Kirigakure.
Kimimaro stood loyally before the Third Mizukage, his expression neither sad nor happy.
He was like a tool, waiting for the user's command; the direction the Third Mizukage pointed was the target of his battle.
Genji pondered for a moment before saying, "Given the current situation in the village, launching a war, as you suggested, is indeed a good option..."
"The training of ninjas in the Bloody Mist Village has achieved its intended effect. As you know, the Ninja Academy caused a minor incident this year, and the public outcry hasn't subsided yet..."
This refers to Zabuza in rebellion against the Kirigakure Bloody Mist Village Kirigakure, which led to a major incident.
During the practical assessment, he not only killed many of his peers but also offended some examiners, and refused to apologize.
Zabuza's actions shocked many Kirigakure Ninja.
The nerves, which had gradually become numb under high pressure, were stimulated and became active again, Bloody Mist Village.
No one agrees with Zabuza's extreme views.
However, most of the Kirigakure Ninja saw the true extent of the village's corruption through this forced madness.
Is this still a village?
This is a completely inhuman arena!
If things continue like this, going back to the Warring States Period might be considered progress...
The tragedy that arose in the Bloody Mist Village, coupled with the fact that Ah Huo and Black Zetsu broke the prisoner's dilemma where everyone was in danger, caused the voices against the Third Mizukage to expand rapidly in an instant!
The Third Mizukage, panting heavily, silently murmured the name Zabuza.
"These ninjas don't understand at all!"
"I'm doing this for the good of Kirigakure, why are they opposing me?"
"Only war... only war can make the Kirigakure ninjas understand that the Bloody Mist Village has made their fighting power far ahead of the Shinobi World. I will lead them to seize the most fertile resources!"
"That way, they'll understand my good intentions and know that I'm right!"
Genji nodded. "Is that so, Lord Mizukage..."
In fact, even Genji believed that the Third Mizukage had gone too far.
However, he remained steadfast in his stance of "I will support whoever becomes the Mizukage," and thus never made a statement.
From the perspective of the Genji, Konoha was already so weak that it couldn't even control the lower-ranking ninjas, making it inferior to the Ninja Clan of the Warring States Period... Even if it was lucky enough to obtain some Sky Ninja technology, such as the Sea-Air Integrated Cruiser, it was completely useless.
The Genji of the Warring States Period understood a principle deeply.
If a group cannot unite as one, no matter how abundant its resources may seem, its strength will be reduced to less than one-tenth when a fight breaks out!
" Konoha may appear to have become stronger on the surface, but the arrogance of its ninjas and the advanced equipment require extremely high levels of organization and obedience to translate into real military strength on the battlefield..."
Genji squinted and analyzed:
"These arrogant and fierce soldiers who refused to Hiruzen Sarutobi would fight individually on the battlefield, even using the backdrop of war to eliminate each other, thus revealing numerous weaknesses..."
"It can be said that the Konoha is, the weaker Konoha becomes!"
"Lord Mizukage, congratulations on leading Kirigakure to victory in the war!" Genji said decisively, his tone extremely certain. Kimimaro, standing to the side, maintained his composure, but inwardly nodded slightly.
In fact, Genji's logic was not wrong.
Whether it's the Uchiha, Kaguya, or any other Ninja Clan that produces multiple powerful ninjas, similar situations have occurred. And the Hidden Village can also be roughly regarded as a huge Ninja Clan.
The saying goes, "To perish through strength."
" Genji is indeed not a fool; he has real skills. No wonder he was able to serve as the strategist for three Mizukage."
"But unfortunately, the logic is correct, but the starting point is wrong..." Kimimaro said with a tense expression. He wanted to laugh when he thought of the Hokage's high prestige in Konoha.
What kind of heroic figure Great Uncle Tenzo?
Sitting in the Hyuga Main Branch compound without ever leaving the house, one can observe all the major and minor events in the Shinobi World.
The three brilliant strategies left to him were only slightly modified by Kimimaro, who quickly rose to a high position in Kirigakure and became the Third Mizukage's most trusted confidant.
