Konoha: Start from untying the caged bird

Page 211

War has broken out!?

Chapter 159 War! Begins!

The following day, as the media flocked to the scene and various small countries eagerly awaited what good news the Five Shadows meeting would bring, the media captured a startling scene.

The Raikage has already left the Land of Iron—the Rock Kage also chose to leave before the media arrived for interviews. Only the Mist Kage and the Sand Kage seem to still intend to participate in this media interview.

"Lord Rasa! Lord Sunakage! Could you please tell me what happened yesterday? Why did the Raikage leave?"

"Lady Terumi Mei! Has the negotiation broken down?"

"Hokage-sama! Hyuga Yuzuru-sama! Please look here!"

Since it was the first time participating in a media interview in this format, and the media were also participating in such a major event for the first time, the crowd was so excited that they started scrambling to shout at each other.

But as Hinata Yuzuru merely pressed down on his hand, an invisible sense of oppression spread outwards, and the ordinary reporters stopped what they were doing, feeling uncomfortable as if they had a fishbone stuck in their throats. Only after they quieted down did Hinata Yuzuru speak calmly.

"Please raise your hands and wait. The person in charge will select each media outlet for interviews one by one. Each person has only one chance to ask a question. Please be patient and wait. Do not cause any confusion."

As soon as he finished speaking, a whole bunch of hands shot up. The high-ranking official from the Land of Iron, who was in charge of the media day, gestured for a reporter from Konoha to speak first, which was a special gesture of respect for Hyuga Yuzuru.

"Hokage-sama! Why did the Raikage and Iwakage leave before media day? Did yesterday's negotiations not go well?"

I recognized Hyuga Yuzuru, the media reporter from Konoha. I used to see him reporting the news in various places. I even remembered that his name was Wenbo.

"At yesterday's meeting, I made several proposals, including establishing a United Nations council led by the five major powers to work together with the smaller nations of the ninja world for peace, but during this period..."

Hyuga Yuzuru explained his ideas and proposals at the Five Kage Summit in a simple and clear manner. Flashbulbs clicked as reporters frantically recorded every word he uttered, and reporters from many small countries showed expressions of ecstasy.

The Fifth Hokage actually wants to take us small countries along... I'm so touched!

Even the people of many small countries who have always trusted him cannot imagine that the leader of the five great ninja nations, who can now be called the strongest in the ninja world, is actually willing to listen to the wishes of small countries, and even willing to have conflicts with large countries for their sake.

"During the meeting, the Raikage disagreed with my proposal to limit the power of ninjas and prevent the use of force and war to oppress small countries. This disappointed me greatly and was hard to accept."

I firmly believe that the power of ninjas should be used to contribute to all of humanity and to protect their families. If the power of ninjas cannot be limited, and if there cannot be a set of rules that everyone can accept to constrain the use of ninja power, then the ninja world will never achieve true peace.

Konoha has always been committed to the peace of the ninja world, and I am willing to dedicate all my efforts to this cause until my dying breath. My only dream is to spend my peaceful and wonderful retirement in a truly peaceful world.

If some are unwilling to lay down their weapons, if some are unwilling to embrace a peaceful and beautiful future, if they view the use of violence to oppress, plunder, and exploit as the law of the jungle in the ninja world, then... I too am willing to don my armor! With the power of a ninja, I will pave the way for true peace!

Hyuga Yuzuru's words were deafening. Although he didn't mention the Raikage at all, it seemed that every word was aimed at the Land of Lightning. He solemnly and confidently said with a serious expression: "The long war in the ninja world has caused too many tragedies to be repeated again and again!"

I have personally stepped onto the battlefield as a child, and I have also witnessed children of my age from other small countries being displaced and forced to wander because of the conflicts and wars between major powers.

The memorial stone in Konoha is still engraved with countless names I am familiar with. Even today, every year, ninjas still sacrifice their lives for their country.

I...'s had enough!"

Hyuga Yuzuru spoke with a resounding voice, angrily rebuking: "There are millions of people in this world like me who are tired of war and tired of the so-called law of the jungle. They yearn for peace just like me, but there are always people who believe that survival of the fittest is the only law of nature, and that only the strong can have the right to speak!"

