vncnus Page 37
Page 37
But how could such a kid kill the Third Mizukage? Onoki can only say that he must have activated the Mangekyou Sharingan. How could he possibly do that?
Those eyes are capable of doing it, but the Uchiha clan and the Konoha leadership have always been at odds, and now that the Uchiha clan has produced such a genius, that old man Hiruzen Sarutobi must be feeling uneasy.
When Onoki first learned of the Third Mizukage's death, he was a boy of about ten years old, a young talent of Konoha, and a new generation of genius.
At that moment, he was filled with intense jealousy and resentment. How come Konoha has produced another genius?
But after confirming that he was a genius of the Uchiha clan, Onoki was initially shocked and resentful, but then he felt happy and joyful.
Who doesn't know about the dirty dealings between the Uchiha clan and the Konoha leadership? Don't be fooled by the fact that the Uchiha clan is fighting on the battlefield now; where are they being kept?
It is the battlefield where the Hidden Mist is fighting, and its main responsibility is to prevent the Hidden Mist army from launching a surprise attack on the border of the Land of Fire, which is obviously intentional.
It's important to understand that the Land of Whirlpools is a large island surrounded by the sea. This puts the Uchiha clan at a complete disadvantage. It's a fire-style battle against water-style battles, especially since they are fighting on the coast. It's a situation where the timing, location, and people are all against the Uchiha clan. Anyone with eyes can see this, and Onoki understands it even better.
The Uchiha clan and the Konoha leadership are at odds, and with such a genius emerging from the Uchiha clan, how could that old man Hiruzen Sarutobi sit still?
I'm sure this old guy won't sit still.
Although Onoki knew this, the thought that Konoha had now resolved the crisis on the eastern front and the trouble caused by the Kirigakure invasion meant that Konoha could now devote more of its resources to the battlefields of Iwagakure and Kumogakure.
Moreover, what is the current situation?
Iwagakure is in a disadvantageous position.
Despite the seemingly smooth start, and the fact that they successfully drove the Konoha garrison stationed at the border to the brink of running out of ammunition and supplies, ultimately leaving only four people in a predicament.
However, Minato Namikaze's arrival directly resolved the issue, which infuriated Onoki.
While their own side was in a disadvantageous and relatively deadlocked situation, a new genius emerged on another battlefield in Konoha, successfully forcing Kirigakure to retreat.
The key point is that the Third Mizukage is gone. To be able to take down the Kage of a village, such a genius ninja has a bright future!
Given time, he might become another Minato Namikaze.
Just thinking about Minato Namikaze...
Ohnoki had a headache.
At the same time, he couldn't understand why Konoha could produce so many talented people, with outstanding geniuses emerging in each generation to turn the tide.
During the Warring States period, Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha dominated the ninja world, unstoppable by anyone.
In the First Shinobi World War, the cunning and treacherous Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, dominated the battlefield. His Flying Thunder God Technique, along with various insidious forbidden techniques, left opponents helpless. Although he was ultimately killed by a scheme, the final result was ultimately insignificant, and Konoha remained the biggest winner.
During the Second Shinobi World War, Hiruzen Sarutobi, that bastard, held the rear while the White Fang and the Sannin of Konoha rose to prominence. Although the war was indeed fierce, Konoha did not suffer any major losses overall.
Now, in the Third Shinobi World War, Minato Namikaze has emerged, his Flying Thunder God Technique even more terrifying than that of the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju. But before Onoki could even process Minato's existence, a genius ninja from the Uchiha clan appeared on the Kirigakure battlefield, capable of slaying a Kage. This…
Onoki really wanted to say, "Is God blessing Konoha?"
It's important to know that during the Third Shinobi World War, the four great ninja villages launched the most frenzied offensive against Konoha. Even though they were still fighting each other, they all tacitly concentrated their advantages on Konoha.
Konoha's multi-front war caused a partial collapse of its defenses, putting it in an unfavorable situation. However, just when Konoha was in a disadvantageous position and it seemed that a major breakthrough was about to happen, the situation was suddenly reversed.
One Minato Namikaze, and one Hakumaru Uchiha!
Minato Namikaze was one thing, already possessing a formidable reputation, but this Hakubaku Uchiha was so young, and suddenly appeared and killed the Third Mizukage, it was truly inexplicable.
