pertwk Chapter 140 A Beautiful Back Attack, Desperate Yekura
Chapter 140 A Beautiful Back Attack, Desperate Yekura
Chapter 140 A Beautiful Back Attack, Desperate Yekura (Happy New Year everyone!)
Konoha surrenders, and Kojiro returns.
Such a grand event naturally calls for a banquet. Gouju Hui waved his hand and declared that everyone should come to eat at his Gouju Clan's restaurant, and all expenses would be paid by his Gouju Clan!
The carnival lasted for three days.
For the past three days, as one of the main characters, Gouju Cheng has been toasted by people from various families in turn, and he's almost tired of hearing those compliments.
However, Cheng-ge is still Cheng-ge. This kind of socializing is clearly a comfort zone for the former playboy.
With a smile on his face, he accepted every drink offered, downing each glass in one gulp, demonstrating an astonishing capacity for alcohol and effortless social skills.
His dignified appearance and elegant demeanor captivated countless ninja women, stirring up feelings of first love in them.
If it weren't for Mei Terumi following him almost every step of the way, these girls, young and old, could have devoured Makoto Karatachi with just one bite each!
The gates of the Karatachi clan were practically worn down by visitors. Clan leaders, elders, and powerful figures from various ninja clans took turns paying their respects, ostensibly to congratulate the Karatachi clan on producing two great figures. But everyone could see that this was a preemptive gesture to curry favor with the future Fourth Mizukage and the powerful Mizukage.
For the past three days, Gou Juhui's old face has been almost constantly smiling.
"Ah Cheng, come on, have another drink!"
The head of the Hozuki clan personally brought over a wine cup, his usually serious face now beaming with smiles.
"I knew you were no ordinary kid, and I was right! Come, come, let me toast you!"
Gouju Cheng raised his glass with a broad smile, but inwardly he was full of complaints.
"Extraordinary my foot! When the Third Hokage entrusted Hozuki Mangetsu to him, your Hozuki clan didn't hold back in saying he was a good-for-nothing wastrel from the Karatachi family!"
These kinds of polite words are best left unsaid.
After a few rounds of drinks, Gouju Cheng finally found an excuse to slip out of the banquet hall and get some fresh air in the courtyard.
The winter night wind carried a chill, dispelling the smell of alcohol and the noise from the body.
"Have you had enough to drink?"
Mei Terumi's voice came from behind.
Gouju Cheng turned around, looked at the beautiful face in the moonlight, and laughed, "Why are you out here too? Aren't you going to keep me from the girls?"
"I'm not your maid." Mei Terumi rolled her eyes at him and walked to his side. "But—you've certainly had a tough time these past few days."
"That's right." Makoto Koji stretched. "I call this bearing humiliation and carrying a heavy burden. For the harmony and stability of the family and the village, I sacrifice my own interests for the greater good."
"loquacious."
Terumi Mei couldn't help but laugh.
Under the moonlight, the two stood side by side, neither of them speaking for a moment.
After a moment, Mei Terumi spoke softly: "We've received news from Sunagakure."
Gouju Cheng's eyes narrowed.
"Oh? So fast?"
"Yura's here again." Mei Terumi looked at Makoto Karatachi. "He brought the documents you requested. The Kazekage's seal, the official format, and the content is exactly the same."
Where is Yekura?
"Still at the border." Mei Terumi paused. "Yura said that once the treaty is signed, Yokura will be formally handed over to us as a final gesture of goodwill."
Gouju Cheng's lips curled into a playful smile.
"Luo Sha seems to be in a great hurry."
"Of course he's anxious," Mei Terumi analyzed. "The news of Konoha's defeat has spread throughout the ninja world, and the pressure on Sunagakure has suddenly increased. Rasa needs to stabilize the eastern front as soon as possible to prevent Kirigakure from going to war with Sunagakure after defeating Konoha. In his view, exchanging Pakura for a peace treaty is a good deal."
"A good deal?"
Gouju Cheng chuckled softly.
As long as it's a good deal, that's fine. I'm just worried you won't think it's a good deal
"By the way, did Yura mention what state Yoko is in right now?"
"No, but Yecang probably doesn't know yet that she's being used as a bargaining chip."
Terumi pondered, "She was sent by Rasa as a 'diplomatic envoy,' with the so-called mission of 'easing tensions between Sunagakure and Kirigakure.' Yura said she was very cooperative throughout the journey, even proactively offering to contribute to peace between the two countries."
