Naruto: Uchiha Youngjo's Konoha Spring

Chapter 201 The Arrival of the Tsuchikage and Raikage

In response to Nagato's question, Uchiha Touko took a sip of tea and slowly said, "I intend to start a war, a war that will end all conflict."

Nagato's pupils contracted immediately upon hearing this.

"In the Third Shinobi World War, although Konoha was technically the victor, I witnessed Kumogakure using war as leverage to force the Hyuga clan's branch head to end the conflict with his death. At that time, I realized that if the problem cannot be solved at its source, then the war will never stop."

Uchiha Touko said, "What the ninja world needs is unification. Therefore, I will accomplish this in one battle and end it all in our generation."

"Including the Land of Rain?" Nagato asked, frowning.

“Of course, that includes the Land of Rain.” Uchiha Touko looked directly into the other’s eyes without flinching.

"Why did you tell me your plan? Aren't you afraid I'll spread it throughout the ninja world? Then the Land of Fire will become the target of everyone's hatred," Nagato asked.

“You won’t do that.” Uchiha Touko shook his head.

"Are you so sure?"

“Of course, because you are one of the few leaders of all the major and minor forces in the entire ninja world who genuinely yearns for peace and has been working towards it,” Uchiha Touko said. “That is why I agreed to your request for a meeting.”

Uchiha Touko refilled the teacup that Nagato had unknowingly finished, and then said, "I think we can be companions."

"Companions?" Nagato fell into deep thought upon hearing this.

Uchiha Touko wasn't in a hurry. While Nagato was thinking, Uchiha Touko looked up at Konan.

“By the way, Miss Angel,” Uchiha Touko said with a smile.

"Your Hokage can just call me Konan," Konan said.

“Alright, Miss Konan, may I ask who is in charge of personnel in your organization?” Uchiha Touko asked.

"It is indeed I who am in charge. Is there something you need that you ask, Lord Hokage?" Konan asked, puzzled.

"Here's the thing, I have a child here who's currently homeless because of a conflict with his family. Due to some special considerations, Konoha can't take him in. So, Miss Konan and your organization, could you please take care of him for a while? Of course, you don't need to worry about his strength. That child is exceptionally talented. Although he only graduated from the Ninja Academy less than two years ago, his strength is already enough to defeat some of Konoha's veteran Jonin," Uchiha Touko said.

"Lord Hokage, you should be aware of the identities of the people our Akatsuki organization currently recruits," Konan subtly reminded Uchiha Touko, whose organization was currently filled with rogue ninja.

"You two don't need to worry about that. That kid isn't a Konoha ninja." Uchiha Touko shook his head and then continued, "However, that kid has some rather unusual hobbies. If you plan to recruit him into your organization, it might cause you a lot of trouble."

“If it’s just a unique hobby, that’s fine,” Nagato said at this moment.

Just kidding. Which Akatsuki ninja doesn't have a unique hobby? There are those who love money more than life itself and trade their teammates for money, and those who like to take apart two parts of their own bodies for no reason. Recently, a cult member with a not-so-clear mind has joined. In Uchiha Tokō's words, how much trouble can the hobby of a kid who just graduated from the Ninja Academy two years ago cause them?

"Hokage, please tell us how you intend to cooperate with the Land of Rain," Nagato said, looking at Uchiha Touko. "Is it necessary for the Land of Rain to join your Konoha Pact?"

“Not for now,” Uchiha Touko said. “The problems in the Land of Waterfall are not completely over yet. If your Land of Rain shows any intention to form an alliance with us, I think Onoki will immediately launch a war against Konoha without any regard for the consequences. At that time, Kumogakure and Sunagakure will not let this opportunity pass, and the Fourth Shinobi World War will begin immediately.”

"With Konoha's current strength, plus our Akatsuki organization, the chances of winning this war should be very high," Nagato said after a moment of contemplation.

“It is a huge war, but it is not the kind of war I want.” Uchiha Touko shook his head.

