Chapter 211: Five Kage Summit & Ryūchi Cave
The conference room's atmosphere proved somewhat oppressive.
All four Kage sensed Minato's rock-solid firm determination. Of course, most crucial remained that single phrase—"Originally, we planned to search and investigate ourselves." This meant Konoha held no must-obtain mentality toward the five great ninja villages' united action outcome.
Whether the five great ninja villages united or not wouldn't affect Konoha's subsequent actions.
Ōnoki furrowed his brow tightly, glancing sideways at Minato.
Gōji Yagura lowered his head slightly, letting his eyes hide in shadow.
A clenched his fists as if every part of his entire body was exerting force.
Pakura closed her eyes, her face showing no expression changes.
At this moment, Minato leaned back, resting against his chair back. His gaze swept across the four Kage with varied expressions. He said with a smile, "Speaking honestly, I hope we can unite. In the name of the five great ninja villages jointly, pressuring Amegakure, Kusagakure, and Takigakure can reduce war outbreak possibilities to minimum levels."
"But I also understand some matters can't be forced. After all, forcing means needing to pay enormous additional costs without necessarily achieving objectives. Comparatively, even erupting in great war with Amegakure, Kusagakure, or even Takigakure isn't unacceptable. With our Konoha's current strength, even if warfare erupts, we can quickly end combat."
This naturally was intimidation.
He didn't hope warfires would reignite.
But he also understood that during negotiations, appearing too concerned would let others manipulate you. Once others grasped your weak points, you'd inevitably pay painful costs for objectives you wanted to achieve.
"Hokage, Missing-nin Anonymous ultimately remains your Konoha's missing-nin."
The speaker was Ōnoki.
He stared at Minato, saying word by word, "Even granting this Missing-nin Anonymous and the Rinnegan possessor's objectives target all us five great ninja villages, half this calamity can be attributed to your Konoha's responsibility. You should bear corresponding costs for this."
As his words fell, pin-drop silence filled the conference room.
Behind Minato, Hyuga Takuma's face showed angry coloring. Both hands clenched into fists, desperately restraining impulses to violently beat this old man constantly finding fault and nitpicking. Uchiha Shisui's crimson eyes flashed momentarily, his palm gripping tightly the kodachi hilt deliberately adjusted to hang at his waist.
Minato's face revealed no anger whatsoever. His smile turned playful. "Tsuchikage, I can think of quite a few reasons to refute you. But I dislike this time-wasting, energy-wasting verbal warfare. So I won't deny that regarding opposing Missing-nin Anonymous, we Konoha should indeed shoulder more responsibility."
"Therefore, we Konoha will exert full effort pursuing Missing-nin Anonymous. This doesn't require your reminder, Tsuchikage. Also, I'll remind you—what we're currently discussing is investigating the Rinnegan possessor's whereabouts. As for Missing-nin Anonymous, we Konoha will find methods to handle him ourselves. No need to trouble everyone with concern."
After speaking—
The conference room returned to silence.
Ōnoki's expression remained unchanged.
If only uniting to target the Rinnegan, he didn't oppose. More precisely, he believed this matter—his own Iwagakure must participate. If they could take the Rinnegan into their own hands, best. Even if not, absolutely couldn't let Konoha succeed.
Naturally, Cloud ninja and Sand ninja also couldn't have it.
Only Mist ninja... reluctantly acceptable. Though they similarly bore teacher-killing enmity with Mist ninja, Mist ninja stood sufficiently distant from his own Iwagakure. Even if Mist ninja obtained the Rinnegan, he needn't fear them coming to trouble his own Iwagakure.
However—
Best circumstances remained obtaining the Rinnegan themselves.
After thinking briefly, Ōnoki spoke again. "If only investigating the Rinnegan possessor's matter, we Rock ninja naturally wish to contribute strength for the ninja world's peace. Just—"
He paused two seconds.
Minato didn't interrupt aloud, quietly watching Ōnoki, waiting for that anticipated turning point.
Ōnoki looked around at everyone once. Under everyone's gazes, he spoke frankly, "We ninja executing missions inevitably must collect compensation. No such thing as working for free. So after handling this calamity, how should spoils of war be divided?"
Minato smiled.
This was an anticipated question.
For this type of united action, whether it could succeed, whether it could satisfactorily conclude—the key lay in benefit distribution. Especially involving benefits like the Rinnegan, whose value could be estimated virtually infinitely high.
He didn't rush to say anything but quietly waited.
