Outside the Konoha Village.
Hatake Kakashi went to see the Third Hokage.
Akihara Kagura and Karin were responsible for guarding the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki.
Throughout the journey, Ōnoki caused quite a bit of trouble, constantly preparing to take his own life to avoid humiliation in the Konoha Village.
Now…
Ōnoki, being closely guarded, believed it was unlikely he could commit suicide and thus must think of another way to save himself.
"Kid."
"You've kidnapped me."
"All to exchange me for a high position in the Konoha Village."
The Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, was very lucid. He had observed the young kidnapper's entire experience and took the initiative to say, "If you think Shimura Danzo will let the likes of Yakushi Kabuto and Yakushi Nono survive under his control, you and that Kakashi fellow are being too naive…"
Ōnoki, looking at Akihara Kagura's indifferent expression, continued, "The entire ninja world knows Shimura Danzo is a devious and despicable man. No matter what, he will never let you go. Sooner or later, you will have to make a different choice…"
"Do you think Sarutobi Hiruzen can change your fate?"
Ōnoki, seeing a slight movement in Akihara Kagura's eyes, continued to persuade in a deep voice, "Or do you, kid, think you have the power to protect them…"
"But…"
"What's most important in this world isn't just power. Authority can make those with power follow you and can also restrain those who do not obey authority!"
"Now, by having Sarutobi Hiruzen intervene, this is merely a power struggle between high-ranking officials like Sarutobi and Shimura in the Konoha Village. One day, you will eventually become sacrifices in their power struggle…"
"Lord Tsuchikage, do you want me to release you?"
Akihara Kagura's gaze fell on Ōnoki.
Although Ōnoki didn't understand the situation in the Konoha Village, his discourse on power struggles was accurate, showing a deep understanding of power…
"No, kill me."
Ōnoki's expression was firm, he earnestly said, "I won't blame you for kidnapping and killing me…"
"But…"
Akihara Kagura lowered his head, seemingly asking in a hoarse voice, "What's the price? What's the price for helping you, Lord Tsuchikage? It can't just be that you taught me some theories, and without even a way to save myself, I should help you for nothing?"
"What do you want?"
Ōnoki immediately sensed an opportunity.
"What can you give me?"
Akihara Kagura slowly opened his eyes and gazed at the Third Tsuchikage: "If the price is right, I can even guarantee your safe departure from the Konoha in the future. This is our deal…"
After all,
Sarutobi Hiruzen is likely to let the person go.
The Third Hokage has always been kind-hearted and lenient towards treacherous allies, let alone the Rock Village, which is powerful and always poses a threat of war.
"You…"
Onoki was somewhat incredulous.
The Third Onoki never imagined this kid would actually dare to make such a deal with him!
"Trust me."
"You will go back."
"Of course, this requires a bit of a deposit."
"If Lord Tsuchikage betrays our deal, this deposit, once spread throughout the ninja world, would be enough to plunge the entire Rock Village into chaos…"
"For example…"
"Your Dust Release."
Akihara Kagura finally showed his hand, still pondering when the Tsuchikage would take the bait and propose a deal himself!
In fact.
The Third Tsuchikage will definitely be able to return.
Because the envoy requesting negotiations from the Rock Village had already arrived.
"Alright…"
The Third Tsuchikage Onoki couldn't help but squint his eyes, revealing a sly smile, and took the initiative to say, "Mastering Dust Release is not easy. At the very least, you need to master the changes in the nature of wind, earth, and fire chakra, and then combine these three types of chakra…"
Dust Release is the hardest Kekkei Tōta to synthesize in the ninja world!
Throughout the history of the ninja world, there have only been him and his teacher, the Second Tsuchikage, as Dust Release Kekkei Genkai!
The Third Tsuchikage Onoki was confident this kid could not master Dust Release. Even if this kid was highly talented, could he simply talk about the well-known Dust Release Kekkei Genkai information in the ninja world, blur or even intentionally misstate the details of synthesizing the Dust Release bloodline, and still succeed?
Akihara Kagura actively raised his question: "Can you teach me first, the changes in the nature of wind, earth, and fire chakra?"
"Of course."
The Third Tsuchikage Onoki, squinting his eyes and smiling, nodded his head like a teacher teaching some basic knowledge: "Powerful tornadoes can destroy all buildings. Naturally, the change in the nature of wind chakra must be able to rotate like the wind…"
"As for the changes in the nature of fire and earth chakra, they are different. First, mastering a sufficient amount of fire-style ninjutsu allows fire chakra to undergo morphological changes…"
"The change in the nature of earth chakra is the same, but Earth Release chakra requires mastering more techniques, and also learning to be close to the earth…"
"The changes in the nature of fire and earth chakra can even react and synthesize a Kekkei Genkai called Lava Release…"
When the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, spoke up to this point, he seemed to mention a character that displeased him, huffed coldly, and changed the subject, continuing to fabricate the composition method of Dust Release.
