Escape From Konoha

The end of November.

When many small countries in the ninja world seemed to be igniting the flames of war, the big countries finally seemed to have lost their patience and began to attack the country of ghosts.

For a time, the international situation became treacherous and unpredictable.

It's just that the one who took the lead in attacking was not, as everyone thought, the Kingdom of Thunder, which was as barbaric as the Kingdom of Ghosts, but the Kingdom of Fire, which was beyond everyone's expectations.

The Daimyo of the Country of Fire, in a formal announcement, publicly criticized the Kingdom of Demon's excessive interference in other countries' internal affairs, and was suspected of using violence to control the small country's rebel organizations behind the scenes, putting the peace that had finally been restored in the ninja world in jeopardy, and even gave He came to the conclusion that the other party's ambition was to start the Fourth Ninja War.

Whether these things are true is unknown. Although the Demon Country's behavior does appear to be domineering, the other major powers are not necessarily good people. The reason why they speak like this is just for the convenience of standing on the high ground of justice and criticizing themselves from the moral perspective of peace in the ninja world. Opponent.

In this way, no matter what, the Fire Nation will be able to remain invincible from a righteous perspective.

However, compared to the severe rebuke from the Fire Nation, the Ghost Nation, which was at the center of the whirlpool, did not have any extreme reaction to this, and only responded diplomatically with very official words. In addition, the Demon Country did not struggle with this kind of thing for too long, and still went its own way and stirred up troubles in various parts of the ninja world.

Anyone can see that the Kingdom of Ghosts did not pay attention to the harsh words in the official announcement of the Kingdom of Fire. It can be described as ignoring it.

Although issuing such a statement will undoubtedly further reduce the relationship between the two countries, which has already reached a freezing point, the positive response of the Fire Country has also given many small countries hope of sanctioning the Ghost Country.

After all, the gap between big countries and small countries is clear at a glance, especially those small countries that do not pay attention to the development of ninja villages. Facing the iron hoof of the big countries, once a war breaks out, they will only be ravaged by the big countries.

The Kingdom of Oni, like the Kingdom of Thunder, dares to so unscrupulously cause turmoil in various parts of the ninja world because of its terrifying military power as a powerful backing.

As long as the military of the Kingdom of Ghosts does not collapse, then the country's politics and economy can be centered on the Kingdom of Ghosts and radiate to surrounding areas, forming an alliance of forces headed by the Kingdom of Ghosts.

Just like the Country of Bears and the Country of Ghosts, although they still retain the name of the country in name, in fact the real masters of these two countries have unknowingly become the Country of Ghosts and are directly under the control of the central government of the Country of Ghosts. jurisdiction.

As the lord of a small country, I am afraid that no one is not worried about the methods of this country.

In the past, their small country would regard the Kingdom of Thunder as the biggest cancer in the ninja world, burning, killing and looting everywhere, using illegal means to concentrate and strengthen Kumogakure's military power, and felt resentful.

However, compared to today's Ghost Country, the Thunder Country and Kumogakure's methods are as docile and cute as well-behaved sheep.

At least the threat from the Kingdom of Thunder and Kumogakure is temporary, but the Kingdom of Ghost wants to fundamentally shake up the foundation of their rule. The dangers of the two are not at the same level at all.

Therefore, now that a big country finally criticized the Kingdom of Ghosts from the front for its improper involvement in the political power of a small country, the nobles of the small country who were invaded by the Kingdom of Ghosts naturally leaned towards the Country of Fire.

So much so that in just half a month, many small countries continued to send envoys to the Daming Mansion of the Country of Fire for secret talks. For a time, the Allied Powers, led by the Fire Nation, took a prototype.

The small country that has been invaded by the Kingdom of Ghosts is no longer rootless, but has gained support. Facing the Kingdom of Ghosts, it finally has the courage to fight back.

The Country of Fire denounced the inappropriate behavior of the Country of Ghosts, wooed the power of small countries, and stated that it would reach military mutual assistance agreements with these small countries, hoping that the Country of Ghosts would stop its excessive behavior and avoid the outbreak of the Fourth Ninja War.

