In the Land of Wind, in the heart of Sunagakure, inside a conference room within the Kazekage's office building.
"The lead envoy is a jonin who was active during the Nine-Tails attack, with the surname Habara… Why does this surname sound familiar?" Fourth Kazekage Rasa said, holding the information on Habara and his companions.
He felt like he had heard the surname "Habara" before, but he couldn't quite place it. However, it couldn't possibly be from any major ninja clan, so he simply shook his head and dismissed the thought.
However, Chiyo and Ebizo, sitting beside him, exchanged a glance, a look of "everything is understood without words" passing between them.
The Fourth Kazekage flipped past Habara's file, and next came Kakashi Hatake and Tenzo.
"The deputy envoy is the Fourth Hokage's disciple and the son of the White Fang of Konoha, Kakashi Hatake. Konoha really dares to send such a ninja to Sunagakure. The remaining one, named Tenzo, we haven't been able to gather any relevant information…"
In fact, apart from Kakashi, the information on Habara and Tenzo was very basic, because they had very little history to begin with. After reading through it, the Fourth Kazekage placed the documents on the table and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Such young ninjas are able to shoulder great responsibilities. This is what makes Konoha enviable, and also what makes Konoha terrifying."
"The Fourth Hokage's death due to the Nine-Tails is good news for us. However, the Fourth Hokage's death doesn't change the power balance between us and Konoha. In addition, that old fox, the Third Hokage, is back in charge… Since Konoha has proactively expressed goodwill, I think this peace treaty is worth signing," Ebizo said.
"Of course, the peace treaty must be signed, but whether it should be signed now is questionable. Signing the peace treaty early or late doesn't make much difference to us. As you said, we and Konoha are already in a de facto ceasefire. Therefore, signing the agreement now is beneficial to Konoha. They can completely eliminate any worries about their rear. Although the power balance between us and Konoha hasn't changed in essence, after the death of the Fourth Hokage, Konoha can no longer be as sharp as before. Furthermore, Konoha is now focusing its attention on Kumogakure… Whether we sign the peace treaty or not, we won't suffer any losses this time."
Saying this, the Fourth Kazekage tapped his finger on the information about Habara and his companions. "Compared to the overall trend of peace, what does the life of three promising young ninjas matter… As I said, the peace treaty will be signed eventually. If not this time, then next time."
After the death of the First Hokage, Konoha lost its core deterrent power, namely, the ability to destroy other great ninja villages of the same level… You may be a little stronger than me, but you can't destroy me. Since you can't destroy me, what's there to fear?
"Previously, Pakura disappeared mysteriously during a mission. This matter is most likely related to Konoha, so this can also be considered equivalent retaliation," Chiyo said.
Judging by her words, it seemed she was unaware of the secret dealings between the Kazekage and Kirigakure.
In short, contrary to what Habara and Konoha thought, Sunagakure actually had little intention of signing a peace treaty with Konoha at this time. The Fourth Kazekage's idea was that unless the peace treaty could bring sufficient benefits to Sunagakure, it was better not to sign it at all.
So, the fate of an envoy was indeed "to die"? Fortunately, Habara hadn't completely relied on the treaty being signed beforehand. He had always been preparing plans to deal with extreme situations.
After the several high-ranking members of Sunagakure had discussed for a while, a ninja came to inform them, "Lord Kazekage, Advisors, the Konoha envoys have arrived."
"Let them in," the Fourth Kazekage said.
About five minutes later, the conference room door was pushed open again, and Habara and his two companions walked in.
Habara, very young, carrying a large ninja tool on his back. Could such a ninja deal with the Nine-Tails? Kakashi Hatake, one eye, listless and lacking spirit, bearing no resemblance to his father; Tenzo, a little runt, seemingly not worth mentioning…
The Fourth Kazekage observed the Konoha envoy team while standing up to greet them. In this kind of diplomatic setting, Habara represented the Third Hokage, so the Kazekage couldn't just sit casually in his chair… Although he already had sinister plans in his heart, he was, after all, a respectable person on the surface.
Then, Habara handed the Third Hokage's letter of greeting and the Land of Fire's official diplomatic letter to the Fourth Kazekage (handed over by a Sunagakure ninja, preventing direct contact with the Kazekage). After that, both sides exchanged various formulaic greetings. The Fourth Kazekage even expressed crocodile tears of regret for the unexpected death of the Fourth Hokage.
