For the first time sihat battle, Masashi once again saw ōnoki.

  Uhe watchful eyes of everyone, a small bck dot first appeared in the sky. Soon, it grew rge enough for those on the ground t as a person.

  As ōnoki's figure became clearer, the Iwa ninjas present couldn't help but show admiration in their eyes.

  Except for Kitsuchi.

  Fag away from the Konoha group, his expression was one of utter helplessness.

  He felt like he and his father were pletely out of syally. On practically every issue, their opinions cshed.

  To Kitsuchi, Konoha sending a powerhouse like the White Ghost as an envoy sighat Konoha's diplomader the Fourth Hokage followed a tough approach. Under such circumstances, ōnoki, as Tsuchikage, should have received them in his office.

  But how long had it been since he left? The old man had flown over himself.

  "Long time no see," ōnoki floated before the group, his gaze seemingly fixed only on Masashi, and surprisingly, his expression was rather kind.

  After all, he immediately noticed the two youngsters behind Masashi. His heart eased. With his spirits lifted, even his tone became gentler, not as sharp as before.

  "Have you given my previous suggestion any thought?" ōnoki asked with a smile while stroking his beard. "Iwa warmly weles the Uchiha ."

  The Iwa ninjas, who had felt a bit helpless by the Tsuchikage personally ing out to greet the Konoha delegation, suddenly had an epiphany.

  They thought they uood now.

  His humbliure wasn't for Konoha—it was an attempt to recruit the Uchiha . That was different, then. Recruitment looked like this: showing siy, iating terms, and then f a partnership.

  Masashi may have devastated the Iwa forces otlefield, taking down thousands of them alone. But ba the vilge, there wasn't much reseowards him. He was just to to hold a grudge against.

  Kitsuchi's expression, however, turned even more exasperated.

  In his heart, he had a dream—to crush Kumo. And Konoha was, in his view, the perfect ally for this.

  As long as Iwa and Konoha could maintain long-term peaceful retions, Iwa would have the freedom to bully Suna to the south and team up with Konoha to crush Kumo to the north. Iwa's happiness was simple and straightforward like that.

  "No, I haven't sidered it." Masashi shook his head. "Tsuchikage-sama, this tactic is too weak."

  "Hm, you're a greedy little guy, aren't you?" ōnoki pursed his lips. "Fihen. I'll be waiting for you isuchikage's office."

  With that, the old ma out a "BIU" sound and flew off.

  "Kitsuchi, is your Tsuchikage always this cheeky?"

  "The Tsuchikage is a free-spirited man. He be like this sometimes," Kitsuchi replied, keeping his expression under trol. "This lease."

  He turned and resumed leading the group.

  An old man sidled up to Masashi and nudged his arm.

  "What is it?" Masashi asked, turning to look at him.

  "Masashi, ōnoki isn't quite what I imagined," the old man said. "This might be promising."

  The old man was from the Shimura . Although it was amusing to say, the Shimura was the opposite of the Inuzuka —almost everyone in it was a dove, except for the notable exception of Danzō.

  This partian had been one of the legendary doves who stood up to Danzō in the Hokage's office to support the Uchiha . He was said to have infuriated Danzō to the point of turning pale but left him helpless. After all, in terms of seniority, Danzō had to call him "senpai."

  "He's exactly what you imagine him to be. Don't say anything rash ter. This old guy is shrewd," Masashi sighed. "He came here to tease us and blow off steam."

  "That 't be…," the old man doubted. "He's a Kage. Would he really be so idle?"

  "You met the First Hokage. What was he like?" Masashi tered.

  The old man froze.

  "Ah, you youngsters love yossip too much. Don't believe everything those storybooks say. The First Hokage was actually very kind," he muttered, retreating to the back with a disgruntled expression.

  Masashi's words had reminded him. Having grown too aced to Hiruzen's demeanor, he had almost fotten that a Kage could indeed be idle.

  Among the old ninja s in the vilge, it was on knowledge: the First Hokage was genuinely a good person, but many things about him were… plicated.

  It was just that no one could beat him; otherwise, he would've been disciplined long ago.

  Following the Iwa ninjas, the Konoha delegation passed through the grassnds aered the mountains. This time, it wasn't long before they saw Iwa.

  Unlike Konoha, Iwa had no walls.

  On sed thought, it made sehe vilge was in the mountains, and with every Iwa ninjas profit ih Release, what was the point of a wall?

  But Iwa did have a gate. After all, the vilge's buildings were ected by bridges. The so-called gate was at the entrance of the main bridge that lihe mountains.

  When the Konoha delegation arrived, Irepared a wele ceremoing their status. The reception's grandeur was usually determined by the status of the envoy, sidering not only the vilge's own standing but also the envoy's rank.

  For someone of Masashi's Kage-level stature, Iared no effort in showing respect.