"Alright, Kekkei Genkai are ultimately of the lowest tier, let's continue discussing our deal, and talk about the Dust Release you want to learn..."
[System Prompt]: [Ninja Professor] trait activated, the host possesses Wind, Earth, and Fire chakra natures, with chakra amount reaching A rank or above, currently learning to master the combination of Wind, Earth, and Fire chakra nature changes in accordance with ninjutsu theory. The host's use of Wind, Earth, and Fire chakra techniques will become even more powerful!
[System Prompt]: [Ninja Professor] trait activated, the host possesses Fire and Earth chakra nature changes, with chakra amount reaching S rank or above, currently learning the synthesis of [Lava Release Kekkei Genkai] in accordance with ninjutsu theory, [Lava Release Kekkei Genkai] synthesis successful!
[System Notification]: Congratulations to the host for acquiring the new trait [Lava Release]!
[Lava Release (A Kekkei Genkai formed by the condensation of Fire and Earth chakra nature changes, capable of creating terrifying techniques that release lava)]
[System Prompt]: [Ninja Professor] trait activated, the host possesses Wind, Earth, and Fire chakra nature changes, with chakra amount reaching S rank or above, currently learning the synthesis of [Dust Release Kekkei Tōta] in accordance with theory, [Dust Release Kekkei Tōta] synthesis successful!
[System Prompt]: Congratulations to the host for acquiring the new trait [Dust Release]!
[Dust Release (A Kekkei Tōta formed by the condensation of Wind, Fire, and Earth chakra nature changes, far surpassing the power of Kekkei Genkai, Dust Release techniques can freely change shape according to the user's thoughts, capable of disintegrating enemies into atomic states and turning them to ash!)]
"..."
Akihara Kagura had not expected this.
He had only intended to test the system's capabilities, but unexpectedly managed to master three types of chakra nature changes and two Kekkei.
One is the powerful [Lava Release] Kekkei Genkai, and the other is the even more powerful [Dust Release] Kekkei Tōta!
The Third Tsuchikage...
Truly a great teacher!
"I suddenly feel a bit envious of Deidara."
Akihara Kagura, looking at the somewhat thirsty Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki, sighed softly: "Such a great teacher like you, Lord Tsuchikage, makes learning anything easy..."
"Hehehe..."
The Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki chuckled, shook his head modestly, and said: "I am merely standing on the shoulders of giants. Deidara is a smart kid, but he doesn't like to learn from me, truly wasting his talent..."
"Alright."
Akihara Kagura interrupted the Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki, continuing: "Since the Tsuchikage is willing to hand over Dust Release, I will definitely help the Lord Tsuchikage return to Rock Village."
"Hehehe..."
The Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki couldn't say much, only able to temporarily place his hope on him: "Just kill me quickly, so I no longer have to suffer the humiliation of Konoha!"
"No rush."
Akihara Kagura leisurely shook his head.
"I've already handed over the Dust Release to you!"
The Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki suddenly became a bit anxious.
"You're in a hurry again."
Akihara Kagura still appeared nonchalant, reviewing the Dust Release he had mastered: "No rush, let me check the merchandise first, to see if what Lord Tsuchikage taught me is fake..."
Onoki frowned, trying to find an excuse for Akihara Kagura's failure to master Dust Release: "You don't even understand the three types of chakra nature transformations, how could you possibly master Dust Release so quickly..."
"..."
A white light appeared in Akihara Kagura's palm!
This white light dazzled for a moment, leaving Onoki staring in astonishment because it was the unique chakra of Dust Release! "How is this possible!"
"The merchandise is real."
Akihara Kagura waved away the white light, looking seriously at Onoki: "Our deal is set, now we just wait... If Lord Tsuchikage does not keep his promise, I will teach the Dust Release secret techniques to every ninja I meet."
"How could this..."
Onoki's gaze drifted between confusion, fear, and unease: "How could this be? I clearly... clearly... How could this be? How could this kid's talent be so strong?"
Hokage's Tower.
In fact, Sarutobi Hiruzen received the news a bit earlier.
Shimura Danzo, holding the intelligence from Konoha's spy network, and even with Uchiha Itachi leaking information, received the news a bit later than Hiruzen.
After all...
The Rock Village was in more of a rush than Uchiha Itachi.
Kitsuchi was a dutiful son, and his actions were swift.
Upon receiving the news of his father's kidnapping and that the kidnapper was a user of the Flying Thunder God Technique, Kitsuchi immediately sealed the news tightly.
If the kidnapper recklessly, carrying the Third Tsuchikage Onoki using the Flying Thunder God Technique, had already reached Konoha...
Kitsuchi also sent envoys to Konoha, secretly negotiating the ransom of the Third Tsuchikage Onoki, hoping not to cause any commotion.