Even such a hero as Hyuga Tenzo never showed any disloyalty towards Hiruzen Sarutobi, and when teaching Kimimaro, he held the Hokage in high esteem. Kimimaro was no fool either; he could discern whether Tenzo was sincere or not.
After returning to Kirigakure, he focused on building his small group while simultaneously studying various cultural knowledge to analyze Konoha.
It was discovered that the Hyuga Main Branch and Branch Family were deeply intertwined with Konoha, forming a delicate and solid balance...
Starting with Hizashi Hyuga, then moving on to the Konoha Committee System, joining the Anbu, the Main Branch diplomacy, and the complete reform of the next generation of the Hyuga Clan... it can be said that through this series of actions, Kimimaro seemed to see Hiruzen Sarutobi himself sitting smilingly opposite Tenzo, gradually infiltrating the Hyuga with the power of the Hokage and imbuing them with the color of the Will of Fire.
It was as if they pacified the Hyuga Clan while enjoying tea and cigarettes...
Most importantly, both sides were happy.
The Hyuga Main Branch lost its so-called status, but gained the advantage of a lucrative diplomatic position and eliminated the resentment that had accumulated over a thousand years in the Branch Family.
The Hyuga Branch Family splitting up is a given, and releasing the Caged Bird is the most popular move.
Kimimaro was deeply moved when he thought of this.
Throughout the Shinobi World, cooperation is already rare, and examples of cooperation that benefit both parties are even rarer.
But ironically, all the cases involving the Lord Hokage are like this...
" Kimimaro, what do you think?"
The Third Mizukage was very satisfied with the Genji's opinion.
He was like a drowning person, clinging to a straw as if it were a life raft.
Moreover, Genji's analysis was not without basis; it was indeed a wise and experienced strategy for governing the country.
" Genji's analysis is truly insightful. I am still just a young man, and I feel that the gap between myself and Genji elders like you is simply too vast..."
"As you know, our Kaguya Clan has never been good at strategy. Although I've tried my best to make up for it and keep up with your pace..."
Kimimaro smiled somewhat naively, "But I still can't do it, so I thought I'd just follow your orders, that way it'll be more efficient." The Third Mizukage smiled for the first time in a long time.
"Don't belittle yourself like that!"
" The Kaguya Clan, when it comes to intellect, well, how should I put it..." The Third Mizukage thought for a moment, but couldn't help but laugh. This was a classic Kirigakure joke:
"It certainly has a great reputation, but you're different!"
Even Genji smiled. The Kaguya Clan's intellect has been tested over a thousand years; it's already remarkable that they can produce someone as obedient as Kimimaro.
They're not from the Hyuga Clan, so what kind of intelligent people can you expect from them?
It's not that cooperating with the Hyuga Clan for a long time will make the Kaguya Clan smarter; history has proven that...
However, Genji didn't know was...
In the Hyuga and Kaguya had its limits, but Kimimaro received Uchiha correction, comprehensive Konoha influence, and the complete teachings of Tenzo...
"I have high hopes for you, kid. Follow me and learn from me!"
The Third Mizukage nodded in satisfaction.
Kimimaro's heart skipped a beat; this was actually an implication that he should be his successor...
However, Kimimaro simply nodded honestly without saying another word.
The Third Mizukage and Genji exchanged a glance, then burst into laughter, shaking their heads in a gesture of resignation.
Can't you understand what I'm saying?
They're so adorably silly...
" Genji, immediately inform all the village ninjas that it's time to verify the results of the Bloody Mist Village!"
The Third Mizukage glanced at Kimimaro with a smile, then said seriously:
"Send messengers to Iwagakure, Sunagakure, and Kumogakure! Tell them that Kirigakure is going to Konoha for a meat feast, and those who want soup can follow us!"
"This time, to show our sincerity, we will launch a surprise attack on Konoha from the coast first, with our entire army mobilized!"