"Does she really think she's an envoy here to negotiate?"
The mangosteen was truly amazed.
Luo Sha's move was truly ruthless to the extreme. Not only did he intend to use Ye Cang as a sacrifice, but he also wanted to make her walk into the altar happily without her knowledge.
By the time Yekura realized what was happening, she was already facing the swords of Kirigakure and the already signed handover documents.
At that time, she didn't even have a chance to resist.
"That's really underhanded."
"So, what are you planning to do?"
Gouju Cheng was silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled.
"Simple."
"Since Rasa wants Yekura to be sold without her knowledge, then I'll make her aware of it."
"Doesn't she think of herself as an envoy? Then let's give her a formal diplomatic reception."
""
"Let her see for herself what's written on the document that Luo Sha personally signed."
The next day, outside the Hidden Mist Village.
Standing at the port, looking at the shimmering sea, Yekura felt a complex mix of emotions welling up inside her.
She set off from Sunagakure, crossed the border between the Land of Wind and the Land of Rivers, and headed east, eventually arriving at this country surrounded by the ocean.
-
"Lord Yekura, the people from Kirigakure have arrived."
The accompanying ninja beside him gave a low reminder.
Ye Cang snapped out of her thoughts and followed his gaze.
From the direction of the port, a group of people dressed in Mist Shadow uniforms were walking towards them. The leader was a young man with black hair and purple eyes, and a handsome face; he looked to be no more than twenty years old.
"Is he Makoto Koji?"
Ye Cang secretly sized up the other party.
This recently rising star in the ninja world, known as "Copy Ninja Makoto," is a legendary figure who single-handedly orchestrated Kirigakure's victory over Konoha.
She's even younger than rumored.
"Jonin Yekura, I've long admired your name."
Gouju Cheng walked closer, nodded slightly, and smiled warmly.
"I am Makoto Karatachi, and I have come to welcome the noble envoy from Sunagakure on the orders of Lord Mizukage."
"You're too kind, Vice Minister of the Water Shadow. I am Yekura, and I have come on the orders of the Fourth Kazekage to discuss matters of reconciliation with your village."
"The repairs are complete, I understand."
Gouju Cheng nodded and gestured for him to enter.
"Jonin Yekura has come from afar and must be tired from her journey. Please come with me to the camp to rest first, and we will have a formal meeting tomorrow."
Thank you for your trouble.
As Yekura and his group left the port, they eventually arrived at a quiet and secluded place.
The residence was small, but it was decorated quite elegantly. Several pine trees were planted in the courtyard, along with artificial hills and flowing water, giving it a refined and elegant feel.
"Jonin Yekura, please."
Makoto Karuta personally led her to a spacious and bright Japanese-style room.
"This is your accommodation and that of your entourage. Hot water and food are provided. Please feel free to contact the guards outside if you require anything."
"Thank you so much, Master Gouju."
Gouju Cheng smiled, turned and left.
Yekura stood at the door of the Japanese-style room, watching his figure disappear, her brows furrowing slightly.
"Lord Yekura, what's wrong?" the accompanying ninja asked in a low voice.
Ye Cang shook his head.
"It's nothing, I just feel that this hero of Kirigakure is a bit too young. No wonder the Fourth Hokage made the decision to reconcile with Kirigakure."
"It's all for Sunagakure, after all, Konoha is just too tenacious."
77
"Yes, once this is over, I need to hurry back to the battlefield."
When Konoha was mentioned, Yekura's eyebrows furrowed slightly, and her expression became more serious.
Konoha's strength was simply too great, so great that Sunagakure was no match for Konoha. Several large-scale attacks by Sunagakure were easily blocked by Konoha.
As a result, Sunagakure can only amass troops within Kikyoyama Castle, hoping to seize a good opportunity to launch a final attack and deliver a devastating blow.
As one of the core combat forces of Sunagakure, she naturally had to rush back to the front line as soon as possible.
The following morning, the Hidden Mist Village hosted the Sunagakure delegation at their lodging.
Yekura got up early and changed into a formal Sand Village Jonin outfit. The dark brown vest was neatly put on her body, and the ninja tool pouch at her waist was also properly arranged.
She stood by the window, gazing at the buildings faintly visible in the morning mist, a complex and indescribable emotion welling up within her.
