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

Chapter 161 The Fourth Kazekage! (Please subscribe and vote with monthly tickets)

Konoha Village.

In the Hokage's office, an Anbu ninja emerged from underground: "Lord Hokage, intelligence from the Land of Rivers."

"Lord Hideyoshi defeated and killed the Third Kazekage, and Sunagakure suffered a complete rout."

Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was working in his office, looked up abruptly upon hearing this: "The Third Kazekage is dead?"

The ANBU ninja nodded, his voice filled with shock and excitement: "Yes, that's for sure. The Third Kazekage was defeated in his battle with Lord Hide and was killed by Lord Hide during the retreat."

Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly stood up.

The Third Kazekage is dead!

This is even more shocking than the death of Hanzo.

Although Hanzo has the title of demigod, Amegakure is just a second-rate village and doesn't even have a tailed beast.

Despite having the title of demigod, Hanzo, the leader of Amegakure, was naturally inferior to the Kage of the Five Great Ninja Villages.

No matter what.

None of the five great ninja villages considered Hanzo to be an opponent of the same level.

The Third Kazekage is hailed as the strongest Kazekage of all time, and his Kekkei Genkai, Magnet Release: Iron Sand, is indeed formidable.

Now that the Third Kazekage is dead, it means that Hoshino Shu has truly reached the same level as, or even surpassed, the Kage of the Five Great Shinobi Villages.

This is definitely a good thing for Konoha.

Most importantly, with the Third Kazekage dead, Sunagakure only has two choices right now.

Either end the war and preserve your strength.

They could either use the pretext of avenging the Third Kazekage to launch a full-scale mobilization to continue the war.

What are the chances of getting revenge?

Hiruzen Sarutobi quickly made a decision after a moment's thought.

Very small!

Since Sunagakure cannot find anyone stronger than the Third Kazekage, the best option is to lie low and preserve their strength.

So, does Konoha need to launch a full-scale attack on the Land of Wind?

Hiruzen Sarutobi was deep in thought.

They quickly concluded that the losses outweighed the gains.

Invading the Land of Wind wouldn't be of much use to Konoha.

Moreover, once they invade the Land of Wind with the intention of destroying Sunagakure, Sunagakure will turn to all-out war, the war will expand, and Konoha will have to continue to send more troops to the desert country of the Land of Wind. At that time, Kumogakure will definitely take the opportunity to strike again.

"The best option now is to take advantage of the opportunity to end the war with Sunagakure and seize the benefits of the Land of River."

"Then we'll only need to face the Hidden Cloud Village!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi quickly made a decision and then ordered the Anbu to issue the order immediately.

……

"What? The Kazekage died at the hands of a Wood Release user?"

Inside the Tsuchikage's office, Onoki was utterly shocked.

He received the news only one day later than Hiruzen Sarutobi.

But the shock far surpasses that of Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Onoki fought Hoshino Shu many times and was a very difficult opponent, even more so than Hiruzen Sarutobi.

However, the fact that the Third Kazekage was killed was still too shocking.

After all, the Third Kazekage was no weakling; he was the strongest Kazekage of all time!

"Is Konoha really going to produce another Hashirama Senju? No, it's Madara Uchiha..."

Onoki couldn't help but think to himself, and his expression turned somewhat unpleasant.

Konoha's continued growth in strength is something he absolutely does not want to see.

"Starry Night Show..."

Ōnoki gritted his teeth.

The memories Madara Uchiha left on him were too profound.

……

The army collapsed like a house of cards!

This was the first time I had ever seen a show like this in person.

The Sand Village suffered a series of defeats, retreating continuously from the Land of Rivers, their forces constantly fleeing until they entered the Land of Wind.

Meanwhile, Konoha continued their pursuit all the way to the border of the Land of Wind.

At this time, disagreements also arose within Konoha.

The radicals felt they should press their advantage and fight their way to Sunagakure.

Anyway, now that the Third Kazekage is dead, with Hoshinobi Shuu around, they can totally take down Sunagakure.

However, neither Mitokado Homura nor Utatane Koharu agreed to continue pursuing the matter.

Because the Land of Wind is a desert country, and Konoha has been pursuing them for several days and is already an exhausted army.

Even though the Third Kazekage is dead, Sunagakure still has the strength to mobilize. A few days is enough time for them to gather their forces.

If we invade the Land of Wind now, the Sand Village will likely use the terrain to launch a counterattack.

While Hoshino is very strong, the power of Wood Release would likely be greatly reduced in the desert.

but.

Before everyone could reach a conclusion, Hiruzen Sarutobi's order arrived.

……

On the border of the Land of Rivers, inside a wooden house, Hoshino Hide and Tsunade were discussing medical ninjutsu when Orochimaru entered from outside: "Hide-kun, Tsunade!"

Hideaki Hoshino and Tsunade stopped.

"It seems the village has issued an order."

Xingxia Xiu laughed.

Orochimaru nodded: "The old man has decided to cease hostilities and negotiate peace with Sunagakure."

It's no surprise that the show was held under the stars.

Tsunade said, "It is indeed time for this war to stop. Unless we are determined to destroy Sunagakure, there is no need to invade the heart of the Land of Wind."

Orochimaru nodded, but then changed the subject, saying, "But this is probably only a temporary ceasefire. Once Sunagakure recovers its strength, it will likely seek revenge!"