"Make them think this through. Even if they want to fight each other after they've gotten their share of the spoils, they need to hold their nerve and destroy Konoha first. Don't be like the First Shinobi World War, where they retreated at the first sign of trouble and then started fighting each other!"
The Third Mizukage, a veteran of the Shinobi World, once served as the bodyguard of the First Mizukage.
Having spanned the Warring States Period and two complete Shinobi World War...
The Third Mizukage still vividly remembered the collapse of the alliance of the Great Hidden Village First Shinobi World War.
Even though the Third Mizukage still vividly remembers Tobirama Senju Tobirama's tactics, Konoha at that time, without Hashirama and Madara, still boasted exceptionally talented individuals among the other Great Hidden Village...
If we unite, we can win!
However, it is indeed unlikely that they can unite as one.
Konoha is indeed a place to be wary of.
However, the hatred between the Major Hidden Villages is no joke, and Chain of Suspicion naturally exists between them.
But does that mean things should fall apart just because we encounter difficulties?
The Third Mizukage sighed. In reality, it was difficult enough to establish a cohesive organization within one's own Hidden Village, let alone form a stable alliance with other Hidden Village.
"That Will of Fire from Konoha is actually somewhat useful in this regard..."
The Third Mizukage snorted coldly:
"If it weren't for the reputation of the God of Shinobi, Hiruzen Sarutobi's foolish kindness, and if Konoha were a bit stronger, it might actually have become a point of conflict, bringing the other Great Hidden Village together."
But now, in order to mobilize the other Great Hidden Village, the Third Mizukage can only lead Kirigakure to be the first to charge forward.
Although this would certainly draw the brunt of Konoha's attacks, it's a potentially costly endeavor that only generates buzz.
But now, even the Third Mizukage can't do anything about it.
If this drags on any longer, internal strife may break out in Kirigakure!
Genji nodded. "There are always two sides to everything. The Will of Fire has emboldened the lower-ranking ninjas, but it has also made other Hidden Village feel that Konoha is not a significant threat..."
"No need to worry, Lord Mizukage. As soon as we land in the Land of Fire, they will definitely follow suit. Our sincerity this time is unprecedented in the Shinobi World."
The Third Mizukage nodded.
After all, Hiruzen Sarutobi was using the " Hashirama " name, not the "Madara" name...
Thinking about this, the Third Mizukage felt a little regretful.
How did the Asura of Shinobi lose the battle at the Valley of the End?
It would be fantastic if I could defeat the God of Shinobi and then be seriously injured...
Kimimaro blinked but didn't speak.
He had seen Hiruzen Sarutobi demonstrate Ice Release at the Ninja Academy...
Such power is probably difficult for even the strongest Ice Release Clan to replicate...
"I wonder if the Lord Hokage's strength has improved in the two or three years since I left Konoha?"
"Like Asura of Shinobi? That's impossible, I've never heard Great Uncle Tenzo mention it..." Thinking of this, Kimimaro felt a pang of nostalgia for his days in Konoha.
Even though he held a high position of power in the Kirigakure, he still walked on thin ice with every step he took. One wrong move could attract suspicion and doubt, and he could hardly sleep well.
But during his stay with the Uchiha Clan, Kimimaro slept soundly every night, as if the air itself was sweet.
In an extremely unstable environment like Kirigakure, let alone Kimimaro, even the Genji and the Third Mizukage would find it difficult to have a good night's sleep. Everyone was wary of each other, and tension was transmitted from the bottom up, constantly clashing with one another.
"Go, inform the village ninjas of my decision!"
The Third Mizukage waved his hand, stretching his limbs.
A fierce glint flashed in his eyes; compared to the shadows of other Hidden Village, he had a hidden trump card.
He can communicate with the Three-Tails!
Through a special technique, one can obtain Chakra from the Three-Tails even without becoming Jinchuriki...
With the combined strength of a Kage and the assistance of Tailed Beast, the Third Mizukage was confident that he was invincible near water...
"If only I could have controlled the Three-Tails back then..."
