Chapter 651: End of the Ninja World War

Ōnoki was not surprised by Hiruzen Sarutobi’s answer.

Konoha was currently in a advantageous position, and after the battle, Iwagakure’s losses would only be greater than Konoha’s.

“Iwagakure is willing to compensate Konoha for the losses suffered in the war, and is also willing to form an alliance with Konoha to advance and retreat together,” Ōnoki quickly said.

With Muzuki present, no Ninja Village would be able to compete with Konoha for the next few decades, so Ōnoki considered this money a protection fee for Konoha.

“Before the compensation is determined and fulfilled, you will need to be a guest in Konoha,” Hiruzen Sarutobi thought for a moment and replied.

What was the Shinobi World War fought for? Profit.

Now that they were negotiating peace with Iwagakure, they could both reduce losses and gain benefits, so Hiruzen Sarutobi had no reason not to agree.

Fighting and killing were not the goal, but merely a means to achieve the goal.

“If the Hokage invites, I will naturally go,” Ōnoki agreed.

It was very dangerous for him, a Tsuchikage, to stay in Konoha, but to minimize Iwagakure’s losses, Ōnoki was willing to take the risk.

Ōnoki believed that Konoha would not do anything to him, because it was not in Konoha’s interest.

If Konoha really seized this opportunity to keep him in Konoha permanently, it would create a mortal enmity between Iwagakure and Konoha, and at the same time make the other Three Great Shinobi Villages wary.

Konoha did not need to take such a risk; they only needed to let Muzuki cultivate peacefully for a few more years, and they would naturally become the hegemon.

After reaching a verbal agreement, Ōnoki immediately flew over the main battle force and shouted:

“Iwagakure Ninja, stop and retreat! We are going to negotiate peace with Konoha; we are no longer enemies!”

To minimize Iwagakure’s losses as much as possible, Ōnoki sent out Earth Clones to quickly make all Iwagakure Ninja on the battlefield cease fighting.

When the Third Raikage heard Ōnoki’s voice, his face darkened.

You organized the alliance, and you were the quickest to surrender.

“Kumogakure also wants to negotiate peace with Konoha! All Kumogakure Ninja, come to my side! Stop fighting!”

Most of the Ninja in their alliance were Iwagakure Ninja; the other Ninja Villages had only brought some elite teams, and once Iwagakure surrendered, how could they withstand Konoha’s main force?

With so many strong individuals on the scene, even the Third Raikage could at most ensure that he alone could break through, but he was not confident in taking his subordinates with him.

But the Third Raikage was reluctant to part with Kumogakure’s elite teams; these were the mainstays of Hidden Cloud Village.

In fact, before the Third Raikage spoke, Rasa had already wanted to say that Sunagakure would also negotiate peace, but he was severely injured and unable to compare with the Third Raikage’s booming voice in all aspects.

“Quickly say loudly that Sunagakure is negotiating peace,” Rasa quickly ordered the Sunagakure Ninja beside him.

He was severely injured and urgently needed treatment; if the fighting continued, even if he wasn’t killed by Konoha’s strong individuals, he might die due to severe injuries not receiving timely treatment.

With Sunagakure announcing its intention to negotiate peace, this grand melee ended with Konoha and Hidden Mist’s victory.

“We won!”

“We are the victors!”

Some Konoha Ninja shouted excitedly.

Although this battle did not last long, it was undoubtedly a great victory, a great victory with far-reaching significance.

It was much more significant than previous battles where over a thousand enemies were eliminated.

Because this battle involved all the Great Ninja Villages, with all Five Kage participating.

Even in the entire history of wars in the Ninja Village era, this was a battle of considerable weight.

“Haha, finally I can rest and gather material,” Jiraiya showed a heartfelt smile.

He believed that this battle would end the grand melee that had lasted for several years in the Ninja World and usher in a temporary period of peace.

Before the war began, it was fine; Konoha was a large organization and did not lack a strong individual like Jiraiya.

Later, after being challenged by Kumogakure, Iwagakure, and Hidden Mist, Jiraiya’s good life ended, and he spent most of his time on the battlefield.

Such a life was torture for Jiraiya, and he only persevered by the spirit of protecting Konoha in his heart.

“The future should be completely changed, right?” Kakashi also relaxed in his heart.

This battle was truly terrifying at first; Kakashi almost thought this was Muzuki’s inescapable death trap.

Three Kage appeared consecutively; these were Kage, not just ordinary people; there were only five in the entire Ninja World.

“Ninja Master Muzuki is invincible!” Obito frantically cheered for Muzuki in his heart.

Muzuki was definitely the most dazzling person in this war; the attacks of multiple Kage were ineffective against Muzuki, and Muzuki severely injured the Kazekage with a single move.

“This kid is truly wicked,” Yagura Karatachi, with his arms crossed and holding an iron rod, couldn’t help but complain in his heart.

