After Onoki returned to the camp, he temporarily ceased his attacks on the Konoha ninja forces and adopted a defensive stance.
He now needed to carefully consider the situation after a truce with the Land of Fire.
The war had reached this point, and even the most stubborn person should learn to back down.
Currently, Iwagakure was barely holding its own against Konoha and Kumogakure, but after losing one jinchuriki, their advantage had significantly diminished.
Just as Fumori Masaki had said, if they lost another jinchuriki, Iwagakure would only be able to accept a humiliating defeat like Sunagakure.
Although Sunagakure might not have considered their outcome too bad, it was completely unacceptable in Onoki's eyes.
He dared not gamble on a future turning point.
At present, Konoha and Iwagakure were the ones who could afford to wait for the enemy to tire.
The longer it dragged on, the worse Iwagakure's situation would become.
"We might need to consider our options for retreat," Onoki said during a strategy meeting in the Iwagakure ninja camp, addressing all high-ranking ninjas.
As the undisputed Tsuchikage of Iwagakure, his attitude represented everything.
Everyone exchanged glances, their expressions varied.
Although some expressed that they couldn't just give up, those were merely formalities.
There were certainly those unwilling to back down, but the vast majority hoped for a truce, as they saw no hope of victory.
Ending the current situation might genuinely be the best outcome for Iwagakure.
"Since Konoha is willing to say this, it means they are sincere about peace talks.
Based on my understanding of Fumori Masaki, our terms shouldn't be unacceptable.
Sunagakure is in such a state, yet they haven't pursued them aggressively.
With the current strength of the Land of Earth and Iwagakure, the terms will definitely be much more lenient," Onoki said.
"But Sunagakure's situation doesn't seem to be good either," someone remarked.
The truce agreement between Konoha and Sunagakure had already been announced, and the military restrictions alone made Iwagakure feel that Sunagakure would never be able to rise again.
"Hmph.
They probably think they got a good deal, don't they?
After the truce, they can resume trade with the Land of Fire.
Although there are military restrictions, protecting the country from invasion shouldn't be a problem.
They can also join that so-called Shinobi Alliance.
Sunagakure has likely completely given up on dominating and chosen to be a regional power," Onoki scoffed.
Despite saying this, Onoki had to admit that given the situation of the Land of Wind, simply retreating to the west and becoming a regional power might indeed be a better choice.
Neither the Land of Earth nor the Land of Fire would allow the Land of Wind to expand its territory unchecked, and without fertile land as a foundation, the Land of Wind's military expansion would be impossible.
In any case, Konoha recognized the Land of Wind's status as a great nation, and that Shinobi Alliance even reserved a permanent five-seat position for the Land of Wind.
Upon hearing about the permanent five-seat position, Onoki understood that Fumori Masaki intended to respect the status of the Five Great Nations, and the shinobi world would still be dominated by them.
"Speaking of that Shinobi Alliance, will Konoha demand that we join?" a burly young man asked, looking at Onoki at the head of the table.
This young man's name was Kitsuchi, Onoki's biological son.
Although he didn't possess the talent for learning Kekkei Tota like Onoki in his youth, he was still considered outstanding.
His performance in this war was also excellent, earning him the respect of many Iwagakure ninjas.
"Heh, regardless of what others think, I personally don't believe this Shinobi Alliance can be established," Onoki said.
"Once this Shinobi Alliance is established, who will be the leader?
I will not agree to Konoha leading it, even if it is currently the strongest ninja village.
And Kumogakure, which is currently allied with Konoha, will certainly not agree either.
If neither of our two countries joins, this Shinobi Alliance will be nothing but an empty shell!"
Onoki believed that once Iwagakure joined the Shinobi Alliance, based on the intelligence currently revealed, it would be like being shackled, unable to act as it had in the past.
The Land of Wind had accepted its fate of being merely a regional power, but Iwagakure had not chosen to accept it.
As the leader of a ninja village, Onoki absolutely did not wish to constantly have to defer to Konoha in the future.
"After this war, I've come to understand that some of Konoha's methods are worth learning, such as their use of new ninja tools," Onoki said quietly.