"With Konoha now, plus your Land of Rain and other allies, although I am confident of winning the war, it will be a very long war," Uchiha Touko said. "The longer the war drags on, the more harm will be done to the civilians. What I want is a quick and decisive war, which is why I use all sorts of means to make things difficult for my opponents and weaken their strength."

"I see." Nagato nodded. Now, he truly began to believe in Uchiha Touko's peace plan. He had deeply felt the harm that prolonged war caused to civilians since he was a child. "I just wonder how much more time Hokage needs?"

“Three years, at most three years,” Uchiha Touko said slowly, holding up three fingers. “Once Konoha has enough power, I can end all the wars and unify the ninja world in just three months!”

When Uchiha Touko spoke, his tone was very enthusiastic. Nagato was also infected by the confidence shown by Uchiha Touko, and nodded and said, "Alright, I believe you."

"But I also want to know, what are your plans for the Land of Rain after the war?" Nagato asked the most crucial question.

"In my plan, after the unification of the ninja world, Konoha will retain a certain degree of autonomy for its allies who are willing to accept the leadership of the Land of Fire. Furthermore, Konoha will also make certain modifications to the natural environment of the Land of Rain, opening up the mountain range between the Land of Rain and the Land of Earth and Wind, allowing the moist monsoon winds of the Land of Fire to pass through normally instead of being completely blocked within the Land of Rain. This will solve the huge impact on your country's agriculture caused by the year-round rainy season. At that time, the people of the Land of Rain will also be able to share the warm sunshine with us."

Uchiha Touko's words made Nagato realize something. For people who have lived in the Land of Rain since childhood, sunlight is indeed a very precious thing.

"Is it only by joining you that we can obtain all of this?" Nagato asked. "No, we will do all of this after we achieve unification. Even if your Akatsuki organization chooses to become enemies with Konoha in the future, our plan to transform the Land of Rain will not change," Uchiha Touko said, shaking his head. "The only difference is whether the Land of Rain can retain a certain degree of autonomy."

“I understand.” Nagato nodded. “The Akatsuki is willing to go with Konoha.”

……

After both sides expressed their intention to cooperate, Nagato and Uchiha Touko talked until late at night. During the conversation, Nagato was moved by the sincerity shown by Uchiha Touko and took the initiative to propose to release the Five-Tails, whose Jinchuriki had lost all signs of life but was kept alive by the seal, back into the Tailed Beast Nature Reserve in Konoha. Nagato also informed Uchiha Touko of the existence of the Gedo Mazo.

In response, Uchiha Touko invited Nagato to Konoha for a thorough medical examination to see if a way could be found to reduce the enormous burden the Rinnegan placed on his body.

However, all of this had to wait until after the Joint Chunin Exams ended. In the following days, after the ninjas from the smaller countries had all arrived, the ninjas from Iwagakure and Kumogakure who had come to participate in the Joint Chunin Exams also arrived in Konoha under the guidance of their respective Kage.

As for the Sand Village members who came to take the exam in the original timeline? They are still overwhelmed by the matter of the Fifth Kazekage. After Gaara and Rasa exploded, they naturally lost the possibility of becoming Kazekage. However, within the Sand Village, there is currently no one with enough strength and influence to become the Fifth Kazekage. Although the eldest princess of the Sand Village, Temari, has shown her interest in the position of Kazekage in order to save her younger brother's life, her strength is not yet sufficient.

Of course, more importantly, without Rasa as its economic lifeline, Sunagakure's finances are on the verge of collapse. If it weren't for taking over the leftovers from Uchiha Toko's military reforms, Sunagakure's ninjas would already be eating sand, and naturally wouldn't have the leisure to participate in the Chunin Exams.

Onoki and A's convoy arrived almost simultaneously. Konoha naturally attached great importance to the arrival of the two Kage. Even Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was obsessed with using his retirement money to restore the ecology and population of the Naka River system, put on the Hokage robe that he hadn't worn for a long time and came to the village entrance with Touko Uchiha to welcome the two Kage.

After getting off the bus at the entrance of Konoha, Onoki and Ai exchanged pleasantries before stepping onto the red carpet that led directly into Konoha.