Involving benefit distribution, first let them argue. After arguing sufficiently, then came the time to speak.
The next second—
Pakura couldn't endure. Her mouth corners held a cold smile. "What? Tsuchikage, you mean the Rinnegan should be handed to you Rock ninja?"
Ōnoki completely didn't mind Pakura's mockery. Instead, he smiled, saying, "Does Kazekage also think this way? Then our opinions align."
"Haha, what thick skin, what enormous appetite. Aren't you afraid of choking to death?"
Pakura sneered coldly.
She also understood her own Sunagakure's weakness—definitely couldn't snatch past these fellows. But she absolutely wouldn't allow greedy, insatiable Rock ninja touching the Rinnegan. If Rock ninja grasped the Rinnegan, her own Sunagakure would probably never know peace.
"Tap tap—"
Minato rapped the table with bent fingers.
"Everyone, we haven't even started yet! The Rinnegan's possessor isn't fish to be slaughtered at will. Discussing the Rinnegan's ownership now seems far too early?"
"Not early. Not early at all."
Ōnoki shook his head repeatedly. "I've witnessed too many failures at the brink of success in my lifetime—all because benefit division wasn't clear. Only after dividing benefits in advance will actions proceed without restraint."
At this moment, Gōji Yagura raised his head to look at Ōnoki. "But the problem is benefits also can't be divided. The Rinnegan exists as only one pair. Among us five villages, presumably no one will willingly abandon opportunities to obtain the Rinnegan. Can't possibly divide this Rinnegan pair into fifths, everyone taking portions, right?"
"Or does Tsuchikage have some good method?"
He stared directly at Ōnoki.
"Method? Not entirely absent."
Ōnoki inhaled deeply, speaking seriously. "What Mizukage just said is correct. Only one Rinnegan pair exists. Dividing it definitely can't work. Once destroyed, no one benefits. So we can jointly possess it."
"Jointly possess?"
A furrowed his brow slightly.
How could this thing be jointly possessed?
"That's right, Raikage."
Ōnoki stroked his beard. "The Rinnegan doesn't belong to any single village but is jointly possessed by us five villages. Naturally, one pair of eyes can't be divided among five villages. But we can allocate from a time perspective."
Having spoken to this point, he stopped speaking. But everyone understood his meaning.
Everyone successively revealed contemplative expressions, seriously considering this method Ōnoki proposed. Then they discovered this method actually seemed quite good. The Rinnegan didn't belong to any single family but was jointly possessed by everyone. Different times, different villages held possession—thus circulating back and forth among the five villages.
Until some future day when this Rinnegan pair completely broke.
Minato stared at Ōnoki for several seconds, inwardly praising.
Truly old, treacherous, and cunning.
This method indeed represented the only method everyone could accept absent better alternatives.
After thinking briefly, Pakura was first to speak up. "I feel this method is feasible. However, details still need clarification. How should time be allocated? Also, which village comes first to possess the Rinnegan? If some village during possession time breaks or loses the Rinnegan, how should this be handled?"
Her questions echoed through the conference room.
Everyone furrowed their brows. Each question proved very important—had to be explained clearly.
This conference was destined not to conclude quickly.
The next day—
The Land of Iron's Five Kage Summit continued. Yesterday's full day of arguing still hadn't explained matters clearly. For future benefits still uncertain whether they could smoothly obtain, the five Kage engaged in verbal sword fights, arguing quite lively.
After resting one night, everyone's energy recovered fully. They began new rounds of argument.
Within Konoha Village, mild wind and beautiful sun, peaceful and harmonious.
Fourth Hokage's departure hadn't brought any impact to the village. The Police Force remained as usual. Only ANBU secretly strengthened patrol intensity.
Inside the Hyuga clan compound—
Within a training ground inside Tamaeda Shrine, Hyuga Ritsu was competing in fist and foot techniques with cousin Akiba. Pale blue chakra coiled around both his palms, shaped into lifelike lion head forms.
He was demonstrating Gentle Step Twin Lion Fists' profundities to Akiba.
Some things proved difficult describing accurately with words. So today he personally acted, using actions to demonstrate Gentle Step Twin Lion Fists' profundities. Meanwhile, Akiba similarly wielded that not-yet-skilled Gentle Step Twin Lion Fists, comprehending her own insufficiencies through repeated clashing exchanges.
Aika sat at the training ground's edge, smiling as she watched the sibling duo inside the training ground.
