They're promoting the "Konoha threat" theory, and spouting nonsense about the Hidden

Chapter 144 Hozuki New Moon: We will resolutely provide all support except for assistance.

As expected of someone from the Nara clan, hailed as the strategist of Konoha, and a talent the old man specifically sent here as a persuader.

After listening to Nara Shikakan's sharp words, Tsunade's mood changed from shock to confusion, from doubt to sudden understanding, and finally she looked at this guy she had previously taken for granted with admiration.

Despite Konoha facing a crisis, after Nara Shikakan's explanation, it became Kirigakure facing a huge crisis, and Konoha took the initiative to come to their aid.

The difference between here and there is enormous.

However, to Tsunade's surprise, Nara Shikahan did not change his tune at this moment. Instead, he exposed his own shortcomings and directly pointed out Konoha's predicament.

"Of course, I admit that we came here not only to help Kirigakure, but also to save ourselves."

"After three years of war, our side is really struggling to hold on and urgently needs foreign aid."

Nara Shikahan looked at Hozuki Shingetsu with sincerity in his eyes.

"Faced with this three-nation alliance, Konoha and Kirigakure should also form an alliance to deal with it, whether from a political, military, or economic perspective. This is not only for the sake of the other side, but also for the sake of their own safety."

"We must remember the saying 'if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold'! Konoha fell to the Three Kingdoms Alliance. Even without economic incentives, does Kirigakure really think it can remain safe from the Three Kingdoms Alliance?"

"Especially given how close Kirigakure is to Kumogakure, after Konoha fell, Kumogakure, which has always coveted dominance in the ninja world, must have been eager to dominate a neighbor that was incredibly wealthy but weak. I don't need to elaborate on their intentions, do I?"

"By forming an alliance, your goods can legally and legitimately enter the vast market of the Land of Fire, while we can extricate ourselves from this quagmire of war as soon as possible. Wouldn't that be a win-win situation?"

Nara Shikakan's words can be described as a strategy of using force first and then diplomacy.

First, they start with alarmist rhetoric, escalating the situation to the point of annihilating Kirigakure. Then, they soften their tone and sincerely reveal their own predicament, cleverly transforming Konoha's enemy into a common enemy of both sides, blurring their positions. This makes Kirigakure believe that the three-way alliance must be eliminated, thus achieving an alliance with Konoha.

Nara Shikakan's speech perfectly captured the essence of a persuasive speaker, especially his final self-disclosure of his shortcomings, which made him appear exceptionally sincere.

Since Konoha came to Kirigakure, it's no surprise that Kirigakure guessed their purpose.

Since that's the case, it would be better to openly state this, taking advantage of the fact that both sides are facing the threat of the three kingdoms, and thus form a united front to jointly confront the threat of the three kingdoms.

This not only eliminated a major bargaining chip that Kirigakure might have in control of Konoha, but also made Konoha appear open, honest, and sincere.

He even left enough room for Kirigakure to negotiate – the reason he didn't seek help from the start but instead formed an alliance was to allow for bargaining.

Compared to alliances, this kind of support transaction is naturally more free and flexible.

Judging from the expressions and actions of the group of Mist Ninja around him, it was clear that he had been persuaded and probably had the idea of ​​forming an alliance with Konoha.

Even Hozuki Shingetsu, known for his sophistry, praised it highly upon hearing it.

clap clap clap!

"That's it!"

Seeing Hozuki Shingetsu stand up and applaud, Nara Shika thought that his words had touched Hozuki Shingetsu's heart, and he was secretly relieved when he heard Hozuki Shingetsu's response.

"Well said! The logic is rigorous, the reasoning is clear, and the evidence is solid. You truly deserve to be called Konoha's strategist! These words make it seem like my Hidden Mist Village is being ungrateful if we don't form an alliance."

Hozuki Shingetsu clapped his hands as he stood up, his words full of praise.

Just when everyone present thought Hozuki Shingetsu was about to agree, his smile vanished, and he calmly said:

"But I refuse!"

"One of my favorite things is saying no to those self-important guys."

Upon hearing this, not only Nara Shikakan, but also some people in Kirigakure were puzzled, but they remained silent out of trust in Hozuki Shingetsu.

Seeing this, Nara Shikahan quickly said, "If Lord Hozuki is bothered by my previous words, then I apologize for my rudeness just now... I hope Lord Hozuki will consider the bigger picture and not act impulsively."

"Acting on impulse?"

"If that's what you think, then that's the greatest insult to me."

Hozuki Shingetsu looked at Nara Shikahan, his face still calm.

"Alright, if this is the only reason you came to Kirigakure, then please leave! Kirigakure has its own ways of dealing with what happens next."

After saying this, without waiting for Nara Shikahan and the others to refute, he directly ordered the Mist Ninja around him to escort him out of the office.

"Has Hozuki Shingetsu gone mad? Even if he doesn't agree with my words and hopes to profit from the alliance between the two villages, shouldn't he at least allow me to offer my rebuttal?"

Nara Shikahan stared at the closed office door, his face full of confusion.

No, if there's anything you're unhappy about, just say so!

Negotiations are supposed to be back and forth, so why did you kick us out without a word?