Then I'll show them who's in charge of setting the rules in this ninja world!

Konoha would never initiate a war. In fact, since its founding over sixty years ago, Konoha has never launched an invasion or oppression against any country, but it has never retreated from or feared any challenge!

If anyone believes that what I say doesn't count, the principles I explain don't count, and the rules I set out to be the rules people desire don't count...

Then I am not afraid to fight them, and prove who is truly righteous by force, according to the truth he believes in!

These words were devoid of any pedantry, and the anger and confidence they conveyed were made without any attempt to conceal them.

After a moment of silence from the reporters, even more hands were frantically raised.

The person in charge immediately selected the next reporter.

"You mean, Konoha might declare war on the Land of Lightning!?"

The reporter's expression was a mixture of unease and excitement. The unease stemmed from the fear of war, while the excitement arose from an instinctive realization that today's interview would likely become the most memorable one of his journalistic careers!

Hyuga Yuzuru's anger subsided slightly, but he became even more resolute as he said, "If the peace of the ninja world needs a battle to lay the foundation, then I will not shirk my duty!"

The reporters below erupted in an uproar, and the next reporter immediately asked, "Lord Wuying, what are your thoughts?"

"The Land of Mist is willing to stand firmly with Konoha in the effort to achieve peace in the ninja world, and stand firmly on the same front."

Mei Terumi made a difficult decision.

"Lord Sand Shadow!"

"I still need to discuss and confirm with my colleagues back home, but I also hope for peace in the ninja world." Rasa's words were simple, but compared to Mei Terumi, it could only be said that he hadn't taken sides thoroughly enough.

His words only elicited a fleeting glance from Hyuga Yuzuru. Their eyes met, and then he feigned composure and looked away. This scene was captured perfectly by the camera.

At this moment, a reporter from a small country asked, "Lord Hokage! Your actions are tantamount to directly starting a new Shinobi World War. Wouldn't such actions be more harmful than beneficial to the peace of the Shinobi World?"

“Very well. If the Land of Lightning launches an invasion against your country, I will have absolutely no objection. What do you think?” Hyuga Yuzuru retorted sharply, chuckling twice. “Perhaps you think that because your Land of Tea only borders Konoha, you can rest easy and ignore the repeated occurrences of events like those in the Land of the Moon?”

The reporter remained silent for a moment, wanting to say something more, but had already lost the right to ask a question.

The reporters then began asking questions and conducting interviews, while the three Shadows answered all sorts of questions. The short one-hour interview quickly came to an end, and the three Shadows then privately confirmed each other's intentions.

"Fifth Hokage, are you really determined to go to war with the Land of Lightning?" Rasa's expression was unreadable.

Hyuga Yuzuru simply gazed at him calmly: "I must curb the endless oppression of small countries by large countries, and the power of ninjas must also be restrained—in fact, perhaps this measure is also blocking your way? Then I must apologize in advance."

Rasa pursed his lips for a moment, then chuckled twice: "How could that be? My Sand Country is not like the Land of Lightning... It's just that the Sand Country's fighting strength is currently depleted, so I'm afraid it can't provide much help to Konoha!"

Hyuga Yuzuru's expression remained calm: "No need."

After he finished speaking, he turned and left. Mei Terumi glanced at him but didn't talk to him much. In fact, the relationship between the two families had always been very ordinary.

Mei Terumi caught up with Yuzuru Hyuga and whispered, "If war breaks out, the Land of Mist is willing to participate in the battle as an ally."

“Okay.” Hinata Yuzuru did not refuse, but said, “But keep in touch regarding the specifics.”

“Yes, then I’ll head back first. As you know, this matter… was a bit sudden.” Mei Terumi sighed and said, “In the Land of Mist, I’m not like you in Konoha, where your word carries weight.”

"You are an extraordinary woman, and an extraordinary Mistkage. I believe that your changes and efforts in the Land of Mist are evident to all." Hyuga Yuzuru said a few words of comfort before going to the car. At this moment, the Konoha ninjas had entered a state of war, each with a serious expression as they guarded their surroundings.

