IW: Chapter 130 - Konoha Against the Entire Ninja World? No! It's Me, Uchiha Bai Ye!
"I really didn't expect you could persuade those guys from Hidden Mist."
Shikaku sighed with emotion; this series of changes still left him awestruck.
Hidden Mist's participation largely alleviated Konoha's frontline pressure.
"There are still many resources in the Land of Fire that haven't been consumed, but they've already made many Ninja Clans rich. All Konoha has paid is the crime of being rebellious in the eyes of the other great nations, but to Hidden Mist, it's as if it doesn't exist. This is real, tangible benefit, and Hidden Mist needs this benefit now."
Ultimately, it boiled down to self-interest. Everyone used to abide by the rule where Ninja engaged in war as a military organization forming a NinjaVillage, and the Daimyo provided resources to ensure the Ninja's survival.
Everyone used to be willing to comply, but now they saw that the Daimyo could only shout a few times and were utterly helpless against Konoha; some were even killed by Bai Ye and his people after speaking.
How could Hidden Mist not be tempted?
No one would be happy with a group of powerless people controlling them. It's just that no one thought about this matter back then.
"You're right. After following you to eliminate the Daimyo, our Nara family also gained many benefits!"
Konoha's plate was indeed too small, and there wasn't much for everyone to eat. But after eliminating those nobles in the Land of Fire, the vested interests became theirs, and everyone was feasting.
Perhaps at first, everyone had some disagreement with Bai Ye eliminating the Daimyo, but they couldn't object since Bai Ye was the Hokage, was strong, and had the Uchiha Clan backing him. So everyone silently agreed to the matter.
But once they truly gained benefits, all previous disagreements turned into agreements.
Even Konoha's villagers applauded because they received tangible benefits. Additionally, after Bai Ye obtained some of the profits, he also distributed some to the common people of the Land of Fire, which led to the Land of Fire's internal acceptance of this situation.
Without the Daimyo, life actually improved.
"So Hidden Mist is definitely willing, and aren't they already back to consuming those resources? Oh, Shikaku, write a few letters for me. The content of the letters should be an invitation for the Kage of other NinjaVillages to eliminate their Village's Daimyo. Then, have one copy sent to the Kage and another to the intelligence personnel on the Daimyo's side, making it seem like they intercepted it."
"An open conspiracy!"
Shikaku listened to Bai Ye's words, pondered them carefully, and couldn't help but admire Bai Ye's cunning.
Didn't they say Uchiha don't use their brains and are reckless their whole lives?
Everyone knew these letters were intentionally sent by Konoha to provoke them.
Normally, people wouldn't take it seriously, but now it's different. Konoha just eliminated the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, and the Daimyo of the Land of Water also died. So what will the Daimyo of the other three nations think?
Whether this letter is real or not is no longer important. What's important is that they can no longer trust their own NinjaVillage.
And once a rift appears, it can never go back to how it was.
"Jiraiya went to the Land of Earth battlefield, and Tsunade also went to the Sunagakure side. Are you going to Kumogakure?"
Kumogakure's strength is the strongest among the other NinjaVillages. Besides A, they also have two Tailed Beasts.
Because of the Tailed Beasts, Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Shisui went to the Iwagakure battlefield.
Sharingan has an advantage in dealing with Tailed Beasts.
On the Sunagakure battlefield, Tsunade is fighting Chiyo, and Pakura is fighting Rasa. The Tailed Beast in Sunagakure is not yet fully grown, still a child, just like Konoha's.
Similarly, due to Hidden Mist's participation, Konoha holds an absolute advantage on the Sunagakure side.
Kumogakure also has two Tailed Beasts, including the Eight-Tails. And now both the Eight-Tails and the Two-Tails are in their prime, coupled with Kumogakure's emphasis on strength, their Jinchuriki are also stronger than other Jinchuriki.
"Alright."
Kumogakure, huh? This NinjaVillage can't be dealt with by words; the only way is with fists. That's how Kumogakure is.
"Brother, do those idiots in Konoha really think we'll do that?"
"Shut up!"
A glared at Killer Bee, then rubbed his forehead in annoyance, saying, "Samui, what do we do next?"
Although he appeared reckless, he actually possessed his own wisdom. He naturally knew Bai Ye's tactic was to provoke discord between them and the Daimyo.
But there was nothing he could do.
