End of November.

In the many small countries of the ninja world, when it seemed that the flames of battle were about to ignite, the attitude of the big countries finally seemed to be unbearable, and they began to attack the country of ghosts.

For a time, the international situation has become treacherous and unpredictable.

It's just that the first to attack is not the country of thunder, which is as barbaric as the country of ghosts, as everyone thinks, but the country of fire, which is beyond everyone's expectations.

The daimyo of the Fire Country, with an official announcement, openly criticized the Oni Country for interfering excessively in the internal affairs of other countries, and was suspected of violently controlling the rebel organization of the small country behind the scenes, making the peace that the ninja world had finally restored into danger, and even gave the conclusion that the other side intended to set off the ambition of the Fourth Ninja World War.

Whether these things are true or not is not yet known. Although the style of the Oni no Kuni does seem to be domineering, the other great powers are not absolutely good, and the reason why they speak like this is just to criticize their opponents from the moral point of peace in the ninja world in order to stand on the commanding heights of justice.

In this way, no matter what, the Fire Nation can be invincible in terms of righteousness.

It's just that compared to the harsh rebuke of the country that started the fire, the country of ghosts, which is the center of the whirlpool of things, did not react excessively to this, and only replied diplomatically with very official and beautiful words. In addition, the country of ghosts has not been entangled in this kind of thing for too long, and still goes its own way to fan the wind and clouds in various parts of the ninja world.

Anyone can see that the harsh wording of the official announcement of the Fire Nation in the Oni Country is not taken seriously, and it can be described as ignorance.

Although the issuance of such a statement will undoubtedly further reduce the relationship between the two countries, which has fallen to the freezing point, the positive response of the Fire Country has also made many small countries see the hope of sanctioning the Ghost Country.

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

The reason why the country of ghosts, like the country of thunder, dares to cause turmoil in various parts of the ninja world so unscrupulously is based on its terrifying military power as a strong backing.

As long as the military of the Oni Country does not collapse, then the politics and economy of the country can radiate to the surrounding areas with the Oni no Kuni as the core, forming an allied power led by the Oni Country.

Just like the country of bears and the country of ghosts, although the name of the country is still retained in name, in fact, the real masters of these two countries have unwittingly become the country of ghosts, and they are directly under the jurisdiction of the central government of the country of ghosts.

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

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

However, compared to today's ghost country, the land of thunder and the methods of Yun Yin are as tame and cute as well-behaved sheep.

At least the threat of the Thunder Country and the Cloud Hidden is temporary, but the Ghost Country wants to fundamentally pry their ruling foundation, and the harm of the two is not at the same level at all.

Therefore, now that there are finally large countries that have attacked the Oni Country from the front, the inappropriateness of the small country's regime, and the nobles of the small country who have been invaded by the Oni Country will naturally lean towards the Fire Country.

So much so that in just half a month, many small countries continued to send envoys to the Daimyo Mansion of the Fire Country to conduct secret talks. For a time, the Allied forces, led by the Fire Country, had a prototype.

The small country that was touched by the country of ghosts is no longer a rootless duckweed, but has been relied on, and finally has the courage to fight back in the face of the country of ghosts.

The Fire Nation denounced the misdeeds of the Oni Country, rallied the forces of the smaller countries, and said that it would reach a military mutual assistance agreement with these small countries, hoping that the Oni Country would stop its excesses and avoid the outbreak of the Fourth Shinobi War.

In less than a week after the Fire Country made these responses, the Wind Country, located in the southwest region of the continent, also responded, saying that it stood on the same side as the Fire Country, hoping that the Land of Oni would consider it carefully and make the ninja world peaceful and benign as soon as possible......

◎

Recently, more and more documents have been sent to the office, and Shiraishi is basically living in the office, and there is no time to go home, nor to go to the laboratory to study new things.

Not surprisingly, the documents sent were basically related to the fact that the two great powers of Fire and Wind were involved in the regimes of many small countries against the country of ghosts.

Some of them came from the military, some came from the government, and some received submissions from the people of the Oni Country.

After reading the documents, Shiraishi nodded slightly.

Overall, in terms of public opinion, it has not caused any effective blows in the country of ghosts.

Although the Fire Nation has imposed 'sanctions' on the Oni Country in a general sense, it is all about flashy things in the end, and there is also no tangible evidence, and all the remarks are based on speculation.

"The diplomats of the Fire Nation and the Wind Nation are still staying in Aster City?"

