Starting from the roots of Konoha, they were the masterminds behind the scenes.

Chapter 141 Substituting One Thing for Another! (Please subscribe and vote!)

Whether to fight or negotiate, Onoki must make a choice.

He hasn't found a way to deal with Xingxia Xiu yet.

The only option is to continue increasing troop deployment.

Not worth it?

If peace talks...

We could take advantage of Konoha's eagerness to cease hostilities to force them to back down.

In addition, there was the rescue of prisoners.

After pondering for a long time, Onoki decided to start the conversation.

At least rescue them first. If negotiations fail, then we'll fight!

Since Hiruzen Sarutobi wants to negotiate, then Iwagakure has a slight initiative and the right to set conditions.

After making the decision, Onoki immediately prepared a scroll, wrote down the terms of the peace talks, and sent it to Konoha.

Inside the wooden hut, Danzo's face darkened upon seeing the scroll delivered by Onoki. He threw the scroll aside, exclaiming, "As expected, they're asking for an exorbitant price!"

When Xingxia Xiu picked up the scroll, he saw that it listed a series of peace negotiation conditions.

The first condition is that the prisoners be released before any peace talks, as a sign of sincerity.

Article 2: Konoha and Amegakure should immediately withdraw from the Land of Earth and the Land of Birds.

Third, the Wood Release envoys are no longer allowed to attack the Stone Village.

……

There are nine items in total.

Hoshita Hide looked up at Danzo and deliberately said, "Lord Danzo, the Third Hokage probably wouldn't agree to such conditions, would he?"

Danzo said, "This is just Onoki testing us. Hiruzen won't agree to everything, but he will make concessions for the sake of the bigger picture."

Xingxia Xiu frowned: "We have the upper hand now, it would be too cowardly to back down."

"As long as the Third Hokage comes in person and works with Lord Danzo to restrain Onoki, I can sweep through the Iwagakure army, and even storm into Iwagakure to create chaos and force Onoki to acknowledge our interests in the Land of Rain."

Danzo was extremely tempted, but then shook his head: "The Cloud Ninja are not willing to give up. If Hiruzen is mobilized, the Cloud Ninja will definitely launch another large-scale attack."

Hoshino Hideyoshi said, "But as long as we can hold out for a while, seven days, or even just three days, we can force Onoki to admit defeat."

"Is there no way we can hold off the Cloud Ninja for three days?"

Danzo knew Hiruzen Sarutobi too well; even though the latter had the courage now, he wouldn't take such a risk.

This is tantamount to putting all the pressure on Xingxia Xiu alone.

If we can't force Onoki to admit defeat, then we'll be in trouble.

"Hiruzen wouldn't do that."

Danzo said gloomily.

Hoshita Hide's mind raced, and he deliberately said, "Lord Danzo, since that's the case, why not go with the flow?"

"If we lose the benefits we've already gained, even the Third Hokage would have to take responsibility, wouldn't he?"

"In that case, Lord Danzo, you can take advantage of the situation and force the Third Hokage to abdicate."

Danzo perked up upon hearing this, but then shook his head: "That's not enough."

"Although it will have an impact, both Yan and Koharu support Hiruzen."

"Moreover, we do need to break the current situation."

Despite saying that, Hoshino's words stirred many thoughts in Danzo's mind. He said, "Let's leave it at that. Once Hiruzen has returned, go to Amegakure immediately."

"We must take control of Amegakure."

"I will leave some people behind to help you stabilize the situation in the Land of Rain."

"We must at least preserve half of our profits!"

Hoshita Hide immediately assured him, "Lord Danzo, rest assured, although it is only an avatar, I can still stabilize the Land of Rain and provide Root with a continuous stream of talent."

"To establish Root in Amegakure, a force completely loyal to you, sir, and unknown to the Third Hokage!"

"This root only executes your will, eliminating all who oppose you!"

Xingxia Xiu kept making grand promises to her boss, trying to bolster his ambitions.

"very good!"

Danzo was very satisfied and even said, "In the future, I will fully support you in becoming the Fifth Hokage!"

Xingxia Xiu bowed his head and said, "Thank you for your guidance, sir!"