"That madman could never beat me! I really want to dig him out of his grave and fight him again..." The Third Mizukage muttered to himself. Even after so many years, he still couldn't forget the humiliation of losing to Hozuki Gengetsu.
#
Kirigakure.
Internal Affairs Department.
A secluded room.
Kimimaro, Yuki, and Kisame gathered together.
The three Konoha exchange students had already established a certain foundation in Kirigakure. Leveraging Kimimaro's position, they exploited loopholes in the Bloody Mist Village and built a vibrant underground group.
" The Third Mizukage is finally going to declare war on Konoha!"
Kimimaro said with a serious expression:
"You two and the brothers have given your orders: if you encounter Konoha Ninja, retreat. I'll assign you some avoidance missions. If your hands get stained with blood, you'll be in trouble later..."
"Tell them this is for their own good. You and I both know the quality of Konoha Ninja; their training intensity and organization are unmatched by Kirigakure ninjas."
"Furthermore, Kirigakure and Konoha are currently on friendly cooperative terms. If they suddenly betray us, Konoha's anger is predictable. It would be terrible if they got too close and killed our people."
"We came to the Shinobi World to live, not to be Mutori for that idiot Kirigori!"
Kisame and Yuki nodded naturally. "We understand!"
During their time in Kirigakure, they all established that Kimimaro was the mastermind behind their group...
They are indeed clever and resourceful!
Kisame even asked Kimimaro, "Brother, I'm Merfolk, I don't mean any offense, but I'd like to ask if you're a half-merman of Kaguya?" Kimimaro laughed when he heard this.
" Terumi Mei..."
Kimimaro pondered for a moment, then said, " Kisame, go and give her a subtle hint, let her understand what we mean. After all, we studied together in Konoha, so it's a way of showing our friendship."
Terumi Mei, due to her family's status, was also dissatisfied with the Bloody Mist Village.
However, he didn't have the same strong sense of rebellion as Kimimaro and others, so he wasn't brought into the inner circle.
The cooperation between Kimimaro and her was tacit; neither of them explicitly stated their attitude towards Konoha.
" The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, Karatachi Yagura, Genji, and the Three-Tails will all be mobilized this time..."
"Let them hold the line at the front. We'll preserve our strength and wait for Great Uncle Tenzo and me to find an opportunity to make contact. Then we'll await my orders." Kisame nodded, deep in thought.
"This shouldn't be difficult. The village is now divided into various factions. Even if we deliberately avoid war, there will be conflicts between the orders of each faction if a real war breaks out. The Konoha that Genji analyzed is actually more like the true situation of Kirigakure."
Once a battle breaks out, the low level of organization in the Kirigakure faction will disrupt battlefield commands, making it easy for them to blend in with the enemy.
Especially since the Supervision Squad was under the command of Kimimaro.
"The situation on the battlefield can change in an instant, but this time we'll try our best to kill the Third Mizukage, and preferably take down that troublesome Old Man, Genji, too. That way, no one from Kirigakure can stop us..."
Kisame said in a deep voice. Heartbroken by the Bloody Mist Village, he had begun to show signs of turning to the dark side.
Managing Kirigakure alongside these insects? You'll never have a good life in your next life!
Yuki added, "If we have the chance, we should also take down Suikazan Fuguki, Munashi Jinpachi, and Kushimaru Kuriarare. Those three are mentally unstable; they're obsessed with killing..."
A flash of anger crossed Kisame's eyes.
The Ruthless Duo were extremely cruel even to their own ninjas, Suikazan Fuguki was a sycophant who only knew how to fawn over the Third Mizukage... "I'll find a chance to kill them!! It's an insult to our reputation to have Samehada and the other two Ninja Sword in their hands."
Kimimaro nodded and solemnly said:
"Comrades, let's end the Bloody Mist Village together!"
Kisame and Yuki exchanged a glance, then extended their hands to Kimimaro, their three hands pressing heavily together.
"For peace and for the Kirigakure!"
This is their group's slogan.
Kimimaro took a deep breath and silently vowed to himself, "To become a Konoha Committee Member as soon as possible!"
