Konoha: Starting with Sage Mode

"Sister, don't worry. Even if Hattori Masanari makes a deal with Iwagakure, we still have a chance. The spies I planted in Amegakure will find the location and route of the deal. Then we can set up an ambush in advance."

Seeing his usually calm and collected older sister so distraught, Ebizo sighed.

"really?"

Chiyo immediately looked up at Ebizo, her eyes filled with hope, as if she had grasped at a lifeline.

She is terrified that her son and daughter-in-law will die. If they both die, how will she face her beloved grandson, Scorpion?

"of course."

Ebizo said with a confident expression.

Chapter 116: Loess

In a small border town near the border between the Land of Rain and the Land of Earth.

Kirito's White Zetsu clone was currently meeting alone with a burly Iwa ninja in a private room at an inn.

This Iwa ninja was none other than Kyoto, the son of the Third Tsuchikage, Onoki.

"Mr. Hattori, aren't your conditions too high? You think two Sand Village Jonin can be exchanged for resources worth enough to train twenty Jonin? And you want an S-rank ninjutsu and multiple Earth Release ninjutsu as well? I don't think our Tsuchikage will agree to your conditions."

After hearing the conditions proposed by Kirito, Huang Tu said with a dissatisfied expression.

"Mr. Huangtu, I need to correct your statement. They are not just two Sand Village Jonin, but two elite Sand Village puppeteers who have killed fifteen Jonin from your village. Moreover, one of them is the son of the First Kazekage and Chiyo. I don't need to elaborate on the value of the information they possess."

In fact, I feel that the conditions I offered were already somewhat unfair.

Kirito sneered, refusing to budge an inch on the conditions he had set.

He has obtained the memories of Akasuna and Sunagakure through the Spirit Transformation Technique, and knows very well how many Jonin from Iwagakure they killed and how great a threat they posed to Iwagakure.

Judging solely from their battle records, if Iwagakure could exchange the resources used to train twenty Jonin for these two, it would definitely be a bargain.

Not to mention the intelligence and puppetry techniques they possess. If Iwagakure can successfully obtain information about puppetry techniques and various secrets about Sunagakure from them, then Iwagakure will have an advantage in intelligence when facing Sunagakure in the future, greatly increasing their chances of winning.

Therefore, Kirito's demand for S-rank ninjutsu and various Earth Release techniques from the Iwagakure Lion was a perfectly reasonable request.

"It seems Mr. Hattori knows quite a few secrets from the two of them."

Upon hearing this, Huang Tu tentatively asked, his eyes fixed on Kirito's eyes.

Kirito simply smiled and did not give a clear answer.

However, his calm demeanor already gave Huang Tu a clear answer.

"I didn't expect that there were ninjas skilled in torture within Amegakure as well."

Huang Tu thought to himself.

He had thought that Amegakure wouldn't be able to get any useful information from the two Sand Village puppeteers, which was why he traded them to Iwagakure in exchange for maximum benefit. But now it seems that Amegakure has probably already obtained a lot of truly useful information from the two.

After all, the number of Iwagakure Jonin killed by the two was highly classified information.

In fact, these two Sand Village puppeteers had secretly infiltrated the Land of Earth to carry out a secret mission, and then killed one of their Iwa Village Jonin. This matter can be considered top secret.

Given Amegakure's intelligence capabilities, it would have been virtually impossible for them to have learned this information from any other source other than the two Sunagakure puppeteers.

"Is it possible that this guy is skilled in torture? He doesn't seem to have returned to Amegakure during this time."

Huang Tu eventually began to doubt Yu Yin's interrogation techniques, and couldn't help but start to doubt Hattori Masanari in front of him.

He is now very interested in Hattori Masanari, the Jonin of Amegakure; to be precise, Iwagakure is now very interested in Hattori Masanari.

Using Hattori Masanari, a powerful Amegakure ninja whose political views differed from Hanzo's, to sow discord in Amegakure was a possibility that not only Konoha and Sunagakure saw, but also some in Iwagakure.

The Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, expressed strong approval of the Amegakure split plan proposed by the higher-ups.

That's for sure.

