A moment later, three Ninjas clad in heavy earth-yellow cloaks stepped into the dim interior of the tent.
Your Excellency, the Third Kazekage.
The lead Ninja from Iwagakure was named Tsuchiryu, a long-renowned Jonin known for his gritty pragmatism.
Seeing the Third Kazekage, Tsuchiryu gave a slight, formal nod and got straight to the point of his visit. I am Tsuchiryu. By the direct order of the Tsuchikage, I have come specifically to discuss a formal military alliance with Sunagakure.
An alliance—
The Third Kazekage thought to himself, As expected.
Minato's sudden appearance on the battlefield had dealt a heavy blow to Sunagakure's momentum, but for Iwagakure, was his existence not also viewed as a massive existential threat?
Sunagakure had originally put a bounty of $100,000,000$ Ryo on Minato's head. As soon as that notice was posted at the underground exchange office, the price quickly soared to over $200,000,000$ Ryo.
It was clear that Sunagakure was not the only party who wanted to eliminate the Wood Release user before he could fully mature.
Since we are to form a formal alliance, there must be a foundation of mutual trust. But if I recall correctly, there is certainly no lack of animosity between our two Villages, is there?
The Third Kazekage spoke calmly, his voice steady despite the internal pressure.
Although he also desperately wanted to ally with Iwagakure to split the burden, such a monumental matter could not be settled just by pleasant talk.
Sunagakure and Konoha did not get along, but their historical friction with Iwagakure was also quite significant.
Furthermore, if one were to be honest, Sunagakure had only started this war because their environmental conditions were so harsh they could barely survive another year.
If they delayed the conflict any longer, they would either face a total economic collapse or violent internal strife; there was simply no other choice for them.
In sharp contrast, Iwagakure's motives were driven purely by a desire for military expansion and territorial gain.
Besides, that old geezer Onoki had never been one for credibility or keeping his word. Even if they were to form an alliance, the Kazekage knew he had to keep a constant guard up.
Then it depends on whether historical animosity or the current threat is more important in Your Excellency's eyes.
Tsuchiryu seemed to have fully anticipated the Third Kazekage's cold reaction. The name Minato Namikaze... Your Excellency should have a very deep impression of it by now, shouldn't you?
Hearing this, the expressions of the Sunagakure Ninjas standing in the tent immediately turned sour.
Surely Your Excellency has not come all this way just to mock Sunagakure's recent misfortune?
Standing beside the Third Kazekage, Ebizo spoke up calmly, The failure of our vanguard was merely due to a total lack of intelligence. After all, no one would have expected an eight-year-old brat to possess such overwhelming power.
If he had not felt a strong personal threat, with Onoki's stubborn personality, he likely would not have lowered himself to send someone here for an alliance.
So it is Your Excellency Ebizo. Tsuchiryu's expression became slightly more respectful upon recognizing the veteran strategist.
Spare us the meaningless pleasantries. Let's talk straight about the terms.
Ebizo placed both of his hands firmly on the table, looking like nothing more than an ordinary, harmless old man. Your objective is also the elimination of the Wood Release user, I assume?
Yes.
Tsuchiryu nodded slightly. Lord Tsuchikage hopes to form a joint alliance with Sunagakure to eliminate Minato Namikaze at any cost. Surely Sunagakure would not want to sit by and watch such a threat grow into a second God of Shinobi, either?
At any cost—
The Third Kazekage gave a light, cynical snort.
Sunagakure could not afford to pay any more costs than they already had.
What about your actual sincerity in this matter?
Iwagakure's main forces have fully arrived at the borders of the Land of Grass and the Land of Rain. Once the alliance is officially formed, Iwagakure will launch an all-out offensive against the Konoha lines.
Tsuchiryu said the words calmly, According to our latest Iwagakure intelligence, Minato Namikaze is currently stationed at the front-line camp in the Land of Rain. Konoha clearly intends to protect him at the center of their formation.
The pressure Sunagakure exerts on Konoha alone likely will not be enough to force him onto the dangerous front lines where we can kill him.
Is a direct head-on collision the only method your Village can think of?
The Third Kazekage's brow furrowed in annoyance. This proposal was as reckless and blunt as it could possibly get.
