we could occupy this land, the value it creates might not even reach 10 billion a year.
If we take a longer-term view, what about five years? Ten years? Twenty years?
The income that Kumogakure will receive will be calculated in the tens of billions!
Therefore, this land is something that Kumogakure must obtain; if they don't get it, they must fight for it! They must fight until Hiruzen Sarutobi is willing to cede the land!
"Go tell the Third Hokage that if he refuses to agree to our demands, then the war will continue."
The Third Raikage issued his order, instructing a messenger from Kumogakure to relay it to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
If the war continues, the Kumogakure sees no hope of defeat.
After all, Kumogakure is not like Iwagakure, Sunagakure, or Land of Rain. Its high-end combat strength is much weaker and of much lower quality than Konoha's.
With only Ziyun and the Third Raikage, Konoha had no way to deal with them.
"That despicable Kumogakure! They've gone too far!"
Upon receiving another message from the Kumogakure messenger, Hiruzen Sarutobi Chakra his chakra, creating a large crater in the ground.
Ceding territory is absolutely impossible.
But if they continued fighting, they still couldn't win!
Hiruzen Sarutobi was truly frustrated; he had never felt so frustrated before.
" Hiruzen, there's only one way left now, and that's the [ Reaper Death Seal ]! If we can use this Ninjutsu to kill either Yeyue Ziyun or the Third Raikage, Konoha can avoid defeat."
Beside Hiruzen Sarutobi Danzo in a sinister tone.
He had been waiting for this moment for a long time.
If Hiruzen Sarutobi dies, who else in Konoha can become Hokage?
The Sannin are too inexperienced, Uchiha Clan Head is definitely out of the question. Hatake Sakumo is a potential rival, but killing Hatake Sakumo would be too easy for me.
After all, Hatake Sakumo is too thin-skinned; he blushes even when lying, so he's not suited to be a politician.
Therefore, with Hiruzen Sarutobi dead, he could easily become Hokage!
" Danzo, I don't want to hear those words again. If I do, you'll face the consequences."
Hiruzen Sarutobi enraged, staring intently at Danzo, his aura surging.
Although he was only subservient to Hiruzen Sarutobi when facing Yeyue Ziyun, Hiruzen Sarutobi was still able to deliver a powerful blow when facing Shimura Danzō.
In fact, if Konoha were truly facing collapse, Hiruzen Sarutobi would still be willing to sacrifice his life.
The prerequisite is that "he had been Hokage for decades," so in the original work, at the age of 69, he used the Reaper Death Seal take away Orochimaru's hands.
He is in the prime of his life now, so naturally he would not be willing to end his life so early.
Frightened by Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze, Danzo had no choice but to shut up. Danzo was still quite afraid of Hiruzen Sarutobi when he got serious.
After pondering for a long time, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally found a solution.
"Go find Ōnoki, the Third Kazekage, and Hanzo of the Salamander. Tell them that Konoha is willing to provide money and supplies if they help us defeat Kumogakure."
Now that things have come to this, Hiruzen Sarutobi has no other choice.
Because he didn't believe that Onoki, the Third Kazekage, or Hanzo of the Salamander couldn't see that Yeyue Ziyun was a great threat.
Today he can threaten Konoha to cede territory, tomorrow he can threaten Iwagakure and Sunagakure to cede territory, and the day after tomorrow, if he's in a good mood, he can even occupy the Land of Rain.
Moreover, Sunagakure, Iwagakure, and the Land of Rain suffered heavy losses in this war. If Konoha could offer them a substantial sum of money plus a batch of supplies, he believed the three would not refuse.
Of course, these were all reasons that Hiruzen Sarutobi used to persuade Sunagakure, Iwagakure, and the Land of Rain. Hiruzen Sarutobi knew that if he were from Kumogakure, he wouldn't care about the Land of Wind and the Land of Earth.
That remote and impoverished place is not as developed as the Land of Lightning.
After receiving Hiruzen Sarutobi's letter, Ōnoki, the Third Kazekage, and Hanzo of the Salamander rushed to Konoha as quickly as possible.
"Welcome, welcome Konoha welcomes everyone."
Seeing that the three had accepted his invitation, Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled for the first time in many days.
The fact that these three people came means they're probably already interested; otherwise, they would have just refused outright, why bother making a special trip?
"Since you're here, I won't waste any more words. How much money is the Third Hokage prepared to offer to form an alliance with our Sunagakure?"
The young Third Kazekage wasted no time and asked directly.
The Sunagakure suffered heavy losses this time and urgently needs money to help the ninjas regain their confidence.
Even though Konoha had previously fought a major battle with Sunagakure and killed Chiyo's son and daughter-in-law, the Third Kazekage was still tempted.
Seeing the Third Kazekage's impatient look, the Ōnoki and Hanzo of the Salamander of the Salamander subconsciously frowned.
This idiot, so impatient! You came in looking like a starving ghost who'd never eaten before—aren't you just trying to bargain with other people?