After the two arrived at the entrance of Konoha Village, Uchiha Touko and Sarutobi Hiruzen greeted them with smiles.

"Thank you both for coming from afar." Uchiha Touko smiled and extended his hand to Onoki first. "It's been a while, and the Tsuchikage is still as vigorous as ever."

"Hehe, Hokage, you jest. The things that have happened in Iwagakure lately have been giving this old man a real headache," Onoki said. "By the way, that brat Deidara didn't come to Konoha, did he?"

"Of course not." Uchiha Touko lied without batting an eye. "If that child came to Konoha, I would definitely take him into custody immediately and then hand him over to you, Tsuchikage, for your disposal."

"You'd better do that." After nodding, Onoki began catching up with Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was standing to the side.

"The Third Hokage seems to be getting more and more leisurely lately. Retirement seems to be quite dignified." Onoki, this old bastard, was ostensibly greeting Hiruzen Sarutobi, but in his heart, he also harbored a desire to stir up Hiruzen Sarutobi's lust for power and make things difficult for Touko Uchiha.

But Hiruzen Sarutobi wasn't exactly a saint either. After hearing Onoki's words, he chuckled and said, "Yes, with a young talent like Touko guiding the village, this old man can finally enjoy a peaceful and leisurely life with his grandchildren. Speaking of which, Tsuchikage should be about my age, right? I wonder when I can invite you to go fishing together?"

The two old men were exchanging cryptic remarks on the side, while Uchiha Touko had already arrived in front of A.

Uchiha Touko looked up at A, who was a head taller than him. At that moment, the towering giant was also sizing up Uchiha Touko.

"Fourth Raikage, it's a pleasure to meet you." Uchiha Touko smiled and extended his hand to A first.

"Nice to meet you." Ai then extended his hand, grasped Uchiha Touko's hand, and slowly tightened his grip.

Uchiha Touko returned the retort without changing his expression.

Then, the lightning-attribute chakra clashed in the palms of their clasped hands. In just a few breaths, countless tiny arcs of electricity exploded in this small area. Although it was painful for both of them, after their hands separated, neither Uchiha Touko nor A showed any unusual signs on their faces.

"The Fifth Hokage is indeed formidable." Ai nodded, enduring the numbness in his right hand.

“The Fourth Raikage is truly remarkable. I heard of your deeds when I was still a genin, and now that I have met you, I can confirm that your reputation is well-deserved.” Uchiha Touko was also not in a good mood at the moment. Although the power of his Lightning Release chakra was above that of the barbarian Fourth Raikage, in terms of pure strength, Uchiha Touko was still inferior to his opponent. His right hand was also squeezed painfully when they shook hands just now.

"In short, welcome to both of you. Before the Chunin Exams officially begin, you are welcome to wander around Konoha at your leisure," said Uchiha Tokō. "Of course, please keep your ninjas in check. Soon, this will be the first joint Chunin Exams since I took office as Hokage, and I don't want to cause any unpleasantness with other villages on this matter. I hope you can understand."

As Uchiha Touko spoke, his eyes were fixed on the Fourth Raikage, and he exuded a faint killing intent. Onoki was alright; at least the old man was a decent person and knew Uchiha Touko's strength, so he probably wouldn't cause trouble within Konoha. But the Fourth Raikage, A, had a history of such behavior.

"Hehe, Hokage is joking," A said with a dry laugh.

“That would be best,” Uchiha Touko said, narrowing his eyes. “Konoha has prepared a sumptuous welcome dinner for the two of you. Please.”

"Please!" Onoki glanced at Uchiha Touko and A with some regret, disappointed that the two hadn't started fighting directly.

"Please." Ai composed himself and followed Uchiha Touko's steps.

At the banquet welcoming the Kage of the Land of Earth and the Land of Lightning, the Fifth Mizukage, Takagi Seiman, who considered himself on par with the two, also arrived and wanted to greet them. Onoki was alright, at least giving the guy some face, but Ai completely ignored Takagi Seiman's outstretched hand and walked straight to the center of the banquet.

(End of this chapter)