"This truce is just a temporary respite.
In the days to come, we must diligently study Konoha's use of new technologies, and we will never again be caught off guard by explosion bombs as we were this time."
"We believe that under the leadership of Lord Tsuchikage, we will definitely be able to contend with Konoha," everyone said in unison.
"I'm very pleased to hear you say that.
I, Onoki, guarantee that I will make Konoha experience the same feelings we have today."
Onoki observed everyone's reactions, feeling somewhat satisfied.
Accustomed to autocracy in Iwagakure, he had actually been quite concerned about whether this truce would undermine his prestige.
Now it seemed that everyone still trusted him.
Iwagakure's internal desire for a truce had been confirmed.
Next was to inform the Daimyo and gain his approval for the matter, preparing for official peace talks between the two countries.
Before that, Iwagakure would also send secret envoys to contact Konoha to discuss the terms of the peace talks.
Onoki had his own reasons for choosing to negotiate only with Konoha.
According to Konoha's propaganda, once a truce agreement was signed, neither Konoha nor Kumogakure could strike at Iwagakure again, otherwise it would be an act of aggression, inconsistent with their propaganda.
Therefore, if a truce was only confirmed with Konoha, Konoha would inevitably have to prevent Kumogakure from continuing the war, which would subtly make Konoha appear as the leader, with Kumogakure merely playing the role of a subordinate.
Surely some in Kumogakure would be displeased by this.
Although Onoki felt it was unlikely to cause a rift between Konoha and Kumogakure, and as long as Konoha and Kumogakure reached an agreement on the terms of the truce, with Konoha acting on behalf of Kumogakure's interests, then Kumogakure agreeing to a truce would be fine.
However, it should still create some internal disagreements within Kumogakure, with some believing they shouldn't cooperate so closely with Konoha.
Although Iwagakure had no choice but to choose a truce, Onoki wanted to cause as much trouble for Konoha as possible, even if just a little, to at least make him feel a bit better.
Next, Onoki ordered people to go to the capital of the Land of Earth and the Konoha ninja camp, respectively.
The former openly, the latter secretly, but both with the same purpose: to discuss truce matters.
When Fumori Masaki heard that Iwagakure's secret representative had arrived at the Konoha ninja camp, he couldn't help but smile faintly.
The Second Shinobi World War was finally coming to an end.
It had lasted for nearly four years.
Although he didn't know when it ended in the normal timeline, his side would certainly finish it faster, with lower costs and greater results.
Although they couldn't deliver a decisive blow to Iwagakure and Kirigakure, they had completely subdued Sunagakure, that easily swayed fellow.
The western situation of the Land of Fire was now stable, and peaceful cooperation could begin with the Land of Wind and numerous smaller nations.
Especially with Roran, the underground Dragon Vein that Konoha had been eyeing for a long time could now be thoroughly researched.
In the past, due to Sunagakure, research was done secretly, but now it could be more open.
There was no need to worry about Sunagakure ninjas coming to secretly cause damage.
As long as Konoha achieved results, sharing some with Sunagakure later wouldn't matter.
After all, no matter how bad the Land of Wind was, it was still a great nation, and causing trouble would be a headache.
They should be given the respect due to a great nation.
Fumori Masaki also had an initial idea for Iwagakure's truce agreement.
He hadn't considered imposing harsh demands, no territorial cessions or anything like that.
Preserving the Land of Earth's original territory, only reparations were needed.
He also wouldn't force Iwagakure to join the Shinobi Alliance.
He understood that a ninja village leader wouldn't easily back down like that, and Konoha hadn't yet established absolute authority.
Fumori Masaki's demands were only necessary reparations and the rejection of Iwagakure's interference in other great nations.
The Land of Earth, Lightning, and Water might not all choose to join the Shinobi Alliance.
The only one explicitly joining was the Land of Wind.
A true Shinobi Alliance certainly couldn't be formed, but he could create a prototype.
That is, a Southern Alliance led by the Lands of Fire and Wind, composed of numerous smaller nations, would begin to implement parts of the Shinobi Alliance's vision internally.