The Hidden Mist’s campaigns against Konoha were all his responsibility, and he had dealt with Muzuki many times because of it.

Upon reflection, Yagura Karatachi realized that whenever Muzuki was on the opposing side, he never had a good outcome.

The first time, he not only lost five Ninja Swords and some elites but also sacrificed a Jinchuriki.

The second time was even worse; not only was the Ninja force he led utterly defeated, but he himself was captured.

Yet, he had previously defeated the Konoha high-level Ninja force.

“It’s better to avoid confronting him as much as possible.”

Yagura Karatachi was truly honest this time.

He had never been so humiliated in his life, being captured alive by an enemy.

If given a choice, Yagura Karatachi would rather face a Ninja force alone than fight Muzuki.

Because when facing a Ninja force, even if he couldn’t escape, his life or death was still in his own hands.

“Konoha is about to be great again, in my hands, in Muzuki’s hands!” Looking at the enemy Ninja Villages laying down their weapons on the battlefield, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt a surge of heroic pride in his heart.

He believed that Konoha, under Muzuki’s leadership, would reach a peak, and his deeds of discovering Muzuki from the Ninja Academy and Root would be passed down through the ages.

The world might forget that he trained the Three Sannin, but they should not forget that he discovered the second God of Shinobi.

Muzuki’s current achievements were mainly due to his own talent and effort, but Hiruzen Sarutobi felt that he also had a part to play.

If he hadn’t brought Muzuki out of Root, boldly nurtured him, and given him more resources, even if Muzuki would eventually become incredibly powerful, the speed wouldn’t have been as fast as it was now.

Hiruzen Sarutobi knew his old friend too well; even for a subordinate, Danzo Shimura would first question and then doubt.

In such an environment, Muzuki would not have received good resources and would not have been able to cultivate peacefully.

Otherwise, with Muzuki’s talent, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt that he should have been famous much earlier, instead of only beginning to emerge after leaving Root.

“Danzo, I will avenge you,” Thinking of this, Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn’t help but recall Danzo Shimura’s remains.

Danzo Shimura was, after all, Konoha’s Hokage Assistant, and he could not die so inexplicably.

Hiruzen Sarutobi had already planned two directions for investigation, but the busy war in Konoha had delayed them.

The first was to start the investigation from Ninja Master Sōsuke.

He didn’t know what role Uchiha Madara played in Danzo Shimura’s death, but one piece of intelligence was certain: the person who killed Danzo Shimura was Sōsuke, a fact witnessed by Muzuki and many Rain Ninja.

The second was Uchiha Madara; Hiruzen Sarutobi did not intend to spend too much effort on this.

Firstly, Uchiha Madara was suspected to have been killed by Muzuki, and secondly, there was no starting point; he didn’t know where to begin the investigation.

Danzo Shimura, who knew the intelligence, was dead, and Uchiha Madara himself was also dead; where could he investigate, the Uchiha Clan?

Seeing the war end, Muzuki canceled the Wood Human Technique and returned to the ground.

“Muzuki, are you injured?” Hiruzen Sarutobi stopped thinking, showed a caring expression, walked to Muzuki’s side, and asked.

In fact, he had many things he wanted to talk about with Muzuki.

For example, Uchiha Madara, whom Muzuki killed, and also about serving as the Hokage Assistant.

“Thank you for your concern, Sandaime-sama, I’m fine,” Muzuki smiled and shook his head.

This battle was much easier than fighting Uchiha Madara.

Although the combined strength of the enemies was stronger than Uchiha Madara, his teammates were fierce this time.

Not only were there various Ninja Clan elites, but even Hiruzen Sarutobi himself rushed to the battlefield to support them.

“That’s good, you have the greatest merit in this battle,” Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a chuckle.

Although Muzuki did not kill many enemies in this battle, a detailed count of his merits would reveal them to be astonishingly numerous.

The first major merit was capturing a large number of Hidden Mist prisoners, causing Hidden Mist Village to betray and stand on Konoha’s side in the war.

The second major merit was Muzuki risking his life to act as bait.

After Hidden Mist betrayed, Hiruzen Sarutobi gave Muzuki two choices: one was to use the strategy to have a decisive battle with Iwagakure and the others, and the other was for Muzuki to return to Konoha and receive the best protection.

And Muzuki, in order to help Konoha win as quickly as possible, resolutely chose to act as bait, laying the foundation for the subsequent great victory.

Then there was quickly finding a breakthrough and defeating the Kazekage and so on.

“Sandaime-sama and Mizukage-sama also have great merits,” Muzuki did not belittle himself, choosing to emphasize the merits of others.

There was no need to be too modest this time; after all, he did have great merit in the victory, and being overly modest would seem too deliberate.

