Chapter 210: When It Comes to the Will of Fire, I Am Even Above You!

Underground base. Uchiha Madara sat on a chair. In front of him, Uchiha Obito brandished the sword in his hand, looking quite imposing, but... "Wrong!" As Madara spoke, his finger moved, and the chakra in his hand turned into threads, directly connecting to Obito’s body. Immediately, Obito’s body began to move on its own. Swoosh! Obito’s sword danced rapidly in the air. His posture and power, under Madara’s control, were almost perfect. After several repetitions, Madara retracted his chakra. "Do you remember?" Obito said, scratching his head sheepishly. "Mm-hmm, I remember!" "But it might take me a long time to learn it completely." Madara nodded lightly, then leaned back in his chair, his mind blank. He was thinking... Can I really achieve my goal by relying on this child? Am I not dreaming! It wasn’t that Obito was really weak, but that this child’s mind was a bit straightforward, not very good at thinking outside the box. He didn’t have a very deep grasp of swordsmanship and ninjutsu that required flexible application. In other words, putting the Sharingan aside, even with his own teaching, Obito’s mastery of ninjutsu and swordsmanship might only be a little bit stronger than the average level of the Uchiha clan. He could only hope that Obito’s Sharingan could bring him some hope. Otherwise—Madara sighed with a hint of helplessness. Just then, White Zetsu, possessed by Black Zetsu, appeared before him. Madara reined in his emotions. "What is it?" "Sunagakure seems to have ideas of in-depth cooperation with Konoha, but I couldn’t get any further intelligence." "In-depth cooperation? Heh." Madara leaned back in his chair. "A temporary alliance is all it is. As long as the interests cannot be balanced, over time, people’s hearts will become resentful, and then they will become hostile again..." "A brief peace is not true peace!" As he spoke, he glanced at Obito below. As expected, Obito was listening very attentively. He looked at Black Zetsu. "Any other news?" Black Zetsu said in a low voice. "Sasori of the Red Sand, should we contact him? Although this person acts crazily, in the short term, he is helpful to our path of peace." Madara leaned back in his chair, his gaze indifferent. "Whatever. I’m not interested in this kind of thing. You can handle it yourself. As for him, pay more attention to him later. Otherwise, with his current ability, he is not enough to meet the requirements." "Yes!" *** At night, in the forest. Obito was rarely let out for some fresh air. "Senpai, you and Madara-senpai are really different." "Of course." "Why?" Black Zetsu replied faintly. "Because I am the consciousness split from the former Madara, and he later experienced many hardships that we can hardly imagine. Different experiences will create different personalities..." Then, he gave many examples—with Black Zetsu’s knowledge and experience, coming up with a story to handle Obito was naturally a piece of cake. Obito suddenly understood, then let out a long sigh. He knew too little about Madara! Even though he had heard some things about Madara from Black Zetsu, he always felt that there was a mountain between them. The Uchiha Madara in his impression was more of an old man barely surviving on a chair. A... pitiful old man? "What are you sighing for?" Obito looked at the sky, his eyes full of confusion. "The path to peace is not as simple as I initially imagined. Even Madara-senpai has become like this. My talent is far inferior. Can I really do it?" The more he trained and learned, the more he understood the power of Uchiha Madara, and the more he could appreciate the terrifying ability of Senju Hashirama back then. However, even such a person still couldn’t achieve eternal peace... A slight smile touched Black Zetsu’s lips. "If you rely only on your current ability, of course it’s not enough. You still need to obtain more powerful strength, to obtain more powerful eyes!" Obito was thoughtful. "The Mangekyo Sharingan?" Black Zetsu replied. "Yes, the Mangekyo Sharingan is a gift from our ancestor. It can raise our constitution and Kekkei Genkai to another level. And everyone’s experience is different, so the power of the Sharingan obtained may not be the same." Obito muttered to himself. "Mangekyo Sharingan!" The first person that flashed through his mind was Nohara Rin, the girl who was once like the white moonlight in his heart, who had once illuminated his years from the academy until now. If I kill her... Obito suddenly stood up, his face changing drastically. "No! I absolutely can’t do that!" Black