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

"Yes, the missions of the two countries have not yet left, and they are vigorously demanding a response from the military departments, and they are vowing not to give up. If you don't give them an affirmative answer, you won't leave easily. ”

The staff tensed their nerves slightly and responded to Shiraishi.

This time, the two countries of Fire and Wind sent a mission together to communicate with the Oni Country, and the point of discussion was nothing more than the hope that the Oni Country would die down in the international arena and not undermine the stability that had been maintained in the international arena with great difficulty.

The staff of the diplomatic department of the Oni no Kuni are also engaged in heated arguments with the diplomatic missions of the two countries, resisting the artillery fire of the two countries.

"You go and tell the diplomatic department, the Ghost Country will continue to maintain its original style and will not make any compromises on this, I hope they will not get into trouble."

Shiraishi thought for a moment and instructed the staff member.

"Yes."

After receiving Shiraishi's answer, the staff left in a hurry.

Silence returned to the office, and Shiraishi held the cup of hot tea and looked out the window.

The cold north wind is howling, and the temperature has dropped sharply for several days recently.

It won't be long before it snows.

It will be the coldest day of the year.

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

◎

The land of tea.

A small country far from the Oni Country's sphere of influence, bordering the Fire Country's southern border.

Although it is a small country, its land area far exceeds the average land area of a small country. In terms of land area alone, it is not an exaggeration to call it a medium-sized country.

The Land of Tea is a country with an exceptionally developed tea industry, controlling nearly half of the tea industry in the ninja world. Not only that, but there are also many mines in the country, which are rich in mineral resources. At the same time, the country is surrounded by the sea on many sides, and the fishing and shipping industries are also relatively developed. On the whole, apart from its relatively weak military power, it is a country with considerable economic power in all aspects.

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

The best tea was served on the low table, but none of the four people around the low table took the initiative to drink the tea, but looked at each other, as if to confirm something.

Until one of them coughed, tapped his fingers on the table, attracted the attention of the other three, and said: "Ladies and gentlemen, this time we are all plenipotentiary representatives of the shadows behind us, in order to determine the final time for attack at this meeting. With limited time, let's get straight to the point. ”

It was Lujiu who spoke.

The other three are the elite Shangninja Maki of Shayin, the left and right hand of the fourth generation of Kazekage Luosha; Iwakure's elite Shangnin Loess, the son of three generations of Tokage Onoki, and Iwakure's premier ninja; and the last Misty Hidden Elite Shang Ninja Qing, one of the deputy part-time guards of the four generations of Mizukage lost positions, and is good at perceiving ninjutsu.

All four of them sat with serious faces and did not smile.

"Mr. Lu Jiu is right, we won't stay here for long, we must finish the discussion as soon as possible, and then go back to our lives."

Echoing Shikaku is the Shinobu Maki of the Sunagakumi, who wants the meeting to start as soon as possible.

After Ma Ji finished saying this, Loess was about to answer, but Qing acted faster than him, and said directly: "Then skip the old link and say their respective answers." According to the arrangement made by our Mizukage-sama, he set the time for December 22nd. ”

Lu Jiu groaned for a while, and also reported the result of Konoha after discussion: "December 28th." ”

Markey replied scrupulously: "December 31." ”

Loess finally said: "The time given by my old man is December 23. ”

The times given by the four parties are different, but there is something in common, that is, the time is in late December.

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

"Four different times? However, it seems that there is no opinion on setting the time for late December. ”

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

The main thing is to use the factor of time to perfectly carry out the raid.

"But how do you unify four different times?"

Qing asked.

Before Lu Jiu could give an answer, Loess said: "Since time cannot be unified, let's compromise it." How about midnight on December 26th? ”

After Loess finished speaking, the other three looked at each other, did not hesitate, and nodded in agreement.

After all, there is really not much point in arguing about time.

Their time will not be wasted on such meaningless arguments.

"Now that the time is set, let's decide on the order of attack. We, Konoha, were in charge of the first battle, and after successfully suppressing the morale of the Oni Country, it was the turn of Sand and Iwakure to attack, and finally the Fog Hide. However, in order to cut off the supply from the front and rear of the Oni Country, after the first contact between Konoha and the Oni Country, Iwakure was needed to immediately provide support and blow up the railway connecting the Oni Country to the Bear Country, so that the railway could not resume operation in a short period of time. ”

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

It depicts in detail a strategic deployment map, as well as a course of action, including a brief but clear textual description.

Loess looked at the plan, especially the part where he drew the map, and nodded.