Less than a week after the Fire Nation made these responses, the Wind Nation, located in the southwest region of the mainland, also responded, stating that it stood with the Fire Nation and hoped that the Ghost Nation would consider it carefully and allow the ninja world to recover as soon as possible. The virtuous state of peace…

◎

Recently, more and more documents have been sent to the office. Shiraishi is basically living in the office. He has no time to go home or go to the laboratory to study new things.

Not surprisingly, the documents sent were basically related to the two big countries, Fire and Wind, meddling in the political power of several small countries in the Kingdom of Ghosts.

Some of them come from the military side, some come from the government, and there are also opinions collected from the people of the Demon Country.

After reading these documents, Shiraishi nodded slightly.

Generally speaking, in terms of public opinion, it has not caused any effective blow in the country of ghosts.

Although the Kingdom of Fire has imposed "sanctions" on the Kingdom of Ghosts in a righteous manner, after all, they are all flashy things, and there is also no concrete evidence. All the remarks are based on speculation.

"Are the diplomats from the Country of Fire and the Country of Wind still staying in Ziyuan City?"

Shiraishi put down his pen and asked the staff in front of him.

"Yes, the missions from the two countries have not left yet. They are trying their best to ask the military departments to respond, and they are determined not to give up. If they are not given a definite answer, they will not leave easily."

The staff member tensed his nerves slightly and responded to Shiraishi.

This time, the two countries Fire and Wind jointly sent missions to communicate with the Kingdom of Ghosts. The point of discussion was simply to hope that the Kingdom of Ghosts could cease its activities internationally and not destroy the international stability that was finally maintained.

The staff of the Foreign Affairs Department of the Kingdom of Ghosts were also having fierce arguments with the diplomatic missions of the two countries, resisting the artillery fire of the two countries.

"You can tell the foreign affairs department that the Ghost Country will continue to maintain its original style and will not make any compromises on this. I hope they will not get angry."

Shiraishi thought for a while and ordered the staff member.

"yes."

After getting Shiraishi's answer, the staff hurriedly left.

Silence returned to the office. Shiraishi looked out the window while holding a cup of hot tea.

The cold north wind is howling, and the temperature has dropped sharply in recent days.

It will snow soon.

It will be the coldest day of the year.

"It's such a pity. It seems that I can't live a stable and good year..."

◎

The land of tea.

A small country far away from the influence of the Kingdom of Ghosts, bordering the southern border of the Kingdom of Fire.

Although it is a small country, its land area far exceeds the average land area of ​​small countries. Simply speaking from the land area, it is not an exaggeration to call it a medium-sized country.

The Country of Tea is a country with an extremely developed tea industry, controlling nearly half of the tea industry in the ninja world. Not only that, there are many mines in this country with rich mineral resources. At the same time, most of the land is surrounded by the sea, and the fishing and shipping industries are relatively developed. Generally speaking, apart from its relatively weak military strength, it is a country with quite good economic strength in all aspects.

In a secluded space in a teahouse in this country, four people were sitting around a square low table.

Excellent tea was served on the low table, but among the four people surrounding the low table, no one took the initiative to drink tea. Instead, they looked at each other, as if they were confirming something.

Until one of them coughed, tapped the table with his finger, attracted the attention of the other three, and said: "Everyone, this time we have full authority to represent the shadows behind us, in order to confirm at this meeting Let’s take a look at the final attack time. Since time is limited, let’s get straight to the point now.”

It was Shikaku who spoke.

The other three are Sunagakure's elite Jonin Maki, the right-hand man of the Fourth Kazekage Rasa; Iwagakure's elite Jounin Loess, the son of the Third Tsuchikage Onoki, Iwagakure's leading soil escape ninja; and the last Kirigakure. Elite Jonin Ao, one of the fourth-generation Mizukage Yagura's deputy and part-time bodyguards, is good at sensory ninjutsu.

The four of them all had serious faces and sat unsmiling.

"Mr. Shikaku is right. We won't stay here for too long. We must complete the discussion as soon as possible before we can go back to resume our duties."