However, it would make sense if he were a member of the Uchiha clan, especially since Uchiha Hakumoku might have awakened the Mangekyou Sharingan...
If this young man really awakens the Mangekyou Sharingan, I don't believe the Konoha higher-ups can sleep soundly, or that old bastard Hiruzen Sarutobi can be at ease.
Aren't you afraid that another Madara Uchiha will emerge?
Furthermore, will the Uchiha clan ever settle down?
Yes, that's something we can work on. The discord between the Uchiha clan and the Konoha leadership is something we can stir up, and the outcome isn't entirely decided yet; Iwagakure still has its main force.
After all, if they miss this opportunity now, it's hard to say whether they'll have another chance in the future. So Onoki decided to give it another shot. He knew that the supply line was still there, and as long as the supply line to Kannabi Bridge didn't break down, they could still fight.
Of course, Iwagakure is currently unable to organize a new force to fight after the recent ambush and killing of the Third Raikage. Moreover, they also have to guard against the movements of Sunagakure and Kumogakure, who hate Iwagakure to the bone. Although Kumogakure is not going to abandon its interests to fight Iwagakure to the death, Onoki cannot afford to be complacent.
If you don't take precautions, what will you do if they actually attack?
That is why the main force of Iwagakure, which is now invading the Land of Fire, needs to be in place quickly.
Originally, Onoki had prepared about a thousand Iwagakure main forces to invade the Land of Fire. However, because Higashi Shijin's advance force actually defeated the Konoha border defense forces stationed at the front line, Onoki felt that they were capable of fighting.
Although Minato Namikaze arrived in time to stop Iwagakure's further offensive, he believed the situation was still manageable and that they shouldn't be unable to fight; at least they should give it another shot.
"Notify the elders to hold a meeting."
Ōnoki made up his mind and immediately decided to convene a meeting.
He needed to discuss the subsequent battle plans with the elders.
But before Onoki entered the conference room, a new battle report was delivered.
"What? Minato Namikaze destroyed the Kannabi Bridge? Does that mean the supply line is gone?" Onoki was furious when he saw the latest battle report.
I just learned that Kirigakure had been defeated and that Uchiha Hakubaku had killed the Third Mizukage, and then Minato Namikaze destroyed the Kannabi Bridge, causing my invasion of a thousand main Iwagakure troops to be aborted.
In the original story, it was Minato Namikaze who arrived in time and destroyed the Kannabi Bridge, completely cutting off Iwagakure's supply line, which prevented the main force of Iwagakure from continuing its invasion plan.
Although the White Horse incident has occurred, the battle at Kannabi Bridge on another battlefield is still going on as scheduled, and Minato Namikaze still won the MVP!
"Lord Tsuchikage, what should we do now?"
Inside the meeting room, all the elders wore solemn expressions, and the atmosphere was extremely somber. They were clearly aware of the latest battle report: Minato Namikaze had once again thwarted Iwagakure's plans.
It seems unlikely that an intrusion would be possible.
If this continues, those 1,000 Iwagakure ninja will be gone for good. If you can't guarantee your supply lines, how can you fight this war?
Don't think that ninjas can go without food and water. Moreover, it's not just about food and water, but also about supplies, especially ninja tools, which are an important resource.
How can you fight without enough ninja tools?
Explosive tags, kunai, shuriken—those are all very important.
If you don't have enough weapons, how can you fight the enemy?
Therefore, supply lines are very important. In addition, the Kannabi Bridge is not just a supply line, but more importantly, it is used to transport troops.
It's important to know that during the Fourth Shinobi World War, the ones who suffered the most casualties were not the Jonin or Chunin; rather, it was the Genin who died the most.
Although they were cannon fodder, they were also the main force. And now that the Ninja World War is in full swing and so fierce, one can imagine the quality of the genin that the major ninja villages have sent out.
In peacetime, you can be taught step by step, but now it is wartime, there is no time to give you such systematic training and instruction. Basically, you are just given simple training and then you are sent to the battlefield.
The skill level of these hastily trained genin is questionable; they probably haven't even mastered the most basic three-body techniques. At most, they can only throw shuriken and kunai, and their accuracy is even more questionable.