He reached out and gently patted Mei's shoulder: "I hope this incident can become an opportunity for both of us to go further. Peace in the ninja world, peace between nations, is not just a matter between you and me, but also a matter between the people of our two countries—nothing is deeper than the friendship built up by standing on the same side."

Mei Terumi understood immediately, smiled and shook her head slightly, then reached out and firmly shook hands with Yuzuru Hyuga: "I await good news."

"Yes." Hinata Yuzuru smiled and shook hands with her. The reporters who were still gathered around her reluctantly took pictures of the scene and published it in their newspapers, calling it the "handshake of the century."

Hyuga Yuzuru got into the car, and the car began to accelerate away from the Land of Iron.

At the same time, this media interview spread like wildfire throughout the entire ninja world.

Prices skyrocketed, and people in many countries flocked to the streets after seeing the news to buy food, necessities, and even in a state of panic. In some small countries, a refugee crisis also emerged.

They flocked to major powers like Konoha with their families, hoping to find refuge in these powerful nations and avoid being displaced and suffering further misfortune in their smaller countries due to the potential protracted war that might follow.

As soon as Hyuga Yuzuru got into the car, his phone started ringing incessantly.

Countless daimyo from small countries, or leaders of ninja villages, tried to contact him through various channels and methods to confirm the situation.

Hyuga Yuzuru remained calm and composed, handing the task over to the Konoha ninjas to reply to one by one.

The past ninja wars were merely battles between the five great nations.

Small countries either helplessly allow themselves to be bullied, or pitifully suffer undeserved calamities, caught in the middle and enduring their frustration.

But this time, the battle initiated by Hyuga Yuzuru will affect far more than just a few major powers.

Shortly after the media interview, the leader of the Land of the Moon, who had long suffered oppression from the Land of Lightning, accepted the ninja's interview without hesitation and declared: "If the Land of Lightning cannot stop its oppression of the Land of the Moon, I am willing to accept the Land of Lightning's declaration of war together with Konoha."

Accepting a declaration of war and declaring war are only two words apart, but that's enough to fully express one's attitude.

As a result, many small countries have also begun to follow suit.

Some simply condemned the Land of Lightning for its lack of responsibility as a major power.

Some stood firmly behind Konoha.

Others firmly stand with the Iwakage and Raikage, opposing Hyuga Yuzuru's attempt to single-handedly instigate a ninja war, believing his statement to be an extremely selfish 'tyranny'.

This is an act of forcibly interfering in the internal affairs of another country under fabricated pretexts and using the threat of force to intimidate, which seriously infringes upon the interests of the Land of Lightning and tramples on the ideas of freedom and peace advocated by Hyuga Yuzuru.

Mixed opinions, amplified by media coverage, have been flying around everywhere.

However, after returning to Konoha, Hyuga Yuzuru received various documents from different regions within just three days.

The battle has begun!

In today's world, the first shot fired in a battle often doesn't come from ninjas, but from trade.

Almost immediately after Hyuga Yuzuru spoke to the media, the Land of Lightning began to swiftly restrict and sever ties with various resources, trade, and business activities. In just three days, a number of companies and goods related to Konoha were successively sanctioned.

Konoha retaliated with a super double strike, and the sanctions came even more swiftly and unreasonably. You should know that Konoha guarantees and maintains 70% of the communication network market in the Land of Lightning!

Not only that, but there were also shortages of low-priced food and soaring prices in the Land of Thunder. Only now did Lei Ying Ai realize the seriousness of the problem.

In the past, he thought that what Konoha had done was only to a certain extent to encroach on the domestic market of the Land of Lightning, but he was shocked to realize this when the battle between the two sides began.

Over the years of competition, Konoha's leading position in several key areas, such as food and raw materials, has driven out inferior products, forcing many merchants from the Land of Lightning to transform their businesses and explore and develop other untapped markets.

Konoha's sudden withdrawal has led to a severe shortage of goods in the Land of Lightning. Factories are running out of raw materials, and while there are reserves of basic necessities such as food, they are still far from sufficient, given that Konoha accounts for 70% of the world's agricultural output. This has indirectly caused prices to soar.

There's nothing we can do about it! Konoha's agricultural products, thanks to its extremely advanced technology in crop improvement, have yields per acre, taste, and prices that have long been unmatched by farmers in most other countries.