In fact, A was also considering whether to eliminate the Daimyo.
After all, judging from Konoha and Hidden Mist, it seemed there wasn't much risk in eliminating the Daimyo.
"Currently, I suggest maintaining a good relationship with the Daimyo. And after those incidents, the Daimyo won't turn on us now. Konoha can do it, but we might not be able to."
Samui shook her head, looking at the restless A, and stated her opinion. In Samui's view, now was absolutely not the time to act like Konoha.
Konoha could, but they couldn't!
"Why?"
A irritably ruffled his hair. It was just eliminating the Daimyo. In fact, which of these NinjaVillages hadn't considered making a move?
Konoha did it, they could do it too!
There was no loss in eliminating the Daimyo anyway!
"Because this was a long-planned move by Konoha. They must have planned everything before acting, so they could quickly take over everything in the Land of Fire after acting. But we can only do it on the fly, and the consequence of doing it on the fly is that our speed will definitely not match Konoha's. If it were peacetime, we could act now, but now we are preparing for war with Konoha, and our main forces are already on the front lines. How can we do other things?"
Isn't it obvious?
They planned it for a long time, and you're acting on a whim. Can it be the same?
"Damn it, now it seems these Daimyo will hinder our progress. But once we eliminate Konoha this time, we'll get rid of the Daimyo!!"
A also understood that this matter would likely not go as he wished. Indeed, Konoha's swift actions amazed the entire Ninja World. He also understood that if he wanted to replicate Konoha's approach, it would certainly not work, and Hidden Mist's Daimyo was most likely eliminated with Konoha's help.
Otherwise, how could they cooperate with Konoha to deal with their three NinjaVillages?
"The situation isn't particularly favorable for us. Iwagakure is being held back by the Uchiha Clan and Jiraiya. Tsunade went to Sunagakure, and Hidden Mist also joined the Sunagakure battlefield. We have to face most of Konoha's fighting force and their Hokage alone!"
Samui was most worried about the Hokage. That guy was able to eliminate Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo in front of so many people in Konoha.
How terrifying must that guy's combat power be?
"The Hokage is just a coward. In my opinion, every Hokage is pretty much the same. Didn't the Second Hokage also die at the hands of our Kumogakure? The Third Hokage even compromised after being threatened a bit by us."
He wouldn't mention the First and Fourth Hokage for now, but these two Hokage made A feel that Hokage were nothing special.
They crippled themselves by eliminating Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo. If both of them were brought to the Kumogakure battlefield along with Bai Ye, he might be a bit afraid.
What kind of lineup do they have?
Himself + Eight-Tails + Two-Tails, plus a group of Kumogakure's elite Jonin. How could they lose?
"That's what you say, but should we agree to Ōnoki's proposal?"
"Heh heh, that old man has too many tricks!"
A's face flashed with disdain, and at the same time, he felt some resistance in his heart.
This alliance with Ōnoki already made him feel disgusted.
After all, the Third Hokage died at the hands of Iwagakure. If it weren't for the current critical issue with Konoha, they would still be fighting.
But he had to admire Ōnoki. If they truly followed Ōnoki's idea and combined their Ninja, they would have a total of four Tailed Beasts.
And because Takigakure was also participating, they could add one more Tailed Beast.
Because Konoha killed the Daimyo, the originally neutral nations instantly couldn't sit still. These Daimyo naturally wouldn't allow this to happen, as it harmed their interests.
Thus, Takigakure ordered Takigakure to fight Konoha, and also to bring the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki.
The Land of Iron, as a neutral party, also received orders from the Daimyo to attack on the eastern front of the Land of Fire. The Land of Rivers and the Land of Grass would converge with Sunagakure on the southwest front.
The Daimyo of Land of Snow, Dotō Kazahana, would lead his Ninja to also converge with the Ninja of Takigakure.
Konoha's southeastern direction was entirely entrusted to Hidden Mist.
Currently, it was Konoha and Hidden Mist against basically all forces in the Ninja World.
The Land of Rice Fields currently had no movement, as it was under Orochimaru's control, and Orochimaru didn't want to move for now. But now Orochimaru was interested in acquiring the UchihaKekkei Genkai.
Ever since he was defeated by Itachi in the Akatsuki Organization last time, his desire for the Sharingan reached its peak, especially after learning that Hiruzen Sarutobi also died under the Mangekyo. He yearned to obtain the Mangekyo.