"Yes, the matter of blowing up the railroad will be handed over to us Iwakure to deal with at that time."

"Next, as long as the supply is cut off, so that the army of the Oni Country stationed on the border of the Bear Country will not be able to get support, and it will not be difficult for Konoha to completely annihilate them until new support arrives. At that time, it will be up to the performance of the villages. Just follow the original plan. ”

Shikaku pointed his finger at the course of action, his gaze sweeping to the faces of the three of them.

"Don't worry, our defense here is foolproof, in order to win this operation, Mizukage-sama has been working for half a year."

Qing responded earnestly.

"There is no objection from the Sand Hide's side."

"Iwakure doesn't have a problem either."

Markey and Loess followed.

Then, 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 of the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind, which had been staying in the Land of Demons for a long time, could not get satisfactory results, and at the negotiation meetings, they repeatedly faced each other coldly because of disagreements.

The envoys of the two countries have constantly accused the Oni no Kuni of wanting to influence the big countries by controlling the war market of the small countries, and eventually the flames of war will be rolled over to all countries. Such a reckless act will definitely lead to a fourth ninja war that is even more serious than the previous three ninja wars.

Not only that, but the Fire Nation has also prompted many smaller nations to unite and put pressure on the Ghost Country, along with the Wind Nation.

So much so that for a while, the diplomatic department of the country of ghosts was jumping, and in the face of so many voices, even the diplomatic department of the country of ghosts, which has always been dominated by strong diplomacy, was inevitably overheaded for a while, and the original righteous and strict wording was also suppressed by the missions of the two countries of fire and wind.

However, in diplomacy, although the ghost country is in a disadvantageous position, and has been defeated by the two great powers of fire and wind, in terms of foreign military operations, it still focuses on the original style, penetrating the bottom of small countries, causing contradictions between the upper and lower levels, so that many small countries have begun to show signs of chaos.

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

But an opportunity arose.

- Mid-December.

Matsunokuni is in internal turmoil.

The rule of the aristocracy in the country was seriously shaken, and a large number of peasants took advantage of the decline in the ruling power of the aristocracy to rise up one after another, and the flames of war quickly burned the entire territory of Matsunokoku. The entire civil war in the country of Matsu is in full swing and frenzied.

And the country of pine, that is, one of the small united nations that previously took refuge in the country of fire.

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

Now the country is in the midst of a frightening civil war, and the remote controller behind the scenes, although there is no tangible evidence, is undoubtedly secretly pointing to a certain great power.

"What exactly do you ghost country want to do? To provoke the Matsuno Civil War, do you really want to provoke the Fourth Ninja World War? ”

In the conference room, the diplomats of the three major powers, ghosts, fire, and wind, began a new round of debate.

The first to speak was the diplomat of the Fire Country, his face was pale, and he stared in the direction of the Oni Country's seat with an angry expression.

"Why do you say that? If you have anything to say, please say it slowly, the reason why the country of Matsu is in civil war is entirely because their daimyo and nobles are too strict with the lower classes, and it has nothing to do with our ghost country. Their civil war is entirely self-inflicted. ”

The diplomat of the Oni no Kuni shook his head in denial.

"So, where did the weapons of the organized militia come from?"

"In the arms trade agreement a few years ago, the Oni no Kuni had the ability to sell arms to smaller countries that didn't have much ninja power, so that they could protect themselves. As long as the buyer is willing, we in the country of ghosts will naturally provide services to the buyer. That's what you agreed to at the time, wasn't it? ”

The Oni no Kuni diplomat replied slowly, explaining the source of the weapons in the hands of the militias.

The only thing he can tell himself about this is to be at peace.

"These words are good to deceive those who do not know the inside story. We are not stupid, and the country of ghosts must give a satisfactory explanation for this matter. ”

The Fire Nation diplomat said coldly.

The diplomats of the Land of Wind also stared at the seats of the Land of Demons, faintly reaching the same line with the Land of Fire, and pressuring the diplomats of the Land of Oni with their eyes.

"It's just nonsense." The diplomat of the Oni Country frowned slightly, "Again, we are just the merchants of the Pine Country, and we have a normal arms trade, as for what they do with that batch of arms, it is not what we in the Oni Country need to care about." ”

"Things have come to this point, do you want to continue to quibble? Now many small countries are involved in the war, and if this continues, the big countries will not be able to stand alone! ”

The Fire Nation officials glared angrily.

