Hearing this, the ambassador's cheek twitched, but by a tremendous effort of will, he held back from outward display of emotion, though inside he was seething with indignation mixed with rage.
- With all due respect, Tsuchikage-sama, but these are the national treasures of Kaminari no Kuni, and to pay with them, even for a military alliance....
- You don't have to go on, I know all that very well," the short, nosy man, as Ishigari mentally called him, waved his hand, "but at the moment, Konohagakure has not only fully recovered from the last war, but is at the peak of its power, Onoki looked hard into the eyes of the dark-skinned shinobi, "And your Raikage wants Iwagakure to go up against a superior opponent, simply by paying with money and resources.
- Except Konoha has one jinchuriki, just entering the force, against four who have more experience in using the bijou power," Yusuke argued, "which makes the odds much more even, despite the numerical advantage in the elite.
- Yes, yes, I've heard that before," Tsuchikage stroked his mustache in satisfaction, "nevertheless, I won't change my mind and if Ai-san wants his equal war with Leaf, he'll have to shell out the money.
- I will convey your words to Raikage-sama," Kumo was all the jonin had left to bow.
- I hope so," Onoki snorted and waved his hand imperiously.
The dark-skinned shinobi gritted his teeth and strode out of the office. With a quick gesture, the guards followed. Just as the door closed, a very tall and powerfully built young man in his twenties, dressed in the standard Iwagakure shinobi attire and with facial features subtly reminiscent of Tsuchikage, jumped down from the ceiling.
- Father, are you sure we should interfere? - The Raikage's offer may be tempting, and no one would refuse to receive at least one of Rikudo Sennin's treasures, but getting involved in a war when we've only just recovered from the last one?
- You know the mood in the village, Kitsuchi-kun," the diminutive shinobi grimaced, tugging at his gray mustache, "if I decide not to participate in a world war, sooner or later, the hotheads will decide to act on their own, forcing Konoha to respond accordingly, and that's at best! At worst, they'll try to oust me, especially since some clans are unhappy with the current state of affairs and want a rematch with Leaf. I'd rather lead the wave and profit from it than fight against it.
- Would the Raikage agree to such a high price? - The young jonin asked curiously.
- Kumogakure has been preparing for war for the last five years, and he can't back down now. Despite the remoteness of the Lightning Country, Iwa's scouting team has been looking at every great village, albeit with varying results - not all of them have clans of dojutsu wielders, which makes infiltration difficult - and they need an ally, or Konoha's tandem with Suna will crush them, despite all the preparations, and Ai understands that.
- I'm afraid it'll be the same this time, except now, Kiri is busy with internal problems and Suna is on their side.
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