A divided Amegakure would be advantageous to Iwagakure, and if Hattori Masanari could be supported to have a force within Amegakure that leans towards Iwagakure, it would be of great strategic significance for Iwagakure to use this to restrain Konoha and Sunagakure.

The Land of Earth is not very interested in the territory of the Land of Rain, which cannot produce food, but it is very clear that the Land of Wind, which is severely lacking in water resources, is very interested in the territory of the Land of Rain.

Once the Wind Kingdom annexes the Rain Kingdom's territory and solves its domestic water shortage problem, the Wind Kingdom's national strength will inevitably experience a leap forward.

Because the Land of Earth has occupied a large number of oases in the north of the Land of Wind that can produce food, Iwagakure and Sunagakure have a long-standing feud. Naturally, Iwagakure cannot sit idly by and watch Sunagakure annex Amegakure and grow stronger. Military intervention is necessary.

However, direct military intervention in Amegakure would be a heavy burden for Iwagakure.

This is because Iwagakure ninjas, who are from the high-altitude climate of the Land of Earth, are prone to acclimatization problems and contract diseases when fighting on the mainland of the Land of Rain, which ultimately leads to a large number of non-combat casualties.

Therefore, if Amegakure can be supported with a small amount of economic and military aid to restrain Sunagakure, it would be a very worthwhile thing for Iwagakure.

Before contacting Hattori Masanari, Onoki had signaled to Hanzo that he would support Amegakure and join forces with Amegakure. However, Hanzo, who was blindly arrogant and proud at the time, rejected the offer without hesitation and became even more hostile to Iwagakure afterward.

From that point on, Onoki gave up on supporting Amegakure led by Hanzo and never mentioned supporting Amegakure again.

Hattori Masanari's unexpected appearance has given him renewed hope that Iwagakure can support Amegakure to restrain Konoha and Sunagakure.

Furthermore, if the Amegakure split plan succeeds, it can not only provide military and strategic assistance to the Land of Earth, but also economic assistance.

At that time, the Land of Rain will once again become a dumping ground for goods from the Land of Earth, allowing the Land of Earth to reap substantial profits.

Due to its climate, the Land of Rain has never been able to develop agriculture, so it has had to focus on developing industry.

Thanks to its advantageous geographical location and extensive water network, the Land of Rain's products have a strong competitive edge. In addition, the country focuses on developing its industry, resulting in rapid industrial development and a leading industrial level among all ninja nations. Heavy industry is the pillar industry of the Land of Rain.

Due to its developed heavy industry, the Land of Rain has a huge demand for mineral resources. However, the Land of Rain itself is not a country rich in mineral resources, and its unique climate also prevents the development of its domestic mining industry, forcing it to rely on imports.

The Land of Earth is the country with the richest mineral resources in the ninja world, with coal and iron production ranking first in the ninja world.

Many years ago, the Land of Earth was the largest exporter of mineral resources from the Land of Rain.

However, since Hanzo became the leader of Amegakure, Iwagakure and Amegakure have become enemies. Hanzo's Amegakure took the initiative to cut off normal business exchanges between the two countries, causing many mining companies in the Land of Earth to go bankrupt and bringing considerable negative impact to the Land of Earth's economy.

The daimyo of the Land of Earth had repeatedly expressed his dissatisfaction to Onoki over this matter and used it as a pretext to threaten to reduce economic support to Iwagakure.

Onoki had little respect for the weak daimyo, but the one-country-one-village system in the ninja world had been established for a long time, and he was not able to challenge this system for the time being. So he had to make a compromise on the surface and said that he would resolve the normal commercial trade between the Land of Earth and the Land of Rain as soon as possible.

Ohnoki now sees hope for solving this problem in Hattori Masashige.

Especially after Kirito's character, Hattori Masanari, easily captured two elite puppeteers from Sunagakure, Akasuna and Sunagakure, demonstrating strength that was invincible to anyone below the Kage level, his confidence grew stronger and stronger.

Judging from the current situation, Hattori Masanari is extremely powerful. His water-style ninjutsu, which he can release without hand seals, is terrifyingly strong, and his concealment techniques are also very impressive. If Hanzo is careful enough, he will most likely be unable to easily defeat him, at most he can only defeat him, but not kill him.

