The next day, before Iwa-nin could even send word, Nawaki and Minato arrived at Ōnoki's doorstep.
"I was just about to summon them, and here they are on their own."
Thinking Konoha had the sense to cooperate willingly, Ōnoki's expression softened into a smile.
"Please, come in, honored guests of Konoha."
With a wave of his hand, he signaled the Iwa-nin at the door to invite Nawaki and Minato inside.
"Lord Tsuchikage."
Nawaki and Minato bowed politely before taking their seats.
Several Iwa-nin higher-ups flashed looks of displeasure but ultimately held their tongues.
"You've arrived at the perfect time. I was just about to send someone to contact you."
"Today, I plan to launch a full-scale counterattack against the Kumo-nin."
"With your assistance, I am confident we can secure a decisive victory."
Ōnoki beamed, already picturing Kumo's forces being utterly crushed.
"That sounds fine."
"But before that, there's something we'd like to discuss with you, Lord Tsuchikage."
Nawaki and Minato exchanged a quick glance before Nawaki spoke up.
"Oh? Speak freely."
"As long as it's within my power, I'll agree to it."
Perhaps feeling overconfident, Ōnoki readily promised without hesitation.
"Are you sure about that, Lord Tsuchikage?"
Nawaki's expression brightened noticeably, and Ōnoki immediately sensed trouble.
A bad feeling settled in his gut, but since he had already spoken, he had no choice but to play along.
"Of course."
His smile faltered slightly, but his tone remained firm.
"In that case, does that include Dust Release?"
Nawaki's voice was calm, almost casual, but his words sent shockwaves through the room.
"No!"
"Dust Release is a Kekkei Tōta exclusive to the Tsuchikage of Iwagakure. How dare an outsider even think of coveting it?"
Before Ōnoki could respond, one of his subordinates shot up from his seat, pointing a finger at Nawaki in outrage, barely restraining himself from outright cursing.
"We were asking Lord Tsuchikage, not you. What gives you the right to interrupt?"
Minato's voice was cold, his gaze filled with unmistakable contempt.
"You—"
"Enough! Do you think this is the place for your outbursts?"
Ōnoki cut him off sharply, his expression dark and icy.
He was already regretting his earlier words. He had rejected Nawaki once before, and now he found himself backed into a corner.
"Yes, my apologies."
Chastised, the Iwa-nin had no choice but to sit down, though the hostility in the room was palpable.
Every Iwa-nin present shot daggers at Nawaki and Minato, feeling that Konoha had gone too far—daring to demand something so outrageous after lending just a single helping hand.
Yet, not one of them considered that without Konoha's aid, they might not even be alive to sit here and argue.
"Dust Release holds great significance for Iwagakure."
"Although I am the Tsuchikage, this is not a decision I can make alone."
"If possible…"
Ōnoki shamelessly attempted to steer Nawaki toward making a different request, though he held little hope of success.
He was painfully aware of the current situation—Iwa was still at a disadvantage, and he couldn't afford to antagonize Konoha.
His only goal was to stall for time, to push this discussion aside until after Kumo was dealt with.
If Nawaki refused to back down, then after the battle, Ōnoki might be forced to concede Dust Release.
But before the war was won, he would never hand over its secrets.
That was his bottom line.
"Ai~ Lord Tsuchikage, you're overthinking things."
"I was just joking with you."
"Dust Release is such an important technique—how could I keep asking for it again and again?"
Before Ōnoki could even finish his sentence, Nawaki suddenly changed his attitude entirely, leaving the Tsuchikage momentarily stunned.
"Lord Tsuchikage, please don't take offense."
"Nawaki just likes to joke around."
Minato chimed in with a laugh, as if the whole conversation had truly been nothing more than a joke.
"Haha… then it seems I took it too seriously."
Ōnoki let out an awkward chuckle, still unsure of what Nawaki and Minato were really up to.
The expressions on the Iwa-nin present were even more colorful. They looked like they wanted to vent their frustrations, but in the end, none of them dared to speak.
