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

Chapter 156 Onoki and the Five-Tails

Since the International Ninja Federation is a permanent organization, it is also necessary to select a location for its headquarters.

Out of consideration for fairness and impartiality, the headquarters of the "Ninja Alliance" was set up in the capital of the permanently neutral Land of Iron.

The choice of this location was not only because the Land of Iron is a permanently neutral country, and its establishment here would be acceptable to all factions.

Another very important point is that the headquarters of the "Ninja League" is located in the Land of Iron, which allows them to keep an eye on the Land of Rain and on Hanzo the Salamander.

After all, although the root cause of the Second Shinobi World War was the deep-rooted conflict between the nations, the trigger for it was indeed Hanzo of the Salamander.

Although Hanzo of the Salamander and Amegakure's presence was greatly diminished in the later stages of the Fourth Shinobi World War, Shingetsu Hozuki and the other ninja villages still did not forget this culprit of the war.

This organization, led by the five great ninja villages, was set up in the Land of Iron, which conveniently kept an eye on the Land of Rain and restricted the development of the Rain Village.

Coincidentally, during this Ninja World War, the Land of Iron was the first to be conquered by the Land of Rain, which filled the heart of the Daimyo of the Land of Iron with extreme insecurity.

Therefore, faced with the desire of the organization led by the five great ninja villages to establish its headquarters in the capital of the Land of Iron, the Daimyo of the Land of Iron readily agreed to the request, disregarding the opposition of the samurai in the country.

After the headquarters address of the "Ninja Alliance" was initially determined, this peace truce meeting can be said to have perfectly fulfilled all of Hozuki Shingetsu's expectations.

Well, aside from using the chakra cannon to lure Black Zetsu.

However, Hozuki Shingetsu had already instructed the Uzumaki clan to set up seals at both the chakra cannon and the chakra research institute, so that he would be able to receive a message as soon as any unidentified object appeared.

Now it all depends on how much patience Black Zetsu of the Otsutsuki family has.

"Oonoki wants to see me?"

The meeting had just ended, and Hozuki Shingetsu had just seen off the dignitaries and wealthy businessmen from various countries when he heard the message relayed by Akiba Masato.

"Indeed, it seems that this matter is probably the main reason why he, the Tsuchikage, has come from so far away," Akiba Masato said with certainty.

Having served as Hozuki Shingetsu's secretary for the past few years, Akiba Masanobu is no longer the shameless opportunist he once was, willing to risk everything for his future. His rich experience over the years has honed his keen insight.

"Could it be that something would make the Tsuchikage travel all the way to Kirigakure for him...?"

Hozuki Shingetsu had a sudden thought and met with Onoki with some suspicion, and the truth was indeed as he had guessed.

"Release the Five-Tails?"

Hozuki Shingetsu sat calmly in the main seat, looking at Onoki opposite him.

"Indeed, since Lord Hozuki is so peace-loving, he certainly wouldn't deliberately obstruct us, would he?"

Onoki sat opposite him, and although the way he sat with his legs off the ground was quite comical, no one in the room dared to laugh.

"Back then, you and Kumogakure launched an attack on Uzushio Village without any reason. Fortunately, I was there at the time, and with the help of favorable timing and location, as well as the sacrifice of the then Uzumaki clan leader, Takumi Uzumaki, we were able to stop the Five-Tails' rampage."

"Leaving aside the issue of the tailed beasts and past grievances, Lord Tsuchikage should have consulted with the Uzumaki clan. Even though I am the son-in-law of the Uzumaki clan, it is still presumptuous of him to ask me to handle such matters. Just the fact that Lord Tsuchikage would expect us to release the Five-Tails with a mere casual remark is utterly ridiculous."

How could Hozuki Shingetsu be manipulated by the other party with words?

This was a direct hint to Onoki: show some sincerity first, or else he'd be passed around like a ball between him and the Uzumaki clan!

The shrewd and experienced Onoki naturally understood the meaning behind Hozuki Shingetsu's words, even though bowing down to Hozuki Shingetsu, a boy about the same age as his son, made him feel like he was eating shit.

But there was no other way. Tailed beasts were a strategic force that concerned the overall strength of the entire village. How could Onoki let them remain wandering outside forever?

He had been trying to find a way to rescue the Five-Tails ever since the battle of Uzushio Village ended.

However, as the signature technique of the Uzumaki clan, the "Dead Demon Seal" sealing technique seals the soul of the target completely inside the stomach of the Grim Reaper.

Onoki tried everything but still couldn't find the Grim Reaper. How could he possibly rescue the Five-Tails?

So, having no other choice, he could only personally meet Hozuki Shingetsu, the Tsuchikage, and offer his conditions through his hints.

"One billion taels... Isn't that price a gross underestimation of the lives of the soldiers from Kirigakure and the Uzumaki clan who died in battle?"

Hozuki Shingetsu couldn't help but show a look of disdain when he heard the price offered by Onoki.

If this price had been offered by Iwagakure three years ago, when the "Blood Mist Rebellion" had just occurred, and Iwagakure had offered more than thirty Asuma's worth of silver to acquire the Five-Tails, Hozuki Shingetsu might have had to seriously reconsider.

However, in the current Kirigakure, let's not even talk about the fact that the 1 billion ryo was the money Hozuki Shingetsu swindled from his adoptive father for movie investment.

Just considering the ninja wars and the Industrial Revolution, with the current prosperity of Kirigakure's commerce, it's safe to say that the 1 billion ryo could be earned back in just a few months.

The idea that Iwagakure could take back the Five-Tails from him with a mere ten billion ryo is a gross underestimation of him.

Onoki's rejection of Hozuki Shingetsu was a mixture of anger and helplessness.

After all, Iwagakure has emphasized collectivism since its founding, and its number of ninjas is unparalleled in the ninja world. However, this also means that Iwagakure needs a large amount of military funding every year to maintain this huge number of ninjas.

Especially given that Iwagakure's strength has been greatly diminished after three years of war, being able to squeeze out 1 billion ryo is truly a testament to their sincerity.

"I can take back the Five-Tails, but your village must agree to a few conditions."

Looking at Onoki, who was trying his best to suppress his temper, Hozuki Shingetsu thought for a moment and said:

"First of all, Iwagakure must publicly apologize to the Uzumaki clan in the entire ninja world for their joint attack on Uzushio Village with Kumogakure, admit their mistake, and offer 5 billion ryo in compensation."

"Note that this 5 billion is merely compensation to the Uzumaki clan, not a price to pay for the Five-Tails. After all, the Five-Tails is a strategic deterrent for the entire village. If they want us to release it, Iwagakure should at least offer up an equal amount of strategic power, right?"

"...For example, Dust Release? If Lord Tsuchikage can teach Dust Release to anyone in Kirigakure, Kirigakure will return the Five-Tails with both hands!"

"You're dreaming!"

After hearing Hozuki Shingetsu's words, Onoki could no longer suppress his anger. He floated in mid-air, pointed at Hozuki Shingetsu, and cursed him.

(End of this chapter)