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

"Then I would also like to advise you, since our Fire Country has officially signed a military mutual assistance agreement with the Song Country before, if the Ghost Country does not give a reasonable explanation to the Song Country in this matter, then our Fire Country will not hesitate to take the final violent means to get back a justice for the Song Country."

As the words of the diplomat of the Fire Nation came out, the expression of the diplomat of the Ghost Nation changed slightly, and he stared at each other unkindly.

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

"This is the right of just struggle exercised to preserve the sovereignty of the Allies! The ambitions of your oni country are too huge, and if you continue to go your own way like this, the Fourth Ninja World War will inevitably detonate completely as you move around, destroying the peace that was so hard to be concluded! When the time comes, not only the Fire Country, but the other major countries will also come to stop it, I hope you Ghost Country will not make mistakes! ”

The diplomats of the Fire Nation made a declaration in a dignified manner, pointing their fingers at each other very rudely, trying to suppress their opponents from momentum.

"Again, we just sell arms to countries normally. In addition, because of these things, the Fourth Ninja World War was triggered, and Your Excellency's words were too alarmist. ”

After speaking, the official of the Oni Country closed his eyes, obviously not intending to argue about this matter any longer.

Seeing this, the diplomat of the Fire Nation snorted coldly, and with an annoyed face, he left his seat and walked towards the door.

The Windland diplomat also stood up and walked away.

This means that the negotiations have broken down again.

◎

Two more days passed.

It's December 25th.

Heavy snowfall for days covered Konoha Village.

On this day, Konoha is liberated from the wind and snow. The weather is not clear, but the gray-white sky is bright in this season.

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

The ninjas' outfits are much simpler, with an extra layer of thermal underwear under their uniforms and a scarf wrapped around their necks. If you think it's troublesome, even the scarf is omitted to avoid hindering your own actions.

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

From here, she looked down at Konoha Village and took in all the scenery of the village.

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

Then, turning around to the railing of the rooftop, he stared at the Hokage Rock engraved on the mountain wall behind the Hokage Building, and his eyes moved step by step starting from the original Hokage.

Compared to the previous four Hokage Rocks, her Hokage Rock is still brand new, unlike the previous four Hokage Rocks, which have accumulated years and have been weathered.

Eventually, his gaze resettled on the Hokage Rock of the original Hokage, and Tsunade lost his eyes for a moment.

A ninja is a person who can endure in order to achieve his goals. ’

When he was young, the words taught by his grandfather are still familiar in my mind.

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 disorderly Sengoku period, and protect the children affected by the war...... and a springboard to peace.

However, the current high-level must have already forgotten all this kind of thing.

Endure...... Endure...... At the thought of this word, Tsunade's heart couldn't help but be restless, and his fists clenched hard.

How long do you need to be patient with these guys?

"Grandfather, if you were still alive, what choice would you make? Is it to support the practice of the Oni Country, or is it the current Konoha ...... I don't understand what I'm doing anymore. Really, am I starting to get older? ”

Speaking in a voice that only he could hear, Tsunade looked at the Hokage Rock of the first Hokage, and touched his forehead helplessly, as if he was feeling the ruthlessness of the years, and his own will seemed to be decaying.

Shiraishi once said that Konoha, and even all the ninja villages today, are essentially no different from the ninja of the Warring States period, they are all mercenary groups with violent means, and she can't find an excuse to refute it in the past, and it's ridiculous that she can't find an excuse to refute him now.

"To be honest, I hope that the next action will not fail, but at the same time I hope that it will fail......"

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

Maybe he is telling the Hokage of the past generations what he really thinks in his heart.

Only for these dead people can I open my heart and confess my complicated state of mind, instead of wearing a mask to cover my heart all the time.

It was at this moment that Tsunade heard footsteps, and his gaze turned away from the Hokage Rock of the original Hokage and turned to the entrance to the rooftop.

"Tsunade, there's a letter from the Daimyo, and now it's time to arrange it in advance."

The two advisors who came to inform were Koharu and Mito Menyan.

The next meeting of the upper ninja, the two of them can't wait to come. Of course, they can only be active in this kind of thing, and do not stumble her, and they simply do not have the consciousness and ability to act as consultants.

"Got it, I'll be right away."

With a nod, Tsunade straightened up, away from the railing, and finally casually glanced at the Hokage's Hokage once again.

I don't know if I'll bless this village again this time, Grandfather.

Thinking of this, the corners of Tsunade's mouth raised slightly, and his mood was much more relaxed.

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