  As the delegation crossed the main bridge, they saw ninjas and civilians alike standing on the surrounding suspensies. Flower petals rained down from above, and fireworks rose from within the vilge.

  In this regard, Iwa wouldn't give Konoha any grounds for criticism. Unlike Kumo, Iwa took such matters seriously.

  Even during the Third War, whewo vilges agreed to a ceasefire, Iwa had sent Kitsuchi to Konoha for the signing ceremony, ensuring all proper courtesies were observed.

  As an old-school ninja from the same era and a long-time rival, ōnoki had a certain respect for Hiruzen.

  Sitting isuchikage's office, listening to the otion outside, he pondered how to iate with Konoha.

  The Yellow Fsh had bee the Hokage. While ōnoki aowledged his strength, he still subjected him to the traditional tests of a Kage's worthiness.

  The results weren't great.

  Konoha had grown more united, and the Flying Thunder God hadn't disappeared from the battlefield. Its new wielder was now an Uchiha.

  Meanwhile, the Iwa ninjas forces had suffered greatly. Aire division had been decimated, the elite Demolitions Unit had lost all bat effectiveness, and his disciple and granddaughter had been taken as captives.

  Though they were eventually returned unharmed, he couldn't help but feel a bit stung.

  Knock, knock…

  "e in," ōnoki said, rising to pick up his Tsuchikage hat.

  "Tsuchikage-sama, the Konoha delegation is about to ehe building."

  "Good. Lead them directly to the feren," ōnoki anded, fully donning his hat with authority. "Let's see how that White Ghost pns to iate."

  He was very fident. After all, iations required wit and rhetori Uchiha? Give me a break.

  ---

  After entering Iwa, Masashi officially handed over Deidara and Kurotsuchi to Kitsuchi.

  Times had ged. Konoha no longer o use these two kids as bargaining chips iiations; their purpose was to earn some goodwill. And goodwill was far more valuable than any hostage.

  At this stage, all of Konoha's diplomacy was based on one goal: to maintain friendly retions with the other vilges without promising Konoha's is and to pressure Kumo into submission.

  Masashi felt that this goodwill was effectively earned.

  Kitsuchi's expression softened signifitly, and during the trip to the Tsuchikage's office with the group, he started engaging in versation with Masashi rather than staying silent.

  Upoering the Tsuchikage's office, he noticed ohing immediately: Among the Five Great Shinobi Vilges, the Hokage's office was undoubtedly the smallest.

  Kitsuchi, serving as their guide, performed his duty diligently.

  After receiving the Tsuchikage's instrus from the clerical staff, he led the Konoha delegation straight to the meeting hall.

  Upoering the hall, the first thing that caught everyone's eye was ōnoki, already seated, along with the other Iwa high-ranking officials. However, Masashi didn't reize any of them.

  He only knew ōnoki and Kitsuchi.

  The Konoha delegation took their seats in order, with Kitsuchi sittio ōnoki.

  The representatives from Konoha sat upright, brimming with fidend enthusiasm.

  It had been a long time sihey had entered a Kage who adhered to protocol so strictly. They felt a sense of familiarity and were optimistic about delivering an exceptional performaoday.

  Once everyone was seated, ōnoki didn't speak immediately, aher did Masashi.

  With the two leading figures remaining silent, everyone else could only exge gnces in awkward quiet.

  Masashi looked at the stubborn, defiant gaze of ōnoki and decided he couldn't let the other side act up again. He resolved to take the lead.

  "Tsuchikage-sama," Masashi broke the silence, instantly drawing the attention of both delegations.

  "For decades, Konoha and Iwa have maintained diplomatic retions, advang hand in hand. The traditional friendship between our two vilges has stood the test of time and growronger."

  Huh? What is this White Ghost talking about?

  "All along, uhe joint leadership of our two vilges, mutual political trust has been firm, and the results of our colboration have been fruitful. Particurly in maintaining regional peace, we have engaged in close and effective cooperation across various fields. When u broke out in the Land of Raily, our two vilges supported each other and faced the challeogether, demonstrating a brotherly bond in times of adversity!"

  After finishing his long spee one breath, Masashi, with a fident wave of his hand, boldly procimed, "Tsuchikage-sama, it is necessary for us to take our partnership further aablish a preherategic partnership based on mutual trust and win-win cooperation."

  The entire room fell silent. Everyone was too stuo react.

  Iwa was dumbfounded, and the Konoha delegates were even more astonished.

  ōnoki's previously sarcastic smile had vanished, his mind now buzzing.

  Supported each other? Faced challeogether? A bond of brotherhood in adversity?

  What nonsense was this?

  Mutual trust? Win-win cooperation?

  Was this even human speech?

  After repying Masashi's words in his head, he was shocked.

  Was this really an Uchiha? Is this what the Uchiha has bee now!?

