I just returned to Konoha and found that all my clan members were gone.

Land of Earth, Iwagakure Village

Oonoki's desk continued to vibrate with the sound of artillery fire, and the war had spread to the village.

Yugakure very humanely gave advance notice before the war, giving Iwagakure enough time to evacuate civilians.

"No news from Konoha and Sunagakure yet?"

Ohnoki clenched his fists. The ninjas of Iwagakure had basically lost their combat capability, and even supplies could not be supplied. The Raingakure did not even need to take the initiative to attack, they could trap them to death by surrounding the Iwagakure village.

"Konoha and Sunagakure have already made some moves, but the report says that Konoha was also hit by artillery fire and the advance was very slow. Sunagakure didn't even cross the border of the Rain Country. The Fifth Kazekage fought with Uchiha Sasuke and I heard that he was seriously injured."

After hearing the report, even the diehards who were determined to fight to the death changed their expressions.

Being able to fight against the three major ninja villages at the same time and not be at a disadvantage was something that no village had ever done before.

During the Third World War, Konoha also dealt with different villages at different stages, and the focus was on defense. This was the first time in the history of Amegakure that this happened.

"Are those guys from Konoha deliberately not putting in any effort?"

"Don't think about it. You've seen the power of artillery before. It's already amazing that they can advance a little."

"As expected, children are still unreliable. How old is the Kazekage? Sand Village is really out of people."

Needless to say, this group of people started quarreling again. It was obvious that the war was about to spread to them, as if saying this could cover up their own incompetence.

"Stop arguing!"

Ohnoki was overwhelmed by the noise. After all, he couldn't rely on anyone and in the end it all depended on himself.

"How many ninjas do we have left who can still fight?"

Ohnoki asked a senior executive in charge of statistics.

"Less than... 4000 people."

The senior statistician stuttered that he had never dared to report this number to Ōnoki.

After the last war, more ninjas left, and half of these four thousand people were at the level of Genin.

Everyone was shocked by this number. Iwagakure was really at the end of its rope.

"Also, even if our numbers remain at this level with no casualties, our supplies will only be enough to last for a month."

The statistician gritted his teeth and told another fact. Anyway, it had come to this point and he couldn't take responsibility if he couldn't solve the problem.

Ōnoki felt dizzy. He kept wondering why the Amegakure surrounded the village but did not attack for a long time, but only carried out sporadic artillery bombardment.

It turns out that they have been teasing their nerves all along. Under such high-pressure environment, Yuyin can even defeat Iwayin without losing a single soldier.

Yugakure didn't even give Ōnoki the chance to fight to the death.

A feeling of despair spread in the room. With all the disadvantages, there was no hope of a comeback, and even the last bit of dignity could not be satisfied.

"Let's discuss a ceasefire with Yuyin."

Ōnoki drained all his strength from his body, slumped down in his seat, and uttered these words with difficulty.

Surprisingly, this time, no one objected. Silence was the best answer.

"Lord Tsuchikage, let me lead our men to charge once more. Even if the Iwagakure Village cannot be saved, we can still break out."

Akagi, who had been silent, suddenly spoke excitedly at this time. Although he did not understand politics, he understood what Oonoki's words meant.

Ōnoki looked at Akagi with some relief. He didn't expect that the one who still thought about him in the end was this disciple he least expected.

But at his age, how could he bear to watch these people die with him?

Putting his serious face back on, Ohnoki said with a determined heart.

"Don't mention this matter again, Akatsuki. The others should negotiate with Amegakure to ensure the lives of the original Iwagakure ninjas."

The top brass of Iwagakure are starting to step down, as they now have something else to get busy with.

After Ōnoki made the decision, these people did not slow down at all and soon sent representatives to negotiate with Yugakushi.

"Ohnoki, the old stubborn man, actually agreed to surrender?"

The representative of Iwagakure arrived at Yugakure's position, and Ye Lan said with some surprise.

"We are discussing how to cease fire, if that's your understanding."

The representative of Iwagakure was an elderly man. After hearing Ye Lan's words, he wiped the sweat off his face.

This kid speaks without any mercy.

"Well, what do you want?"

Ye Lan said calmly while crossing his legs.

"The first point is to ensure the safety of our Iwagakure ninjas, whether they are currently on the battlefield or captured. The second point is that we can give up the territory that has been occupied by your side, but we must ensure that Iwagakure still exists. In return, Iwagakure can acknowledge that it has become a vassal of the Rain Country. The third point..."

The representative spoke a lot in a very eloquent manner. It seemed that these people had already been prepared to surrender and the conditions had been negotiated long ago.

For a long while, Ye Lan kept listening to the representative's story without showing any impatience. He waited until the other party stopped talking before asking someone to bring him a glass of water.

"Finished?"

The representative didn't expect Ye Lan to be so calm. He didn't even bargain with him. He picked up the water cup and took a sip.

"That's all for now. If you can meet Iwagakure's conditions, we can surrender."

"Well, tell me what I think."

Seeing that the other party had finally finished speaking, Ye Lan sat up again and stretched out a finger.

"I can meet your first point and guarantee the safety of the Iwagakure ninjas, but you must accept the trial of the Rain Country. Each of you will be punished to varying degrees based on the trial."

At this moment, the representative's face changed immediately, and he couldn't understand what was going on.

"Don't worry, this punishment won't be too severe, especially for those ninjas who can only follow orders. Their punishment will be very light, at most they will have to work in the mines for a while."

"However, for you senior officials who give orders, it won't be that simple."

Facing Ye Lan's smile, his hair stood on end and he said excitedly.

"Uchiha Yelan, what are you doing? Do you know how much effort we put into promoting this negotiation?"

"With great power comes great responsibility. You should have thought of this when you ordered your men to die!"

If we want to give justice to the world, we cannot be soft-hearted in this regard. Ye Lan would rather be more careful than accept Yanyin's surrender, otherwise it will only breed an overflow of power.

"But don't worry, I won't take your lives. Your lives are of no use to me."

In the end, Ye Lan still gave the other party a glimmer of hope.

"What exactly do you want to do?"

The representative asked in confusion. He really couldn't understand Ye Lan's thoughts. Things could obviously be made simpler.

"If you want a ceasefire, then surrender unconditionally. You have no other choice."