Chapter 199: The Tsuchikage and Raikage Arrive
Facing Nagato's question, Uchiha Douhuan gently sipped his tea, then slowly began to speak: "I plan to launch a war, a war that will end all disputes."
Nagato's pupils instantly constricted upon hearing this.
"During the Third Great Ninja War, although Konoha was, strictly speaking, the victor, I witnessed Kumogakure use war as a threat, forcing the Hyuga clan's Branch House head to end the incident with his death. At that moment, I realized that if the problem isn't solved at its source, then war will never cease."
Uchiha Douhuan continued, "What the ninja world needs is unification. Therefore, I will stake everything on one battle, and end everything within our generation."
"Including the Land of Rain?" Nagato frowned.
"Naturally, including the Land of Rain," Uchiha Douhuan said, looking directly into the other's eyes without flinching.
"Why tell me your plan? Aren't you afraid I'll spread your plan throughout the ninja world? At that time, the Land of Fire will become the target of all," Nagato asked.
"You wouldn't do that," Uchiha Douhuan shook his head.
"You're that certain?"
"Of course. Because among the leaders of all the major and minor powers in the entire ninja world, you are one of the few who genuinely hopes for peace and has been continuously working towards it," Uchiha Douhuan stated. "This is also why I agreed to your request for a meeting."
Uchiha Douhuan refilled the teacup Nagato had unknowingly finished, then said, "I think we can be fellow travelers."
"Fellow travelers?" Nagato fell into deep thought upon hearing this.
Uchiha Douhuan wasn't anxious either. While Nagato was thinking, Uchiha Douhuan looked up at Konan.
"By the way, Miss Angel," Uchiha Douhuan said with a smile.
"Lord Hokage can just call me Konan," Konan replied.
"Alright, Miss Konan, I wonder who is responsible for personnel matters in your esteemed organization?" Uchiha Douhuan asked.
"It is precisely I who am responsible. May I ask if Lord Hokage has some matter in asking this?" Konan asked, puzzled.
"It's like this: I have a child here who, due to some conflict with the adults in his family, is currently homeless. Due to some special considerations, Konoha cannot take that child in. So, Miss Konan and your esteemed organization, could you help me take care of him for a period? Of course, you don't need to worry about his strength; that child is exceptionally gifted. Although he graduated from the Ninja Academy less than two years ago, his strength is already sufficient to defeat some of Konoha's veteran Jounin," Uchiha Douhuan explained.
"Lord Hokage, you should be aware of the status of the people our Akatsuki organization recruits at this stage," Konan tactfully reminded Uchiha Douhuan; their organization currently consisted of rogue ninjas.
"Regarding this issue, you two needn't worry. That child is not a Konoha ninja," Uchiha Douhuan shook his head, then continued, "However, that child's hobbies are a bit peculiar. If you plan to recruit him as a member of your organization, it might cause your organization quite a bit of trouble."
"If it's just unique hobbies, then there's no problem," Nagato interjected at this point.
What a joke! Among their current Akatsuki ninjas, who didn't have some unique hobby? There was one who loved money as much as his life and would trade teammates for cash, another who liked to dismantle two parts of his own body when bored, and recently, a cultist with a somewhat muddled brain had even joined. According to Uchiha Douhuan's words, how much trouble could the hobby of a child who just graduated from the Ninja Academy two years ago cause them?
"Lord Hokage, perhaps you could tell us how you plan to cooperate with our Land of Rain," Nagato looked at Uchiha Douhuan and said. "Is it necessary for our Land of Rain to join your Konoha Pact?"
"Not for now," Uchiha Douhuan replied. "The issue with the Land of Waterfall isn't completely resolved yet. If your Land of Rain also shows an intention to ally with us, I think Onoki would immediately, regardless of anything else, directly declare war on Konoha. At that time, Kumogakure and Sunagakure wouldn't miss this opportunity either, and the Fourth Great Ninja War would begin directly."
"With Konoha's current strength, plus our Akatsuki organization, the probability of winning this war should be very high," Nagato said after pondering for a moment.
"It is very high, but this is not the war I desire," Uchiha Douhuan shook his head.
"The current Konoha, plus your Land of Rain and some other allies, although I am confident of victory in war, the duration of this war would be dragged out for a very long time," Uchiha Douhuan stated. "The longer the war drags on, the greater the suffering inflicted upon the common people. What I want is a swift and decisive war. This is also why I use various means to cause trouble for my opponents and deplete their strength."