Of course.
Most importantly.
Do not let the old man commit suicide.
If the Third Tsuchikage Onoki chose suicide rather than bear the shame from Konoha, then the Rock Village and Konoha would definitely restart the war, with both sides determined to fight to the death!
Even though the Third Great Ninja War had just ended and the Rock Village had not yet recovered, they were willing to risk it all for the honor of the Tsuchikage!
Kitsuchi, the Rock Village Jonin, while sending people to Konoha to prepare for the worst, also secretly continued to search for the whereabouts of Akihara Kagura and his group of Konoha ninjas.
"This is too despicable!"
"If it were on the battlefield, it would be fair for Lord Tsuchikage to be captured or even killed, but being kidnapped by Konoha during peacetime, the actions of Konoha's ninjas are too despicable!"
The envoy from the Rock Village was very robust and spoke with a straightforward sincerity, "Lord Tsuchikage is already of considerable age!"
"Lord Tsuchikage has always held great prestige in the Land of Earth. Faced with such a situation, he would surely choose death over submission. We do not want any mishaps to befall the Tsuchikage!"
"We hope that the Konoha Village will quickly stop this incident from being leaked and release the Tsuchikage from your captors soon!"
After saying this, the envoy from the Rock Village earnestly continued, "Lord Kitsuchi said, as long as the Konoha's demands are not too excessive, we can discuss any matter... If Konoha's demands are too much, tens of thousands of Rock ninjas are ready to fight!"
"First, lock down the information."
Sarutobi Hiruzen greatly respected the opinion of the Rock envoy and even immediately issued an order, "Have Shimura Danzo lead the members of the Root to the northeast to prevent Cloud ninjas from infiltrating the Land of Fire, and ensure that no one learns of this news."
Coincidentally.
When this order reached the Root, Shimura Danzo had just finished receiving a report from Uchiha Itachi and was leading the Root to set out, intercepting Akihara Kagura and his group, only to be forced to head towards the northeastern border, guarding against the infiltration of Cloud ninjas.
This order was so familiar that Shimura Danzo instantly understood that Sarutobi Hiruzen had also received news of the Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki's kidnapping by Akihara Kagura.
Sarutobi Hiruzen had no time to worry about how Shimura Danzo would curse him; he had more important matters to attend to, needing to negotiate with the ninjas from the Rock Village regarding the issue of the Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki.
"Lord Hokage!"
When Hatake Kakashi arrived at the Hokage's office to report, Sarutobi Hiruzen was just about to lead the Anbu to set out to meet them.
"Kakashi, lead the way."
Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't wait for Hatake Kakashi to reply, simply asking Kakashi to lead the way. The old man felt as if he had lost quite a bit of hair: "Is the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, outside of the Konoha Village?"
"Yes…"
Hatake Kakashi silently nodded his head.
"From now on..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed, feeling somewhat aged, "Kakashi, can your team only track the whereabouts of Uchiha Obito?"
Although this team always brought surprises, his heart couldn't handle it because surprises could turn into shocks at any moment.
Outside the Konoha Village.
The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, and the envoy from the Rock Village arrived at Akihara Kagura's campsite, where the Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki still looked bewildered, as if he had been startled...
"Lord Tsuchikage!"
The envoy from the Rock Village almost flew over here!
A vine burst out of the ground, instantly tying up the Rock ninja!
"Monga, what are you doing here?"
The Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, upon seeing his village's subordinate, showed some surprise on his face before quickly regaining his composure: "Kid, don't harm Monga!"
"Child."
Sarutobi Hiruzen, leading the Konoha's Anbu, stepped forward and ordered: "Let the envoy from the Rock Village down, and also release the vines around Onoki. We have important matters to discuss next…"
"Yes."
Akihara Kagura smoothly untied the vines, kindly reminding: "Third Hokage, Lord Tsuchikage is not easy to deal with. It would be very difficult for us to capture him again…"
"Hehehe, no matter, we are old friends."
Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head, looking towards the Third Tsuchikage Onoki with a trace of reminiscence on his face: "So many years have passed, I never thought there would still be an opportunity to meet an old friend. How many years has it been since we last saw each other, Onoki…"
"Who knows…"
Onoki's thoughts gradually settled down, he didn't want to lose face in front of Sarutobi Hiruzen, but looking at the significantly aged Sarutobi, he reminisced about their generation: "Back then, inheriting the village as the Third, now only the two of us are left…"
After Onoki finished speaking, his face clearly showed more anger: "I never thought that you Konoha's kids would be as despicable as you, making me suffer such a great humiliation just before I retire!"
This kind of thing…
It's really too shameful!
The Third Tsuchikage Onoki never thought that one day he would be kidnapped, even brought to the Konoha Village, in front of his old rival!