Echoing Shikaku was Sunagakure Jounin Maki, who wanted the meeting to start as soon as possible.

After Ma Ji finished speaking, Huang Tu was about to reply when Qing moved a step faster than him and said directly: "Then let's skip the reminiscing about the past and tell our respective answers directly. According to our Mizukage-sama The arrangements were made and he set the date as December 22.”

Shikaku pondered for a moment and reported the result of Konoha's discussion: "December 28th."

Markey answered meticulously: "December 31st."

Huang Tu finally said: "The time given by my old man is December 23."

The times given by the four parties are different, but they also have something in common, that is, they are all in late December.

It was freezing cold at that time, the roads were icy, and it was close to the end of the year, so you could win by surprise.

"Four different times? But it seems that there is no objection to setting the time in late December."

Shikaku smiled and thought that late December was a good time to attack.

The main thing is to use the factor of weather and timing to execute the raid perfectly.

"But how can we unify four different times?"

Qing asked.

Before Shikaku gave an answer, Huang Tu said: "Since the time cannot be unified, let's make a compromise. How about setting it at midnight on December 26th?"

After Huang Tu finished speaking, the other three looked at each other, nodded and agreed to the plan without hesitation.

After all, there is really no point in arguing about time.

Their time will not be wasted on such meaningless arguments.

"Now that the time is confirmed, let's determine the order of attack. We, Konoha, will be responsible for starting the first battle. After successfully suppressing the morale of the Demon Country, it will be Sunagakure and Iwagakure's turn to attack, and finally Kirigakure. But In order to cut off the supply from the front and rear of the Demon Country, after the first contact between Konoha and the Demon Country, Iwagakure needed immediate support to blow up the railway connecting the Demon Country to the Bear Country, so that the railway could not be used in a short period of time. Way to get things back up and running.”

Shikaku took out a plan and spread it on the table for the other three to see.

It contains detailed drawings of strategic defense maps and action routes, including brief and clear text descriptions.

Huang Tu looked at the plan, especially the part about drawing the map, and nodded.

"Okay, the matter of blowing up the railway will be left to Iwagakure to handle when the time comes."

"Next, as long as the supplies are cut off and the Oni Country troops stationed on the border of the Bear Country are left without support, it will not be difficult for Konoha to completely annihilate them before new support arrives. By then, it will all depend on the performance of each village. Just act according to the original plan.”

Shikaku pointed at the route of action and glanced at the faces of the three people.

"Don't worry, our defenses on Kirigakure's side are perfect. In order to succeed in this operation, Mizukage-sama has been working without any thought for the past six months."

Qing responded seriously.

"There is no objection from Sunagakure's side."

"Iwagakure is no problem either."

Ma Ji and Huang Tu responded.

Afterwards, the four of them looked at each other and smiled, and the originally stiff atmosphere became much more relaxed and harmonious.

◎

Early December.

The diplomatic missions from the Kingdom of Fire and the Kingdom of Wind, who had stayed in the Kingdom of Ghosts for a long time, could not get satisfactory results. In the negotiation meetings, they faced each other coldly due to disagreements many times.

The missions of the two countries have constantly accused the Kingdom of Ghosts of wanting to control the war market of small countries and then influence the big countries, eventually spreading the war to all countries. Such reckless behavior will definitely lead to the Fourth Ninja War, which will be more serious than the previous three Ninja War.

Not only that, the Kingdom of Fire also prompted many small countries to unite, and together with the Kingdom of Wind, they put pressure on the Kingdom of Ghosts.

So much so that the diplomatic department of the Kingdom of Ghosts was in a panic for a while. Faced with so many voices, even the diplomatic department of the Kingdom of Ghosts, which has always been a strong diplomacy, was inevitably confused. The originally stern words were also confused. He was suppressed by the missions from the two countries Fire and Wind.

However, although the Kingdom of Ghosts is at a disadvantage in diplomacy, being defeated by the two great powers of Fire and Wind, it still relies on its original style in external military operations, penetrating the bottom of small countries to trigger conflicts between the upper levels and Conflicts at the lower levels have caused signs of chaos in many small countries.

