20demayo Chapter 128 Everything is for the Uchiha!
Chapter 128 Everything is for the Uchiha!
Chapter 128 It's all for the Uchiha!
After Makoto Gojibana finished speaking, a brief silence fell over the room.
The aroma of tea still lingered, but the atmosphere suddenly became stagnant and heavy.
"Your Excellency Gouju, your directness and focus on the core issues are truly admirable."
Narayama was silent for a few seconds before slowly speaking: "Konoha has come with sincerity, hoping to reach a peace agreement that benefits both sides. The war has already cost both countries dearly; a life-or-death war is meaningless, and continuing it will only result in a lose-lose situation."
"To express my apologies, and for the future of Kirigakure and Konoha, I have been specially ordered to present this small gift list. I hope you will accept it with pleasure."
As he spoke, Narayama took out a scroll from his pocket and placed it on the table.
Gouju Cheng casually unfolded the package and glanced at it.
The scroll listed a long list of supplies and quantities: 300 kilograms of chakra-conducting metal, 2,000 specially made ration pills, explosive tags, ninja tools, medical supplies, and 50 scrolls of ninjutsu (covering fire, lightning, wind, earth, and water attributes, all below grade B).
Judging from this list alone, the sincerity is quite considerable.
That's equivalent to a trip to the Cangnan supply station by Goujucheng!
"Your Konoha truly lives up to its reputation as the number one ninja village in the ninja world; you're so generous when it comes to giving money to others," Makoto Karatachi said with a smile. "Don't worry, when we discuss this in detail later, I'll definitely put in a good word for you and my cousin."
"You might not know this, but the Third Hokage will abdicate in a while, and then my cousin will take over—what's with that look on your faces?"
"this----"
Narayama's expression was somewhat grim. After hesitating for a moment, he said in a low voice, "This isn't for you, it's for our purpose this time—"
Makoto's smile froze and vanished; he understood perfectly what Narayama meant.
He slowly lowered the scroll, and it was as if the air in the room had been instantly sucked out, causing the temperature to plummet.
Narayama's heart tightened; he realized he had misspoke. He quickly tried to salvage the situation: "Lord Karatachi, you misunderstand. This list is merely one of the expressions of our sincerity prepared for these peace talks, and naturally, we hope to gain the approval of the lords of Kirigakure, especially you and Lord Yagura—"
"Approval?"
Gouju Cheng laughed heartily and casually tossed the scroll back.
"What a convenient 'approval'! Are we also supposed to approve of your Konoha slaughtering my Kirigakure ninjas? Are we also supposed to approve of your bombardment with Flying Thunder God Technique and Tailed Beast Ball?!"
"You think you can wipe the blood debt between Kirigakure and Konoha clean with such a small amount of stuff? You Konoha are being far too optimistic."
"this----"
Narayama felt a chill run down his spine, but forced himself to say, "Lord Karatachi, war is not a simple matter of addition and subtraction. Konoha's resources and recovery capabilities far exceed our imagination. Continuing the war will not benefit either side; it will only deepen the hatred and cause more innocent people to sacrifice themselves."
"A decent peace is equally crucial for the future development and stability of Kirigakure —"
"I don't want peace."
Gouju Makoto said indifferently, "Kigakure doesn't need peace either."
"Your Excellency, what... what do you mean by this?"
Narayama's composure finally crumbled, Uchiha Yashiro's expression changed slightly, and even Yakushi Nono, who had maintained a gentle and calm demeanor, tensed up a bit.
"Literal meaning."
Gouju Makoto took a sip of tea and said calmly, "In times of war, envoys are not to be killed, so I will spare your life. But I should be making more trips to the Land of Fire in the future."
"Lord Makoto Kojiri! Are you threatening us?!"
"threaten?"
Makoto Goji's eyes suddenly turned red, and the terrifying pressure of the Mangekyou Sharingan caused the three people present to change their expressions instantly.
"Thousands of Kirigakure ninja still lie buried in Kazama and the valley, their bodies barely cold, yet to be laid to rest. How many more of my Kirigakure warriors' flesh and blood lie buried on the eastern border of the Land of Fire!"
"Now, you come to my territory with a flimsy list and tell me it's for peace?"
"Too late!"
With each word he spoke, his voice grew colder, and the air in the room seemed to freeze.