And the Land of Rain, as the Akatsuki Organization's base, was occupied by Pain. For the sake of his plan, he also didn't intend to act, letting the various NinjaVillages fight fiercely, and he would just come out to finish things off at the end.
"So we'll go through the Land of Rice Fields and then wait in the Land of Frost for Ōnoki's Iwagakure and the Ninja from Takigakure and the Land of Grass to arrive?"
A fell silent. This seemed feasible, although cooperating with Iwagakure was disgusting, it was indeed the best way to consolidate the strongest forces and utterly defeat Konoha.
"I think it's possible. At least if we combine, we'll have five Tailed Beasts, and the Nine-Tailed on Konoha's side has no combat power, so we'll have a guaranteed seven Kage-level individuals here!"
Samui hadn't even counted Iwagakure's other strong individuals, only the five Jinchuriki and two Kage.
"Alright, tell that bastard Ōnoki to eliminate Konoha together, but our grudge won't be settled that easily!"
Although a bit annoyed, A also understood that this was the best option, so he naturally wouldn't refuse!
This was also beneficial to Kumogakure. It was clear that the Ninja force led by Bai Ye was definitely stronger than Iwagakure's.
"I understand. Oh, is there someone you want to meet?"
"Who?"
"Asuma Sarutobi."
Asuma Sarutobi was recommended here after delivering the letter to the Daimyo of the Land of Lightning.
He could no longer return to the Land of Fire. If it weren't for the Daimyo of the Land of Fire protecting him back then, he would probably have been captured as a rogue Ninja already.
And now that the Daimyo was dead, how could he possibly return?
"Heh heh, is that guy seeking revenge?"
A's face flashed with a sneer when he heard the name, clearly understanding Asuma's intentions.
An elite Jonin joining? He felt it wasn't impossible!
However, he always looked down on such traitors who could betray their own Village. Coupled with learning some of Asuma's past actions, A naturally looked down on Asuma even more.
It was just that Asuma still had some use for now.
"Yes, he wants to join the ranks attacking Konoha, but his stated intention is to deal with the Uchiha, not Konoha."
"Alright, tell him to prepare. I won't see him; I don't have time!"
"Okay!"
Samui finished speaking and then informed Asuma of the matter.
Asuma's face was very grim that Kumogakure didn't come to see him. After Samui left, he secretly thought, "Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river; don't bully a middle-aged man in poverty!"
When he was the Hokage's son, who didn't curry favor with him?
Now, it's truly a tiger fallen on flat ground, bullied by dogs!
Just wait!
Everyone just wait!
As long as he could use Kumogakure and Iwagakure this time to eliminate Bai Ye and crush the Uchiha Clan.
He would immediately switch sides to Konoha, then lead Konoha, and with his father's prestige over the years, as long as they resisted this attack, he would go back and directly replace Bai Ye to become the Sixth Hokage, and then marry Yuhi!
Yuhi had waited for him for many years in Konoha Village; he couldn't let her down.
Asuma thought happily to himself.
Iwagakure.
After Ōnoki received A's reply, he immediately moved and said to Kitsuchi, "Gather all Ninja and advance towards the border of Takigakure and the Land of Frost. This time, we will completely eliminate Konoha and occupy the Land of Fire!"
He hadn't considered eliminating the Daimyo of the Land of Earth, because in his opinion, the Land of Earth was a barren land. And this time, he would directly conquer Konoha and then occupy the rich Land of Fire.
The Land of Fire also had no Daimyo now. Wasn't this the best opportunity presented to Iwagakure?
"Old man, we've been ready for a long time, just waiting for your command!"
Kitsuchi grinned. This war might be their last war with Konoha!
"Good, then let's go!" Ōnoki nodded, then turned to a long-legged girl beside him and said, "Kurotsuchi, don't run around when you're with me!"
"Grandpa, I've grown up. I don't need your protection!"
Kurotsuchi retorted. She had grown up and didn't need to be controlled anymore.
However, Ōnoki didn't mind Kurotsuchi's resistance. The battlefield was very dangerous. Ōnoki had always doted on his granddaughter, and he didn't want his granddaughter to die on this battlefield.
Ever since Deidara left, he had always been training Kurotsuchi to be the next Tsuchikage!