Fleeing from Konoha

As for the remaining ninja villages, let’s not discuss them for now. The stances of Konoha and Hidden Sand are basically aligned at this moment, so Chiyo does not believe there isn’t a special reason behind this.

From this, it seems that getting Konoha’s full support in this meeting will be quite challenging.

"This point does not need the Land of Demons to worry. In fact, the troops we Hidden Sand have committed to the battlefield this time are less than one-third. Young people should at least show basic respect to their elders."

Chiyo ignored Hakushi’s threat and snorted coldly.

"I see, it seems I underestimated Hidden Sand’s strength. Then I believe this Five Kage Summit is no longer necessary; let us return home and prepare for continued combat. Let me experience the true power of Hidden Sand, so as not to let outsiders gossip and tarnish the reputation of Hidden Sand and the Kazekage."

Chiyo listened and winced slightly.

If she genuinely wished to continue fighting, she wouldn’t have initiated the Five Kage Summit under the name of the Kazekage in the Land of Iron.

It was precisely because she couldn’t bear such consequences that she sought assistance from the other Five Kage, pressuring the Land of Demons to resolve big matters into smaller ones.

Chiyo took a deep breath, knowing she must not be provoked by Hakushi and lose her composure at this moment.

"I must say, such a goading tactic is quite poor. This is the site of the Five Kage Summit, not a battlefield. Ultimately, I now suspect that you have deceived the Witch of the Land of Demons, which emboldens you to act so recklessly."

Since there’s no flaw to exploit regarding the Renegade Ninja, she must attack from another angle.

"We were taken in by the previous generation’s Witch, unrelated to the current generation. If there’s any issue, the acting Kazekage can discuss matters with the former Witch. As for the internal affairs of the Land of Demons, I have no obligation to explain to an outsider. Or does the Land of Wind want to interfere with the internal affairs of other nations? If that’s the case, then we’ll have to meet on the battlefield. For now, let’s go back to our homes."

Hakushi smiled slightly.

Chiyo was quite troubled by Hakushi’s sharp words, never leaving the battlefield in three sentences.

This brat doesn’t give Hidden Sand a shred of face.

Moreover, after Hakushi spoke those words, she had no ground to question the Witch’s stance of the Land of Demons, or else she would appear unreasonable.

At this moment, Yagura spoke.

"Regarding the dispute between the Land of Wind and the Land of Demons, I’ve heard about it even in the distant Land of Water. So, both of you please calm down. The Third Ninja War has ended not long ago, and now all nations are recovering. As one of the Five Kage, I also hope no new turmoil occurs in the Ninja Realm now."

"Among everyone here, you’re the least qualified to say that, Mizukage. Rising to power through a coup, your words only make us think you have ulterior motives."

Onoki looked at Yagura with an appraising gaze.

Yagura stared defiantly back at Onoki.

"It seems the Tsuchikage has issues with my rise to power. However, this is an internal matter of Hidden Mist Village, irrelevant to outsiders. Don’t overreach, or you might get chopped off."

A sharp glint flashed in his eyes.

"Hmph, young people these days have no manners."

"You started the provocation, Tsuchikage Sir."

Yagura wouldn’t back down, and turned his gaze back to Hakushi and Chiyo.

"Mr. Hakushi, and acting Kazekage Sir, please explain how we can calm the conflict between these two nations, preventing greater disaster. Right now, all nations are stabilizing, and I personally hope for peace."

After Yagura finished speaking, Hakushi promptly followed up: "Our side demands the northwest region of the Land of Wind as compensation, ceded to the Land of Demons. If the Land of Wind and Hidden Sand agree to this condition, the Land of Demons will immediately stop all military actions against the Land of Wind."

"That’s absolutely impossible! Don’t act so disgracefully, kid!"

This undoubtedly stoked the anger in Chiyo’s heart. He truly dared to present such a condition.

Since becoming an Advisor, she had never been so angered by a person.

"Then what does the Land of Wind propose as compensation? I will tentatively listen to your opinions."

Hakushi crossed his arms and glanced at Chiyo.

Chiyo answered without hesitation: "Regarding compensation, I believe the Land of Demons’ military view is completely unreasonable. This war was premeditated by your country, causing enormous harm to our Land of Wind. It’s only right that the Land of Demons compensates the Land of Wind, making amends for our losses."

"A fabricated charge needs no evidence. You claim the Land of Demons premeditated this war, please provide evidence, acting Kazekage Sir."

Hakushi responded without showing any emotion.

Chiyo remained silent, clearly unable to produce any effective evidence.

"If there’s no evidence to present, then let me explain. Before the Land of Demons conducted a self-defense counterattack against the Land of Wind, your Jonin Maki, led a thousand Hidden Sand Ninja, ignored warnings from the Land of Demons military and entered the territory of the Land of Demons aggressively. This fact cannot be refuted by the acting Kazekage Sir."

"This incident occurred because the Daimyo’s Mansion in the Land of Wind faced attacks from your country’s debt collectors. To uphold the Daimyo’s dignity, we Hidden Sand had no choice but to deploy troops to the Land of Demons."

"Then what was the fundamental cause of this event? During the Third Ninja War, Hidden Sand borrowed a substantial loan from the Shion Flower Merchants Association in the Land of Demons, and promised repayment. But when the repayment date came, Hidden Sand kept delaying, using the Daimyo of the Land of Wind as a shield, ignoring the legitimate debt collection efforts of the Land of Demons. After multiple fruitless negotiations, we had no choice but to resort to this measure. At the end of the day, it was Hidden Sand who was at fault first."