Hiruzen Sarutobi wore a surprised expression. After the initial shock subsided, he deeply furrowed his brow and asked, bewildered, "I don't quite understand your intention in doing this."
The Third Mizukage smiled, "You should know that the corpses of powerful ninjas are highly valuable for research, especially precious specimens like him, who possesses three kekkei genkai."
Indeed, what the Mizukage said made sense, yet Hiruzen Sarutobi still found it hard to comprehend. Trading for other things he could understand, but a Tailed Beast was precious; any one of them possessed the power to destroy the world.
As if seeing through Hiruzen Sarutobi's thoughts, the Third Mizukage continued, "To you, it might just be a valuable corpse, but to our Kirigakure, it holds significant meaning."
He then paused, and said gravely, "The power of the Tailed Beasts is simply too difficult for ordinary people to control. Instead of investing valuable talent in it every year, and even risking a rampage, it's better to invest in something more valuable and more stable."
Hiruzen Sarutobi narrowed his eyes, likely having already guessed something.
"When it comes to Ice Release kekkei genkai, our Kirigakure should be its birthplace. It's just perplexing why, despite being the same Ice Release, there's such a vast difference."
The Third Mizukage wore a self-deprecating smile: "Compared to Tōshirō's Ice Release, I sometimes wonder if our village's Ice Release kekkei genkai is fake..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi remained silent.
Tōshirō's Ice Release was indeed somewhat different from ordinary Ice Release.
The Third Mizukage's goal was likely to study Tōshirō's corpse to understand the reason behind his incredibly powerful Ice Release, thereby raising the potential of the village's Ice Release ninjas.
The Third Mizukage coaxed, "How about it? My proposal is quite good, isn't it?"
"I'm sorry, but I cannot comply."
With his guards watching, Hiruzen Sarutobi absolutely could not agree directly.
"Are you afraid I'll change my mind midway?"
The Third Mizukage rubbed his chin: "How about this, if you agree, I can give you the Six-Tails in advance."
"Wha... what?"
The Third Mizukage's answer far exceeded Hiruzen Sarutobi's expectations.
"I believe I am showing great sincerity, don't you?"
The Third Mizukage's expression was composed as he added, "Oh, right~ I imagine a dignified Hokage, if they accept the Six-Tails then, wouldn't go back on their word midway, would they?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze alternated between the Tsuchikage and the Mizukage.
He now understood why the Tsuchikage hadn't immediately demanded the Five-Tails from Konoha when Tōshirō's abilities and Sharingan were exposed: they had secretly colluded with the Mizukage.
"If I don't accept, what do you two plan to do?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi probed.
The Third Mizukage's smile faded, his expression turning cold: "Then our village will ally with Iwagakure and attack your Konoha together."
Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned deeply, finding the situation extremely difficult.
"You should know, once Kirigakure and Iwagakure join the fray, what do you think Kumogakure will do then?" The Third Mizukage said with a chilling, insincere smile, delivering his threat:
"At that time, I imagine even a strong village like Konoha would find it difficult to face so many opponents at once."
Hearing this direct threat laid out on the table, cold sweat broke out on Hiruzen Sarutobi's back.
Facing four great nations and a bunch of smaller countries all at once, even a strong Konoha wouldn't be able to hold out.
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep breath, the immense pressure nearly making him unable to breathe.
Just as he was in a dilemma, the Third Mizukage then added, "Well~ you don't have to answer so quickly."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression was solemn as he watched warily.
The Third Mizukage, clearly holding all the cards, said: "After all, it's a very important decision. Putting myself in your shoes, I can somewhat understand your difficulty. To show sincerity, I can give you time to return to the village and discuss it thoroughly with your other high-ranking officials."
Hiruzen Sarutobi stood up, silent, and turned to leave. At this point, there was no need to continue the discussion. The urgent matter was to return to the village immediately and discuss this with Danzo and the others to find a countermeasure.
"Oh, right, there's something I forgot to tell you."
Hiruzen Sarutobi hadn't walked many steps when the Third Mizukage's voice suddenly came from behind him.
He turned his body, his eyes seeming to ask what else could there be?
The Third Mizukage smiled: "There's something about Tōshirō that I wonder if you'd like to hear."
"What is it?"
"I'm a bit old, I forgot…"
Hiruzen Sarutobi: "..."
"Haha, just kidding. Consider it my trump card for our next meeting..."
This determined demeanor made Hiruzen Sarutobi increasingly uneasy.
After Hiruzen Sarutobi left, the Third Mizukage opened his eyes. On the surface, he was looking at Onoki, but his gaze was actually on Uchiha Madara, disguised as a guard behind him: "Do you think he'll agree?"
Onoki, who was being manipulated, showed a meaningful smile: "He will definitely agree..."
Tōshirō, in order to get revenge on the Land of Fire's Daimyo, disguised himself as a kidnapper and boldly abducted his son, severely beating him, and later even extorted money.
If the Daimyo of the Land of Fire knew that the person who kidnapped his son was Tōshirō, he certainly wouldn't let him off.
At this moment, whether it was the pressure from external forces or the internal pressure from the Land of Fire's Daimyo, Konoha would not be able to bear it.
Under dual pressure, Hiruzen Sarutobi would surely compromise, and in order to squeeze out Tōshirō's last bit of usefulness, he would inevitably sell him for a good price.
In this world, nothing is more despair-inducing than being betrayed by one's comrades.
Of course, killing Tōshirō was merely Uchiha Madara's immediate objective; he intended to use this incident to kill Tsunade.
Someone who has had nothing from the start will not feel pain.
To have gained something and then lost it is more painful than never having possessed it at all.
Tōshirō, now active on the battlefield, possessed everything. But when all of it suddenly disappeared one day, he would immediately fall into darkness and rampage.
Uchiha Madara thought darkly.
However, before formally executing that plan, Uchiha Madara had to make one final preparation.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, as a decision-maker, was sometimes too indecisive. To ensure absolute certainty, he had to be replaced by a more cold-blooded individual.
—Danzo.
Thinking this, Uchiha Madara murmured to himself, Next, I'll have to rely on that guy, and I might as well test how much his strength has grown...
—Kakuzu.
Returning to Konoha
"Lord Hokage, do we really have to...?"
After leaving the Land of Iron castle, one of the guards accompanying Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't help but speak.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, walking ahead, his face solemn, said without turning back, "This matter is of grave importance. I must return to the village immediately and discuss counter-measures with Danzo, Koharu, and Homura."
"And if we can't come up with a plan, will we really have to hand over Tōshirō?"
"If it truly comes to that, then there will be no other choice."
To be honest, Hiruzen Sarutobi had already lost hope that he wouldn't have to sacrifice Tōshirō.
He said this mainly to placate his subordinates, as no one would like a leader who sold out their subordinates without hesitation.
"..."
"Remember what happened here. Not a single detail must be leaked."
Those chosen as guards were naturally his most trusted subordinates, many of whom were from the Sarutobi clan, so they wouldn't speak out of turn.
However, given the gravity of the matter, Hiruzen Sarutobi still felt the need to emphasize it.
"Understood."
The guard immediately responded.
After this, Hiruzen Sarutobi and his group walked for a long time, passing through a canyon. This route was the only way back to the Land of Fire's territory.
Some premeditated individuals often set ambushes here, so Hiruzen Sarutobi's group naturally maintained extra vigilance to avoid any unforeseen circumstances.
But even so, everyone still inadvertently fell victim to something. They grew drowsy, their legs went weak, and they collapsed directly to the ground.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's pupils suddenly dilated, as if he realized something:
"Oh no, there's poison in the snow."
(End of Chapter)
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