Chapter 382: Big loser, winner, and big winner

The relationship between great nations and great nations, ninja villages and ninja villages is complex and subtle.

Since the Cloud now knows that it has no ability to destroy the Rock that has already been crippled, the best thing for the Cloud to do now is to "stop while ahead."

Since the Land of the Moon has been recovered and a large amount of war reparations has been obtained, what else is there to be dissatisfied with?

Isn't it a fool's behavior to blindly chase and beat the Rock and consume one's own strength to let others sit back and reap the benefits?

Such behavior is no different from cultivating the "next opponent" for the Cloud.

Compared with the continuation of the village and the interests of the country, the temporary dispute of anger seems so small.

Clearly, Bee never realized this thoroughly, but Huangtu realized this under Mizunuki Ryosuke's reminder.

The "draw" method preserved the Rock's strength and allowed it to exit.

But the Rock's behavior is actually winning the "face" but losing the "inside."

On the surface, it is a draw, but in reality, it has already lost a mess.

Onoki and the Third Raikage naturally understand the way of this, and each has a tacit understanding.

Everyone in their hearts also knows that this tragic war that lasted for nearly half a year has completely drawn a full stop at this moment.

It ended with the tacit agreement of the three parties to stop.

The one who lost the most miserably is naturally the Rock.

After a battle, not only was the combat power damaged countless times, but even the territory of the Land of the Moon that it wanted to obtain was not gained at all.

And it fought all the family assets accumulated in more than ten years in one battle, completely losing the opportunity to dominate the ninja world.

And although the Cloud was tragic, it remained in a state that was completely acceptable, and it could be considered a winner.

Although the combat power was damaged by nearly half, the core members were not dead, and it also received huge war reparations paid by the Rock.

It can be expected that the ten years after the end of this war will be a period of vigorous development for the Cloud.

The final winner is naturally the Mist; under Mizunuki Ryosuke's planning, not only were all the previously formulated strategic goals achieved.

More importantly, he successively obtained: huge war reparations, the Four-Tails, the Five-Tails, research materials on Dust Release, the Rock's Earth Release secret techniques, and the Earth Release nature transformation ninjutsu Light-Weight and Ultra-Light-Weight Rock techniques.

This trip was simply a full harvest.

These are just the benefits that can be seen and touched, and the benefits that cannot be seen or touched are even more huge.

Not to mention the results of the war and the battle, in the overall situation and form, Mizunuki Ryosuke's advantage is already unimaginably huge.

In Mizunuki Ryosuke's plan, the Rock is just a side dish, and his final goal is the current hegemon of the ninja world—the Leaf!

And after successfully exerting influence on the Rock and the Cloud, the next situation will be more favorable to Mizunuki Ryosuke.

Seeing that things have settled, Mizunuki Ryosuke no longer looks at the gray-faced Huangtu and Bee, who is still confused and doesn't know what to do, but shifts his gaze to the Third Raikage.

The matter about the Rock has been finished, and now it is time to talk about the Cloud. ### CHAPTER 721

Still that saying, soldiers have no constant situation, water has no constant form.

All forms are constantly changing with the passage of time; during the war, the Cloud and the Mist were allies.

And now that the war is over, the relationship and position of the two sides need to be re-examined.

In addition, the alliance treaty concluded previously was too hasty, and Mizunuki Ryosuke had never met the Third Raikage, so he intended to take this opportunity to consult with the Third Raikage.

In fact, regarding the relationship with the Cloud, Mizunuki Ryosuke is not worried.

Now from the situation, with the successive decline of the Cloud and the Rock, the Mist's strength has already reached the upper hand.

In addition, he just helped the Cloud win the Rock, so the relationship between the two sides should still be in the honeymoon period; unless the Third Raikage is crazy, the alliance relationship of the Cloud-Mist Alliance is naturally worth continuing.

"Third Generation, any interest in chatting?"

Mizunuki Ryosuke asked the Third Raikage slowly.

"Naturally."

Regarding this, the Third Raikage, regardless of his unhealed body, agreed readily.

Immediately, Mizunuki Ryosuke scanned the surroundings.

Seeing this look, Kisame Hoshigaki, as a "confidant," was the first to react, pulling up the Neko-no-suke beside him and the restrained Onoki, and turned to leave.

And the unconscious Rock ninjas Bunga and Shinden Saburo were left in place by him.

Seeing this, Bee also tactfully left; with the Third Raikage here, the following content clearly was not his turn to continue to preside over.

And finally, Huangtu, who was alone, also left this tower that he would never forget in his life in silence.

Since the matter had been concluded, his staying here had no effect.

Next, regarding the compensation for the Rock's defeat, there would be special people to dock; with such a huge amount of war reparations, the Rock was naturally unable to pay it off at once.

Next, it should be paid off in installments year by year.

After everyone left, only the Third Raikage and Mizunuki Ryosuke were left on the tower.

Mizunuki Ryosuke stared at the Third Raikage with a gentle expression; neither of them moved, just staring at each other slowly...

After a long silence, it was the Third Raikage who first broke the stillness.

"The younger generation is truly formidable."

This single sentence expressed the Third Raikage's innermost thoughts.

The Third Raikage's dignified face was now filled with a complex expression.