The terrifying pressure emanating from the Mangekyou Sharingan made all three present feel suffocated. Uchiha Hachimoku felt as if a mountain was pressing down on him, and his three-tomoe Sharingan almost bled.
The difference between the Kaleidoscope and the Three-Tomoe is so huge?!
"Your Excellency, we understand your grief and indignation."
Cold sweat beaded on Narayama's forehead as he whispered, "The pain of war is etched deep within Konoha as well. That's precisely why we should seek a way to end it all. This list is merely a preliminary expression of our sincerity; we can discuss specific peace agreements, border demarcation, and post-war arrangements in detail—"
"Peace talks?"
Gouju Cheng scoffed and interrupted him.
"Narayama, are you sure you're not mistaken?"
"I let you in not to listen to your bargaining, much less to discuss any peace agreement with you."
"Here, there's no such thing as win-win cooperation, nor is there any ceasefire agreement. Either you surrender and pay war reparations, or you can wait for me to come to Konoha!"
"this!"
Narayama's expression stiffened, and he growled, "Aren't you afraid that our Yellow Flash and the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki will personally come to Kirigakure?!"
"Visiting the Hidden Mist in person?"
Goujucheng laughed heartily.
"Come on, come on! I couldn't be happier! I didn't even get to ride the Nine-Tails properly back in Kazama and Kazuya. If you guys really deliver yourselves to my doorstep, I'll have to thank you properly, Narayama!"
Narayama's face was pale, his lips trembled slightly, and he wanted to say something more, but he was completely intimidated by Makoto Karatachi's cold Mangekyou Sharingan and couldn't utter a single word.
Yes, the Flying Thunder God Technique combined with the Tailed Beast Ball is an absolute deterrent to others.
But for Gouju Cheng, it was nothing more than a gift delivered to his door.
In the battle between Kazama and Kazuya, Makoto Karatachi, controlling the Nine-Tails, completely shattered Konoha's defenses. If such a thing were to happen again, then what awaits Konoha is likely to be the true end of the world.
"Lord Gouju————"
The Pharmacist Nono, who had been silently observing, suddenly spoke softly.
"Once the spiral of hatred is set in motion, it will only continue to devour more lives, dragging everyone into the abyss. Whether it's Kirigakure or Konoha, our enemy may never be each other, but war itself."
"This list may not be enough to heal the wounds, but it is at least a start. Miyo is willing to take responsibility for the past conflicts and seek a solution that can truly heal the wounds and prevent more tragedies in the future. This requires wisdom and restraint from both sides, not—mutual destruction."
Look at other people.
As expected of a walking witch, those words sound much more agreeable.
"Ms. Nono is quite the talker. But unfortunately, no matter how sweet her words are, they can't bridge the chasm of deep-seated hatred."
Makoto Karatachi glanced at the blonde beauty and said calmly, "Go back and tell Hiruzen Sarutobi, and Danzo Shimura too. You want peace? Fine. But the peace Kirigakure wants isn't something you can give away, nor is it something you can negotiate at the negotiating table."
"It was I, Makoto Karatachi, Yagura, and countless other Kirigakure ninjas who forged this with swords and blood!"
"Either accept your status as a defeated party, submit to me, submit to the power of Kirigakure, and then offer war reparations sufficient to satisfy the entire Land of Water."
"Want one?
"Just go die."
All three people present had stiff expressions, and Narayama clenched his fists so tightly that his fingertips dug into his palms.
But he had to admit that the guy in front of him had that ability.
The bloodline limit of the God Hand gave this guy unlimited possibilities, and the existence of two pairs of Mangekyou Sharingan gave him the power to stand at the pinnacle of the ninja world!
"We will truthfully report Lord Gouju's intentions to the Hokage. We hope that—by our next meeting—we will have made more substantial progress."
Narayama carefully put away the scroll that had been thrown back, and stood up with Yakushi Nonou, bowing slightly to Makoto Karatachi's back.
Uchiha Hachimoku also silently stood up, his complicated gaze lingering on Makoto Karatachi's back for a moment before he lowered his eyes and followed the two away.
Silence returned to the room.
Gouju Cheng stood alone by the window, his gaze distant.
"This is the first time I've seen A-Cheng so tough."
A slightly teasing voice rang out, and Mei Terumi stepped out from the side: "But don't really push Konoha too far. If they become desperate and resort to desperate measures, it won't be good for either of us."
