[Iwagakure]
[Tsuchikage's Office]
Onoki looked at the intel on the table, his expression slightly heavy.
The intel said that Rengoku had beaten back a force of two thousand from Kumogakure plus two jinchuriki.
Yes, one against two thousand, and the Two Tails jinchuriki was killed.
Of course, besides this, it also described in detail that Rengoku could use Sage Mode, had extremely powerful fire style, could use shadow style, how many forms his Susanoo had, all written clearly.
It was obvious that only Kumogakure, who had fought Rengoku, could know this.
The purpose of releasing intel on Rengoku went without saying.
Based on Rengoku's level of strength, he was basically one of the top in the entire ninja world.
If they didn't send more than two jinchuriki-level fighters, they had absolutely no chance of winning.
Right now Rengoku was like a huge mountain standing between the Land of Earth and the Land of Fire.
If they wanted to attack the Land of Fire, they had to get past this mountain that was Rengoku.
Top-tier fighters weren't cabbages you could pick anywhere. Iwagakure only had two jinchuriki who could even qualify to fight Uchiha Rengoku.
They would even have to bring a large number of elite ninja to make sure they wouldn't be controlled by the Uchiha's Mangekyo.
It looked like they still had to think of more methods if they wanted to win this battle.
As for Akatsuki's Senku, the Mizukage even personally came to ask for cooperation to ambush him.
Which meant the Mizukage must know some internal details about Akatsuki, and the fact that Pain was dead might actually be true.
If they succeeded in ambushing Senku, then they didn't have to worry about Akatsuki interfering anymore.
Whether Kirigakure's people could really kill Senku would have to be seen when the time came.
At this moment, a knock sounded on the door.
"Come in."
"Tsuchikage-sama, people from Sunagakure have arrived," An Anbu reported.
"Who came?"
"It's Elder Chiyo of Sunagakure."
———
[Iwagakure Reception Room]
"Elder Chiyo, I hope you've been well."
"Tsuchikage-sama looks much livelier than me."
Onoki and Chiyo were old acquaintances. In several previous ninja wars, they had met on the battlefield.
It was just that Suna got poorer with every war, the village becoming worse and worse.
Aside from the heavy loss of stacking corpses to kill the Third Raikage, Iwagakure hadn't actually suffered too much in other fights.
Plus the geographic environment was much better than Suna's, so the difference in strength between the two countries had long become enormous.
So Chiyo used honorifics.
If she knew that one year from this point in the original timeline, Orochimaru would come looking for Suna to work together on the Konoha Crush Plan...
Rasa actually took the bait.
Of course, him getting killed halfway by Orochimaru and Kimimaro was another matter entirely.
But right now, Suna was at the point where they wanted land more than anything.
And Konoha's Nine Tails jinchuriki had disappeared.
Which made this the weakest moment for Konoha.
"We originally had a chance before. Why did you Sunagakure people retreat?", Onoki didn't bother with small talk and asked directly.
Chiyo said helplessly, "Talking about that now has no meaning. We're the same as you. Neither side wants unnecessary losses."
Onoki didn't dwell on it too much.
"When the Demon Legion arrives, that will be our best opportunity."
"If we let Konoha pick us off one by one, our losses will be even greater."
"I hope that when the time comes, you Sunagakure people won't drag us down."
Every ninja village wanted others to go first. As a result, they wasted the last opportunity.
"Since it's an alliance, we can at least divide the attack directions roughly."
In the ninja world, everyone had ulterior motives. An alliance basically just meant attacking at the same time.
But mixing their forces together was absolutely impossible.
Onoki waved a hand, signaling his people to spread out a map.
Then he used his Light-Weight Rock Technique to float into the air, holding a pointer as he indicated the border between the Land of Grass and the Land of Rain.
"Based on the Demon Legion's movement route, they should enter the Land of Fire from here."
"Konoha won't wait until the Demon Legion reaches their gates before moving."
"The terrain here isn't favorable for the Demon Legion's attack. There's a high chance Konoha will block here."
"We Iwagakure will attack from the border between the Land of Waterfalls and the Land of Grass."
Chiyo studied the map for a while and said, "We Sunagakure will go through the Land of Rivers."
Onoki said with a deeper meaning, "You Sunagakure no longer have any jinchuriki. Most likely Konoha's Mangekyo will be on my side."
"In that case, we Iwagakure are suffering quite the disadvantage."
In truth, Suna had the greatest need for the Land of Fire. The side that wanted more was naturally in a lower position.
Chiyo already expected this, so she took out a scroll and pushed it toward the Tsuchikage.
"This is Sunagakure's sincerity."
Onoki picked up the scroll. He wasn't worried about any traps and opened it directly.
"Hm?"
The scroll contained Suna's research on the Melting Lock Sealing Technique, originally developed to keep the One Tail jinchuriki asleep.
But Suna discovered that besides causing continuous pain, this seal would also throw the victim's chakra into disorder.
It wouldn't be suppressed by the Uchiha's Mangekyo Sharingan.
This was why Gaara could go berserk under Fugaku Uchiha's eyes the first time he was captured.
This thing wouldn't cause any negative effect to Suna if it spread.
Iwa had two jinchuriki, so they happened to need something like this.
"With the Melting Lock Seal, your jinchuriki only need to be careful of Akatsuki's Senku," Suna had chosen the right gift.
Onoki's satisfaction was obvious, "I accept Sunagakure's sincerity. This time we can share some intel."
"Akatsuki's Pain is very likely already dead."
"And I already have a counter-plan for Senku."
"This is our Iwagakure contact method. We can exchange information when needed."
Onoki handed Chiyo a document.
Every village's communication system was different, with different cipher patterns and different messenger birds.
If you didn't understand the other side's cipher, even intercepting their bird was useless.
Onoki was basically granting them a bit of limited access.
Chiyo also took out the corresponding items from her pouch and handed them to Onoki.
During battle, they could use messenger birds to communicate quickly, ensuring Konoha wouldn't be able to guard both ends.
"Then I'll take my leave."
"Walk her out. Escort Elder Chiyo," Onoki ordered his Anbu.
Chiyo didn't stay long. After accomplishing her purpose, she immediately left. As for how many troops each side would deploy, both sides quietly avoided asking.
Onoki sat down and carefully examined the Melting Lock Seal, thinking a bit.
"Copy this and send it to Kumogakure, in my name."
"Yes, Tsuchikage-sama!", The Anbu quickly took the Melting Lock Seal and left.
Even though Iwa and Kumo held grudges, for the sake of fighting Konoha, these things could be tolerated.
Kumo should really need this thing.
The principle of the technique wasn't complicated. Even if Kumo couldn't use it right away, after studying it a few times they could decode it.
Might as well give it to Kumo early.
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