"Sure, sure. How about 2 billion taels for the Third Kazekage, plus a batch of supplies?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a smile.
"Huh? The Third Hokage, didn't you agree on 5 billion ryo?"
The Third Kazekage was shocked. When the Konoha envoy came to the Land of Wind, he personally told him that it would cost at least 5 billion ryo.
"5 billion taels? We don't have that much money right now. You must have misheard me. I swear I didn't say that. Third Kazekage, don't take it to heart."
Hiruzen Sarutobi quickly denied it, since it was just empty talk and there was no written evidence.
"But 2 billion is too little! No way, Sunagakure can't afford 2 billion, it needs at least 4 billion!"
The Third Kazekage was a little angry, but Sunagakure was really reluctant to give up this deal, so he countered with a price.
"4 billion? How about this, we each compromise: 3 billion taels plus a batch of supplies?"
"If we add any more, Konoha simply can't afford it."
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked embarrassed.
"Okay, 3 billion it is. When do you want to pay?"
With things having come to this point, the Third Kazekage gritted his teeth and had no choice but to agree.
Seeing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi appeared calm on the surface, but inside he was overjoyed.
It was settled for only 3 billion. The Third Kazekage is really young. With the alliance with Sunagakure, his budget must have been at least 8 billion.
That's great, we saved 5 billion at once.
Hiruzen Sarutobi then had someone bring out the money and supplies that had been prepared beforehand and handed them over to the Third Kazekage.
Of course, this money wasn't given to the Third Kazekage for nothing; there was a condition that the Third Kazekage would temporarily place Bunpuku, the One-Tail Jinchuriki, in Konoha.
Anyway, it's already agreed that when we go to war with Kumogakure, Sunagakure will definitely send out the One-Tail.
The Third Kazekage wasn't afraid of Hiruzen Sarutobi doing anything to Bunpuku. If he dared to act recklessly, the Third Kazekage would dare to form an alliance with Kumogakure and raze Konoha to the ground!
"Alright, now that the Third Kazekage has received the money, hurry back and prepare." Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a smile, looking at the Third Kazekage as if he were a complete idiot.
Next came the negotiations with Ōnoki and Hanzo of the Salamander.
These two guys are both shrewd individuals, just like himself, Hiruzen Sarutobi doesn't want the Third Kazekage to know the details of the upcoming negotiations.
Otherwise, the Third Kazekage would definitely change his mind.
"Okay, I'll go back and prepare right away." The Third Kazekage hurriedly took the money and returned to the village.
This money can appease the injured ninjas of Sunagakure and stabilize the temporarily demoralized morale.
"Heh, Chiyo really did pick a good Kazekage."
Seeing the Third Kazekage leave in such a hurry, Ōnoki and Hanzo of the Salamander were relieved.
The legendary Strongest Kazekage turned out to be such an idiot; for the next few decades, Sunagakure had no hope of rising again!
In fact, Chiyo had become somewhat depressed after the war due to the deaths of her son and daughter-in-law, so she did not come with the Third Kazekage this time.
Otherwise, if she had come, she would never have been able to hire Sunagakure at such a low price.
Immediately afterwards, the three old foxes Hiruzen Sarutobi, Ōnoki, Hanzo of the Salamander, began to scheme against each other.
After some bargaining, Iwagakure received a reward of 13 billion ryo, but on one condition: Iwagakure must deploy the Four-Tails and Five-Tails if necessary.
After receiving the money, Ōnoki temporarily handed over the Five-Tails' First Jinchūriki to Konoha.
The Land of Rain received 4 billion taels.
After all, the Land of Rain is a small country, and the 4 billion ryo was entirely for the reputation of Hanzo of the Salamander, a Kage Level ninja, and his many powerful ninjas.
Hanzo of the Salamander Kakuzu to ear at receiving a reward that surpassed even that of Sunagakure, one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages.
It cost a total of 20 billion ryo to invite the Three Great Shinobi Villages, and Hiruzen Sarutobi was very pleased.
At least Konoha won't have to face the embarrassment of ceding territory. As long as they defeat Kumogakure, it will be a case of "the flaws don't overshadow the merits," and he can maintain his title as the " Strongest Hokage " forever.
" Hiruzen Sarutobi has actually formed an alliance with Sunagakure, Iwagakure, and the Land of Rain."
Upon receiving this news, the Third Raikage's expression also turned serious at the Kumogakure camp.
I never expected that the old fox Hiruzen Sarutobi would have such a trick up his sleeve.
Doesn't this mean that Kumogakure will suddenly face an attack from four countries: Konoha, Sunagakure, Iwagakure, and the Land of Rain?
Although these four countries suffered heavy casualties and their strength declined to varying degrees due to the Second Shinobi World War.
However, given the current strength of Kumogakure, facing the Four Great Shinobi Villages would still be quite difficult.
For Hiruzen Sarutobi to persuade these three ninja villages to unite again despite their injuries, the price he paid must have been considerable.
Therefore, the Third Raikage urgently summoned the high-ranking officials of Kumogakure to prepare for a meeting.