Looking at Mizunuki Ryosuke, who was so young yet had already inherited the title of "Kage," the Third Raikage felt a wave of emotion.

At the same time, he understood that the reason this war could be won—

—the key did not lie with him, and even less with the ten thousand Rock ninjas who had died in battle, but with Mizunuki Ryosuke, who had been orchestrating everything from behind the scenes.

Although even the Third Raikage did not know exactly how Mizunuki Ryosuke had managed it,

he understood that, all things considered, even he was likely just a pawn in Mizunuki Ryosuke's hands.

Even so, in this war, the Third Raikage still owed Mizunuki Ryosuke a great favor.

After all, if Mizunuki Ryosuke had not intervened, Cloud Village would likely have been in danger.

"You are too kind with your praise."

Mizunuki Ryosuke did not claim credit or act arrogant; he simply smiled and shook his head, his attitude extremely humble.

"The kindness of Mist Village is something we will never forget."

"As for our future alliance, Cloud Village will always take the initiative to ensure it continues."

The Third Raikage's face revealed a trace of solemnity as he spoke with a serious attitude.

Just as Mizunuki Ryosuke had thought, whether from a long-term perspective or the current situation, there was no need for Cloud Village to be enemies with Mist Village.

Furthermore, with the two countries currently in a honeymoon period, their alliance brought only benefits and no harm, so the Third Raikage would naturally strive to maintain their pact.

"That is also the intention of Mist Village."

"The 'Cloud-Mist Alliance' is indeed very necessary to continue."

Mizunuki Ryosuke smiled and agreed, effectively reaching a consensus with the Third Raikage on the core issue.

But he had specifically kept the Third Raikage behind not just to discuss these matters that were already settled.

Regarding this, the Third Raikage naturally understood the subtext; without needing Mizunuki Ryosuke to say more, the Third Raikage had already guessed his thoughts.

"Lord Mizukage, if you have something to say, please speak directly."

"Anything that Cloud Village and I personally can do at this moment, I will certainly cooperate to the fullest."

The Third Raikage promised solemnly, an aura as heavy as a mountain radiating from his body.

The value of this promise could not be overstated.

A "favor" is something that holds entirely different values for different people.

To a ninja like the Third Raikage who values "righteousness," the weight of a favor and a promise is exceptionally heavy.

But for someone like Tsuchikage Onoki, who believes in the "Rock Spirit," perhaps it would not be the same.

Seeing that the Third Raikage was so sensible, Mizunuki Ryosuke stopped holding back.

The reason he had gone to such lengths to help Cloud Village was for this very moment.

At that moment, Mizunuki Ryosuke slowly extended a finger and placed it on the cold, ice-round table that was as smooth as a mirror before him.

As his fingertip slid across, a deeply carved character appeared in the Third Raikage's eyes.

At that moment, the Third Raikage's heart stirred, and his pupils contracted violently.

Because what Mizunuki Ryosuke had written was, shockingly, a large character for "Fire."

The Third Raikage looked at Mizunuki Ryosuke with a serious gaze, only to find that the young man's face still wore a gentle smile.

Yet this gentle smile, which usually felt like a spring breeze, was somewhat jarring in the Third Raikage's eyes.

Because he discovered that, even though he tried his best to observe, he could not see through what was truly in the depths of this young man's heart behind that smile.

The matter seemed far more heavy than he had imagined.

The Third Raikage's heart sank slightly.

Meanwhile, Huangtu's burly figure, carrying two other sturdy men, walked slowly down from the Ice Tower and arrived at the Rock ninja formation.

The Rock ninjas being carried by Huangtu were none other than Wenya and Xintian Tida Sanlang.

Since Huangtu had already agreed to Mizunuki Ryosuke's conditions, Mizunuki Ryosuke would naturally fulfill his promise and return the two to Rock Village.

All the Rock ninjas shifted their gaze to Huangtu, their eyes filled with anticipation and nervousness.

They knew that the news Huangtu was about to announce might concern their own lives.

"Take them away and wake them up."

Huangtu casually handed Wenya and Xintian Tida Sanlang to a Rock ninja nearby, his voice sounding somewhat weary and bitter.

The situation had changed abruptly; those as lucky as Wenya and Xintian Tida Sanlang could return, while others were destined never to come back.

Thinking of this, Huangtu's heart grew even more bitter.

"This is..."

Taking the bodies of Wenya and Xintian Tida Sanlang from Huangtu, the Rock ninja's expression was somewhat strange.

The two unconscious men held high status in Rock Village, so this ninja naturally recognized them.

He just didn't understand why Wenya and Xintian Tida Sanlang would appear here in such a state.

Although all the Rock ninjas were puzzled by the two appearing here, they were clearly more concerned about another matter at this moment.

"Huangtu, what is the situation?!"

An elite Jonin immediately approached Huangtu and asked.

Everyone knew what "situation" this elite Jonin was asking about.

"The war is over."

"The final result is a draw."

Huangtu said with vacant eyes; when he spoke the final words "a draw," he felt a wave of powerlessness throughout his body.

It was as if all his strength had vanished along with those two words.

All the Rock ninjas had strange expressions, feeling confused.

Several elite Jonin of Rock Village looked at each other, frowning. ***