Even if the Third Hokage were extremely skilled, dealing with the Third Raikage alone would be a difficult task, and the Cloud Village had more than just the Third Raikage as a powerhouse.
Each generation of Raikage would form an AB combination with the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki. While this generation's Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, Burabi, wasn't as perfect as his junior, Killer B, he could still borrow the power of the Eight-Tails and unleash strength at the Kage level.
The Third Hokage would either risk his life, facing both the Third Raikage, whose strength was no less than his own, and the siege of the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, or he could release the latter, sacrificing a large number of Konoha ninjas to hold the Jinchuriki back.
No matter which option he chose, Konoha would inevitably lose in the long run.
The Third Hokage wouldn't allow himself to lose, so he could only instruct the commanders on the other two fronts to negotiate, giving up some of Konoha's external interests in exchange for a strategic breather, and transfer Orochimaru or Jiraiya to assist him.
Usually, this was when Danzo, the Third Hokage's scapegoat, would come into play.
As long as the blame was shifted to Danzo, the Third Hokage would still be seen as wise and capable of leading Konoha ninjas to victory.
"Konoha is willing to give up all interests in Rouran, the River Country, and the Valley Country, withdraw from its sphere of influence in the Rain Country, and sign a peace treaty?"
Qing Shui learned of this news when Chiyo gathered the special Jonin and above in the camp for a meeting.
"With Danzo Shimura's personality, would he agree to a ceasefire? Could it be a Konoha conspiracy?"
Kazakami Karan calmly asked.
After learning about the Cloud Village's ninja deployment three days ago, they knew that such a development might follow.
It was just that the Iwagakure ninjas thought this possibility was relatively small. After all, both Danzo on the Rain Country side and Orochimaru in the southern River Country, two key Konoha commanders in the war with Sand Village, were staunch hawks.
"Danzo certainly wouldn't agree, but it's enough as long as the Third Hokage agrees."
Chiyo shook her head and said.
"I just received news that Danzo has been removed from his position as commander by the Third Hokage due to unfavorable command of the war, and Jiraiya has taken over."
This was to pass the blame to Danzo.
Konoha suffered heavy casualties due to Danzo's improper command, and therefore had to negotiate with Sand Village.
Copies of letters personally written by the Third Hokage were sent to the Jonin and special Jonin present.
The beginning was a bunch of flowery rhetoric, and the content behind it described how much damage this war had caused to both sides. Old Man Sarutobi had a kind heart and couldn't bear to see Sand Village ninjas suffer, so he proposed a peaceful resolution to the dispute, and attached the conditions that Chiyo had just mentioned.
He even advocated for both sides to restore pre-war relations, resume trade, and Konoha would provide Sand Village with scarce resources such as food, but required Sand Village and Konoha to conduct joint military exercises at sea to deter other countries with force, lest other countries disrupt this peace talk.
"That old monkey is quite resourceful."
Qing Shui could figure out the Third Hokage's plan with a little thought.
As for this naval military exercise, the purpose was also very clear—the Land of Lightning was a peninsula country similar to India and Spain.
The purpose was to borrow the power of Sand Village.
Even if it was known that the probability of Sand Village attacking the Land of Lightning was not high, the Cloud Village would certainly not dare to not defend, because if the Sand Village found that there was no defense, it would really go to the Land of Lightning to rob it.
In this way, Sand Village only needed to follow Konoha's wishes, recognize that the negotiation was a common appeal for both sides, and send some people to the sea for a walk, and it could not only steadily eat the existing gains, but also have extra benefits.
"What is Hanzo's attitude? Even if Konoha agrees to peace talks, if Hanzo's attitude is tough, it is still a tricky matter."
A Jonin asked.
Speaking of his old rival, Chiyo's face showed a bit of smug smile.
"Hanzo has no other choice. At the beginning, he let the Sannin go and chose to cooperate with Konoha because Konoha's strength was the strongest and most likely to help him end the war in the Rain Country. But now, haha, this guy actually sent someone to contact me first yesterday."
From the current situation, Sand Village's strength in the Rain Country is the strongest, and even at the current point in time, Sand Village's top combat power is second only to Konoha among the five major ninja villages.
Except for Onoki and the Five-Tails Jinchuriki, Iwagakure only has one of Onoki's classmates, Hakuto, who can be considered half. It will take a few more years to wait for the Four-Tails Jinchuriki Han to grow up.
The Cloud Village is also similar, with the Third Raikage plus the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, plus Tutai, who is the Raikage's retainer, can be considered half. The Mist Village is even more unbearable.
Sand Village has the Third Kazekage, Chiyo, and Ebizo, and other ninja villages don't know how bad Sand Village's sealing techniques are. In their opinion, the One-Tail Jinchuriki hasn't had any problems for many years. Although he is older, before his death, Sand Village has a mature Jinchuriki that can be used as a weapon of war.
In addition, there are Rasa and Karura who have grown up, and their strength can almost challenge Konoha.
With Konoha already deciding to withdraw from the Rain Country battlefield, Hanzo wants to end the war as soon as possible and protect the Rain Country, and cooperation with Sand Village is the only option.
"Hanzo hopes to form an alliance with our Sand Village and end the war in the Rain Country as soon as possible."
Chiyo said to everyone.
"What's the price? Hanzo is not the kind of person who would agree to cede land."
Another Jonin stood up and said.
"That's right. The conditions proposed by Hanzo are to fully open up economic and material exchanges between the two countries, and even agree to dig a canal connecting the Wind and Rain countries, which will be jointly guarded by Rain Village ninjas and Sand Village ninjas. It can be considered a win-win situation, but Sand Village will definitely get more benefits. I have already made the decision and agreed to Hanzo's conditions."
Chiyo replied.
"What about the negotiations with Konoha? Should we agree? And Iwagakure, we are allies after all. Once we cease fire with Konoha and Rain Village, how should we get along next?"
Kazakami Karan continued to ask.
Today's state is not very good, it is estimated that I did not get enough sleep, my head is a little dizzy, there are only two chapters to guarantee a full attendance, I will find a chance to make up for it when I have time later.