Zetsu was not surprised. It would be strange if Obito could bring himself to do it. Besides, killing a friend or partner just to awaken his eyes might not yield the desired result. The Sharingan was stimulated by emotions, not simple killing. The more Obito resisted now, the more powerful the strength he would gain after witnessing the death of his loved ones and those he valued. This fruit would ripen sooner or later! *** "Big! Big! Big! Argh! Damn it!" Tsunade slammed the table in frustration, her face full of annoyance. She lost again! Turning around, she saw that at the next table, Ryoho Kyohiko had gathered a pile of chips. She was stunned for a moment, then leaned over. "Brat, you didn’t use ninjutsu, did you? That’s against the rules!" The disguised Ryoho Kyohiko glanced at the chips on her table, then looked at her table and chuckled softly. "How could I?" "Your gambling luck, don’t you know it yourself? The legendary big fat sheep!" Tsunade spat. "Pah! What big fat sheep? I’m not playing anymore!" She was in a bad mood. It was already boring to keep losing. As it turned out, this brat was winning like crazy, the chips on his table were almost piled up into a mountain. Although the other party claimed not to have used a ninja’s ability, she knew very well that Kyohiko’s hearing was far superior to that of an ordinary person. He could judge the state of the dice without using a ninja’s ability. Thanks to Tsunade’s powerful ability to lose money, Kyohiko had earned very little money this time. Most of it was still left in the gambling den. However, the boss’s expression changing from surprise to shock, and finally back to surprise after knowing that the two of them hadn’t earned much together, really made Tsunade and Kyohiko sigh in amazement. After leaving the gambling den, Tsunade stretched. "Ah! Ever since I came back to Konoha, not only have I been busy with official duties, but there are also a bunch of people staring at me when I go out. It’s been a long time since I’ve played a few rounds so freely!" Ryoho Kyohiko said with a smile. "I must remind you, you still owe my teacher quite a bit of money!" Tsunade pouted. "That little bit of money, if I were serious, I could earn it back quickly." This was not a boast. With Tsunade’s medical skills and reputation, countless people in the world hoped for her to treat them, and among them, the rich were innumerable—those who could afford her were basically very rich! That being said... "You owe me eighty thousand ryo today. Please pay me back later. You shouldn’t be shameless enough to owe a child money, right?" Tsunade’s face darkened, and she quickly walked forward. "What’s a child doing gambling? You don’t learn the good things, only the bad!" "Come on, I’ll take you to eat!" A figure appeared from the shadows. "Tsunade-sama, it’s about time we went back. If we’re any later, Lord Third will probably be unhappy." "Kaori, don’t be so rigid. It’s not easy to come out. We’ll eat and drink well, and then go back. As for the old man, if he’s angry, let him be angry!" Ryoho Kyohiko smiled and took out a bamboo slip. "Let’s go back. You won’t feel bad, but Shizune will." This was a message that Kakashi and the others had just sent over via the Flying Thunder God Formation Technique. Besides, the reward for this meeting had not yet arrived—it was clear that the village had a lot of opinions on this. When they returned to the village, they would probably have to waste some more words. *** Back in Konoha, Shizune was in for a treat. Sarutobi Hiruzen was fuming, his beard trembling. "What? She and Kyohiko both went out?" "One is the Hokage, the other is the Anbu captain. They both left. What about the safety of Konoha?" Shizune shrank her head. As a genin, she really couldn’t stop Tsunade and Kyohiko’s decisions. What’s more, they didn’t go out to play, but for serious business. As for what business... the current Third was just an advisor. She couldn’t reveal information in this regard. Besides. "Lord Third, it’s not that serious, is it? Besides, Kyohiko and Tsunade-sama are also doing big things for Konoha. As for our village, who would dare to attack now? If they really came to our doorstep, our Anbu would have known long ago." The current Anbu was not the same as before. Danzo focused on the Root organization and stirring up trouble outside, but Kyohiko’s strategy was clearly completely different from Danzo’s. The Iburi clan’s Smoke Transformation Kekkei Genkai, and Kyohiko’s Anbu intelligence ninjas, layer after layer of intelligence networks surrounded the entire Konoha. Under such circumstances, the only one