As for the detonating tags?
This thing is actually quite useful.
But the price isn't low. Not everyone is Konan and can't afford this kind of thing. How many explosive tags can a genin like you have? You're lucky if you have any.
Most importantly, this is our trump card, and we can't use it casually.
Even basic abilities like water walking, which require precise control of chakra, are beyond the reach of these hastily trained genin. Therefore, the destruction of the Kannabi Bridge not only disrupted supply lines but also prevented the transport of troops.
Without the bridge, the Jonin and Chunin are fine, but how will the Genin cross the river?
It's impossible to cross over; it's simply impossible to cross over.
Don't be fooled by the fact that Jonin are the village's elite and Chunin are the village's backbone; for most ninjas, the life of a Genin is the ultimate goal. Not everyone can become a Jonin or Chunin. In the ninja world, most ninjas spend their entire lives as Genin.
While genin are cannon fodder, they are the real main force. Jonin are the core combat force. Chunin are relatively numerous, but they cannot withstand being consumed, not to mention their high value. So only genin can be squandered at will.
Iwagakure, in particular, plays the "mass troop" strategy. For example, when they besieged the Third Raikage, they gathered tens of thousands of Iwagakure ninja to slowly wear him down.
However, such a tactic would be devastating even once, and Onoki couldn't possibly use it every time. Besides, would you really use this tactic against Minato Namikaze?
That guy isn't the Third Raikage; he's not that stubborn. This kind of human wave tactic is unlikely to work. Besides, if you want to use this tactic, you need the right timing, location, and people.
The Third Raikage had to stay behind to cover the retreat for his teammates, but would Minato Namikaze have such concerns?
He single-handedly formed an army, using the Flying Thunder God Technique, and has driven the Hidden Stone Village so badly that they now run away at the mere sight of the Yellow Flash.
How would you possibly launch a siege?
There's no other way, let's call a ceasefire.
Without the bridge, the troops can't cross, not to mention that Minato Namikaze is there, which is the biggest threat. Onoki can't take the risk; he can't just go in himself, can he?
The problem is, what if the Cloud Village goes crazy once I leave the village?
He had recently plotted to kill the Third Raikage, and this enmity ran deep. If the Hidden Cloud Village were to fight the Hidden Stone Village in revenge, it would be troublesome.
"First of all, retreat; we can't win this battle."
Once Onoki opened his mouth, he basically set the tone.
The elders present, of course, would not disagree with Onoki.
Besides, it's a good thing that we're not fighting. If we keep fighting like this, everyone will be exhausted. Don't be fooled by how powerful Iwagakure's mass troop build seems. The cost is huge. So many people have died. It's really hard to quell the anger within the village.
Although most of the dead were genin, that doesn't mean there's no need for compensation. On the contrary, it would be a huge expense, and continuing like this is truly unbearable. So, avoiding fighting is the best option.
"Lord Tsuchikage is wise."
Many elders echoed this sentiment.
Within Iwagakure, it was basically a one-man show run by Onoki. There were conflicts, but no one could defeat Onoki, so even if someone was dissatisfied, they could only endure it.
"I won't waste any more time on pleasantries. Since the situation is unfavorable, the only option is peace talks. I deduce that Konoha certainly doesn't want to continue fighting with us like this, so the peace talks should proceed smoothly..."
Everyone agrees on peace talks.
But Onoki is so certain that the peace talks will go smoothly?
This inevitably raises questions, so an elder immediately stepped forward to question the matter.
"Lord Tsuchikage, the peace talks may not be so easy. Konoha is a large and powerful village, and it now holds a certain advantage. Kirigakure has basically suffered a crushing defeat on the eastern front, while we are at a disadvantage on the battlefield in the Land of Grass. Can these peace talks really go smoothly?"
Onoki glanced at the questioning elders and sneered, "Hmph, you don't understand Hiruzen Sarutobi. That old man is getting worse and worse. The so-called hero of ninja has become a bear of ninja. He has squandered a good hand. If we take the initiative to negotiate, he will not object."
He paused, then added, "Besides, it's just peace talks. It's not like we'll just stand by and watch if the situation changes. And aren't treaties meant to be torn up? What's the point of signing them? We can just tear them up again."