Furthermore, considering the current situation in the ninja world, only Iwagakure has not yet clashed with Amegakure, so there is a high chance that Hattori Masanari will reach an agreement with Iwagakure.

Therefore, Huang Tu understood that his transaction with Hattori Masanari to acquire Sunagakure prisoners could only succeed and could not fail.

This put him at a significant disadvantage in the negotiations.

Seeing Hattori Masanari's assertive attitude, showing no intention of backing down and firmly grasping the prestige of the two elite puppeteers in Iwagakure, he, who was already somewhat tongue-tied, didn't know how to negotiate a lower price.

In order not to ruin the deal and leave a bad impression on Hattori Masanari, he had no choice but to back down and said somewhat helplessly, "Alright, I will report your conditions to the Tsuchikage later and let him make his own judgment."

"That would be perfect, Mr. Huangtu. I have prepared some fine food and wine. Let's enjoy them."

Upon hearing this, Kirito immediately knew that the deal was practically secured, and he smiled and said.

For Iwagakure, who are proficient in Earth Release ninjutsu, various Earth Release techniques are nothing special. They wouldn't feel bad about trading some of them, but they might have some trouble with S-rank ninjutsu.

After he finished speaking, he clapped his hands vigorously.

Soon, the door was opened, and some maids came in carrying some fragrant dishes.

To show his sincerity, Kirito took the lead and ate all the dishes first.

Seeing this, Huang Tu boldly began to eat the delicious food in front of him.

After a good meal and drinks, and with the two men praising each other, Huang Tu felt that his relationship with Kirito had become much closer. He suddenly asked, "May I ask how those two puppeteers are doing?"

"Don't worry, as long as Iwagakure agrees to my conditions, I guarantee they will live well."

Kirito smiled slightly.

Chapter 117: Hanzo's Fear

After a hearty meal, the two toasted each other, their relationship as host and guest was harmonious.

After enjoying a delicious and sumptuous meal, Huang Tu immediately took his leave, saying that he would convey Kirito's offer to the Tsuchikage as soon as possible.

Upon hearing this, Kirito wisely refrained from trying to persuade him to stay, but he personally delivered the yellow earth to the inn's entrance and presented him with a generous gift.

Although Huang Tu was simple-minded, he was not pedantic. He accepted everything that Kirito offered him in his deliberate attempt to win him over.

"Hopefully it will be a good outcome."

Kirito watched the yellow earth disappear into the night and sighed.

Then, he turned to look at an old man sitting behind the counter.

The old man saw Kirito, who was dressed as Hattori Masanari, looking over.

With a loud "bang".

A wisp of white smoke appeared from the old man's body.

The white smoke disappeared, and Hanzo, the leader of Amegakure, appeared in Kirito's eyes.

At the same time, some of the maids and servants in the inn also changed, and they all returned to their original appearance.

The people in this inn were all actually Rain Ninja transformed using transformation techniques.

"Let's go inside and talk."

Kirito wasn't surprised to see Hanzo and the many Rain Ninja. He spoke softly to Hanzo, then walked back into the inn without fear.

This inn was originally a liaison point set up by Yu Yin in a border town.

Kirito bringing the yellow soil here was a deliberate arrangement on his part, intended to send a signal to Hanzo.

Hanzo did not disappoint him; he came in person.

In fact, Huang Tu knew that this inn was Yu Yin's contact point and had long ago discovered that many of the people in the inn had been replaced, but he still came, and he went to the meeting alone.

This demonstrates his sincerity, courage, and confidence in his own abilities, making him worthy of the title of son of the Tsuchikage.

Upon hearing Kirito's words, Hanzo stared at Kirito with a cold expression for a moment, then nodded to him and entered an empty private room with him.

At this point, he was very dissatisfied with Hattori Masanari, played by Kirito, for taking it upon himself to make a deal with Iwagakure.

Although he knew that Kirito had captured the two elite puppeteers from Sunagakure himself, and that Kirito was now a rogue ninja from Amegakure, so strictly speaking, this transaction had nothing to do with Amegakure, he was still very angry.