This would both gain experience for the operation of the Shinobi Alliance and allow people from other countries to witness the advantages of such an alliance.
Other great nations probably wouldn't sit idly by, and might also choose to imitate his actions, establishing their own alliances.
That wouldn't matter.
At most, it would be a struggle between two major blocs.
Fumori Masaki had already prepared himself for this.
As long as these results could be achieved, it would be enough.
There was still a long way to go.
There were still more than twenty years before the plot time in the normal timeline, so Fumori Masaki could take his time.
Fumori Masaki sent someone to discuss the truce with Iwagakure's secret envoy, conveying his intentions.
He now only needed to await the results.
The only thing he needed to pay attention to was the situation on the Eastern Front.
Speaking of which, with Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzo present, there was actually no need to worry too much about the Eastern Front.
Based on the intelligence he had currently received, the Eastern Front also seemed to be nearing a conclusion.
Due to the variable of Fumori Masaki, Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Hokage who should have been stationed at the center of Konoha and should have been holding back Onoki or the Third Raikage, could now concentrate his forces to deal with Kirigakure.
Coupled with Shimura Danzo, who had trained with Sarutobi Hiruzen since childhood and whose abilities were very similar, the advantage could be said to be very significant.
Past Eastern Front wars also proved one point: Sarutobi Hiruzen, proficient in using all five chakra natures, was very skilled in group combat, often displaying astonishing feats of single-handedly forming an army.
Kirigakure was relatively lacking in this aspect.
Even with jinchuriki, Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't seem to be very afraid.
After readjusting the situation on the Eastern Front, Sarutobi Hiruzen's command became even more cautious, slowly eroding Kirigakure's defenses.
Although Kirigakure relied on the second base they had established through their previous surprise attack, assisting each other, they still seemed unable to salvage the overall situation.
Ultimately, it was because Kirigakure's fundamental strength was too weak.
If they had Kumogakure as support, they might have been able to contend with Konoha, and even cause trouble for Konoha in a positional battle.
But now that Kumogakure was on Konoha's side, how were they supposed to play?
Iwagakure at least had Sunagakure to help, yet even so, they were still defeated by Konoha.
According to the intelligence Fumori Masaki received, Sarutobi Hiruzen had already fought several brilliant battles, turning all of Kirigakure's beautiful dreams brought by their surprise attack into illusions.
The situation on the Eastern Front had already shown signs of dawn, and it was likely that Kirigakure would soon have to retreat to their island.
Although purely in terms of strength, Sarutobi Hiruzen being called the strongest Hokage might be a misnomer, but if other talents were added, Sarutobi Hiruzen might truly be the strongest Hokage.
Perhaps it was due to his growth in a new generation that his understanding of the new era was even deeper.
First Hokage Senju Hashirama was skilled in solo combat and not adept at commanding group battles.
Second Hokage Senju Tobirama, despite his outstanding talent, was also not as proficient in ninja village warfare due to his era of birth and age.
Sarutobi Hiruzen was only eight years old when Konoha was founded, and his acceptance of new knowledge and new situations was higher.
In the normal timeline, after Tobirama's accidental death, Sarutobi Hiruzen and his fellow students managed the overall situation, maneuvering through the ninja village era for decades.
In terms of adaptability to the ninja village era, he was absolutely the strongest of the three Hokage.
Fumori Masaki also had to admit that, purely in terms of warfare methods, Sarutobi Hiruzen was actually more tactically superior to him.
The area where he surpassed Sarutobi Hiruzen was only the strategic advantage brought by his foresight, being more accurate in the broader direction.
Both held equally important positions, but tactical command was indeed inferior to Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Fumori Masaki also recognized his shortcomings, so he entrusted tactical matters to capable individuals, ensuring strategic advantage himself.
This was also what a leader stationed in a ninja village should do; charging into battle was not for a leader.
Spreading the news that the Land of Earth was about to sign a truce to the Eastern Front should compel Kirigakure to choose a truce faster, Fumori Masaki thought.
Victory in the Second Shinobi World War was already within reach.