Afterwards, Habara and his companions took their seats. After another half an hour of rambling, they finally got to the point.
"Currently, Konoha and Sunagakure have entered a state of de facto truce. The war has been going on for many years, and by now, apart from causing the decline of people's livelihoods, the weakening of nations, and the deaths of soldiers, we and your side have gained nothing. Therefore, formally ending the war can be said to be the common wish of the people of both nations," Habara said, while inadvertently glancing at Tenzo, who nodded imperceptibly.
"Ending the war is of course the wish of the people of both nations. But in order to withdraw from the war, how does Konoha plan to show its sincerity?" the Fourth Kazekage asked.
At the negotiating table, there were the three members of the Konoha team on one side, and the three members of the Sunagakure team on the other. In addition, there were more than twenty Sunagakure ninjas around them as guards, plus the sentries hidden in the shadows… There should be thirty to forty Sunagakure ninjas in this room.
Habara frowned slightly, somewhat deliberately, and then he began to correct the other party's statement. "It's not Konoha withdrawing from the war, but both sides ending the war."
"Engaging in polite back-and-forth and haggling over every detail is purely a waste of time. I did indeed come with Konoha's sincerity, so I have no intention of engaging in a war of words with you. I can directly tell you Konoha's bottom line…
First, the Kikyo Pass line will be the military demarcation line between Konoha and Sunagakure. Neither side may cross the border without authorization. If it is necessary to cross the demarcation line, the other party must be notified in advance, and such activities must strictly limit the number of personnel.
Second, both sides will withdraw the large ninja detachments deployed in the Land of Rivers. The number of personnel in reconnaissance teams deployed for the purpose of vigilance must not exceed one hundred. This will make the Land of Rivers a buffer zone between the two great powers, minimizing military friction between the two sides.
Third, Konoha and Sunagakure will jointly prevent the reconstruction of the Hidden Valley Village in the Land of Rivers, making the future Land of Rivers a peaceful nation without a ninja village.
Fourth, after the signing of the peace treaty, Konoha will not restrict mission requests from the Land of Rivers. As long as the people of the Land of Rivers submit mission requests to Sunagakure of their own accord, Sunagakure can freely accept them. However, if the mission requires Sunagakure ninjas to cross the military demarcation line, please refer to the first article.
Fifth, both sides should establish a more efficient and timely diplomatic mechanism…"
The negotiating conditions offered by Habara were full of sincerity, because they basically reflected the current military capabilities of the two countries. In fact, in the crucial aspects of ninja missions and mission fees, Konoha had even made ample concessions to Sunagakure.
Objectively speaking, these conditions were fair and reasonable, but they weren't enough to move the Fourth Kazekage.
After Habara finished speaking, the Fourth Kazekage seemed to think for a while, and then he said, "Overall, we agree with Konoha's conditions, but there is one small problem…"
"What problem?" Habara asked.
"Regarding the setting of the military demarcation line, we hope to use the national border between the Land of Rivers and the Land of Fire as the military demarcation line," the Kazekage said.
"…"
Habara smiled. "Lord Kazekage, are you suggesting that Konoha's forces completely withdraw from the Land of Rivers? That's not impossible, but Sunagakure needs to make an equivalent action and also withdraw from the Land of Rivers."
"No, we only need Konoha to withdraw from the Land of Rivers," the Fourth Kazekage emphasized.
And then hand the Land of Rivers over to Sunagakure to occupy? That was a bit of a joke. The eastern part of the Land of Rivers was a large area of plains with fertile soil and favorable climatic conditions. Once Sunagakure occupied the Land of Rivers, the Land of Wind's food problem would be largely solved, and then the Land of Wind's national power would flourish.
At this moment, Habara only felt that this Kazekage was out of his mind. If Sunagakure had the ability to take the Land of Rivers, why didn't they take it during the First and Second Ninja Wars? Why haven't they taken it since the Third Ninja War began? Militarily weak, but wanting to be strong at the negotiating table, how did this Kazekage become Kazekage?
But then Habara realized, it wasn't that the Kazekage was out of his mind, but that Sunagakure simply didn't want to talk about any peace treaty at this time. Not only did they not want to talk about a peace treaty, they even wanted… the talents of Konoha's younger generation, it would be best if they could all unexpectedly perish.
At this instant, Habara wasn't angry. Instead, he felt a sense of "great minds think alike" with the Fourth Kazekage… You want to kill me, and I want to kill you. Truly, heroes cherish heroes.
