Fleeing from Konoha

"Tsuchikage? I understand."

Pakura nodded.

Allowing the rise of the Land of Demons will inevitably re-divide the interests of the western region, greatly affecting the Land of Wind and the Land of Earth.

Since the Land of Demons has directly infringed upon the interests of the Land of Earth, winning over the Tsuchikage is the best choice.

The two began heading toward the resting room of Hidden Rock.

Before arriving, someone approached from the opposite direction, causing Chiyo and Pakura to stop in their tracks, their eyes narrowing.

"Oh my, isn’t this the acting Kazekage and Jonin Pakura of the Scorch Style? Out for a stroll this late?"

Wearing a white bathrobe, with wet hair, Ayane gave Chiyo and Pakura a gentle smile.

Pakura instinctively stood in front of Chiyo, her gaze cautiously fixed on Ayane.

In contrast to Pakura’s caution, Ayane’s attitude and demeanor were quite casual.

"Don’t be so tense, I just soaked in the bath and I’m not really in the mood for exercise now."

Pakura ignored Ayane and continued to stand guard in front of Chiyo, her caution undiminished.

"..."

Seeing Chiyo and Pakura remain silent, Ayane sighed as if regretful.

"Well, if you’re planning to look for the Tsuchikage at this hour, you might already be too late. About ten minutes ago, I saw the Tsuchikage and his guard hastily leave the castle, but I’m not sure where they went."

Hearing these words, Chiyo and Pakura both frowned, seemingly contemplating whether Ayane’s words were true.

"In fact, to be honest, I hope Hidden Sand’s stance can remain firm to the end. However, unlike last time where it was that Sharingan woman leading, this time I will take the helm. I look forward to meeting everyone on the battlefield. Please give me your guidance then."

Ayane chuckled lightly as she walked past Chiyo and Pakura, disappearing at the corner.

"That woman..."

Pakura’s face was visibly angered.

"Calm down, Pakura. She’s just trying to provoke you to act first. Don’t fall for her provocation."

Chiyo signaled Pakura to stay calm.

If Pakura had lost her cool and attacked a moment ago, she might have been killed.

This is a tactic the Land of Demons has used on the battlefield before, to provoke the Land of Wind into making the first move, so they could carry out a so-called self-defense counterattack.

Now it’s nothing more than a replay of old tricks.

"...yes."

Pakura’s face still showed some reluctance.

"According to what that Byakugan girl said, something has happened with Onoki’s side, and he probably won’t be attending the meeting tomorrow. However, based on what I know about Onoki, he will definitely leave his decision with Mifune before leaving. Let’s head to Mifune first, then seek the Mizukage’s support."

Chiyo calmly analyzed the current situation, not letting Ayane’s deliberate provocation unsettle her.

With Konoha unable to become allies for the time being, and Hidden Cloud maintaining an indifferent attitude, the stance of Hidden Rock and Hidden Mist becomes critical.

As long as support from the two villages is secured, it will be enough to ensure Hidden Sand’s advantageous position in these talks.

...

"Have you returned?"

In the resting room, Hakushi stood by the window, quietly watching the snowflakes fall outside.

The bitter cold outside was not felt at all inside the room.

Upon hearing the sound of the door opening behind him, his head turned slightly. Ayane had returned from her bath.

"Yes, on the way back I saw Chiyo of Hidden Sand, who is trying to recruit other Ninja Villages."

Ayane entered and closed the door.

"As expected, due to Jiraiya, Konoha will temporarily support all of the Land of Demons’ decisions and won’t get involved with Hidden Sand. Now, only the Earth, Lightning, and Water Shadows remain as potential allies for Hidden Sand. It’s natural for Chiyo to feel a sense of crisis, especially since Konoha suddenly withdrew the wanted notice, which is an unexpected ’blessing’ for Hidden Sand."

As Hidden Sand is caught in such a difficult situation, forging alliances to exert pressure on the Land of Demons is something Hakushi had anticipated.

If anything, he thought it was a bit late for Hidden Sand to start taking action only now.

If they had allied with other countries before the war began, the Land of Demons might have been heavily constrained and dared not act rashly.

However, since the defeat of the Land of Wind, the rise of the Land of Demons has become unstoppable. The landscape of the western continent and the situation before the war with the Land of Wind have undergone a new transformation. The different countries will also proceed with caution in exerting pressure on the Land of Demons.

For example, the Land of Lightning. The emergence of the Land of Demons would undoubtedly disrupt the western continent’s structure, but for the Land of Lightning, which cannot intervene in the western continent’s affairs, the rise of the Land of Demons actually throws the west into a three-way chaotic imbalance, which is advantageous for the Land of Lightning.

The Land of Water, situated on the opposite side of the continent, shares the same logic.

Combined with the grudges of Konoha, who, due to Jiraiya, temporarily puts down their ’differences’ to form an alliance.

The opportunities left for Hidden Sand are dwindling.

"Next, let’s see Yagura’s maneuvering, to completely muddy these waters."

Some issues, the Five Kage could raise, but he could not.

After all, the Land of Demons is not yet the sixth great nation, and his status is a step lower, so he could only leverage Yagura’s identity as Mizukage to confuse Hidden Sand’s thoughts, test their limits, and then slowly cut them down.

◎

o’clock in the morning

The Five Kage Summit resumed.

The difference was that where the Tsuchikage was originally seated, it was now empty, which drew some curious glances, and raised questions in the hearts of many.