Kirigakure—it wasn't quite what she had imagined.
It is said that Sunagakure and Kirigakure are brothers in misfortune, with Sunagakure being poor and Kirigakure suffering, but at this moment, Kirigakure seems unusually calm.
Early risers were already busy on the streets, children were chasing and playing in the alleys, and the shouts of vendors could be heard in the distance.
Such a scene is undoubtedly rare for Sunagakure, which is currently at war.
"Lord Yekura, breakfast is served."
The voice of the accompanying ninja interrupted her thoughts.
Ye Cang turned around and sat down at the low table.
Several exquisite breakfast items were laid out on the table: white porridge, side dishes, and a few slices of perfectly grilled fish.
The area is nestled near the sea, and the fish there are quite fresh.
"After dinner, it's time to attend the talks," Yekura thought to himself. "If we can reach a non-aggression pact with Kirigakure, Sunagakure can at least relieve the pressure on the eastern front and focus on dealing with Konoha—"
With that thought in mind, she took a deep breath and suppressed the distracting thoughts in her mind.
In any case, the mission must be accomplished today.
Meanwhile, at another location within the base.
Makoto Koji was sitting in an elegantly decorated reception room, toying with a scroll in his hand.
The scroll bears the official seal of the fourth generation Kazekage Rasa; the ink is dry and the characters are neatly written.
It was the handover document that Yura brought.
"Captain, are you really planning to show this thing to Yekura directly?"
Hozuki Mangetsu stood to the side, a hint of confusion on his face: "That woman is a hero of Sunagakure, with dozens of lives on her hands from Kirigakure. If she sees this, won't she turn on us on the spot?"
Gouju Cheng raised his head, a smile playing on his lips.
"Turn against me? Good thing."
"Only if we turn against her can I take action with a legitimate reason. If we don't, I'll have to rack my brains figuring out how to subdue her."
"Uh—" Full Moon scratched her head. "Captain, I really can't keep up with your train of thought."
"It's okay if you can't keep up, otherwise I'd be your captain."
Gouju Cheng stood up, put the scroll into his pocket, straightened his robes, and walked outside.
"Come with me to meet that hero of Sunagakure."
Inside the reception room.
Ye Cang sat in the guest seat, his posture upright and his expression calm.
When Makoto Goji walked in, she stood up and nodded slightly in greeting.
"Lord Goji."
"Jonin Yekura, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting." Makoto Karatachi took his seat at the head of the table and gestured for her to sit down. "Did you sleep well last night?"
"Thank you for your hospitality, all is well," Yekura said. "The food in Kirigakure is quite different from that in Sunagakure, it has a unique flavor."
"That's good." Makoto Karatachi nodded, his gaze falling on her. "Then, let's get straight to the point. What brings Jonin Yokura here?"
-
Ye Cang sat up straight, his expression solemn.
"Lord Karatachi, you are wise. I have come on the orders of the Fourth Kazekage to discuss the matter of reconciliation between our two countries with Kirigakure."
"Although Sunagakure and Kirigakure have not formally declared war, there have been constant border clashes in recent years, resulting in losses on both sides. The Kazekage believes that rather than continuing meaningless confrontation, it would be better to turn hostility into friendship and work together to achieve peace."
"To this end, Sunagakure is willing to sign a ten-year non-aggression pact with Kirigakure, and at the same time open border trade ports, allowing Kirigakure merchants to conduct duty-free trade within the Land of Wind. Kirigakure can give priority to purchasing gold dust, spices, and precious medicinal materials that are special products of the Land of Wind."
She paused, then added, "Furthermore, Sunagakure is willing to offer a formal apology for the past conflict with Kirigakure and compensate Kirigakure for some of the losses suffered as a result."
"This is Sunagakure's sincerity."
After Yekura finished speaking, he looked directly at Makoto Kojiki, waiting for his response.
After listening, Gouju Cheng still wore a warm smile on his face, but a complex emotion flashed deep in his eyes.
Looking at the Fiery Escape Envoy before him, he felt a surge of indescribable emotion.
Yekura, are you really unaware, or are you pretending not to know?
Your so-called mission is nothing but an elaborate deception. The sincerity you bring is merely bait used by Luo Sha to lure you into a peaceful death.
And you, here you are, earnestly negotiating, trying to secure peace for Sunagakure.
