Chapter 1240: Analysis_3

Chapter 1240 -125: Analysis_3

“Should the captured businessmen and ninjas be treated the same way?”

C asked.

With so many businessman captives, handing them all over to one country isn’t feasible. Therefore, the only viable option is to divide them equally.

“Businessmen with minor issues should receive a warning, while those with serious issues will be directly imprisoned and judged. As for the captured ninjas, they need to be controlled. If you don’t mind, I wish to take charge of these people. I am willing to pay a price that satisfies the three of you.”

“Oh?”

Onoki and the others looked at Hakushi.

“In recent years, the Land of Demons has several major projects that need to be carried out simultaneously. If these ninjas are merely imprisoned, it would be a waste of resources. The government of the Land of Demons will subject these ninja captives to labor reform, leaving a deep impression on them and re-educating them, ensuring they don’t become a threat to peace in the Ninja Realm.”

“No problem, but all ninjas with Kekkeigenkai cannot be handed over to you.”

The Fourth Raikage pointed this out.

Isolated Island merchants are fond of collecting Kekkeigenkai ninjas. Even putting aside the rarity of Kekkeigenkai, ninjas who possess special bloodlines inherently have high research value. If they can be incorporated into the system of a Ninja Village, it would be a reasonable use of resources.

Therefore, the Hidden Cloud Village is determined to obtain the Kekkeigenkai ninjas and will not transfer them.

Compared to money, the Hidden Cloud Village values the research and combat potential brought by Kekkeigenkai ninjas more.

“Fine.”

Hakushi did not oppose, then looked at Onoki and Yagura, asking: “What do you two think?”

Onoki and Yagura exchanged glances and nodded.

“We agree with the Raikage. Except for the Kekkeigenkai ninjas, the Land of Demons can take all the ninja captives, as long as appropriate payment is made in due course.”

After discussing everything, the atmosphere of the meeting became quite cordial.

Although everyone present knew that this cordiality was limited to this particular action.

After the division of the Isolated Island, the next time they meet might not be as friends but as enemies.

◎

December 10th.

An urgent report shattered the tranquility within the borders of the Land of Fire.

The Hidden Cloud Village of the Land of Lightning dispatched two thousand ninjas to station on the border between the Land of Hot Water and the Land of Fire, declaring that they were conducting military exercises within the Land of Hot Water’s borders and claiming they had no intention of offending the Land of Fire, assuring Konoha Village there was no cause for concern.

However, this explanation did not receive understanding from the Daimyo’s Mansion of the Land of Fire and Konoha Village.

The Hidden Cloud has already placed their blade at the doorstep of the Land of Fire. Although there is a Konoha garrison at the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Hot Water, the number of stationed ninjas is merely a few hundred. If the Hidden Cloud intends to invade the Land of Fire, the five hundred Konoha ninjas positioned at the border would be powerless against the vanguard forces of the Hidden Cloud Village.

However, such condemnation means little to the Hidden Cloud and the Land of Lightning.

Although the Hidden Cloud unit stationed within the Land of Hot Water is very close to the Land of Fire, just a few kilometers away, strictly speaking, it still belongs to the Land of Hot Water’s territory. Therefore, the Hidden Cloud and the Land of Lightning have not violated the ceasefire agreement signed a few years ago with Konoha and the Land of Fire.

While the condemnation is vocal, it hasn’t caused any substantial loss to the Land of Lightning and the Hidden Cloud.

After all, the Hidden Cloud’s military exercise has already obtained the consent of the Daimyo of the Land of Hot Water, and in terms of righteousness, this military exercise by the Hidden Cloud can stand its ground.

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, upon learning of this news, did not hesitate much, convening a high-level meeting, and at the fastest pace, dispatched over a thousand Konoha ninjas to the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Hot Water to closely monitor the Hidden Cloud unit conducting military exercises within the Land of Hot Water’s territory.

Although Hiruzen couldn’t comprehend why the Hidden Cloud Village would make such a move at this time, it didn’t hinder his vigilance towards the Hidden Cloud.

Compared to the Land of Demons, the Hidden Cloud Village is far more aggressive.

From the Hidden Cloud Village’s collection of Secret Techniques and Forbidden Techniques from various parts of the Ninja Realm, it should be clear that the Hidden Cloud ninjas of the Land of Lightning are highly enthusiastic about skirmishes and warfare.

Each generation of Raikage is also unyielding, being advocates for war, resulting in a severe lack of pacifist personnel within the Hidden Cloud Village, and those that do exist don’t hold any significant positions.

Even though a ceasefire agreement was signed with the Hidden Cloud a few years ago, the binding force of a paper agreement is quite limited. Konoha isn’t na?ve enough to believe that a mere agreement could genuinely curb the ambitions of the Hidden Cloud Village.

“Is there still no way to uncover the reasons behind the Hidden Cloud’s military exercises in the Land of Hot Water?”

The Third Hokage summoned Minister of the Anbu, Hatake Kakashi, and Jonin Squad Leader, Nara Shikaku, to gather here for discussion.

“I’m very sorry, Lord Hokage, but the Anbu hasn’t received any information regarding this matter. The Hidden Cloud’s military exercise action was carried out very suddenly. I think the Hidden Cloud kept this exercise action secret to such an extent that even the Anbu may not be able to uncover any useful information in the short term.”

Kakashi said truthfully.

“What about the spy personnel within the Hidden Cloud? Haven’t they transmitted any information back?”

Hiruzen inquired.

Each Ninja Village has planted spies within the opposing Ninja Village. Konoha has naturally placed spies within the Hidden Cloud, and among them, a few spies have even become Jonin of the Hidden Cloud.

Although they don’t hold a significant position among the Jonin, they should be able to gather some important information.

Even if they can’t gather any concrete details, they should have caught some wind of what’s happening.