After the anti-Iwagakure alliance was formed, the war suddenly "calmed down."
Sunagakure did not join, choosing neutrality instead.
It didn't interfere.
It had one strategy: Sunagakure would help whoever won.
If Iwagakure won, Sunagakure would directly lead its army east to Konoha!
If the alliance won, Sunagakure would directly march north and strike at Iwagakure's homeland.
Facing an alliance that had now united, Ōnoki and Kakuzu keenly realized the crisis.
The two of them were not the type to stubbornly persist until hitting a wall.
As long as the benefits weren't there, they would immediately turn back.
"My money… it's all gone… and so many people died…"
Kakuzu closed his eyes, facing such a defeat.
As the chief strategist, he was still largely to blame.
He only hoped Old Tsuchikage would show mercy, considering he was an old subordinate.
Worse than Kakuzu was Ōnoki.
Ōnoki was the supreme leader of this war.
He was also the one who initiated it.
Ōnoki looked heartbroken. It's over, it's over.
Not only did his great achievements fail, but he might also cause Iwagakure to decline from now on.
His position as Tsuchikage was most likely unsalvageable.
With such a major incident, he could only step down.
Actually, there was still one method that might reverse the situation.
That was to bring out Old Tsuchikage.
Let Mu control Iwagakure and see if he could still manage.
But his teacher was already so old; inviting him out again would make him seem too incompetent.
Moreover, his teacher's strength was great, but he was already old.
If he died because of this war, it would be ruined.
Making an old comrade over sixty years old get up and fight again was too shameful…
....
Iwagakure Conference Building.
"It's not that I, Ōnoki, am not united with everyone, but rather for the sake of our people. The external situation is changing too fast; it's our mistake…"
"I, Kakuzu, am largely to blame and apologize to everyone. To the Ninja and civilians of Iwagakure who died, we express our deepest apologies! I will pay compensation and condolence money!"
Ōnoki and Kakuzu both stood up simultaneously.
They bowed in apology to the hundred high-ranking officials who had come to the meeting.
As the two bowed, the Iwagakure high-ranking officials were filled with sorrow.
It seemed that humiliation was an inevitable reality…
Just as everyone was silent, the door to the conference room was pushed open.
Then, surrounded by several Anbu, Mu slowly walked into the venue.
All the officials present were first startled, then everyone stood up to greet him, respectfully applauding.
Clap clap clap clap clap!
"Old Tsuchikage!"
"Old Tsuchikage!"
The clear breeze touches the southern branch, yearning still in dreams~
Waiting for the high autumn to see the mountains, then revisiting old friends~
Mu applauded while slowly walking into the Iwagakure Hall.
"Teacher! Why have you come?"
Ōnoki immediately flew forward to support Mu.
Mu did not speak, merely looking at Ōnoki faintly.
"Teacher, I am incompetent. I have led Iwagakure into such a predicament."
Ōnoki said with a face full of shame.
"Old Tsuchikage, it was my flawed execution that caused the other three Ninja Villages to unite. It was my mistake…"
Kakuzu also stepped forward to admit his mistake.
"The fault is not yours. If anyone is to blame, it's the limitations of history."
Mu did not choose to blame the two of them.
These two were not the problem.
If anyone was to blame, it was himself.
Blame himself for getting carried away.
Perhaps he was old and becoming muddled.
Even he initially thought Iwagakure would surely win, which was why he indulged Ōnoki.
If it were his old self, he would definitely choose to slowly wear down Konoha, rather than launching one powerful attack to destroy it.
"I will personally go to the front lines. You two will arrange logistics for me, secure the basic foundation, and leave the rest to me."
Mu patted their shoulders.
Ōnoki and Kakuzu were both startled.
"Teacher, are you really capable?"
Ōnoki asked worriedly.
"I can go with you!"
Kakuzu said, radiating killing intent.
His Earth Grudge Fear was not to be trifled with; he was, after all, Kage-level in strength.
People's deepest impression of him was his money-making ability, thus overlooking that he was also a Kage-level powerhouse.
"Teacher, I can also go with you!"
Ōnoki immediately said.
Ōnoki was also a Kage-level Ninja, even Kage-peak according to his performance in the Fourth War.
"You two protect Iwagakure from the rear. I'll handle the rest."
Mu said in a deep voice.
The two still wanted to say something, but Mu directly told them not to speak.
"Immediately call up the troops! I will lead them personally!"
Mu ordered directly.
In an instant, the Iwagakure officials present burst into tears.
Some were Mu's old subordinates, even crying silently.
When they saw the sixty-something Old Tsuchikage still daring to go to the front lines to fight for the Village's interests, everyone was moved and ashamed, that Old Tsuchikage still had to personally go to the battlefield.
This was Mu, whom the First Tsuchikage said possessed the Will of Stone that could not be taken away, and a mind that could not be moved by a myriad of thoughts!
On the path to the Will of Stone, he would carry it through to the end.
For a moment, the entire Iwagakure Hall was enveloped in sorrow.
Iwagakure Ninjas shed tears (sad~)
Seeing this, Mu sighed for a moment.
Are you all like Hōzuki Gengetsu now?
Suddenly so tear-jerking.
"The sun, moon, mountains, and rivers are still here, do not weep, everyone!"
"Resilient and unmoving, I hope all of you present have such a will!"
Mu swept his gaze over the faces of countless officials.
"You are all new faces, likely promoted by Ōnoki. I will give you a saying: 'Many begin well, but few persevere to the end!'"
Mu earnestly instructed the Iwagakure officials.
Having toiled for Iwagakure for nearly fifty years, Mu's eyes shimmered with tears, and his voice choked!
He said with a choked voice,
"Our… Iwagakure's… future… what it will become… I entrust to all of you!"
"I firmly believe! No difficulty can defeat the people of Iwagakure!"
Clap clap clap clap clap!!!!
As soon as his words fell, deafening applause erupted in the venue!!!!
All Iwagakure officials stood up, applauding with tears in their eyes!
They looked with tears in their eyes at the huge portraits of past Tsuchikages on the back wall of the hall!
Three giant portraits watched them like giants.
The First Raikage, a man of great vision, established Iwagakure!
The Second Tsuchikage, resourceful and cunning, outwitted the Twin Gods!
The Sandaime(3rd), silent and unyielding, carried it through to the end!
Indeed, heroes emerge in every generation!
"Long live the Second Tsuchikage! Long live the past Tsuchikages!"
"Flames rise, burning through Iwagakure!"
"Nothing more to say, resolute support!"
"
....
Mu wore an Iwagakure vest and new bandages.
Although his injuries had long healed, the bandages had evolved into a cultural symbol, his own unique feature.
As long as he was wrapped in bandages, who in the world wouldn't know him?!
Just showing the bandages was enough to let people know who had arrived.
A mummy adorned in top-grade red.
Are you afraid people won't know you're the one hunting the big fatty?
Mu looked at the old man in the mirror.
Handsome, weathered, with a charming handsomeness.
Having worn bandages for so long, they had become his face.
"An old steed in the stable still longs to gallop a thousand miles."
"A martyr in his twilight years, his ambition remains undimmed!"