“You are truly young and promising. When I was your age, Muzuki, I was still worrying about whether I had the ability to be a qualified Mizukage guard, but you, Muzuki, already have the strength to defeat a Kage,” the Third Mizukage said with a smile.

Since he had already betrayed the Three Great Ninja Villages, and Konoha also had visible development prospects, the Third Mizukage didn’t mind associating with Konoha for a few decades.

Rasa, who was lying nearby receiving treatment, happened to hear this sentence, and his face instantly darkened even more than the Third Raikage’s.

If he hadn’t been injured and unable to defeat the Third Mizukage, he would have really wanted to fight him.

He could already foresee the newspapers of the major news agencies in the Ninja World after today.

The headline would definitely be about the Konoha and Hidden Mist alliance greatly defeating Iwagakure, Kumogakure, and Sunagakure, and the Five Great Ninja Villages negotiating peace.

The content that followed would probably be about Muzuki defeating him.

Rasa knew what titles those editors would choose.

“Shock! Fourth Kazekage Defeated by One Punch!”

“Konoha’s New Talent Actually Defeats Sunagakure’s Kazekage! Are There Differences Among the Five Great Ninja Villages?”

The more Rasa thought about it, the worse his expression became.

He thought of Hanzō, who was defeated by Sōsuke.

Hanzō had dominated the Ninja World for half his life and was revered as the Demigod of the Ninja World.

But after only one loss to Sōsuke, his reputation was completely ruined; it was rumored everywhere that Hanzō was defeated by Sōsuke, and Hanzō’s Water Release couldn’t suppress Sōsuke’s Fire Release.

He worried that he would also fall to Hanzō’s level and then earn the title of the Weakest Kazekage.

That would truly make Rasa vomit blood in anger; his teacher, the Third Kazekage, was known as the Strongest Kazekage.

“This junior’s talent is indeed a once-in-a-century sight,” the Third Raikage nodded, admitting Muzuki’s excellence.

Muzuki’s performance on the battlefield truly shocked him.

To be able to clash directly with his full-power Lightning Release Chakra Mode in taijutsu was unique in the entire Ninja World.

The only thing the Third Raikage regretted was that Muzuki later used the Wood Human Technique and did not use taijutsu to compete with his Hell Stab.

The Third Raikage had always thought that his taijutsu had no match, but he was taught a lesson by Muzuki today.

Even the most talented taijutsu Ninja needs arduous training; Muzuki’s current taijutsu strength must have come from unimaginable training.

So, even though he was an enemy, the Third Raikage couldn’t help but feel admiration for Muzuki.

Of course, admiration aside, the Third Raikage still wanted Muzuki to die.

A non-Kumogakure Ninja who was so excellent was truly terrifying.

Seeing even the Third Raikage praise Muzuki, Hiruzen Sarutobi’s smile grew wider.

Muzuki was also half his disciple; he often came to him with various cultivation questions before.

However, Hiruzen Sarutobi was not planning to take Muzuki as a disciple now.

There was no longer any need; even without the added status of being his disciple, Muzuki was still unrivaled on the path to becoming Hokage.

If he were to take Muzuki as a disciple now, it would make him seem a bit opportunistic, seeking the fame of being Muzuki’s teacher, which was unnecessary.

“Father, I’m sorry,” Kitsuchi walked to Ōnoki’s side with his head bowed.

As a high-ranking officer of the defeated force, he was largely to blame for the battle’s failure.

Listening to the Kage’s praise for Muzuki, and looking at his own son, who was disheveled and dared not speak loudly, Ōnoki was fuming.

Why was the gap between people so great?

Not to mention his strength being inferior to Muzuki’s, even Kitsuchi’s personality and demeanor couldn’t compare to Muzuki’s.

“Address me by my title during work!” Ōnoki said with a dark face.

“Tsuchikage-sama, I’m sorry.”

Looking at his honest-looking son, Ōnoki rubbed his brow and sighed, finally choosing to offer a word of comfort.

The failure of this battle was due to Hidden Mist’s betrayal and the inability to gather all of Muzuki’s intelligence; it had nothing to do with Kitsuchi.

With Kitsuchi’s strength and reputation, he was not qualified to take the blame for the defeat.

After the miscellaneous matters were handled, Hiruzen Sarutobi had Muzuki create a conference room using Wood Release for a meeting to discuss the specific peace treaty terms.

Strictly speaking, this could be considered the Second Five Kage Summit, the second time the Five Kage gathered in one place for a meeting.

However, unlike the first time, this time the Five Kage were not meeting as equals, but divided into two factions: victorious villages and defeated villages.

As defeated villages, Ōnoki and the others didn’t even bring guards into the conference room this time.

After all, they had just been defeated and were still on the battlefield; bringing guards was meaningless and they had no right to do so.

Hiruzen Sarutobi had Muzuki act as a guard and attend the meeting with him, while the Third Mizukage brought Yagura Karatachi to the meeting.