Nara Shika, who was quite experienced in diplomacy, was deeply puzzled by Hozuki Shingetsu's actions.

"Lu Han..."

Tsunade called out to Nara Shikahan, gesturing with her eyes that they should talk in the embassy district.

This is, after all, the entrance to the Mizukage's office. They are ultimately the weaker party, and if they say something they shouldn't here, wouldn't they be even more at a disadvantage?

Helpless, Nara Shikahan could only return to their lodgings with the others to discuss the matter further.

"New Moon, I think what the Konoha envoy said just now makes a lot of sense. Our village's current prosperity is indeed largely due to the foundation laid by the Fourth Shinobi World War."

"The Fourth Shinobi World War caused trade routes to be cut off in all areas except for my Hidden Mist Village. In addition, my technology has been upgraded, and no other side has such a large volume of goods to ship. This is why such a large number of merchants have come here."

"But as he said, once the war ends, everything will inevitably decline, and we must be wary of this!"

"Alliance with Konoha is indeed a good idea, but even if we're not satisfied with their conditions, shouldn't we at least try to negotiate with them a bit? Isn't it a bit inappropriate to just kick them out like this?"

Inside the office, Ao listened to the departing footsteps of the Konoha members and tried to persuade Hozuki Shingetsu.

In the entire Hidden Mist Village, there are probably only a handful of people like Yagura Karatachi, Zangetsu Hozuki, and Yukinagi who can speak to Shingetsu in this tone.

"What, you want to go to war?"

Hozuki Shingetsu turned to look at Ao, his expression unreadable.

"No, I..."

Faced with Hozuki Shingetsu's gaze, Ao stammered and remained speechless.

"Perhaps some people feel that the village has developed well in the past two years and has money in their hands, so they can't wait to show the power of Kirigakure through a war and make some military achievements."

Hozuki Shingetsu looked around at everyone present.

"However, I must reiterate: don't let the apparent prosperity of Kirigakure cloud your judgment. Our village is far from ready to participate in war!"

"War is merely a means to achieve gains, not an end in itself! I hope you all remember this, and keep in mind what our goals are at this stage!"

Hozuki Shingetsu looked at his trusted confidants present and reiterated his point of view.

"Our Hidden Mist Village will not participate in this Shinobi World War."

As Kirigakure's strength recovered, the warlike tendencies in some people's hearts began to stir again.

Qing is just one example among many.

It's normal for ninjas to be warlike; any violent profession would be meaningless if it weren't warlike.

However, if this violent profession attempts to start a war on its own, then it has a serious problem.

In Kirigakure, there is only one person who can decide whether to go to war, and that person is him!

Therefore, Hozuki Shingetsu resolutely cracks down on any uncontrollable tendencies that the ninjas occasionally exhibit.

"Furthermore, don't take Konoha's recent show of sincerity for granted, like opening the Land of Fire's market to us... Are you kidding me? Can Konoha decide whether or not the Land of Fire opens its market to us?"

Hozuki Shingetsu changed the subject and explained the flaws in Nara Shikakan's words to those present.

The "one country, one village" system means that ninja villages only have authority in the military field. When it comes to matters like whether to open up market share, Konoha has absolutely no say.

Even if Konoha carries the Daimyo's decree, Kirigakure's relief of Konoha's crisis is a one-time event, while Konoha returning Kirigakure's market share is a long-term commitment.

What if Konoha turns its back on him? Wouldn't he become that stupid King Huai of Chu?

Hozuki Shingetsu was fully aware of what he had done. He hadn't forgotten how ruthlessly he had targeted Konoha before. The Uchiha incident almost caused internal strife within Konoha. It was impossible for him not to harbor hatred.

If you were in their shoes, you would definitely pretend to be stupid after being helped out.

"What about market share after the war ends...?"

Qing hesitated for a moment, then asked again.

Although Nara Shikahan's words were untrue, the problem he pointed out still exists.

"I will take care of the market share myself; you don't need to worry about that."

Hozuki Shingetsu waved his hand and said this.

According to his plan, after the Fourth Shinobi World War, Black Zetsu should also find the Grell Stone under his command.

If the air fortress is activated and the Eastern Continent is colonized, won't this market emerge?

Moreover, this is a continent with a population close to that of the Ninja World, which is exclusively owned by Kirigakure. So why worry about not having a place to dump their products?

"In that case, I will formally decline Konoha's request for assistance..."

Seeing this, Akiba Masanobu immediately stepped forward to prepare to clean up the mess for his boss.

By rejecting the alliance, having him step in would at least leave room for maneuver and prevent a complete breakdown in relations between the two sides.

"Huh? When did I say I would refuse to support Konoha?"

Hozuki Shingetsu turned around and looked at his capable assistant, his face full of surprise.

?

Masanobu Akiba was completely confused by Shingetsu Hozuki. "You're not agreeing to their request, but you're also offering to support them. What are you supporting?"

"Since we hold the initiative, we should naturally give them a break and wait until they become impatient before we start talking!"

"As for the content of the support... well, we will naturally provide all support except for assistance!"

Hozuki Shingetsu turned around, looked through the window at the distant figure of the Konoha envoy, and a strange smile appeared on his lips.

(End of this chapter)