Chapter 425: I Recognize Your Enlightenment

Shanjiaoyu Banzang voluntarily lowered his stance, his gaze sincerely fixed on Lian Ye.

He then explained the hardships Rain Country faces in surviving between the Four Great Nations.

He expressed the desire to form an Alliance with Konoha to gain a chance to catch its breath.

A barely perceptible fatigue lingered in his words.

Rain Hidden Village truly has run out of options.

If Konoha refuses the Alliance, the nation may face the danger of annihilation.

Lian Ye's gaze remained calm, as if indifferent to what he said.

"Alliance?" Lian Ye said flatly, cutting off Banzang's next words.

"You can temporarily repel the ThreeKingdoms coalition, which shows some strength… but, to be blunt, before the three great ninja villages, Rain Hidden Village is still far from being an ally Konoha would value; it is more a burden in need of shelter."

His words were unceremonious, effectively reducing Rain Hidden Village to nothing.

In fact, that is true; Rain Hidden Village could never match the three great nations.

Allying with Konoha would only be a burden.

"But I said, if you can move me with sincerity, I might consider it."

"Poison Master, are you questioning my sincerity and Rain Hidden's sincerity?"

Shanjiaoyu Banzang's complexion darkened; he had just spewed a lot of evasive talk.

He didn't even listen to a single word from that guy!

It feels like Lian Ye doesn't want an Alliance, just wants to toy with him.

For a moment he felt humiliated, yet he could not simply walk away.

Rain Hidden Village cannot miss this sole opportunity.

"Questioning?" Lian Ye tilted his head, a mocking curve at the corner of his mouth, "No, I am merely stating a fact."

"Konoha does not need valueless allies. Just because circumstances are tough does not grant a shelter under the great tree; nothing in the world is that cheap."

He withdrew his foot from the table, then rose and stretched lazily.

"Want an Alliance? Fine. But you must be able to move me, or provide something that proves your worth to Konoha."

"Move… me?"

Shanjiaoyu Banzang's voice was low.

Were the promises he just made not enough?

"Exactly, tell me." Lian Ye met his gaze, "Rain Hidden Village, or rather you Shanjiaoyu Banzang, unless this war‑torn land can still bring what to Konoha?"

"An unparalleled intelligence network? Or a massive fortune Konoha cannot refuse?"

"Or perhaps your unique personal charisma?"

These words were like a Kunai, piercing his fragile heart.

Lian Ye was right.

The current Rain Hidden Village has nothing to offer…

"Since you have nothing, I think we should call off this Alliance."

Lian Ye saw Banzang silent, and decisively rose toward the doorway.

"I cannot provide the chips you want, Poison Master. The only reason I can give you is that I just want to end this damned war! Drive every invader, not a single one, out of my country!"

Shanjiaoyu Banzang's eyes reddened as he stared at Lian Ye's back, gritting his teeth.

"This is my entire purpose! This is my whole worth! If Konoha is willing to help me achieve this goal, Rain Hidden Village will from now on be Konoha's staunchest ally."

"I, Banzang, will devote the rest of my life's strength to Konoha, until death."

Lian Ye heard this and a hint of satisfaction flashed in his eyes.

It seems this guy is not a fool.

"If you think this is still insufficient, then leave now!" Shanjiaoyu Banzang's gaze was resolute, "Regardless, Rain Hidden will fight alone to the very last moment; no Rain Hidden ninja will ever kneel and beg for peace!"

After speaking, he said nothing more, merely staring fixedly at Lian Ye's silhouette.

Nairan Benhe was shaken by Banzang's resolve.

He did not expect that a small nation like Rain Country would produce such a charismatic leader.

He will be in charge of how the Alliance is formed.

Upon hearing this, he would unquestionably agree without hesitation.

Unfortunately, the Hokage delegated this matter to someone with full authority.

Nairan Benhe subconsciously glanced at Lian Ye, wondering if he had been moved by Banzang's words.

The cold and mocking expression on Lian Ye's face gradually faded.

Now Banzang truly is a decent leader.

If the original work could maintain this, it wouldn't be swayed by Tuan Cang's few words.

The Pot King causes trouble everywhere; one can only say he is overly authoritative.

He turned and looked at the person before him who possessed the purest conviction.

Banzang offered no tangible benefits, yet what he threw out was heavier than any chip.

—the leader's conviction and the nation's dignity.

Such conviction itself is a powerful "value."

"Your words have moved me; I hope you can fulfill what you promised."

"Shanjiaoyu Banzang, I recognize your enlightenment." Lian Ye said solemnly, "Konoha agrees to forge an Alliance with Rain Hidden Village."

"From this moment, Konoha and Rain Hidden Village are allied. Konoha will provide necessary support, assisting Rain Hidden to completely expel those unwelcome raiders."

He subconsciously overlooked that Konoha itself is also among the invaders.

But what does that have to do with anything?

Even the leader of Rain Hidden Village didn't say anything.

Shanjiaoyu Banzang's tense body seemed to relax a fraction in an instant, a brief release under extreme pressure.

"Poison Master, Rain Hidden Village will forever remember this Alliance."

There was no enthusiastic handshake, no false smile.

Within this cramped tent, the two nations formed an alliance.

Providing coal in a snowstorm is naturally more meaningful than adding flowers to brocade.

I believe Rain Hidden Village will never forget this.

This Alliance is far more useful than those clauses forced upon a defeated party.

And it even indirectly bought a Shadow-level Strongman.

Later, we'll see if we can coax him into helping Ban Daye Capture Tail Beast…

But that's a story for later.

The news of Rain Hidden Village and Konoha's Alliance quickly reached the other ThreeKingdoms.

"Damn, Konoha actually found an ally!"

YanyinZhihuiGuanYingzhang, Tu Ying Da Ye Mu's face turned iron‑blue.

Konoha Village was already hard to deal with, and now it has another ally.

Although Rain Hidden Village is just a small village, its leader Shanjiaoyu Banzang is a hard‑to‑handle fellow.

Without Banzang's resistance, Rain Hidden Village would have been defeated long ago.

Now the two villages are united, which is certainly not good news for them.

"It seems we still need other allies."

Da Ye Mu's eyes flickered.

Since the three great Ninja Villages find it hard to oppose Konoha, we should look for more allies.

Now the only large village not yet in the war is Sunagakure Village.

He naturally knows Wind Shadow's ulterior motive—just to come later and scavenge.

If we can coax Wind Shadow over, we have a great chance of defeating Konoha!

Don't underestimate Wind Country just because it's the poorest among the Five Great Nations; it's still a major power.

Having it is better than not.

After all, an extra village adds extra strength.

Da Ye Mu immediately began drafting an invitation for Sunagakure Village to jointly oppose Konoha.

……

……

ps: Self‑discipline at three watches is too hard, yīng yīng yīng…