If this were the case, things might still remain in such a long and boring stalemate, and it would be difficult to make substantial progress.

However, an opportunity arose.

——Mid-December.

The Country of Pines fell into internal turmoil.

The aristocratic rule in the country was seriously shaken. Taking advantage of the declining power of the aristocratic rule, a large number of peasants revolted one after another, and the war quickly burned the entire country of Pine Country. The entire civil war in the Country of Pines is in full swing and is burning like crazy.

The Country of Pines was one of the small United States that had previously surrendered to the Country of Fire.

During the talks, a military mutual assistance agreement was formally signed with the Fire Nation.

Now the country is plunged into a frightening civil war, and the remote controller behind the scenes, although there is no concrete evidence, is undoubtedly secretly pointing to a certain big country.

"What do you want from the Kingdom of Demons? Provoke a civil war in the Land of Pines. Do you really want to provoke the Fourth Ninja War?"

In the conference room, diplomats from the three major powers of Ghost, Fire and Wind began a new round of debate.

The first person to speak was the diplomat from the Country of Fire. His face was livid, and he stared in the direction of where the Country of Ghosts was sitting with an angry expression.

"Why do you say this? Please speak slowly if you have anything to say. The reason for the civil war in the Kingdom of Pines is entirely because their lords and nobles are too harsh on the lower classes. It has nothing to do with our Kingdom of Ghosts. They The civil war is entirely self-inflicted."

The diplomats from the Kingdom of Ghosts shook their heads in denial.

"So, where did the organized militias get their weapons?"

"In the arms trade agreement a few years ago, the Kingdom of Ghosts has the ability to sell arms to small countries without much ninja power, allowing them to seek self-protection. As long as the buyer is willing, we, the Kingdom of Ghosts, will naturally provide services to the buyers . This was also an agreement that was unanimously approved by you at that time, wasn’t it?”

The diplomat from the Kingdom of Ghosts answered slowly, explaining the source of the weapons in the hands of those militiamen.

The only thing he could tell himself about this matter was to be calm.

"These words can be used to deceive those who don't know the inside story. We are not fools. The Kingdom of Ghosts must give a satisfactory explanation for this matter."

The Fire Country diplomat said coldly.

The diplomats from the Kingdom of Wind also stared at the seats of the Kingdom of Ghosts, vaguely forming an alliance with the Kingdom of Fire, and using their gazes to put pressure on the diplomats from the Kingdom of Ghosts.

"This is simply nonsense." The diplomat from the Kingdom of Ghosts frowned slightly, "Once again, we only conduct normal arms trade with businessmen from the Kingdom of Pine. As for what they used that batch of arms to do, it is not We, the country of ghosts, need to care."

"When things have evolved to this point, do you still want to continue to quibble? Now many small countries are involved in the war. If this continues, big countries will not be able to stay alone!"

Fire Nation officials glared.

"This is not a quibble. I am just stating a fact to you."

"Then I would also like to give you a piece of advice. Since our Fire Country has officially signed a military mutual assistance agreement with the Pine Country, if the Ghost Country does not give the Pine Country a reasonable explanation for this matter, then our Fire Country will Don’t hesitate to use the ultimate violent method to get justice for the Country of Pines.”

As the diplomat from the Country of Fire spoke these words, the diplomat from the Country of Ghosts' expression changed slightly and stared at the other party unkindly.

"Is the Fire Country planning to go to war with our Ghost Country?"

"This is the power of a just struggle to safeguard the sovereignty of the Allied Powers! Your ambitions in the Kingdom of Demons are too huge. If you continue to insist on going your own way, the Fourth Ninja War will inevitably explode with your activities everywhere. Destroy the peace that was finally concluded! Not only the Kingdom of Fire, but other major countries will also come to stop it. I hope you, the Kingdom of Ghosts, will not make mistakes!"

The diplomats of the Country of Fire made a declaration solemnly, pointing their fingers at the opponent very rudely, trying to suppress the opponent's momentum.

