The devastation spanning dozens of miles within the Land of Grass served as the ultimate proof.
Because the destruction was so thorough, all traces of Kakuzu, Sasori's puppet, and Kihaze's main body were erased.
All the credit, therefore, fell entirely upon "Hiruzen Sarutobi."
Kihaze had already become renowned throughout the ninja world for instantly killing the Two-Tails with "Takefutsu Thunder God's Judgment" and then the Hidden Mist's Seven Ninja Swordsmen with "Takefutsu Thunder God's Advent."
This time, directly slaying a leader of a major hidden village and the Three-Tails undoubtedly amplified his fame once more.
In this era, the name of Konoha's Twin Stars, in terms of reputation alone, had already surpassed the long-established Konoha Sannin.
And the greatest victim of this event was the Hidden Stone Village, which was used as the chicken to scare the monkeys.
Therefore, upon hearing Danzo's words, Onoki's face immediately darkened.
"Speak, what do you want from me?" Onoki asked in a low, unfriendly voice.
"How have you been considering the matter we discussed previously?" Danzo asked in a calm tone.
"Heh—" Onoki chuckled, filled with disdain, "If you want to end this war, either the four great hidden villages will destroy your Konoha, or your Konoha will destroy us. There is no other way."
Seeing Onoki's tough stance, Danzo remained unmoved, "Will you join forces to destroy our Konoha, or will our Konoha temporarily abandon other battlefields and destroy your Hidden Stone Village first?"
Upon hearing this.
Onoki narrowed his eyes, "Are you threatening me?"
Danzo leaned on his cane and slowly walked towards Onoki, "I suggested to Hiruzen long ago to destroy your Hidden Stone Village first..."
"You can try!" Onoki's beard suddenly bristled, and the stones scattered on the ground floated up one by one.
"But Hiruzen's idea is that if it can be resolved peacefully, it's best not to resort to force, as the entire ninja world can't withstand more war," Danzo added, changing his tone.
"What do you mean?"
Danzo stopped and stood in front of Onoki, saying each word deliberately, "Konoha and Iwagakure sign a treaty of alliance, both sides cease hostilities, and the war ends peacefully, with no defeated or victorious party."
Danzo's hand gripped the handle of his cane tightly, making a "creak, creak" sound.
Clearly, in Danzo's view, this was a very foolish decision. Konoha now had the strength to destroy Iwagakure, although it might cause Konoha to suffer severe damage.
But as long as they had some time to recover their strength, Konoha would possess the power of two great nations, and swallowing the entire ninja world would not be impossible.
But alas.
Or perhaps not alas.
Because Danzo had another purpose, which might be more important than Konoha dominating the ninja world.
Onoki raised an eyebrow, "End the war peacefully? Does Hiruzen Sarutobi not want to be Hokage anymore?"
After a moment, he revealed a look of realization, glancing at Danzo with some apprehension, "You're the one who doesn't want him to be Hokage, aren't you? You insidious old man."
Danzo remained expressionless.
Such an obvious scheme was not difficult for Onoki to see through with his insight.
Once Konoha and Iwagakure signed an alliance, then all the Konoha ninjas who died in the Takigakure battlefield would have died in vain, and the Konoha high-level officials who made this decision would definitely have to give an explanation to the families of these fallen ninjas, and only Hiruzen Sarutobi's position was qualified to do so.
"Hiruzen Sarutobi doesn't care, but we Iwagakure do," Onoki shook his head.
Konoha had many candidates for the position of Hokage, and had for a long time, so they weren't worried about finding a successor.
But their Iwagakure was different.
Although they had a large number of ninjas, in Onoki's view, not a single one was suitable for the position of Tsuchikage.
Danzo's eyes flashed, "Your Iwagakure's real enemy doesn't seem to be our Konoha, does it?"
"You mean..."
Chapter 190: The Turbulent Ninja World
A few days later.
Another very sensational event occurred in the entire ninja world.
Iwagakure, which was originally fiercely at war with Konoha, even drawing half of the Iwa ninjas stationed from the rear, suddenly reversed its spearhead, led by Onoki's son, Kōtsuchi, with various Iwagakure high-level officials traveling together, leading a full 10,000 Iwa ninjas, to raid the rear of Kumogakure in the Land of Lightning.
And only after setting off did they announce to the entire ninja world that during the Second Ninja World War, Kumogakure took advantage of Iwagakure's war with Konoha to raid the rear of the Land of Earth, causing heavy losses to the Land of Earth, forcing them to withdraw from the Second Ninja World War.
Even to this day, part of the territory of the Land of Earth is still occupied by the Land of Lightning.
Holding up such a righteous banner, the Iwa ninjas within Iwagakure immediately recalled their past painful experiences, filled with righteous indignation.
A large number of Iwa ninjas supported Onoki's decision.
At the same time, on the same day, Third Tsuchikage Onoki and Konoha's Danzo, in the Takigakure battlefield, in front of all Konoha ninjas and some Iwa ninjas, signed a peace alliance agreement, and Iwagakure and Konoha ceased hostilities.
When the Kumo ninjas learned of this situation, they chose to retreat at the first moment, but unfortunately, they happened to encounter the encircling Iwa ninja forces.
With Konoha's pursuing troops in front and Iwa ninjas ambushing from behind, the Kumo ninja forces were in a dilemma.
At this time, Kumogakure's Third Raikage stood up and officially announced that he would pass the Raikage position to his son, Fourth Raikage A!
At the same time, he alone blocked 10,000 Iwa ninjas, creating enough time for the Kumo ninja forces to retreat.
And the Third Raikage fought fiercely with 10,000 Iwa ninjas for three days and three nights, during which the Iwa ninjas could not do anything to him, until the Third Raikage exhausted himself and finally died.
But these three days and three nights also caused huge losses to the Iwa ninjas, missing the best opportunity to invade the Land of Lightning.
Kumogakure was already under the control of the newly appointed Fourth Raikage, and could bring people back to fight back at any time.
In addition, the Iwa ninjas were indeed frightened by the Third Raikage, who had such terrifying strength that it gave them a sense of invincibility.
Thus.
The Iwa ninjas retreated.
Ending the short, two-year-long war between Konoha and Iwa ninjas.
Although Kumogakure did not formally announce the end of the war with Konoha, they no longer sent people to the front lines, but the Fourth Raikage continuously issued twelve proclamations, condemning Iwagakure's act of stabbing them in the back.
Iwagakure was not to be outdone, and brought up the actions of the Kumo ninjas during the Second Ninja World War.
The two sides quarreled in this way from afar, but neither side intended to take the lead in attacking.
The ninja world became very lively, but it was only lively in words, lacking the intensity of fighting.