"What nonsense are you spouting! I really need to teach you a lesson!"
Makoto Goji scoffed, "With Hiruzen Sarutobi's personality, he wouldn't dare to fight us to the death even if he had ten lives."
"Furthermore, do you think Konoha has the resources to fight us to the death in the current situation?"
"you mean----"
"Besides fighting us, Konoha is also fighting Iwagakure and Kumogakure. Onoki even personally went to the battlefield to take Konoha, and he even called up two Jinchuriki. The two sides are now fighting with full force."
"Under these circumstances, where would Konoha get the troops to fight us to the death?"
"—You're taking advantage of Konoha's predicament, aren't you?"
"To put it bluntly, this was all earned through Cheng Ge's hard work, punch by punch!"
Mei Terumi looked at Makoto Karatachi, who was speaking eloquently, and her eyes flickered with a complex light.
The fiancé before her was a completely different person from the good-for-nothing playboy who frequented casinos and taverns a few years ago.
He is decisive in killing, far-sighted, and has a terrifyingly accurate grasp of the overall situation. He also possesses power enough to shake the ninja world.
He was like a peerless blade finally unsheathed, its cold light gleaming and its sharpness fully revealed.
"What's wrong?"
Makoto Goji noticed her gaze and raised an eyebrow: "Are you captivated by my brilliant analysis and powerful aura?"
Mei Terumi blushed slightly and glared at him, annoyed. "Stop being so conceited—"
Before he could finish speaking, there was a gentle knock on the door of the Japanese-style room.
"Come in."
The door opened, and a guard from the Kaguya clan knelt on one knee outside, whispering, "Young Master Cheng, of the Konoha envoys who left earlier, the Uchiha clan ninja has returned, saying he has private business to discuss and is waiting in the side courtyard."
Makoto and Mei Terumi exchanged a glance, both seeing the surprise in each other's eyes.
The Eighth Hokage of Uchiha?
"Interesting." Makoto Goji tachibana's lips curled into a playful smile. "Let him come over."
"Yes."
The guards acknowledged the order and withdrew.
Not long after, Uchiha Hachimoku, alone and led by his guards, returned to the Japanese-style room.
"Lord Karatachi, I apologize for disturbing you again, and also for Miss Terumi Mei."
Mei Terumi nodded slightly, without saying anything more.
Makoto Kuraki looked at Uchiha Hachimoku with a half-smile: "Hachimo-sama, you've returned, and even deliberately avoided your two companions. Is there something you want to say to this little thief who stole your Uchiha power?"
The Eighth Hokage of Uchiha was not angered by the teasing. He slowly raised his head, his three-tomoe Sharingan quietly watching Makoto Karatachi in the dim light.
"Your Excellency is wise. My private visit this time is not on behalf of Konoha, but on behalf of the Uchiha."
"Oh?"
Gouju Cheng looked surprised.
He really didn't expect that he had anything to talk about with the Uchiha.
Fugaku died at his hands, and he killed the head of the clan. Yet the Uchiha could still sit down and chat with him.
Then all I can say is that you Uchiha are very ninjas.
Uchiha Hachimoku glanced at Mei Terumi, then refocused his gaze on Makoto Karatachi, especially on those eyes that had returned to their purple color but still made him feel a faint unease.
"Lord Gouju, let's not beat around the bush. Your bloodline has replicated two pairs of Mangekyou Sharingan. Besides the pair belonging to the Fugaku clan leader—where did the other pair of Mangekyou come from?"
So that's what it was all for.
Gouju Cheng poured himself a cup of tea, took a sip, and then slowly said.
"Would you believe me if I said I picked it up by the roadside?"
"—Why speak so frivolously, sir?" The Eighth Hokage frowned slightly, recalling Elder Kindai's words, and said in a deep voice, "The Mangekyou Sharingan cannot be created out of thin air, much less easily obtained by outsiders. Even if your Divine Hand ability is wondrous, it still requires a prototype to replicate."
"Since the founding of the Uchiha clan, apart from the ancestors of the Warring States period, only the clan leader Fugaku has awakened the Mangekyou Sharingan in the present day."
"Who was the original owner of the other pair of eyes, and where is he now?"
Does this make sense?