"I may have joked about Dust Release."
"But what I'm about to say now is serious."
Nawaki first expressed his apology, and the moment he finished speaking, Ōnoki sat up a little straighter.
"I'm listening."
Adjusting his collar, Ōnoki shifted forward in his seat, already feeling restless.
His mood had been shifting ever since Nawaki and Minato walked in, but now, he was downright frustrated.
If it weren't for the fact that he was dealing with a powerhouse like Konoha, he would never have sat through all this.
"I'll explain."
Minato's voice immediately drew everyone's attention—he was about to play the villain in this negotiation.
"I've been in contact with my sensei recently."
"He believes that Nawaki and I have spent enough time in the Land of Earth."
"With Akatsuki growing in power in the Land of Rain, Konoha can't afford to sit back and watch any longer."
"Meanwhile, none of the promises made by the Land of Earth have been fulfilled. Now that our village needs us, Nawaki and I have come to bid you farewell, Lord Tsuchikage."
Minato laid out the situation clearly—Akatsuki's rise was disrupting the balance, and despite Konoha's involvement here, they had yet to see any benefits from the Land of Earth.
Moreover, with direct orders from his teacher, no one could fault him for making this decision.
"How can this be?!"
"If you leave now, won't the Kumo-nin just come back?"
One of the high-ranking Iwa-nin was so shocked by Minato's words that he blurted out his concerns without thinking, completely focused on Iwa's interests.
Ōnoki, however, remained silent, his face dark as he pondered something.
"You're overthinking things."
"Even if we withdraw, Kumo has no reason to remain in your Land of Earth."
"Konoha has already done its part, helping your village through this crisis."
"I trust Lord Tsuchikage won't forget the promises made to Konoha."
Nawaki smoothly took over the conversation, his tone calm and composed, showing no signs of anger or impatience.
"I won't forget my promises."
"But I truly need your help in today's battle."
"I ask that the two of you lend us your strength."
"Once the battle is over, no matter the outcome, I will personally hand over Dust Release."
Ōnoki had abandoned all pretense of refusal, hoping his concession would persuade Nawaki and Minato to stay.
The Iwa-nin who had first objected to the idea of sharing Dust Release now sat stiffly in his chair, completely silent.
"I appreciate Lord Tsuchikage's generosity."
"But Dust Release is of great importance to Iwagakure. How could I force you to part with something so valuable?"
Nawaki turned Ōnoki's own words against him, though his face remained neutral, he was thoroughly enjoying the moment.
"You're leaving today?"
Ōnoki was already regretting his decision. If he had known things would turn out like this, he would have handed over Dust Release earlier—there might have been a chance to turn things around.
But now, he couldn't even give it away.
"Yes, the situation is urgent. We can't delay any longer."
Nawaki nodded. He was confident that Ōnoki wouldn't dare make a move against them.
Besides, the crisis in the Land of Earth had already passed. All that remained was for Kumo to withdraw.
That was a frustrating outcome for Ōnoki—one he didn't want to see—but it had nothing to do with Konoha.
"We appreciate your hospitality, Lord Tsuchikage. We won't take up any more of your time."
As Minato and Nawaki stood up, everyone in the room except Ōnoki followed suit.
"No need to see us out."
"Lord Tsuchikage, until we meet again."
Nawaki shot Ōnoki a meaningful look before striding out alongside Minato, treating the rest of the room as if they didn't even exist.
"Lord Tsuchikage, we can't let them leave!"
"I can take men and force them to the battlefield—"
Nawaki and Minato had barely stepped outside when they overheard this, and they nearly burst out laughing.
They almost wished Ōnoki had the guts to try.
"Idiots!"
"Get out of my sight!"
Ōnoki's furious roar echoed through the entire camp.
…
Half an hour later, the Konoha forces, led by Nawaki and Minato, began their journey back home.
As for which route they took, that was no longer Ōnoki's concern.