"Assistance?!"
Ōnoki and the others' eyes widened.
Good heavens, your father was still trying to trick people into providing aid in the name of the Shinobi Allied Forces.
You're even better, you're demanding it directly!
Truly, like father, like son; they have no shame at all.
Although they had decided to suppress the Uzushigakure, it had nothing to do with helping your Land of Lightning.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes were slightly closed as he politely refused: "You know Konoha's situation; Konoha truly cannot spare any manpower right now."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's reasoning was sound.
The front lines were currently fighting the Sunagakure, and the rear had been ravaged by the Uzushigakure.
They were busy with reconstruction; where would they find manpower for the Land of Lightning? Konoha didn't even have enough for themselves.
Ai's eyelids drooped. With his personality, he wouldn't care about their situation; he'd just demand satisfaction first.
But now that he was asking for help, it was not good to be too overbearing.
Moreover, Sarutobi Hiruzen's reason for refusal was impeccable.
The Third Kazekage also said: "You know Sunagakure's situation; Sunagakure is currently at war with Konoha, and due to Konoha's overwhelming strength, the front lines are stretched thin, so we are truly powerless."
If Konoha wouldn't provide aid, his Sunagakure naturally wouldn't either.
What if losing a single combat force became the key to deciding victory or defeat?
Sarutobi Hiruzen glanced at the Third Kazekage.
Now he's saying their Konoha is strong?
Why didn't you ever back down when we were fighting?
Ai gave the Third Kazekage a deep look and said, "The problem of the Hollows requires the unity of the Ninja World; the war between Sunagakure and Konoha should end as soon as possible."
Then he turned his gaze to Ōnoki.
Ōnoki's eyes were tightly closed, and he said serenely, "You know Iwagakure's situation..."
"Stop!"
Ai's eyes widened, and he said, "Old man Tsuchikage, your Iwagakure is living in peace. What could possibly be wrong?"
Ōnoki was interrupted but not annoyed.
He slowly said, "Future Raikage, with no ties between us, who would willingly help you for no reason?"
Ai's eyes deepened, and he took a deep breath:
"As long as Iwagakure provides aid to my Kumogakure, once the Shinobi Allied Forces are created, my Kumogakure is willing to cast its vote for Iwagakure to be the Commander-in-Chief of the Allied Forces!"
Ōnoki's eyes slightly opened, a glint flashing through them.
Having witnessed the immense power of the Hollows, and the suspected ten Biju-level combatants behind them:
The establishment of the Shinobi Allied Forces was essential!
The position of Commander-in-Chief, capable of leading the entire Allied Forces, was indeed appealing.
The Third Kazekage and Sarutobi Hiruzen's expressions also changed slightly.
Leading the entire Allied Forces, huh.
That was indeed very tempting.
However, Ōnoki remained calm and composed, neither nodding nor shaking his head.
The position of Commander-in-Chief of the Shinobi Allied Forces was nothing more than an empty promise.
To ensure the Land of Lightning wouldn't fail to deliver, he still needed the Land of Lightning to sacrifice some of its own interests.
Truly, he wouldn't let go of the hawk until he saw the rabbit!
Ai cursed inwardly, then took a deep breath:
"Alright! If Iwagakure can help my Land of Lightning rescue the Raikage, my Land of Lightning is willing to share the development rights of the Central Mountain Range with the Land of Earth!"
Boom!
Ai's words were like a clap of thunder on a clear day, shaking everyone else's hearts!
The Central Mountain Range!!
This was the Land of Lightning's most abundant mineral vein!
Lightning Stones, Rainbow Stones, Chakra Metal, and everything else imaginable!
It was also the capital that had made the Land of Lightning so powerful over the years!
Other ninja villages looked on, wishing they could bite off a piece of the Land of Lightning for themselves!
Unexpectedly, the Third Raikage's son is so bold?!
After stating this condition, Ay wilted like a deflated balloon.
It seemed that making this decision had cost him a great deal of resolve.
But this was merely an act.
Although the condition sounded very tempting,
Ay had added a prerequisite.
That was to rescue his old man!
To gain the development rights to the Central Mountain Range, they would have to use all the power of their nation to help the Land of Lightning rescue the Raikage!
However, the success rate of entering the Uzushigakure to rescue the Raikage was less than one-tenth!
After all, it was the Uzushigakure' territory, and the Uzushigakure was incredibly powerful.
This forced Ay to seek out a scapegoat.
And once the Land of Earth truly had the determination to acquire the development rights to the Central Mountain Range,
Even if they managed to rescue the Raikage, they would likely suffer heavy losses.
By then, when the Raikage had mostly recovered, the Shinobi Allied Forces would have already eliminated the Hollows.
Then, they would fight the weakened Land of Earth and reclaim the development rights to the Central Mountain Range.
In the end, the Land of Lightning would suffer no losses.
The development rights to the Central Mountain Range were merely a hook he had cast.
How else could he trick these old schemers without making them bleed a little?
Ay's calculations were clear.
But others were clearly not fools.
Ōnoki gradually calmed down.
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