Chapter 135: Standing Guard and Forming Alliances
Killer Bee finally voiced the true reason behind his concerns.
It wasn't that he himself feared Uchiha Dali.
Rather, it was the Eight-Tails sealed within him that had sensed the situation back then and conveyed it to him.
"The Eight-Tails, huh?"
The Fourth Raikage's expression turned a little more serious.
Tailed Beasts weren't just symbols of power—they could also perceive real danger.
If the Eight-Tails said that, it meant Uchiha Dali's power could pose a serious threat even to a Tailed Beast.
That was not something to take lightly.
"Bee, this isn't the time for remarks like that!"
"I know, big bro. I was just relaying what the Eight-Tails said when he encountered that guy back then. But now, after all our intense training, we've grown a lot stronger."
"When the two of us fight together, the strength we unleash is far greater than just 1 + 1."
Killer Bee responded to his older brother.
Hearing this, the Fourth Raikage fell silent. Clenching his fists, he looked out the window into the distance.
He had calmed down.
He wasn't as hot-headed as before.
At that moment, he couldn't help but begin pondering a troubling question.
If Uchiha Dali really did invade the Land of Lightning, and the fighting strength of the Hidden Cloud Village wasn't enough to stop him…
Then what would become of the Land of Lightning and the Hidden Cloud?
…
Meanwhile, something similar was unfolding in the Hidden Stone Village of the Land of Earth.
With intel relayed by spies embedded in other nations, Iwagakure had already learned of the downfall of the Lands of Water and Wind.
"How could this happen?!"
Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki was visibly shocked, in utter disbelief.
"The Shinobi World War had already ended. Even the daimyō of the Land of Fire signed a treaty. Why would they go back on their word now?!"
"Are they trying to start another war?"
Ōnoki turned to the Anbu below and asked.
"Lord Third Tsuchikage, we've also received another piece of news. It seems the daimyō of the Land of Fire has already been eliminated."
"Taking his place and ruling over the entire Land of Fire now is Uchiha Dali. He's the new daimyō."
"What did you say?!"
Ōnoki was dumbfounded by the news.
As if he had just heard something completely absurd.
His subordinate repeated the message once more.
This time, Ōnoki believed it.
"No way… What is this Uchiha Dali trying to do? Is he really planning to turn the entire shinobi world upside down?"
"Looks like he intends to dominate the whole world."
"After all, he's a member of the Uchiha clan. Even within Konoha, the Uchiha are seen as dangerous."
At this moment, Iwagakure's advisors began analyzing the situation.
Ōnoki mulled it over and felt that there might be some truth to their view.
Then he gave a cold snort.
"The Land of Earth isn't like the Lands of Water and Wind. Those cowards are easily pushed around. I'll never let someone from the Uchiha clan run amok on our soil!"
"If they dare to invade, I'll make sure they never return!"
But even as he spoke, Ōnoki's heart was far from confident.
He'd faced members of the Uchiha clan before.
That was back in his youth.
At the time, his mentor, the Second Tsuchikage Mu, had taken him to the Land of Fire to negotiate with Konoha.
But on the way, they encountered that man—
Uchiha Madara, who once stood shoulder to shoulder with the God of Shinobi, the First Hokage Senju Hashirama.
The meeting quickly spiraled into a battle.
And the outcome was as expected.
Even with both master and student fighting together, Madara was simply too powerful.
They barely escaped death in the Land of Fire, thanks only to Madara's decision to spare them.
Since then, many years had passed. Madara had long since perished.
His master, Mu, had also been dead for years.
Ōnoki had never faced another Uchiha in battle.
But the memory of that fight was still deeply etched in his mind.
"So it's time to face another Uchiha."
Ōnoki thought silently.
"This time, I won't let your will trample mine!"
"Iwagakure will never bow to force!"
He clenched his fists tightly.
The Dust Release technique he had spent years perfecting—perhaps this time, it would truly be put to use.
"Keep gathering intel. If anything stirs in the Land of Fire, report it immediately!"
"Also, put the village on high alert. Screen all suspicious individuals! We can't risk enemy spies infiltrating!"
"Alert the border defense squads. Anyone of unknown origin is to be denied entry!"
…
The seasoned Ōnoki rattled off a series of commands without pause.
At the same time, many smaller nations had also received word.
Even the Land of Iron, home to the samurai, had been informed of the Lands of Water and Wind submitting to the Land of Fire.
The reactions of these smaller countries were largely the same as those of the Lands of Lightning and Earth.
Some of the weaker shinobi villages, realizing they lacked the strength to protect themselves, began seeking the protection of the remaining great powers.
After discussions, they unanimously agreed to request alliances with the Lands of Lightning and Earth for protection.
These small countries quickly took action, dispatching emissaries to the two major nations in hopes of forming protective alliances.
While these smaller nations scrambled to ensure their survival, the Land of Fire was also moving—but not toward war.
Minato Namikaze and Shikaku Nara, acting under Uchiha Dali's orders, began searching across the Land of Fire for suitable locations to establish ninja academies.
As for economic policy and personnel management, those responsibilities were handed to the three chief advisors, including Hiruzen Sarutobi, with Uchiha Fugaku assisting them.
Everything was progressing in an orderly manner.
To ensure smooth execution, Konoha even launched a massive propaganda campaign in nearby towns.
This flood of messaging spread quickly—not just within the Land of Fire, but to the Lands of Wind and Water as well.
Previously ordered by Uchiha Dali to report to Konoha once they had resolved their domestic issues, Rasa and Yagura immediately set off for the Land of Fire upon hearing the news.
They hoped to ride the wave of Fire Nation's sweeping economic reforms and carry their own nations forward.
Roughly three days later, they arrived at the Hidden Leaf Village.
At the same time, Konoha's spies had already relayed the movements of the Lands of Lightning, Earth, and others back home.
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