https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-265-From-This-Moment-On-Let-the-World-Feel-the-Will-of-Fire-37-/12559348/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-267-A-Leaf-Shadow-Guard-is-Here-57-/12559352/
Chapter 266: Arrival at Sunagakure 【47】
Chapter 266: Arrival at Sunagakure 【47】
The Land of Wind.
Sunagakure.
The entire village of Sunagakure was on high alert. The number of shinobi patrolling the village had tripled, and the atmosphere was oppressive. There were hardly any women and children to be seen, as they had already been evacuated to safer locations.
In the top-floor conference room of the Kazekage Tower, the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, stood at one end of the oval conference table, his hands resting on the table as he spoke in a grave tone, "This day has finally arrived..."
"The power of Konoha grows stronger by the day. If we cannot stop them from annexing smaller nations, it is only a matter of time before they set their sights on our great country. What are your thoughts, everyone?"
A shinobi stood up, clenching his fists and slamming them on the table. "It is absolutely out of the question for us to become a subordinate of Konoha!"
"Yes!"
"We will never surrender to Konoha!"
The room echoed with angry voices.
Just a few days ago, Konoha had begun mobilizing a large number of troops toward the border. Simultaneously, they had sent an ultimatum to Sunagakure that morning, demanding their unconditional surrender and to become a subordinate of Konoha.
Konoha offered an agreement that granted Sunagakure autonomous rule for the next ten years.
However, among the conditions were that children of Sunagakure would be sent to Konoha, along with a series of other demands that would allow Konoha to control the order in Sunagakure. This included assisting Konoha in occupying the Land of Wind and incorporating it into the Fire Nation.
Such demands were unacceptable!
Sunagakure was one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages, and even during their defeats in the Second and Third Shinobi World Wars, they had never accepted such humiliating treaties!
"Although there is an agreement for autonomous rule, if we were to agree to their demands, Sunagakure would inevitably disappear and be absorbed into Konoha," Rasa said slowly, his voice heavy with difficulty. "This is something everyone should understand. So... do any of you have a strategy to counter Konoha?"
The Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, clenched his fists, his eyes reflecting the gravity of the situation.
Konoha's strength was evident in the fact that just one person, Fengye, was powerful enough to infiltrate Sunagakure and wreak havoc, leaving them defenseless. Sunagakure's might was no match for Konoha's.
"Kazekage-sama, if Konoha invades our Land of Wind, the other three Great Shinobi Villages will not idly stand by," Maki, a jounin of Sunagakure, stood up and addressed Rasa with a solemn expression. "I believe we should immediately contact the shinobi villages of Iwagakure, Kumogakure, and Kirigakure to form a Shinobi Alliance and stand together against Konoha. It's time we put an end to their ambitions!"
A shinobi beside him quickly voiced his agreement. "Indeed! Iwagakure, Kumogakure, and Kirigakure must also be awaiting our call. They understand that if our Land of Wind falls, theirs could be next! Konoha aims to instigate a Fourth Shinobi World War, but victory won't come easily for them!"
The room buzzed with discussions, everyone sharing their thoughts on the matter.
Rasa coughed, bringing the room back to silence. He looked at the gathered Sunagakure higher-ups with a serious expression and said, "The formation of a Shinobi Alliance is inevitable. Even if we don't take the initiative to contact them, they will reach out to each other. The question now is how we can withstand Konoha's assault... They have already begun their campaign, and our alliance-building efforts will undoubtedly be slower than theirs."
At Rasa's words, the room fell into a heavy silence once more.
After a few seconds, someone spoke up through gritted teeth, "Let's abandon this place!"
"In the absence of a Shinobi Alliance, it's impossible to face Konoha's forces alone. So, before they arrive, let's disperse and avoid direct confrontation with the enemy."
The Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, wore a troubled expression as he said, "But if we do that, it would be akin to opening the doors and inviting the invasion of Konoha. Our entire Wind Country will be easily occupied..."
"We can't worry about that right now, Kazekage-sama!" Maki interrupted, gritting his teeth. "Moreover, if Konoha occupies the Wind Country, they will have a large number of troops tied down here. By then, when we form a united army, we will have the advantage... Although this will cause heavy losses to our Wind Country, since they have chosen to attack us, we have no other choice."
Everyone in the meeting room wore grim expressions.
Indeed, even if they won such a war, the Wind Country would undoubtedly suffer devastating losses and might not fare any better than Konoha. Perhaps it would even disappear from history. Thus, at this moment, some hesitated, unsure if they should fight or not.
And just then, a voice abruptly echoed through the meeting room.
"Pardon the interruption..."
The voice caused the expressions of everyone in the room to change drastically as they looked towards the center of the room. A figure emerged from underneath the central table, or rather, phased through it.
He wore the forehead protector of Konoha, had silver hair, and a black mask over his face. His eyes held the Mangekyo Sharingan.
"You're from Konoha..."
"Kakashi of the Sharingan?!"
The nearby Sunagakure shinobi's faces paled as one of them drew his short sword and infused it with Wind-style chakra, slashing at Kakashi.
Shing!!
The sword, imbued with wind blades, sliced through Kakashi's body, but it passed right through him, slicing through the wall and causing it to collapse.
The commotion drew the attention of the shinobi outside Sunagakure, and many rushed over, shocked at what they saw.
"Don't attack recklessly," Kakashi said calmly, glancing at the attacker before turning to face the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa. "Kazekage-sama, would you care to hear me out?"
At Kakashi's feet, golden sand attempted to bind his body but failed to grasp his tangible form.
Rasa's expression was stern as he waved his hand, signaling for the shinobi to stop. "Go on."
Kakashi held up four fingers and said, "Konoha aims to unify the shinobi world, and it's only a matter of time before they face a united shinobi army. However, your actions are already a step too slow. Even if a united army is formed, the battle will ultimately take place within the Wind Country..."
"Even if Konoha loses, I believe your Sunagakure will also cease to exist. After all, you are our first target."
"If you proactively choose to accept our terms, abandon resistance, and become an ally of Konoha, you can maintain your current status quo for a considerable period."
Kakashi lowered three of his fingers, leaving only the index finger raised. "This is my advice, and I hope you will make a rational choice."
(End of Chapter)
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