Fleeing from Konoha

"This is a complete reversal of truth! At that time, we had already discussed with the Daimyo and were preparing to repay the loan. It was only because of the debt collector’s rude actions that the Daimyo angrily withdrew the order."

"So you resorted to force directly? And swiftly occupied the border areas of the Land of Demons, causing great panic among its people. You failed to repay the debt, you initiated the attack, and after being justly countered, you also returned defeated. If Acting Kazekage intends to argue with me here, I certainly won’t back down. But on the battlefield, matters will not proceed calmly according to the wishes of the Land of Wind."

Hakushi spoke in this manner.

"What do you mean?"

"Before coming here, I gave an order to the Land of Demons’ troops stationed in the northwest region of the Land of Wind. If Hidden Sand and the Land of Wind don’t provide reasonable compensation to the Land of Demons within a week, I will order the troops there to attack the Land of Wind again. Even if it means invading Hidden Sand Village or even the Daimyo’s Mansion, ultimately leading other nations to join in and triggering the Fourth Great Ninja War, I won’t hesitate."

"Are you insane?"

Chiyo looked at Hakushi in shock.

She had never seen anyone speak of war so casually, especially boasting in front of the Five Kage.

Isn’t he concerned about the stance of other major countries at all, wanting mutual destruction with the Land of Wind?

Chiyo couldn’t discern whether Hakushi was merely boasting or genuinely intended to act.

"The defeated party requesting peace talks is the Land of Wind, not the Land of Demons. If satisfying compensation isn’t provided, I don’t mind using force to claim what’s rightfully ours. That’s my demand; disagree, and we’ll meet on the battlefield. I’ve finished speaking, Acting Kazekage can do as you please."

After Hakushi finished speaking, he closed his eyes, didn’t say anything further, and ignored the gazes of those around him.

Chiyo’s face darkened, remaining silent, her gaze flickering as she calculated the gains and losses, such as if a war with the Land of Demons resumed, whether Hidden Sand could withstand it.

The answer was not possible.

Rasa’s emotions were extremely unstable, and within Hidden Sand Village, there was basically no one who could come out to lead, coupled with the impact of defeat, morale was low.

If it was a direct confrontation, it would be merely repeating the previous outcomes.

And if the battle equated to mutual destruction, deploying ten thousand ninjas entirely, it would indeed inflict significant irreparable damage on the Land of Demons, such as massive losses in economy and population. But Hidden Sand Village would thus be erased from the Ninja Realm.

At this moment, Mifune coughed lightly, breaking the oppressively tense atmosphere in the meeting room. Standing up from his seat, he addressed everyone in attendance: "Uh, the meeting has been going on for an hour now, I assume everyone is tired. How about we retire to our guest rooms tonight and reconvene tomorrow?"

"I agree, sitting for so long has indeed made my back ache. Young people should show consideration for us older folks."

Onoki chuckled and floated up from his seat, stretching lazily.

The Fourth Raikage huffed as he stood up from his seat but didn’t oppose.

"Then let’s conclude here for today and resume tomorrow."

Yagura nodded, departing the meeting room with Ao and Hozuki Mangetsu, showing no intent to linger.

"What does Lord Hakushi think?"

Mifune glanced sideways.

"Let’s do as Lord Mifune suggests. However, time waits for no one. I hope Acting Kazekage can give me a satisfactory answer tomorrow. Of course, if it drags on for a week, I don’t mind, it would simply mean more casualties for Hidden Sand. See you tomorrow then."

Hakushi stood up, his gaze following after Mifune and settling on Chiyo with a faint smile at the corner of his mouth.

Chiyo tightly clenched her fists but ultimately said nothing.

Behind her, Scorch Style Ninja Pakura and another Hidden Sand Jonin both coldly stared at Hakushi, emanating a fierce killing intent.

Such menacing gazes naturally went ignored by Hakushi as he left the meeting room with Ayane and Akago.

◎

"The atmosphere in the meeting room was truly terrifying, almost suffocating."

In Onoki’s resting quarters, Explosion Style Ninja Gari let out a sigh of relief.

Ignoring Gari’s remarks, Kitsuchi turned his attention to his father Onoki, quietly asking, "Father, what do you think of the matters from the meeting? Do you support the Land of Demons or the Land of Wind?"

In his opinion, the best course was neutrality. Although they had a honeymoon period of cooperation with Hyuga Ayane in the past, it was based on financial transactions. This didn’t genuinely make them allies.

Regardless of the Land of Wind or the Land of Demons, the struggles between them were unrelated to the Land of Earth.

Putting the Land of Wind aside, the Land of Demons, which defeated the Land of Wind on the battlefield, should not be underestimated militarily.

"This matter is indeed tricky. For us, the best outcome would be both the Land of Demons and the Land of Wind suffering losses."

Unfortunately, reaching that point was too difficult.

Besides, the Ninja Realm just ended the Third Great Ninja War a few years ago. The outbreak of the Fourth Great Ninja War immediately afterward would not be favorable for Hidden Rock.

"The challenge is the opacity from the Land of Demons. If the Land of Wind doesn’t pay compensation and cedes the northwest region, they’ll fight the Land of Wind to the end. This statement’s truth is uncertain."