What a pitiful person.
"The Hidden Mist Village has received the sincerity of Jonin Yekura."
Gouju Cheng spoke slowly, his voice calm.
"However, before giving a formal reply, I would like to ask Jonin Yekura to look at something first."
He raised his hand, took out a scroll from his pocket, placed it on the table, and pushed it in front of Ye Cang.
Ye Cang was slightly taken aback.
"This is----"
"The Fourth Kazekage entrusted Jonin Yura to bring this." Makoto Karatachi looked at her calmly. "Jonin Yekura, why don't you take a look first? After you've seen it, we can talk."
A sense of doubt arose in Ye Cang's heart.
What did the Fourth Hokage bring? Why was it handed over by Yura instead of being given to her directly?
She picked up the scroll, broke the seal, and unfolded it.
My gaze fell on the first line of text.
"Sunagakure voluntarily transferred the Scorching Release ninja Pakura to Kirigakure as a sign of their sincerity in restoring goodwill—"
Yekura's body suddenly froze.
Her gaze was fixed on those words, her pupils contracting sharply.
"The fate of Yekura after the handover shall be decided entirely by Kirigakure. Sunagakure shall not interfere, nor shall it raise any objections or demands on Kirigakure on this basis."
"Signed by the Fourth Kazekage Rasa, and stamped with the official seal of Sunagakure, effective immediately."
boom!
In Ye Cang's mind, it was as if a thunderbolt had exploded, causing one of his systems to crash instantly.
Her hands, holding the scroll, trembled slightly. The next moment, the Sand Village Blazing Escaper looked up and stared intently at Makoto Karatachi in front of her.
"What does this mean?"
Goji Makoto didn't answer; he just looked at her quietly.
That silence itself is the cruelest answer.
Ye Cang took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down.
She lowered her head again, carefully reading every word, every seal, and every detail on the scroll.
The handwriting was indeed Luo Sha's. The seal was indeed Feng Ying's.
"so----"
Ye Cang's voice was even colder than before.
"From the very beginning, there was no such thing as a 'peace mission.'"
"I, Yekura, am not a Sunagakure messenger, but a sacrifice that Sunagakure gave to Kirigakure."
"Is it right?"
The last sentence was almost uttered through gritted teeth.
"Yakura Jonin, or rather, Yakura."
Faced with Yekura's questioning, Makoto Karatachi calmly replied, "Although there is hatred between Kirigakure and you, this hatred does not need to be eliminated in such a despicable way."
"You Kazekage are quite something, letting you fight bravely on the front lines while you betrayed you the moment you turned your back."
"What? This, this is impossible—"
Yekura suddenly raised his head and stared intently at Makoto Koji.
"You're lying to me!"
Gouju Cheng's expression remained unchanged; he merely sighed softly.
"Jonin Yekura, while I, Makoto Karatachi, may not be a gentleman, I wouldn't joke about something like this. You can examine this document carefully. The Kazekage's seal, the Sunagakure's official format—you should know these things better than I do."
Yekura's body trembled slightly.
She recalled Rasa's gentle smile and sincere words before she left Sunagakure.
"Yakura, you are a hero of Sunagakure. This mission to Kirigakure concerns the peace between our two countries. You are the person I trust most; only you are capable of shouldering this heavy responsibility."
trust.
She actually believed it.
Why————
Yekura's voice was hoarse, and his eyes flickered with a complex light.
Makoto looked at her, without mockery or contempt, and calmly said, "Because you are too strong, your prestige is too high, and your achievements are too great. Rasa has taken the position of Kazekage, but you are still here. He needs to secure this position, and he also needs to keep us in Kirigakure under his control. It's a win-win situation, so why not?"
'
Even though she didn't believe it a million times in her heart, Yekura knew that everything Makoto Kuraki said was true.
This handwriting is impossible to fake, and this seal is even more impossible to fake!
The air in the reception room seemed to freeze.
Yekura's hands, still trembling slightly, held the scroll, but her eyes had gradually changed from initial shock and anger to cold, lifeless desolation.
It was a kind of despair after being betrayed to the extreme, a kind of numbness after the complete collapse of past beliefs.
"so----"
Yekura's voice was hoarse and low, as if he were muttering to himself or questioning the void.
"I fought for Sunagakure for ten years, slaying hundreds of enemies and struggling to escape death countless times—and this is all I got in return?!"