"Perhaps this will be the next Shinobi World War."

Tsunade frowned upon hearing this.

Hoshino Hide smiled faintly: "As long as there are conflicts of interest, the war will not end."

"Hatred is only a very small factor."

"The Third Kazekage is dead. He can be used as an excuse for war, but no one will start a war to avenge him."

"At least there is no one like that in Sunagakure, and no one can do it."

Orochimaru couldn't help but say, "It seems that Hide-kun also has unique insights into war."

Xingxia Xiu said, "War is the most violent means in the struggle for interests, and it is also the last, most direct and simplest means."

"Once all other means of struggle have been exhausted, war must be resorted to."

Tsunade and Orochimaru both nodded in agreement.

Orochimaru said meaningfully, "With Hide-kun's current strength, he might be able to do what the First Hokage did back then."

Hoshino Hide shook his head: "I am not the First Hokage."

"Furthermore, while the First Hokage's idea was good, it was too naive."

"That kind of balance could only be maintained while the First Hokage was alive."

"If I do that, then I can only maintain peace while I am still alive."

Orochimaru nodded in agreement: "Yes, human life is so fragile and short."

He also died in the war as the Kazekage of Sunagakure.

One day, when Xingxia Xiu dies, he will die too.

The thought of death sent a shiver down Orochimaru's spine.

He wasn't simply afraid of death.

The latest novel is first published here!

Rather, it was because they didn't want to die like that.

Composing himself, Orochimaru changed the subject, asking, "Is there any progress on the plan to treat Nawaki?"

Hideaki Hoshino and Tsunade exchanged a glance, then nodded: "There are some, but further research is needed, which will take some time."

"This peace negotiation with Sunagakure will allow us to order puppet prosthetics from Sunagakure so that Nawaki can resume his normal ninja life."

Orochimaru nodded in agreement, but ultimately did not reveal his plan.

He felt that Tsunade might not agree to him doing that.

If the combination of Hashirama's cells and the Sharingan of the Uchiha clan were discovered, Nawaki would face criticism.

……

Orochimaru didn't stay long; after chatting for a while, he said goodbye and left.

But Orochimaru hadn't gone far when he stopped and looked back at the wooden house.

Life is too fragile; even someone as strong as Hashirama Senju and Shu Hoshino must bow down to it.

Only truth and ninjutsu are truly eternal!

At that moment, Orochimaru made up his mind.

He sought immortality through ninjutsu in order to find the truth of eternity.

The truth lies within the art of ninjutsu!

……

Inside the wooden house, Tsunade frowned slightly: "Orochimaru seems a little different."

Hideaki Hoshino knew about Orochimaru's changes, even though Nawaki hadn't died.

But the death of the Third Kazekage was also a huge shock.

Perhaps from now on, the ninja world will have one more mad ninjutsu scientist, Orochimaru.

People are constantly changing.

Xingxia Xiudao.

Tsunade nodded, then immediately put Orochimaru out of her mind.

Orochimaru is far less important than his younger brother, Nawaki.

In a small town on the border of the Land of Wind.

Chiyo, Ebizo, and other high-ranking members of the Sand Village were gathered together, creating a somber atmosphere.

"Konoha's peace treaty has been delivered. What do you all think we should do next?"

Chiyo spoke up.

"We must avenge the Third Kazekage!"

"A Jonin shouted. He was a loyal subordinate of the Third Kazekage.

But someone immediately retorted, "How do we get revenge?"

"Who can defeat the Wood Release user?"

Then someone said, "The most important thing now is the selection of the Fourth Kazekage. Only with a Fourth Kazekage can we unite people's hearts and minds, and better reach a consensus whether to continue the war with Konoha or negotiate peace."

Upon hearing this, many Sand Village Jonin nodded in agreement.

"But who is suitable to be the fourth generation?"

"I propose that Lady Chiyo become the Fourth Kazekage!"

"Lady Chiyo, this..."

"Lady Chiyo's strength and prestige are indeed sufficient; I agree!"

……

Chiyo frowned as she listened to the crowd's discussion.

She is too old to become the Kazekage.

But who is suitable now?

Chiyo searched carefully for candidates, only to find that she couldn't find a suitable one among the young people.

Among the young Jonin, none possess the strength and prestige to become the Fourth Kazekage.

This saddened Chiyo.

revenge?

How can I avenge the Third Kazekage in this situation?

It's already quite an achievement to keep the village from descending into chaos.

At this moment, Chiyo's heart had already made its choice.

Peace talks!

Even if it means giving up some benefits, we must end the war with Konoha.

"elder sister!"

Ebizo's voice startled Chiyo awake.

Chiyo turned to look at Ebizo, who said, "Sister, only you can lead the village out of this predicament now!"

"Lady Chiyo, please become the Fourth Kazekage!"

"yes!"

……

One by one, the Sand Village Jonin spoke up.

Chiyo sighed and stood up: "I will temporarily assume the position of the Fourth Kazekage, and will abdicate immediately once a suitable successor has been trained."

If she doesn't step forward now, Sunagakure will really fall apart.

The village is not without outstanding younger generations.

Luo Sha and Ye Cang are both excellent, but they are too young and need at least five or six years, or even ten years, to grow.

And Chiyo needs to hold on for five years, ten years!

(End of this chapter)