"I see." Nagato nodded. By now, he truly began to believe in Uchiha Douhuan's peace plan. The harm inflicted upon civilians by a prolonged war was something he had deeply experienced in his youth. "I just wonder how much more time Lord Hokage needs?"
"Three years, three years at most," Uchiha Douhuan extended three fingers and said slowly. "When Konoha has sufficient strength, in just three months, I can end all wars and unify the ninja world!"
When Uchiha Douhuan spoke, his tone was very spirited. Nagato was also infected by the confidence Uchiha Douhuan displayed, nodded, and said, "Alright, I believe you."
"However, I also wish to know, after the war, how do you plan to arrange the Land of Rain?" Nagato asked the most crucial question.
"In my plan, for Konoha's allies, after the unification of the ninja world, as long as they are willing to accept the leadership of the Land of Fire, Konoha will allow them to retain a certain degree of autonomy. Furthermore, Konoha will also carry out a certain degree of transformation of the Land of Rain's natural environment, opening up the mountain ranges between the Land of Rain and the Lands of Earth and Wind, allowing the Land of Fire's moist monsoons to pass through normally instead of being completely trapped within the Land of Rain's borders. This will solve the huge impact on your country's agriculture caused by the year-round rainy season. At that time, the citizens of the Land of Rain will also be able to share the warm sunshine with us."
Uchiha Douhuan's words left Nagato somewhat dazed. For someone who had lived in the Land of Rain since childhood, sunshine was indeed an extremely precious thing to them.
"Only by joining you can all this be obtained?" Nagato asked.
"No. After unification is completed, these are all things we will do. Even if your Akatsuki organization chooses to be an enemy of Konoha in the future, our plan to transform the Land of Rain will not change," Uchiha Douhuan said after shaking his head. "The only difference will be whether the Land of Rain can retain a certain degree of autonomy."
"I understand," Nagato nodded. "Akatsuki is willing to walk with Konoha."
...
After both sides showed an intention to cooperate, Nagato and Uchiha Douhuan talked late into the night. During their conversation, Nagato was also moved by the sincerity Uchiha Douhuan displayed. He proactively proposed releasing the Five-Tails, whose Jinchuriki had already lost signs of life and was only maintained by a seal from dissipating, to Konoha's Tailed Beast nature reserve. He also informed Uchiha Douhuan of the existence of the Gedo Statue.
Regarding this, Uchiha Douhuan also, concerning Nagato's physical condition, invited the other to undergo a detailed physical examination in Konoha to see if a method could be found to suppress the enormous burden the Rinnegan placed on his body.
However, all this would have to wait until after the Joint Chunin Exams concluded. Over the next few days, after the ninjas from the small nations successively arrived, the ninjas from Iwagakure and Kumogakure coming to participate in this Joint Chunin Exam also arrived in Konoha, led by their respective Kage.
As for Sunagakure, which came to participate in the exams in the original timeline? They were currently overwhelmed by matters concerning the Fifth Kazekage. After Gaara and Rasa had their confrontation, there was naturally no possibility of Gaara becoming Kazekage. But within Sunagakure, there was temporarily no one with sufficient strength and standing to become the Fifth Kazekage. Although, to save her younger brother's life, Sunagakure's eldest princess Temari expressed interest in the Kazekage position, her current strength was still insufficient.
Of course, more importantly, having lost Rasa, that economic lifeline, Sunagakure's current finances were already on the brink of collapse. If not for accepting the leftover portion of D-rank missions Uchiha Douhuan had cut back for military reform, Sunagakure's ninjas would already be eating sand. Naturally, they had no leisure or inclination to come participate in the Chunin Exams.
The motorcades of Onoki and A arrived almost simultaneously. Konoha naturally attached great importance to the arrival of the two Kage. Even Sarutobi Hiruzen, who had become engrossed in using his retirement pension to restore the Naka River water system's ecological population, also, on this day, put on the Hokage robes he hadn't worn in a long time and came to the village gate with Uchiha Douhuan to welcome the arrival of the two Kage.
After Onoki and A disembarked at Konoha's village gate, they first exchanged some polite pleasantries before stepping onto the red carpet leading directly into Konoha Village together.
