Chapter 372: Chapter 372: Onoki's Stand—No Alliance Needed

Chapter 372: Chapter 372: Onoki's Stand—No Alliance Needed



Fighting against Kirigakure might only weaken Konoha temporarily. But adding Sunagakure to the mix changes everything. Even if Konoha wins, it would be a pyrrhic victory. If Iwagakure suddenly attacks during this chaos, Konoha wouldn't be able to withstand it.

"They probably want to drag us into the conflict, diverting more of Konoha's focus and forces. Those two villages are up to no good, and I... ouch!"

Kitsuchi yelped, clutching his head and squatting down. Even squatting, he was almost the same height as Onoki, who was sitting in his chair.

"You idiot, you're driving me nuts! If you had an ounce of ambition, I'd have retired long ago!" Onoki scolded, clearly annoyed.

"Forget it. I've long known I couldn't count on you. I don't know when these old bones of mine will finally get some rest."

Onoki's persistence for decades wasn't just out of dedication-he simply had no choice. He hadn't found a suitable successor. Kitsuchi, his son, once held high hopes, but he turned out to be unreliable—his strength was decent, but his head wasn't sharp.

This left Onoki stuck, still searching for someone suitable.

"Hehe," Kitsuchi chuckled awkwardly, scratching his head.

He knew his limitations. Fighting? No problem-he could go all out. But becoming the Tsuchikage? That was beyond him. He'd rather spend more time at home with his adorable daughter than deal with the burden of leadership.

"What are you smiling about?!" Onoki rolled his eyes, feeling exasperated with his son.

Sighing, Onoki returned to the topic at hand.

"You're right; Kirigakure and Sunagakure are indeed scheming, but don't you think this is a great opportunity for us?"

Iwagakure's military strength ranked third among the Five Great Shinobi Nations, only behind Kumogakure and Konoha. But in other aspects, Iwagakure lagged behind.

"Should we respond to Sunagakure?" Kitsuchi asked.

"No need."

Snorting disdainfully, Onoki said, "They're not worth it. Let them fight, and when the time is right, we'll step in."Nôv(el)B\\jnn

"No, they weren't," Sarutobi Shiji replied, shaking his head seriously.

He couldn't understand what Sunagakure was planning either. Could they want an honorable fight without dirty tricks? That didn't fit the Third Kazekage's character. It felt strange, and something was off.

"During the last war, Sunagakure attacked while Konoha wasn't prepared, storming into the Land of Fire and destroying many villages, stealing a lot of resources," Sakumo said. The stark contrast made him wonder if something was wrong with the Third Kazekage. Nara Shikashige listened quietly. From the moment the Third Hokage called him back, knowing he couldn't refuse, he decided to stay low and say little. With the power struggle between Tsunade and Orochimaru as potential Hokage candidates, Nara wouldn't involve himself or his clan in it.

It was better to leave the stage to the younger generation-an old man like him had no place

meddling.

Taking out a map, Takuya compared the distances between their forces and Sunagakure's defenses, then asked, "Senior, what do you think Sunagakure's goal is? Is this just a smokescreen, or is the Third Kazekage genuinely avoiding targeting villages?"

Did they make some sort of compromise?

Takuya started recalling major events involving Sunagakure after the war ended.

First, the Daimyo of the Land of Wind was furious because Sunagakure targeted the Daimyo of the Land of Rivers, looting resources. This drew condemnation from other Daimyo worldwide. Humiliated, the Daimyo of the Land of Wind refused to fund Sunagakure for a

time.

Fortunately, the fury subsided, and the Daimyo realized he still needed Sunagakure to maintain his power. Eventually, he approached the Daimyo of the Land of Fire to help Sunagakure purchase supplies under his name. Having just ended the war, Konoha needed resources too. Besides, the Fire Daimyo despised the Third Kazekage-if he had any sense, he wouldn't easily sell supplies to Sunagakure.

Surely, some deal was made.

"It's likely not just a smokescreen."

-PowerStone Deal

I will give you another 5 hours to collect 700 power stones for 3 chapters, as you are very close

to reaching the goal.

(P)(S): If you're interested, you can read up to chapter 400+ at Patreon com/ Emiko1.