They either join the Konoha Farmers' Association for assistance, or they can only rely on domestic agricultural support programs, maintaining an inefficient and low-yield model, anxiously waiting for domestic agricultural products to upgrade, and making a living by relying on domestic protected purchase prices.

There have been more than one or two similar incidents.

This immediately plunged the people of the Land of Lightning into a life of hardship.

Previously inexpensive consumer goods have suddenly seen their prices skyrocket, while domestic products that are far inferior to those from Konoha have repeatedly reached new highs in price.

It's one thing that things have become more expensive, but due to the sanctions imposed by both sides, a large number of factories have been forced to shut down, many companies have begun to close indefinitely, and workers and employees have lost their jobs.

Many industries that received investment from Konoha or used Konoha's key technologies were forced to shut down because they lost Konoha's raw materials and technical support.

With a large number of unemployed people and skyrocketing prices, large numbers of 'refugees' began to appear on the streets of the Land of Lightning, relying on the Land of Lightning's relief funds and food to survive.

The Land of Fog also responded quickly and began imposing sanctions.

Small countries that were dependent on the two countries also began to distance themselves from the Land of Lightning.

Despite the fact that the Land of Rock and the Land of Lightning quickly responded to each other, supported each other, and jointly sanctioned the Konoha Alliance.

However, due to Konoha's unparalleled advantages and its well-prepared material reserves and strategic support, the impact on it is completely different!

Although the people of Konoha felt that prices had risen somewhat, they were not under any pressure regarding basic necessities.

In terms of work, the people of Konoha do not rely on foreign investment like other countries. Although exports have plummeted and some businesses are struggling, Konoha is wealthy and powerful. If they say they will not let you go bankrupt, they will. If they cannot pay workers' salaries, they will make up the difference with subsidies.

The ninjas' astonishing efficiency and strict supervision prevented all kinds of incidents from occurring. The entire Hidden Leaf Village was like a machine linked by countless intricate gears, rumbling and baring its teeth menacingly at the surrounding countries.

Although there are still some people in the country who hold high the banner of anti-war, they are only a drop in the ocean. The overall environment is extremely fanatical. The people of Konoha firmly believe that there is only one winner in this battle. At this time, not only is no one complaining, but many people have spontaneously organized to take to the streets, calling on people to cut back on food and clothing and support Konoha.

We must fight! We must win!

We want peace! We want peace in the ninja world!

We must win! We must achieve total victory!

As the slogans resounded throughout Konoha, after a brief stalemate of several months, winter arrived again. The Land of Lightning, facing food shortages, finally could not withstand the economic blockade and the various internal conflicts that continued to arise.

New and old grudges, ideological differences, led Raikage to make the most important decision of his life.

"Today is the 67th year of Konoha, December 3rd, at 10:12 PM."

The Land of Lightning has officially declared war on Konoha!

Lei Yingai stated to the media: 'To not fight is to perish, to fight is not necessarily to perish!'

'Reject Konoha's hegemony! The Land of Lightning will fight for freedom!'

It is reported that the Land of Lightning has dispatched an advance force of about 5,000 ninjas to launch an attack on Konoha from the direction of the Land of the Moon!

At the same time, the Land of Rock also declared war on Konoha, and 7,200 Rock ninja troops are currently assembling at the border...

A spokesperson for Konoha stated that all Konoha ninjas are ready for battle, and Kakashi Hatake, the leader of Kakashi's Western Team, said in an interview—"The Moon's defense line is indestructible!"

Our reporter Wenbo will continue to bring you the latest news on this war. The next segment will switch to our reporter in the border region of the Land of Rock...

Wearing a divine robe, Hyuga Yuzuru sat in his office, staring blankly at the night view outside the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Behind her, Hinata Kaoru was typing rapidly on her keyboard with a serious expression. On her desk, several screens displayed intelligence and information transmitted from various departments in a timely manner.

Konoha's advanced technology developed extremely rapidly, much like how the internet jumped from 2G to 4G in just six months after its emergence. Similarly, computer technology also advanced rapidly within a year.

Today's technological level is even greater than that of the modern era.

Some of the high-tech advancements developed based on chakra are even at the level of science fiction.