……

After their conversation, Danzo's patience with Hiruzen Sarutobi dwindled further, and his ambitions grew even larger.

However, Danzo has chosen to lie low for now, and immediately after making the decision, he sent the peace negotiation scroll back to Konoha.

The next day.

Upon receiving the scroll, Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at its contents and quickly began to reply.

Onoki's exorbitant demands were not unexpected by Hiruzen Sarutobi, but he also had his own plans.

The prisoners can be released first to demonstrate Konoha's sincerity.

Xingxia Xiu can be transferred to the rear and stationed in Yuren Village.

We'll discuss the rest later.

For a time, correspondence between Konoha and Iwagakure began to increase frequently.

The intense fighting suddenly cooled down.

The fighting in the Land of Rain has basically ceased, while in the Land of Grass, the battle between Konoha and Iwagakure continues, though the intensity has decreased by several levels.

……

Amegakure Village.

The latest novel is first published here!

In the dimly lit room, Hoshinobi looked at Kuroyu and said, "Konoha is going to negotiate peace with Iwagakure."

"What?"

Black Rain's expression changed: "Is your village going to abandon the Land of Rain?"

He also aspires to be the leader of Amegakure, but without Konoha's support, the Land of Rain is bound to descend into chaos. He doesn't have the strength of Hanzo to suppress the entire country.

Even Hanzo, who was known as a demigod, could not stop other ninja villages from starting a war in the Land of Rain.

However, since Konoha occupied the Land of Rain, the great battles have only taken place on the border.

Although Konoha is above them, Iwagakure is also protected by Konoha, so at least for now, most of the Land of Rain is safe and secure.

Therefore, Black Rain panicked when he heard that Konoha wanted to negotiate with Iwagakure.

He feared that Amegakure would become a casualty of the peace talks between Konoha and Iwagakure.

Seeing the anxious Kuroyu, Hoshinobi said, "Konoha has not abandoned Amegakure, and the alliance signed before is still valid."

"However, it seems you lack confidence in stabilizing the situation in the Land of Rain."

Hei Yu smiled wryly upon hearing this: "The current strength of Amegakure is far inferior to that of the great ninja villages."

Xingxia Xiu's gaze was deep: "In that case, there is another way."

"I will establish a Root in Amegakure, a Root hidden in the darkness, to protect Amegakure and the Land of Rain."

"You will be the leader of the roots."

Hei Yu was a little confused and didn't understand for a moment.

He has already signed the alliance agreement on behalf of Amegakure and Konoha, so his position as the leader of Amegakure is a sure thing. Why would he want to be the leader of Root?

Hoshino Hide continued, "In the darkness, you are the leader of the Root of Amegakure; in the light, you are the leader of Amegakure."

As he spoke, vines sprouted from the ground, entwining around the black rain and drawing out his chakra.

Black Rain was startled, but the vines quickly loosened their grip on him.

When he looked up, he found that Xingxiaxiu had transformed into his own appearance.

Black Rain instantly understood: "You mean, you'll take my place in public?"

"But, the transformation technique..."

Suddenly, Kuroyu's expression changed: "Your chakra..."

Xingxia Xiu said, "Therefore, no one will see through it."

In an instant, Hei Yu broke out in a cold sweat.

He knew that Konoha wanted to use this method to control Amegakure and the Land of Rain.

But can I refuse?

By eliminating him, Xingxiaxiu can also impersonate him, and this eliminates some of the risks.

Glug!

Black Rain couldn't help but swallow hard, sensing the taste of death.

You won't agree?

no choice.

"I do!"

Black Rain quickly replied, "Only you, sir, can lead us to protect our village and the Land of Rain!"

"very good!"

As Hoshino Hide formed hand seals, he said, "According to the tradition of Konoha Root, all members must plant the Seal of Tongue Disaster Severance to prevent the leakage of Root's secrets."

"I'm no exception in this regard."

Hei Yu dared not move, allowing Xingxia Xiu to plant the curse mark on him.

However, Hei Yu secretly breathed a sigh of relief after seeing the mark on Xingxia Xiu's tongue.

(End of this chapter)