"Again, we are just selling arms to various countries as normal. In addition, because of these things, the Fourth Ninja War was triggered. Your words are too alarmist."

After the official from the Kingdom of Ghosts finished speaking, he closed his eyes, obviously not intending to argue on this matter anymore.

Seeing this situation, the diplomat from the Country of Fire snorted coldly, left his seat and walked out the door with an annoyed look on his face.

The diplomats from the Country of Wind also stood up and left with him.

This means that the negotiations have broken down again.

◎

Two more days passed.

The time comes on December 25th.

The heavy snowfall for days has covered Konoha Village.

On this day, Konoha was liberated from the wind and snow. Although the weather is not sunny, the gray-white sky can be called bright in this season.

The freezing air hit, and pedestrians walking on the streets of the village put on thick warm clothes and wrapped scarves around their necks to keep out the cold.

The attire of the ninjas is much simpler. They just add an extra thermal underwear to the uniform and wrap a scarf around their necks. If I find it too troublesome, I even omit the scarf to avoid hindering my movements.

Located on the rooftop of the Hokage Building, Tsunade stood on the edge, wearing thin short sleeves and a jacket as usual, completely oblivious to the cold outside.

She looked down at Konoha Village from here, taking in all the scenery in the village.

For a long time, she looked up at the gray-white sky above her head and let out a long sigh.

Then, he turned around and leaned against the railing of the rooftop, staring at the Hokage Rock carved on the mountain wall behind the Hokage Building. Starting from the first Hokage, his eyes moved step by step.

Compared with the previous four Hokage Rocks, her Hokage Rock is still brand new. Unlike the previous four Hokage Rocks, it has accumulated over time and has been weathered.

Finally, her eyes settled on the Hokage Rock of the First Hokage again, and Tsunade's eyes became blank.

‘A ninja is a person who can endure endlessly in order to achieve his goals. '

When he was young, the words taught by his grandfather Senju Hashirama still echoed in his mind with familiarity.

The original Konoha was the center of her grandfather and Madara Uchiha of the Uchiha clan in order to connect the various clans, establish a new order from the disordered Warring States period, and protect the children affected by the war... and A springboard to peace.

However, the current high-level officials must have forgotten all these things.

Patience...patience...whenever she thought of this word, Tsunade couldn't help but feel restless and clenched her fists hard.

How long do I have to endure these guys?

"Grandfather, if you were still alive, what choice would you make? Should you support the actions of the Ghost Country, or the current Konoha... I don't understand more and more what I am doing. Really, even I Are you starting to get older too?”

Speaking in a voice that only she could hear, Tsunade looked at the Hokage Rock of the First Hokage, and touched her forehead helplessly, as if she was lamenting the ruthlessness of the years, and her will seemed to be decaying.

Shiraishi once said that Konoha, and even all ninja villages today, are no different in essence from the ninja clan in the Warring States Period. They are all mercenary groups with violent means. She couldn't find an excuse to refute it in the past. What's funny is that she can't find one now. There is no excuse to refute him.

"Honestly, for the next action, I hope not to fail, but at the same time I hope to fail..."

It was as if they were talking in the air, and Tsunade didn't know what she was talking about.

Perhaps he was telling all the past Hokages his truest thoughts.

Only to these dead people can he reveal his heart and confess his current complicated state of mind, instead of always wearing a mask to cover his heart.

At this moment, Tsunade heard the sound of footsteps, and her eyes left the Hokage Rock of the First Hokage and turned to the entrance to the rooftop.

"Tsunade, there is a letter from the daimyo. Now we can arrange it in advance."

The two consultants who came to inform were Koharu and Mito Monobu.

The two of them couldn't wait for the upcoming Jonin meeting. Of course, they can only be active in this kind of thing and not hinder her. They have no awareness and ability to serve as consultants.

"I know, I'll come right away."

Nodding calmly, Tsunade straightened her body, left the railing, and finally glanced at the Hokage Rock of the First Hokage inadvertently again.

I wonder if I will bless this village again this time, Grandpa.

When Tsunade thought of this, the corners of her mouth raised slightly, and she felt a lot more relaxed.