Originally, we wanted to use a hostage kidnapping to force him to comply with our demands, but according to reports from our hidden spies, the brat's social circle is pitifully small.
Tsuchiryu shook his head slightly, also feeling quite helpless regarding the target.
Those known to be close to him are Minato Namikaze's teacher—the granddaughter of the First Hokage, Princess Tsunade—as well as Princess Tsunade's younger brother Nawaki, and a childhood friend from the Uzumaki Clan, Uzumaki Kushina.
The first two are currently at Konoha's front-line camp under heavy guard. The latter is suspected to be Konoha's candidate Jinchuriki and is currently living with the First Hokage's wife, Uzumaki Mito, under the direct protection of the Konoha Anbu.
Because her entire family had to go to the battlefield, Kushina had no choice but to temporarily stay with Uzumaki Mito for safety.
After all, Minato only had these few identifiable weaknesses. With Tsunade and Nawaki already by Minato's side, how could Hiruzen Sarutobi leave Kushina home alone in an empty house?
Thus, long before Tsunade and the others left the Village, they had settled Kushina with Mito.
In the absence of being able to use hostages as leverage, can Your Excellency think of a better solution to draw him out? Tsuchiryu chuckled.
The Third Kazekage fell into a deep silence.
Over the past week, he had not refrained from using every underhanded method available, such as ordering spies hidden in Konoha to poison Minato's food.
But the news the spies sent back nearly caused him to have a total mental breakdown—this kid actually insisted on cooking for himself every day!
And he was even eating damn barbecue in the middle of a war!
So extravagant!!
He, a Kazekage, could only miserably gnaw on dry rations to save money, yet that kid was eating premium barbecue in the middle of a front-line camp?
Wait, is no one in their hierarchy going to discipline him for such waste?
Is this how you Konoha people spoil your talented children?!
Upon learning this, the Third Kazekage was beyond furious and immediately ordered his spies to find any opportunity for a direct assassination attempt.
As it turned out, the spies reported back again: after building two houses every morning with his Ninjutsu, the target stayed inside his small wooden cabin and did not come out. The vicinity of the cabin was always either the medical department or the command headquarters.
It seems Your Excellency cannot think of any good methods either, Tsuchiryu said with a small smile.
A Ninja's methods were usually limited: assassination, poisoning, or traps...
Did they really think Iwagakure had not considered those options already?
The Third Kazekage remained silent for a long time before finally nodding slowly. Let's talk about the specific terms of the alliance.
The sounds of plotting within the tent were masked by the constant rhythm of the rain. A conspiracy against Konoha—or rather, specifically against Minato—quietly began to unfold in the dark.
Two days later, a sudden piece of news shattered the fragile status quo in the Land of Rain.
Sunagakure and Iwagakure had officially formed an alliance and launched simultaneous, massive attacks on Konoha from three fronts: the Land of Rain, the Land of Rivers, and the Land of Grass!
Fortunately, Konoha was not entirely ignorant of their movements. Although they did not know the primary target was Minato, news of the two Villages' alliance had been sent back by deep-cover spies.
Consequently, they immediately took defensive countermeasures and held the enemy forces at the border.
Large numbers of Ninja forces flooded the front lines. Especially in the Land of Rain, which sat at the center of the three countries, the situation on the battlefield intensified instantly!
Meanwhile, inside a warm, dry wooden cabin at Konoha's front-line camp.
Minato was handing a carefully shelled nut to Mikoto's lips, a hint of testing in his bright eyes.
Mikoto's cheeks flushed slightly at the intimacy. She gave him a reproachful glare but still gently opened her mouth to take the offering from him.
Seeing this, a triumphant, subtle smile played on the corners of Minato's mouth.
Since they had cleared the air and bared their hearts last time, their relationship had progressed with rapid speed.
Minato had also launched a gentle yet passionate pursuit of Mikoto's affection.
The two were very close now, their breaths intermingling as a faint sweetness and warmth filled the small room.
Outside, the rain was continuous and dark war clouds gathered, while inside, the fire crackled as affection quietly grew between them.
The threat of the alliance between the two Great Hidden Villages seemed to have absolutely nothing to do with this peaceful, small corner.
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