Makoto Goji set down his teacup, leaned forward slightly, and stared directly at the Eighth Hokage Uchiha's three-tomoe sword.
"Lord Yashiro, may I ask you a question in return?"
"Even if I told you who the original owner of that other pair of Mangekyou Sharingan was, and even where he is now, what could your Uchiha clan do?"
"Since he has awakened the Mangekyou Sharingan and is not returning to the Uchiha clan, don't you Uchiha understand what this means?"
""
The Eighth Hokage of Uchiha trembled and clenched his fists.
He understood perfectly well what this meant, but he, the Uchiha clan, absolutely needed to obtain this information!
The relationship between the Uchiha clan and the Konoha leadership reached its peak after the war between Kazama and Tani.
The Mangekyou Sharingan controlling the Nine-Tails has reappeared, and the impact it has had is indescribable. The reason it hasn't exploded yet is simply because the war isn't over yet, and Konoha still needs the power of the Uchiha.
Once the war is over, everything will be different.
In the past, Fugaku was there to support them, but now that Fugaku is dead, the Uchiha have lost a pillar of strength. The suppression and exclusion of the Uchiha, and even more dangerous conspiracies, will only intensify compared to the past!
What? You're saying the Uchiha clan is no longer a threat without Fugaku?
Are you kidding me? What if a pair of kaleidoscopes suddenly appeared?
Just like before the war, no one knew that Fugaku Uchiha had awakened the Mangekyou Sharingan, no one knew whether another pair of Mangekyou Sharingan would emerge from the Uchiha clan.
Given the nature of Konoha's higher-ups, they certainly wouldn't allow such a thing to happen and would sit idly by.
The best way to deal with any threat is to nip it in the bud!
Think of Konoha's White Fang, think of the Uzumaki clan, and think of the Senju clan in the past—
However, as Makoto Karimoto said, since that guy chose to hide while having awakened the Kaleidoscope Sharingan, even if they could get information from Makoto Karimoto, the possibility of getting him to return was extremely slim.
Even so, they still did everything they could.
Regardless of whether the other pair of Mangekyou Sharingan can return to the Uchiha clan, they, the Uchiha, must keep this information in their hands!
"Don't look at me like that. If I told you this important information, it would be tantamount to aiding the enemy."
Makoto Koji glanced at Hachiro Uchiha and casually said, "Given the relationship between us, do you think I'm that kind of idiot?"
Makoto's words silenced Uchiha Hachimoku for a moment.
The three-tomoe Sharingan slowly rotated in the dim light, reflecting the flickering candlelight in the room.
"You're right. Given our current relationship, you really have no reason to provide such core intelligence for free." He looked at Makoto Karatachi with earnest eyes: "We are not asking you to provide intelligence for free. I represent a group of Uchiha clan members who do not want to see the clan decline and fall into crisis. Therefore, we are willing to make a deal with you."
"trade?"
Gouju Cheng became interested: "Explain in detail."
The Eighth Hokage of Uchiha took a deep breath and took out a scroll from his pocket.
"This scroll records some of the Uchiha clan's secrets and techniques regarding the Sharingan."
"You have copied two pairs of Mangekyou Sharingan. Although you can utilize the power inscribed within the Mangekyou Sharingan, your understanding of the Sharingan itself may be limited. The Uchiha's accumulated knowledge extends far beyond just a pair of eyes."
"What is recorded in the scroll are the insights and secret techniques of the Uchiha clan on the development and use of the Sharingan over hundreds of years, and even some forbidden techniques passed down from generation to generation of Uchiha."
"Oh?"
Makoto Kuraki took the scroll, but did not open it immediately. Instead, he looked at Uchiha Hachimoku with a half-smile.
"Lord Yasuo, you are betraying the Uchiha clan."
"For a clan member who may not even exist," you've entrusted the Uchiha's secrets to an outsider, especially to me, the one who stole your power—do your clan elders, and the Uchiha's ancestors, know you're doing this?
The Eighth Hokage of Uchiha remained silent.
He knew perfectly well that this was a betrayal of his clan, especially since the person he was trading with had killed their clan leader and stolen the Uchiha's power.
But did he have a choice?
Before he arrived, Uchiha Kindai had already explained the pros and cons to him.
If the Uchiha clan doesn't want to become the next Uzumaki or the next Senju, they must make a choice.
Everything was for the Uchiha!
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