Moments later—
Hyuga Ritsu suddenly lightly slapped out one palm, extremely cunningly landing on Akiba's ribs. Immediately, he batted the young woman flying out like a bouncing ball.
Naturally, his strength control proved extremely exquisite. He didn't cause the young woman any substantive harm—at most rolling twice on the ground, somewhat disheveled.
However—
The young woman who stood up with a carp-flip huffed indignantly. "Ritsu-nii, what are you doing? Didn't you say you'd be my sparring partner? What kind of sparring partner sends people flying?"
She widened her eyes, attempting to use the victim's innocent gaze to condemn her own promise-breaking cousin.
Hyuga Ritsu laughed dryly.
This indeed was his own breach of promise.
He said apologetically, "Akiba, sorry. Just now I suddenly gained insights. My own training reached a very critical juncture. So temporarily I can't serve as your sparring partner. Have Aika continue sparring with you. After I cross this threshold, I'll come serve as your sparring partner again."
These recent days, he'd been striving to adjust his own condition to train sage techniques.
Just moments ago, he'd suddenly sensed something in his heart. He'd already adjusted to optimal condition—could travel to Ryūchi Cave to begin sage technique training. If he missed this time, who knew how long until he could readjust his condition properly.
"Alright!"
Akiba looked carefully at Hyuga Ritsu once, confirming he wasn't deliberately teasing her. Only then did she nod. "Ritsu-nii, I forgive you. But just sparring isn't enough. You need to treat me to a big meal!"
"Okay okay okay! Not only treating you—Aika will come along too. Whatever you want to eat, we'll go eat."
Hyuga Ritsu glanced at the young woman who'd walked to Akiba's side, helping Akiba brush dust from her body.
Then—
He bit his thumb, forming hand seals to deploy Summoning Technique.
A white snake thick as a water barrel, over ten meters long, appeared in the training ground. The white snake raised its head high. Its crimson snake tongue flickered, speaking human words while forked. "Hyuga Ritsu, what matter again?"
Hyuga Ritsu met the white snake's gaze, answering, "Shiroha, use Reverse Summoning Technique to bring me to Ryūchi Cave. I want to begin sage technique training."
The white snake's face showed humanoid surprise.
It spoke aloud, "Hyuga Ritsu, do you truly want to train sage techniques? Among past Ryūchi Cave contractors, at minimum eight or nine out of ten died during the sage technique training process. Only the remaining one or two possibly master sage techniques. Won't you reconsider carefully?"
"Shiroha, you talk too much."
Hyuga Ritsu rolled his eyes, scolding without good humor.
"Alright! I'll return now to use Reverse Summoning Technique."
Shiroha agreed.
Immediately after, Hyuga Ritsu released the Summoning Technique, sending Shiroha back to Ryūchi Cave. Then he saw two young women staring intently at him, faces bearing worried expressions.
Hyuga Ritsu smiled somewhat helplessly. In his stomach, he severely cursed this loose-tongued white snake Shiroha. But his mouth spoke gently, "Aika, Akiba, don't worry. I only decided to train sage techniques because I have complete confidence. Wait peacefully for my news..."
Before finishing his words—
White smoke rose.
Hyuga Ritsu's figure vanished from the young women's field of vision. The two young women looked at each other once. They didn't begin sparring as Hyuga Ritsu had suggested but instead sat quietly beside, waiting for Hyuga Ritsu's return.
Simultaneously—
Hyuga Ritsu blinked. Before his eyes, the scenery had already changed from the shrine's ancient, solemn appearance and lush vegetation.
In its place—sunless, dayless gloom. Looking everywhere revealed stone pillars, steep walls, pitfall traps. Long serpents of varying sizes traveled through rubble piles. Certain pitfall traps even contained nests of tangled serpents—scenes sufficient to frighten snake-fearing people insane.
Though Hyuga Ritsu wasn't seeing such scenery for the first time, some physiological discomfort remained. His mouth corners twitched, restraining inner discomfort.
This place was Ryūchi Cave.
As the name suggested—caverns hidden deep underground.
However, here held no "dragons"—only innumerable serpent multitudes occupying this place.
Fortunately, beside Hyuga Ritsu stood Shiroha. As White Snake Sage's great-grandchild, even though its current abilities remained shallow, it could prevent serpent multitudes from approaching.
Shiroha looked at Hyuga Ritsu, speaking up, "Hyuga Ritsu, let's go! White Snake Sage is waiting for you."
"Good."
Hyuga Ritsu responded, following Shiroha toward Ryūchi Cave's depths—where White Snake Sage resided.
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