"My name, Pakura, means hero, glory, and the ideal that every Sand Village ninja aspires to be—but in the end, I'm just a sacrifice that can be casually sent away?"
"Luo Sha—what a fine Luo Sha."
She suddenly raised her head, and a burst of scorching chakra erupted from her body!
"Even so, I will not allow you damned Kirigakure bastards to humiliate me like this!"
It was an extreme heat that instantly caused the temperature in the entire living room to soar, the air to distort, and the wooden floors and walls to emit a slight burnt smell.
The people behind Makoto Goji instantly became alert, but Makoto Goji raised his hand, signaling them to calm down.
He looked at Ye Cang and suddenly smiled.
"Jonin Yekura, or rather, Miss Yekura."
"I don't have that kind of low-level, perverse taste. If it were just to humiliate you, I could simply capture you and play with you as I pleased. Why go through all this trouble?"
"The Scorching Release technique is powerful, but it's no match for my Mangekyou Sharingan."
Ye Cang frowned slightly, but the scorching heat emanating from his body did not subside.
"What do you mean?"
"What I mean is, if I wanted to get rid of you, the moment you stepped into Kirigakure, you would already be a corpse or a level ten prisoner. There's no need for me to waste my breath here."
Gouju Cheng picked up his teacup and slowly took a sip.
"But I didn't."
"I'll show you the documents so you'll know the truth and understand that you were sent here as a pawn to be abandoned."
Do you know what this means?
Yecang was silent for a moment.
She's not stupid. On the contrary, the fact that she's survived in the cruel ninja world and become a hero of Sunagakure shows that she's definitely smart enough.
After a moment, she spoke in a deep voice.
"You want to recruit me."
"No, no, no, to be precise, I want to make a deal with you."
Makoto Kuraki put down his teacup and shook his head: "No matter what, you are the executioner who killed dozens of my Kirigakure ninja. Even if I could accept you, the rest of the Kirigakure ninja wouldn't. Besides, although you are somewhat good-looking, I already have a fiancée."
"My brother Cheng is known for being very devoted."
Yekura did not respond to Makoto Gojibana's teasing.
Her gaze fell on the scroll in her hand, her heart aching.
More than a decade.
She risked her life for Sunagakure for over a decade.
Countless times he narrowly escaped death on the battlefield, countless times he dragged his wounded body back to the village, countless times he was awakened by nightmares in the middle of the night, yet he still gritted his teeth and persevered, telling himself that this was for Sunagakure, for those who needed protection.
But now?
She raised her head, her eyes burning with intense anger.
"trade?"
Yecang's voice was hoarse and cold, carrying an undisguised sarcasm.
"Lord Karatachi, I am grateful that you have shown me Rasa's true colors. But gratitude is gratitude, but that does not mean I will forget what Kirigakure did to me."
"Many Mist Ninjas have indeed died from the Scorching Release technique, but none of the Mist Ninjas who died by my hand were innocent."
"On the battlefield, it's either you die or I live. I kill them because they are the enemy. If they kill me, I will have no complaints."
"So, if you're thinking of using this favor to blackmail me and make me work for you, don't even dream about it."
"good!"
Gouju clapped his hands, expressing his sincere admiration.
"As expected of a hero of Sunagakure, I admire his pride."
"But Yekura, let me ask you a question. What makes you think that killing a few dozen Mist Ninja would make me hate you to the core?"
Ye Cang was taken aback.
Goji Makoto turned around, looked at her, and had a playful smile on his lips.
"During war, when two countries are at war, each fighting for their own side, it's perfectly normal for you to kill my people and I to kill yours. On the battlefield, there is no right or wrong, only life and death."
"If I were the kind of fool blinded by hatred, I would have died long ago within Konoha's encirclement. Would I even have the chance to speak to you here?"
Yekura fell silent.
She had to admit that Gouju Cheng was right.
This young man was able to rise from an unknown nobody to a hero of the Hidden Mist Village in just a few months, to force the Third Hokage to sign a humiliating treaty at the negotiating table, and then become the Mizukage's assistant, second only to the Mizukage. His magnanimity and vision are beyond the reach of ordinary people.
"So what kind of deal do you want to make?"
Ye Cang stared at him.
"It's very simple."
"I just want some people to know that my sword, Kirigakure, is not something that anyone can borrow."
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