who could sneak into Konoha was the person who had lured Obito away before! Sarutobi Hiruzen’s beard trembled. A retired Hokage is worse than a jonin. Even Shizune can refute me so righteously. The key was... he couldn’t find any fault with it. The Anbu established by Kyohiko was indeed more stable in terms of defense and intelligence gathering than the previous one under Danzo. In a sense, the current Anbu was slowly returning to its original essence. Intelligence, eliminating traitors. Executing some assassination missions. In these areas, Kyohiko did better than Danzo, and in terms of promoting and cultivating talent, there was nothing to say. There was just one thing—Sarutobi Hiruzen felt that he was being marginalized. He held his breath. Just as he was about to say something, Tsunade’s voice came from outside. "Sensei, don’t make things difficult for a child. Shizune is just helping with affairs and learning medical ninjutsu on the side." Shizune breathed a sigh of relief. Thank heavens! Tsunade-sama is finally back. She looked at Tsunade, her eyes filled with a certain look. Tsunade returned a smile, then said, "Sensei, I was doing something important. Otherwise, how could I leave Konoha so easily?" Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned. "What is it?" Tsunade said, "The cooperation with Sunagakure. The specific situation will be explained uniformly at the meeting later. This cooperation is beneficial to both sides. Kyohiko and I think it’s feasible." *** "What? You agreed to Sunagakure’s conditions so rashly?" Utatane Koharu was very angry. Mitokado Homura silently glanced at his two old friends, then at Ryoho Kyohiko and Orochimaru sitting not far away, as well as Nara Shikaku, Yamanaka Inoichi, and Hyuga Hizashi. Basically, all the jonin who currently held important positions in Konoha had been invited. Apart from the three of them as advisors, the rest were clearly on Tsunade’s side. In terms of momentum, they were already at a disadvantage. Shouting louder would only make them seem more imposing. Other than that, it was useless. He looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen. Among the three, Sarutobi Hiruzen was still the leader. But times were different now. Sarutobi Hiruzen was no longer the Hokage. If Sarutobi Hiruzen didn’t speak, he and Utatane Koharu didn’t have much weight, and there was no need to speak further. Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed and sat up straight. "Tsunade, you are too naive. How can you guarantee that Sunagakure will do as we agreed?" Tsunade’s tone was firm. "Strength. We have this strength, so we can do this kind of thing." "If Sunagakure wants to betray the alliance, then destruction is much easier than construction!" The current Kyohiko and Minato were definitely Kage-level combatants. Coupled with the elusive Flying Thunder God, when it came to assassination and attacks, no one was stronger than them! This was Tsunade’s confidence. Ryoho Kyohiko spoke up. "Besides, what Sunagakure can do, our Konoha can also do. If Sunagakure betrays the alliance, then the mining market they have established will become ours." "At this stage, no one will hire ninjas for production industry commissions. If someone is willing to help open a path, why not agree?" Sarutobi Hiruzen was at a loss for words. This... He looked at his two old friends, and for a moment, he and Utatane Koharu looked at each other. As for Mitokado Homura, he sighed lightly and stood aside in silence. How many times has it been? Still haven’t learned your lesson? This brat, Ryoho Kyohiko, was not one to suffer a loss. His style of doing things was completely different from their generation. Compared to Sarutobi Hiruzen’s style, Kyohiko, who had grown up invincible all the way, clearly preferred the grand and open kingly way. Whether the other party followed or not, Konoha would not lose out and would still profit handsomely. National strength! This was the key to influencing the outcome. If Konoha remained strong, Sunagakure would not dare to betray. If Konoha weakened, then whether Sunagakure betrayed or not would not be the most critical issue for Konoha. Even Mitokado Homura had figured out the stakes by now, but his two old friends seemed to have not yet reacted, or rather, they were considering how to refute? Mitokado Homura glanced at Sarutobi Hiruzen. Based on his understanding of his old friend, this was most likely the case, but he really couldn’t think of any angle to refute from. However, as a friend and advisor, he couldn’t just sit back and watch. The duty of an advisor was to question and supplement