This is too humiliating!
What made the Third Tsuchikage Onoki feel most ashamed was that he was forced to cooperate with this kid, handing over the Rock Village's secret Dust Release Kekkei Genkai to the other party!
And then…
The Third Tsuchikage Onoki felt somewhat despairing.
Because the Dust Release he supposedly taught was fake, why did this kid learn the real Dust Release?
The Third Tsuchikage Onoki felt like he was truly a criminal of the Rock Village, wishing he could die to atone for his sins!
Once there is any change in the future, if he accidentally offends Akihara Kagura, this kid, and he spreads Dust Release throughout the entire ninja world, what then?
This damn kid…
The Tsuchikage wished he could commit suicide on the spot, he fiercely looked towards the envoy from the Rock Village!
"Monga, I will definitely not return alive…"
After finishing his statement, Onoki felt a bit of regret.
Because Akihara Kagura mastered Dust Release, his disciple Deidara had not yet mastered it!
Could it be that after his own death, the future legitimate secret technique of Rock Village would be in Konoha?
"Lord Tsuchikage!"
Fortunately, the envoy from Rock Village offered a way out.
"Lord Tsuchikage, do not be too extreme."
Sarutobi Hiruzen also quickly intervened to stop the temperamental Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, soothingly saying, "You are a guest invited by Konoha, here to discuss the alliance between Rock Village and Konoha with me. We would not force a guest to stay in Konoha…"
For people of their age, honor is more important than life itself.
Sarutobi Hiruzen never entertained the idea of making the Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, stay in Konoha. He believed such actions would only lead to greater chaos.
In fact.
Sarutobi Hiruzen never considered the option of forcibly keeping hostages.
Indeed, as most people say, asking allies to leave hostages might ensure compliance with the alliance, but it could also sow the seeds of hatred between the two villages.
Because any hostage would inevitably be an important person from the allied village, and this important person would surely influence the decisions of their village upon returning, bearing a grudge for the humiliation of being held as a hostage.
The Fourth Mizukage, Yagura, was just an exception.
After all…
Yagura's stay in Konoha was purely self-imposed exile. He believed that living as a hostage, albeit humiliating, was less painful than being controlled by Uchiha Obito, and even as a hostage, he could bring peace and benefits to Mist Village.
The Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, was different.
This Tsuchikage of Rock Village had done nothing wrong to his Village and was supported by all Rock ninjas. Forcing the Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, to stay in Konoha as a prisoner could easily lead to war, which was against Sarutobi Hiruzen's principles.
After finishing his statement, Sarutobi Hiruzen then ordered, "Everyone follow the command, this matter is classified as a top secret of Konoha, and no one is allowed to leak this information. Tsuchikage is simply leading a team to visit Konoha!"
"Yes!"
A group of Anbu had already received this order.
After expressing his sincerity in blocking the news, Sarutobi Hiruzen continued to explain to Onoki, "Please rest assured, the Konoha Village will not threaten the life of Lord Tsuchikage, nor will it deliberately harm the interests of the Rock Village for the sake of Konoha's benefits. We hope more for both countries to achieve cooperation that is beneficial to both sides…"
"In the past, because of hostility, we could not trust and communicate with each other, and we couldn't even send emissaries, never having established a channel of communication between the two ninja villages. This is an opportunity for the Konoha and the Rock Villages to re-establish communication and cooperation."
Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke of these matters systematically.
The Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, understood Sarutobi Hiruzen's intentions, but his heart couldn't quite accept it at the moment. Sarutobi Hiruzen deliberately lowered his stance, not even mentioning seeking benefits for Konoha, but for the common interests of both ninja villages, which made him feel much better.
However...
This was not his primary concern!
What he was most concerned about was the leak of the Dust Release!
"Does the Third Hokage mean… to send Lord Tsuchikage back?"
Akihara Kagura spoke aptly, frowning slightly as if somewhat uneasily, "I'm worried that after Lord Tsuchikage goes back, he might bear a grudge against us…"
"Hehehe, how could that be?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen quickly waved his hand, looking at the Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, with a smile, continuing, "We are all of this age now, you were just inviting Lord Tsuchikage over as a guest…"
"I will not!"
The Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, clenched his teeth, understanding the underlying meaning behind Akihara Kagura's words: "You kid can rest assured, I am not so petty!"
"I will absolutely not bear a grudge against you, kid!"
The Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, gave Akihara Kagura a deep look, as if to remind him, "You kid… better not go around speaking carelessly… I… I also need some face!"
This statement made everyone else's gaze suddenly turn strange.
Because how could a dignified Tsuchikage, who had been kidnapped, have any face left to speak of!
Only the Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, knew what he meant; he hoped Akihara Kagura would not leak the secret of the Dust Release. Even though learning Dust Release was very difficult, there was still a ninja with talent like Akihara Kagura!
~~~
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