After the two arrived at Konoha's village gate, Uchiha Douhuan and Sarutobi Hiruzen went up to greet them with smiles.
"Thank you both for coming from afar." Uchiha Douhuan smiled and first extended his hand towards Onoki. "It's been a while; Lord Tsuchikage is still as vigorous as ever."
"Hehe, Lord Hokage jests. The recent happenings in our Iwagakure have caused this old man a terrible headache," Onoki said. "By the way, that brat Deidara didn't come to your Konoha, did he?"
"Of course not," Uchiha Douhuan lied without changing expression. "If that child came to Konoha, I would definitely detain him immediately and then hand him over to you, Lord Tsuchikage, for handling."
"You'd best be so," Onoki nodded, then began to reminisce with Sarutobi Hiruzen beside him.
"Lord Third Hokage seems to be looking increasingly leisurely these days. Retirement life looks quite nourishing," this old fellow Onoki, although appearing to greet Sarutobi Hiruzen on the surface, also harbored some thoughts of trying to stir Sarutobi Hiruzen's desire for power to cause trouble for Uchiha Douhuan.
But Sarutobi Hiruzen wasn't a good person either. Hearing Onoki's words, he chuckled pleasantly and said, "Yes, with a young talent like Douhuan holding the reins of the village, this old man can also peacefully enjoy the leisurely life of doting on his grandson. Speaking of which, Lord Tsuchikage's age should be about the same as mine, right? I wonder when I'll have the chance to invite you fishing together."
The two old men engaged in witty banter on the side, while Uchiha Douhuan had already come before A.
Uchiha Douhuan looked up at A, who was a head taller than him. At this moment, this iron tower-like man was also sizing up Uchiha Douhuan.
"Fourth Raikage, a pleasure to meet you." Uchiha Douhuan smiled and was the first to extend his hand towards A.
"A pleasure," A also extended his hand at this point. After grasping Uchiha Douhuan's hand, he slowly applied force.
Uchiha Douhuan returned the gesture without changing expression.
Subsequently, Lightning Release chakra began to clash with their clasped palms as the battlefield. In just a few breaths, countless tiny electric arcs exploded continuously in this tiny space. Although neither felt good, after their hands separated, neither Uchiha Douhuan nor A showed any abnormality on their faces.
"Fifth Hokage, truly formidable," A said, nodding, forcibly enduring the numbness in his right hand.
"The Fourth Raikage is the formidable one. When I was still a Genin, I had already heard of Your Excellency's deeds. Seeing you today, your reputation is truly well-deserved." Uchiha Douhuan was also not feeling too good at this moment. Although the power of his Lightning Release chakra surpassed that of the Fourth Raikage, this barbarian, in terms of pure physical strength, Uchiha Douhuan was still somewhat inferior compared to the other party. During the handshake just now, his right hand had also been squeezed painfully.
"In any case, welcome, both of you. Before the Chunin Exams officially begin, you two can stroll around Konoha as you please," Uchiha Douhuan said. "Of course, please also restrain your subordinate ninjas. Soon, this will be the first time I host a Joint Chunin Exam after taking office as Hokage. I do not wish for any unpleasantness with other villages regarding this matter. I hope you two can understand."
When Uchiha Douhuan spoke, his eyes were fixed on the Fourth Raikage, and a faint killing intent emanated from his body. Onoki was alright; this old man was at least a respectable person. Knowing Uchiha Douhuan's strength, he probably wouldn't cause trouble inside Konoha. But the Fourth Raikage A had a prior record in this aspect.
"Hehe, Hokage jests," A chuckled drily.
"That's for the best," Uchiha Douhuan said after narrowing his eyes. "Konoha has prepared a sumptuous welcome banquet for you two. Please."
"Please!" Onoki looked at Uchiha Douhuan and A with some regret, lamenting that the two hadn't directly started fighting.
"Please," A then also composed his expression and kept up with Uchiha Douhuan's pace.
At this banquet welcoming the Kage of the Land of Earth and the Land of Lightning, the Fifth Mizukage Takagi Shōban, who considered himself their equal, also came to the scene, wanting to greet the two. But Onoki at least gave this fellow some face. As for A, he directly ignored Takagi Shōban's outstretched hand and walked straight to the center of the banquet.
(End of Chapter)
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