"Lord Kazekage, our conditions are truly very sincere. We cannot make any further concessions," Habara's tone suddenly turned gentle, somewhat like he was persuading the other party that the sea of bitterness was boundless, turn back to the shore.
"Then I will also give our absolute bottom line… Unless Konoha withdraws from the Land of Rivers, we will not sign any peace treaty," the Fourth Kazekage said arrogantly and stubbornly.
"Then I'm very sorry, the negotiations cannot continue… It's a pity. If I can come to Sunagakure as an envoy again next time, then Lord Kazekage will not be signing a peace treaty, but a surrender agreement."
The Fourth Kazekage's strength might be a bit lacking, but he didn't have French blood, so he wouldn't care about the threats of a young man, especially since…
"Don't worry, you won't have a second chance to come to Sunagakure." At this time, the Fourth Kazekage had made up his mind to kill Habara and his two companions. Not only could he not let the strength of Konoha's younger generation grow, but more importantly, the maturity and wisdom Habara had shown in the negotiations were also things that must be destroyed.
As the Fourth Kazekage's voice fell, the surrounding Sunagakure ninjas subtly began to surround Habara and his two companions.
"Outside are thousands of enemy troops, many of whom are battle-hardened veterans. But in our battlefield, there are only thirty to fifty enemies. As the saying goes, retreat and die, advance and live, this is the moment. On the battlefield of Sunagakure, first there was Sakumo Hatake, then there was Orochimaru, and now it's our turn! Everyone, the mission has changed. As the saying goes, when a commoner is angry, two corpses fall, blood flows for five steps, and the world mourns! Today is that day! Next, let us work together…
To eliminate the Kazekage!"
Habara and his two companions stood up instantly. He himself quickly took a step back and placed his hand on Tenzo's shoulder.
The Fourth Kazekage smiled disdainfully, his gaze filled with mockery. These young men were indeed promising, but to think they could assassinate him? What jonin who was very active during the Nine-Tails incident? More like a jonin who barely managed not to be killed by the Nine-Tails during the Nine-Tails incident.
In a sense, the Kazekage was quite right. However, what he didn't know was that for an assassin like Habara who had penetrated deep into enemy territory, he was earning his living from the swift strike at the moment of initiation. As the saying goes, a dagger eight shaku long is enough to hold. This was precisely that moment! Note: Shaku is a unit of measurement. The saying refers to assassins using short daggers.
However, the Fourth Kazekage wasn't without his confidence. He waved his hand to dismiss the Sunagakure ANBU ninjas. Then, as he waved his arms, the four walls of this room collapsed, and the gold sand hidden within the walls poured out like a raging tsunami, instantly sweeping towards Habara and his two companions, about to completely bury them in the next second – this conference room was originally a "cage," so Habara and his companions had no way to escape.
But people are easily bound by traditional ideas, perceptions, and experiences. The Fourth Kazekage believed that young ninjas like Habara and Kakashi would become serious threats to Sunagakure in the future, so he decided to eliminate them here. This was a preemptive measure. However, what he didn't know was that at this very moment, these three were already serious threats. He didn't think about why, knowing that Sunagakure was a dragon's pool and a tiger's den, Habara and his two companions still came here. Was it really to die?
It was because Sunagakure was not a dragon's pool and a tiger's den.
In the ninja world, young ninjas are often the most terrifying ninjas.
At the same time that the Fourth Kazekage launched his gold sand attack, Tenzo's entire left arm instantly activated the First Hokage's cells within it, transforming into a half-Wood Release state. And this state gave his body a resistance to something it didn't originally possess!
The natural energy in Habara's body flowed along Tenzo's arm, directly injecting into his seal formula. Then, the next moment, with the completion of this seal:
Pseudo-Sage Art: True Wood Release: Forest of Deep Sea Grand Emergence!
Fueled by natural energy, a lush sea of trees instantly filled the entire conference room. Then, roots and trunks, branches and leaves continued to take root downwards, grow upwards, and spread outwards. Almost in the blink of an eye, the lush green filled the entire Kazekage's office building, bursting it open.
The core facility of Sunagakure was transformed into an unsellable potted plant in an instant.
The gold sand controlled by Magnet Release was indeed terrifying, but it was no match for the life-filled sea of trees. The power of the "God" who once reigned supreme over the entire ninja world only needed to reveal a corner, and then the Fourth Kazekage's vaunted technique…
Could only be used for farting.
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