Onoki's expression remained worried.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's face showed a bit of smug satisfaction.
The Third Tsuchikage and the Third Hokage had different thoughts, but they still stood in the same position and jointly drafted an agreement beneficial to both The Hidden Rock Village and Konoha.
"If Lord Tsuchikage is satisfied, we will jointly sign this agreement."
Sarutobi Hiruzen picked up his pipe, expressing his sincerity: "If Lord Tsuchikage is not satisfied, consider this just a friendly talk between us, and I will immediately arrange for my Dark Department to escort you to the border of the Land of Earth…"
"Alas…"
Third Tsuchikage Onoki found nothing to criticize and shook his head with a sigh: "Among the Third Generation of the Five Great Ninja Villages, the one most admirable is you. You've inherited Konoha's Will of Fire, acting as sincere as the First Hokage…"
"Hehehehe…"
Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't help but laugh, seemingly quite pleased with the praise from Third Tsuchikage Onoki: "I'm still far from the First Lord…"
Senju Hashirama, the First Hokage of the past, was the one who united with other Great Ninja Villages to establish a peace alliance, even naively distributing Tailed Beasts to other great countries in hopes of peaceful coexistence among them.
Many in the Ninja World considered Senju Hashirama a naive fool, yet they couldn't help but admire his magnanimity, not relying on his own power to bully other villages, but giving people from other countries a space to survive, believing this would ensure peace.
Unfortunately.
After Senju Hashirama's death.
The entire Ninja World immediately fell into war, with Konoha bearing the brunt, even the Second Hokage Senju Tobirama could not escape this fate.
Yet, Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage of Konoha, still maintained the diplomatic policies of the First Hokage, because this elder had always believed in the principles of the First. If Konoha's foreign policy changed, the benefits brought by power diplomacy would be significant, but it would also slowly lead Konoha's ninjas to believe in supreme power, and the strong might no longer be willing to sacrifice for future weaker generations…
Similarly.
A gentle approach is not necessarily useless.
This method at least does not provoke more intense confrontation, allowing peace in the Ninja World to be sustained for a longer time, delaying the arrival of the next war.
In fact.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's gentle methods did have some effect.
Compared to the past when conflicts and wars would erupt easily, the wars among the Five Great Countries' Hidden Villages have been suppressed, and the concept of peace has gradually taken root in people's hearts.
"Well then, have a pleasant journey."
Sarutobi Hiruzen, seemingly afraid of displeasing Onoki or stirring up rumors, did not take the initiative to invite Onoki to tour Konoha.
"Thank you."
Onoki wasn't particularly interested either.
Onoki now wanted nothing more than to quickly return to The Hidden Rock Village, passing down his Dust Release to Deidara to prevent the situation where The Hidden Rock Village would have no successors when such a matter arises again!
Sarutobi Hiruzen, leading a group of people, watched Third Tsuchikage Onoki and the envoys from The Hidden Rock Village leave, finally resolving this major issue.
Akihara Kagura didn't really mind this.
Because he had already gained the most benefit from this trip, smoothly obtaining the Dust Release and Lava Release, Sarutobi Hiruzen releasing Third Tsuchikage Onoki did not cause him to lose credibility.
"At last, it's resolved."
Sarutobi Hiruzen let out a long sigh of relief, then turned to see Kakashi Hatake and Akihara Kagura, this team tracking Uchiha Obito really attracted trouble…
Last time, in tracking Uchiha Obito's whereabouts, they captured the Fourth Mizukage Karatachi Yagura; this time, in tracking Uchiha Obito's whereabouts, they ended up abducting Third Tsuchikage Onoki; next time, when they pursue Uchiha Obito, could they possibly bring back the Fourth Raikage?
"During this period…"
"You should rest well in the village."
The mission to track Uchiha Obito, for now, has come to a temporary halt."
Sarutobi Hiruzen felt that if he let this team continue tracking, he didn't know how much trouble Uchiha Obito could stir up, but he knew that Konoha might become the flashpoint for a Ninja World war.
Really.
Perhaps it's best not to investigate further!
No matter how much trouble Uchiha Obito can cause, what more could he stir?
Could anything be more troublesome than sparking the Fourth Ninja World War?
"But…"
Kakashi Hatake furrowed his brows.
"Just take a break for now."
Sarutobi Hiruzen gently patted his sparse white hair, sighing: "You all have worked hard on this journey, making a significant contribution to the peace between Konoha and The Hidden Rock Village."
However…
Konoha cannot withstand greater upheaval for the time being.
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at both of them, then glanced at young Karin, curiously asking: "Is this little one… a person from the Uzumaki Clan?"
"Yes."
Kakashi Hatake first reported young Karin's background to Sarutobi Hiruzen, then mentioned the things Akihara Kagura did in The Hidden Grass Village, causing the Hokage's blood pressure to rise somewhat.
"No wonder The Hidden Grass Village was destroyed…"
Sarutobi Hiruzen took a deep breath and spoke about the Land of Grass: "The Kaguya Clan attacked the Land of Grass, fortunately, they reached an agreement with Konoha for the time being…"
This team really is…
They had just left the Land of Fire and indirectly caused the downfall of a small hidden village.
Because the Hyuga Clan is related to the Kaguya Clan, Hyuga Hizashi, the clan leader of the Hyuga Clan, personally went on a mission to the Land of Grass, even getting the Kaguya Clan to agree to an alliance with Konoha.