The Iron Sand offensive was contained, and Konoha's defensive line could not be breached for the time being. This was merely the beginning of Sand Hidden Village's strategic redeployment.
It was not a strategic retreat, but a breakthrough launched from areas where Konoha had not stationed troops.
There was simply too much Iron Sand.
First came Swamp Country, which bordered Demon Country. Wherever the apocalyptic Iron Sand passed, towns were submerged and the people suffered terribly. Next came the peace-loving Bird Country, followed by Stone Country and the other minor nations caught between Wind Country and Earth Country.
Like demons unleashed from their cages, the death toll began to skyrocket.
Konoha had stationed troops within Earth Country, so the Iron Sand offensive against it was suppressed once again. But Wind Country was not so fortunate.
In the aptly named Desert of Death, oases fell one after another beneath the Iron Sand Army's frenzied advance.
By the third day, Sand Hidden Village had reclaimed its homeland.
As the front line stretched longer, the pressure on Konoha's defenses increased accordingly.
With no noble daimyō to restrain them, Sand Hidden Village acted without compunction, burning its bridges behind it. Every living thing on the ground—commoners, nobles, temples, even passing cats and dogs—failed to escape the calamity. For thousands of miles, the land became a dead sea of Iron Sand.
And through its own efforts, Sand Hidden Village had once again created a situation in which it could stand against Konoha.
Taken as a whole, the situation was growing increasingly unfavorable for Konoha.
"All I can say is, it truly lives up to its reputation as an otherworldly demon that once nearly destroyed the world."
On the balcony outside Konoha's conference hall, Mimi rocked the drink in her hand as she gazed at the