  Kitsuchi was equally stunned.

  He looked at Masashi with admiration.

  So it turns out his kindred spirit was right here all along!

  The veteran Konoha diplomats weren't just shocked—they were enlightened.

  So, this was how you fabricate nonsense!

  They had been too hasty. They had assumed the Uchiha ly knew how to fight and flip tables at the slightest provocation. They were already prepared to step in and salvage the situation if things went south.

  Now? What was there to salvage? Masashi was way more skilled at this than they were.

  "Masashi, are you funting your strength?" ōnoki suddenly snorted coldly. "Between Iwa and Konoha, how many shinobi have died? The blood debt is enormous. Where is this so-called 'support'?"

  "How could it ?" Masashi tered. "Let's not look too far back. Take the Third Great Ninja War, for example. Iwa and Konoha joined forces to stop Kumo from esg the unjust war they initiated, ultimately killing the bandit leader, the Third Raikage. Doesn't this demonstrate the deep friendship between our vilges over decades of diplomatic retions?"

  Everyone was stunned—so the Raikage was now a bandit leader!?

  "Iwa's military as have nothing to do with Konoha," ōnoki retorted, though his tone had softened siderably. After all, as the Tsuchikage, he had to maintain some dignity.

  "Tsuchikage-sama, you're being overly modest. This is precisely why I propose that our vilges establish a preherategic partnership based on mutual trust and win-win cooperation."

  Masashi maintained his smile and tinued.

  "Think about it—you and the Hokage are miles apart, yet you cooperated so seamlessly in dealing with Kumo. Isn't this mutual trust? Shouldn't we pass down this spirit of sincere friendship and mutual support to future geions?"

  The Iwa high-ranking officials couldn't help but nod instinctively.

  Then they caught themselves—wait, this guy's words were so smooth, and his phrasing so hat they had unsciously gotte along.

  "Stop twisting words and dist facts," ōnoki realized he couldn't stay on the defensive. He o terattack. "This war inflicted signifit losses on Iwa because of Konoha's expansionism, which escated the flict. While we've agreed to a ceasefire, Iwa deserves pensation."

  "Sigh… Tsuchikage-sama," Masashi suddenly shook his head, his tone sounding disappointed. "Your vision is too narrow."

  "???"

  This little Uchiha brat is really infuriating!

  How am I narrow-minded? For fuck's sake, I'm the greatest Tsuchikage in the vilge! Everyone says so!

  "What do you mean by that?" He suppressed his anger and asked.

  "The Trade Association is willing to offer various public-sector products to the Land of Earth to support its infrastructure development and operations. They even assist the daimyō's gover in issuing special bonds."

  "Huh?" ōnoki was taken aback.

  He had heard of this Association—it trolled vast resources, but it only ducted business in the Land of Fire and its allied tries.

  ōnoki, having some uanding of eics, had looked into this anization.

  It was indeed ridiculously wealthy!

  It seemed Konoha was very sihis time.

  "It looks like the Fourth Hokage is very sincere," ōnoki said with a smile.

  He had no choice but to smile.

  Iwa was rge, and the Land of Earth evehere were tless expeo cover, and the Land of Earth erpetually short on funds. The daimyō's gover sshed budgets annually, with everyone knowing the unspoken rule: cut every proposal by 30% off the top.

  Masashi also smiled.

  The Land of Fire currently had too much money cirg in the market, mainly because the nobles had amassed immense wealth over the years. Now, not only were i rates being reduced to the point of reag the nobles' expected yield limits, but the cost of living for the general popuce was also rising.

  This wasn't good.

  The excess money had to be released into the market. But such a rge amount of money required a suffitly vast and stable market to absorb it.

  The Land of Water was out of the question; they weren't short oh but on iment opportunities, much like the Land of Fire.

  The Land of Lightning? Fet it. From top to bottom, they cked the basic spirit of h agreements—they'd probably default on their obligations as easily as breathing.

  The Land of Wind was too poor. Apart from abundant minerals, they cked everything else. P money into their ey would be like throwing it into a bck hole.

  Masashi was looking to improve financial effiot iionally lose money.

  After careful sideration, the Land of Earth was the only suitable option.

  Its financial system was even more primitive and underdeveloped than the Land of Fire's had been. If they didn't take this opportunity, would their sce allow it?

  Wage war? By the time Iwa realized what was happening, it would be too te—they'd already be entangled with Konoha. They'd have no choice but to fight Konoha's enemies instead.

  Seeing ōnoki's expression, Masashi khe old man was tempted. His smile became even more amiable.

  Hmm? Why aren't the other Konoha diplomats saying anything?

  With a sidelong gnce, he noticed the group of old diplomats furiously scribbling notes.

  What were they writing?

  Never mind. As long as they didn't disrupt the iations, it didn't matter.