the Hokage’s decisions. If he backed down now, then the advisor would be a mere figurehead. "What about the Tailed Beast? The Tailed Beast Jinchuriki, how do we handle it? What’s the use of getting it? This is their person, after all. In our hands, what benefit is there to be gained?" Sarutobi Hiruzen let out a breath. "And it’s four years later at that." He was not satisfied, and this was also a reason. But Ryoho Kyohiko had a pained look on his face. "Everyone, can you only see the superficial benefits?" Nara Shikaku said. "Rasa is not a person who values his daughter. For someone like him, if it’s for the village, parents, children, relatives, everything can be abandoned!" Tsunade simply didn’t answer and looked at Kyohiko—she felt that she was not like the Hokage, but the one behind her was. And she was like a puppet on a string, just needing to do as the other said. This feeling was quite subtle. Even now, Tsunade was looking forward to what Kyohiko would say in rebuttal. Ryoho Kyohiko’s tone was firm. "Ideology, the Will of Fire, this is what our ancestors left us!" As soon as these words were spoken, the whole room fell silent. Several seniors looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen. The Will of Fire... this can also be fired? In the past, the one who always had this on his lips was the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen. Now, times had really changed! Kyohiko had become the most skilled user of the ideological big stick, beating them until they couldn’t find their way, including even Sarutobi Hiruzen. "Pfft." Tsunade couldn’t help but laugh out loud. She regretted it as soon as she laughed. Couldn’t hold it in! Tsunade sat up straight. "I think Kyohiko is right. The Will of Fire left to us by my grandfather should indeed be studied carefully. Kyohiko, you continue!" A slight smile also hung on Orochimaru’s cold face. It was rare for the old man to be one-upped in terms of the "Will of Fire," and his expression at this moment was even more delightful to him. Ryoho Kyohiko spoke faintly of his own thoughts. "Ideology is a weapon. A five-year-old child, how mature can their thinking be? We use the Will of Fire, the powerful village construction and system, to let her know our advancement and excellence..." Ideology, will. The big stick from his previous life was just as applicable in the ninja world. Of course—all of this was based on the fact that they had absolute crushing strength, and the other ninja villages combined were no match for them. Otherwise, no matter how loudly the Will of Fire was shouted, no one would pay any attention. Will, strength, and wealth. The three combined, even Rasa would couldn’t help but doubt whether Konoha’s rules and system were really better, let alone a small child. But no matter how excellent a system was, without the matching soil and environment, a good medicine could also be a poison. After he finished speaking, let alone the three advisors, even Nara Shikaku’s brain was a little fried at the moment, his mind racing, thinking about Kyohiko’s entire mechanism. Education, intelligence network, strength. Extending further, it was income, the right to speak, and finally... he looked up at Kyohiko, a trace of surprise on his face. Shikaku hadn’t thought that far ahead. But he vaguely felt that Kyohiko’s plan was not just for Sunagakure and Kumogakure. Such a complete system, if it could continue to extend and expand, the target would be—the entire ninja world! What about at that time? Shikaku couldn’t imagine. He sat in his seat, his brain working at high speed, and finally let out a slow breath. It’s useless to think too much! Looking at the current situation, this set of combination punches was more than enough to deal with Sunagakure. Sunagakure... was basically already on the chopping block, just waiting to be carved up. The others were also silent. Although they didn’t think as fast as Shikaku, Inoichi and Hizashi didn’t need to speak at all. They just needed to watch. The three advisors... Tsunade and Kyohiko had already given answers to the two most difficult questions, leaving them with no thoughts of rebuttal for the time being. The remaining one also seemed less important. However, Ryoho Kyohiko smiled. "The most important thing, I think, is still Sasori of the Red Sand." "Sasori?" Everyone’s eyes gathered again. They didn’t think Sasori was that important. A genius, no matter how talented, was still pale and powerless in the face of a behemoth like Konoha. What’s more, by joining forces with Sunagakure, they couldn’t possibly kill Sasori... What was the point of that?