Chapter 423: Shanjiaoyu Banzang's Choice

Rain Hidden Village, Leader's Office.

"Leader, the four great nations have fully started fighting."

A Rain Hidden ninja, also wearing a gas mask, said respectfully.

Shanjiaoyu Banzang, wrapped in bandages, looked toward the spot where war flames erupted in the distance, a trace of despair appearing in his eyes.

The four nations—Fire, Earth, Water, and Thunder—were fighting recklessly in Rain Hidden Village.

For the civilians of Rain Country, this was simply a nightmare.

If a ninja discovers a village while infiltrating, to avoid their identity being exposed early, they usually opt to kill and silence.

Several villages have already been slaughtered to near extinction.

"You say, can our small country truly resist the great nations?"

The great nations' mighty power caused Banzang's belief to start wavering.

Even if we are still resentful, what can we do?

The disparity in strength between the two sides is like a huge gulf; they are not even a single opponent.

"Leader, you cannot give up!" the Rain Hidden ninja who spoke earlier hurried, "If you give up, the people of Rain Country will be finished!"

Since the war started, a continuous flow of refugees has arrived at Rain Hidden Village seeking shelter.

Banzang without hesitation accepted these civilians displaced by the war.

If they cease resistance, more displaced civilians will appear!

Banzang stood on the height, gazing at the rag‑clad yet still huddling family of three below, and the countless civilians wandering the village streets.

Shanjiaoyu Banzang's confusion slowly dissipated, his eyes gradually turning steadfast.

For these displaced civilians, and the countless innocent souls touched by the war.

For the small country to no longer suffer the oppression of the great nations.

He must never give up, absolutely must not!

"You're right, I cannot give up."

Shanjiaoyu Banzang's words resonated through the gas mask, his tone especially firm.

"Leader!" the Rain Hidden ninja's gaze was fiery.

This is the leader Shanjiaoyu Banzang they gladly follow!

They trust that under the leader's guidance, they can drive the great nations out.

"I plan to go talk to Konoha."

Shanjiaoyu Banzang intends to cooperate with Konoha, jointly confronting the other ninja villages.

The coalition of three great nations is too powerful; the weak Rain Hidden Village is simply not a contender.

Even with a surge of passion, it does nothing.

That's the reality.

Only by forming an alliance with Konoha can we have a chance to drive them all out!

Now Konoha Village is under siege by the three nations, so they likely won't reject the alliance…

"Leader, will Konoha agree?"

As Banzang's right‑hand, he instantly understood the leader's intention to form an alliance with Konoha.

But will Konoha Village truly agree?

"Let's try." Shanjiaoyu Banzang slowly closed his eyes, "This is our last chance."

If Konoha refuses, Banzang truly has no recourse.

"Leader, I am willing to follow you to the Konoha camp!"

Konoha Commander's Tent.

Lian Ye had just returned from frontline support and saw Nairan Benhe with a strange expression.

"Nara Clan Leader, what happened?"

"Renya Jonin, take a look," Nairan Benhe handed the document.

"Oh? Rain Hidden Village wants to form an alliance with Konoha Village?" Lian Ye read on with interest, "Huh, they have to come personally tomorrow to negotiate?"

The four nations are fighting across Rain Country's territory, and it seems Banzang, this leader, cannot stay idle.

"Nara Clan Leader, what do you say? Will you agree?" Lian Ye asked curiously.

"Renya Jonin, I need to consult the Hokage on this matter."

Nairan Benhe's expression was serious as he spoke earnestly.

"Before the Hokage responds, I cannot decide on my own."

The alliance is of great importance; the Hokage must be informed.

He is only a battlefield commander; he cannot make such a big decision.

The moment he saw the Alliance Document, he immediately relayed the news back to the village.

"Huh, this kind of thing still has to be told to Tuan Cang?"

Never mind, wait until Banzang comes tomorrow to look again.

Lian Ye set the Alliance Document aside and kept lounging on the chair.

Konoha Village, Hokage Office.

"Rain Hidden Leader wants to ally with Konoha?"

Zhi Cun Tuan Zang looked at the urgent frontline reports, his expression a bit surprised.

Rain Hidden Village's current situation is unfavorable, so seeking an alliance with Konoha makes sense.

He feels nothing about Banzang's invitation.

Even some wanted to laugh.

Nowadays Konoha Village is unprecedentedly strong; even without forming alliances it can defeat other nations.

There's simply no need to ally with anyone to fight enemies.

The strong have always been solitary.

Only the weak travel in groups.

In his mind, a long‑haired youth wielding a tachi involuntarily surfaced…

And Lian Ye is the strong one he considers!

But Tuan Cang didn't refuse outright; instead, he wrote a line on the document.

Mu Ye Zhi Qi Guan Ying Zhang.

Chief Commander Nairan Benhe stared at the line above and was stunned.

【All decisions are left to Lian Ye.】

He looked at the sleeping Lian Ye on the chair with a strange expression, a flash of shock in his eyes.

So the Hokage truly trusts Lian Ye Jonin?

No wonder, he's a comrade who has fought side by side since childhood.

This bond is simply beyond words.

News that the Hokage has handed the alliance matter to Lian Ye spread quickly.

Frontline Battlefield, the battle had just ended.

"Did you hear? Tuan Cang handed the major alliance matter to Lian Ye for handling."

By the campfire, Yuanfei Rizhan said to a few former comrades.

"Heard it. Tuan Cang really trusts Lian Yejun, huh."

Zhuan Qin Xiaochun said rather sentimentally.

The three of them were in the same squad, yet only the two men shared a deep friendship.

Perhaps neither of them is interested in women.

"Tsk tsk, saying there's nothing between them, I don't believe it."

Shuihu Menyan pushed up his glasses and said solemnly.

He had long thought that the bond between Tuan Cang and Lian Ye far exceeds that of us comrades.

Now he finally knows the reason.

"Haha, no wonder they never plan to get married."

Uchiha Jing's face broke into a mischievous grin.

Everyone who gets it, gets it!

"Let me tell you, back then in the Hokage Office…"

Yuanfei Rizhan began to embellish, recounting what he had seen and heard over the years as an assistant in the Hokage Office.

"I never expected them to do that!"

A few of them sat around the fire, listening with great interest, occasionally exclaiming in amazement.

They were already fully immersed in the myriad details of Lian Ye and Tuan Cang's everyday interactions.

The ninja resting next door, hearing the Hokage Advisors' unabashed discussion of the Hokage and Lian Ye,

was frightened and quickly put distance between themselves.

"I didn't hear anything, I heard nothing!"

Such matters aren't something a mere Jonin can casually overhear.

Otherwise, the next day they'd be assigned to the suicide squad just for stepping out of the tent with the left foot.

They could only pretend to know nothing, letting the few speak as if no one were there.

Other ninjas nearby, seeing this, simultaneously took the initiative to distance themselves.

If Lian Ye and Tuan Cang were to learn what the few were discussing,

who knows what they'd think?

They might even draw their swords on the spot and chop them into mince, perhaps?

…

…

ps: The day after quitting Delta, still raging three chapters, ja ja ja!

Thanks to the big supporters for the tips, Ying ying ying…