#
A few days later.
The envoys from Kirigakure arrived at various villages, bringing with them the sincerity of the Third Mizukage being the first to send troops.
Iwagakure.
A few days ago, after returning to the village, Roshi handed over information about Amegakure and Konoha to Ōnoki, and also brought a copy of Jiraiya's masterpiece, " Saving Jonin Yashiro ".
After reading the intelligence, Ōnoki felt a great sense of urgency; he hadn't expected that even Amegakure would be equipped with Sky Ninja technology...
That means the Konoha Ninja must have had better equipment.
For Iwagakure and the Land of Earth, Air Force is something they both covet and fear.
Because most of the Land of Earth is barren desert and mountains, its natural environment is only slightly better than that of the Sunagakure, and its transportation is therefore very underdeveloped. If they could obtain a large amount of Air Force...
This means that most of the transportation problems in the Land of Earth can be solved, but if the enemy gains control of it, it also means that the strategic significance of the natural advantage brought by the terrain will be greatly diminished.
After reading Jiraiya's book, Ōnoki angrily denounced Hiruzen Sarutobi's cunning. "To actually try to do this kind of propaganda, they're playing the Will of Fire card!"
"Why is a Professor of Ninjutsu using genjutsu instead of studying the Five Releases?!"
"And you call yourself a kind person! Is this how he's supposed to use the Will of Fire left behind by the God of Shinobi?"
Despite his complaints, Ōnoki still read it several times. As he calculated the economic benefits that the " Sage Land Pill " could bring, his expression grew increasingly grim... There might be a 50% chance it was true!
That would be too terrible...
Therefore, Ōnoki immediately consulted with the Daimyo and ordered that it be listed as a forbidden book throughout the Land of Earth, strictly prohibiting its sale and circulation within the country, with violators to be severely punished.
The arrival of the Kirigakure Messenger greatly excited Ōnoki.
At this moment, the Third Tsuchikage initiated a meeting of all the village's high-ranking officials, looking around at everyone. "What do you all think?"
Roshi, Han, Kitsuchi, and the others exchanged glances. Before they could speak, Ōnoki continued on his own:
" Konoha, we have no choice but to fight!"
"If Hiruzen Sarutobi continues like this, Konoha will likely make even greater progress. If this drags on for a few more years, Iwagakure will fall further and further behind. Now is the best time to start a war!"
"For the benefit of Iwagakure, we must initiate a ' Preventive War,' even if we cannot profit from it, to halt Konoha's chaotic development..."
Ōnoki's eyes were fierce.
So-called Preventive War is a war initiated proactively to avoid falling into a greater passive position in the future, when one side anticipates a foreseeable increase in the strength of the opponent and has not yet found a way to rapidly increase its own strength.
This is a classic product of geopolitics.
If Hiruzen Sarutobi knew what Ōnoki was thinking, he would tell him that it was called the " Thucydides Trap ".
When a rising power rapidly impacts established interests and the balance of power, other powers can easily fall into deep suspicion and misunderstanding, and this growing fear is very likely to ignite war.
Especially since Hiruzen Sarutobi used a two-pronged approach...
Not only did they target the Hidden Village, but they also planted a major time bomb among the Nobles of various countries.
The resources of the Land of Earth and the money of the Nobles have been manageable in recent years, but they will definitely flow to Konoha in the future!
That would mean that Iwagakure was already severely weakened before the fighting even began.
What's the point of fighting then?
Only after reviewing the events today did Ōnoki realize how ruthless Hiruzen Sarutobi's scheme truly was!
"You're asking us questions, but you won't let us speak. What's the point of asking?"
Roshi said with great dissatisfaction, "You, the Tsuchikage, have been trying to run the show for a long time. Stop pretending to listen to other people's opinions!"
"If you want to attack Konoha, give the order. If not, adjourn the meeting. I don't have time to waste here..."
As war approached, Roshi became even more emboldened.
If you're so capable, why don't you use Dust Release to blast him to death?
To be fair, I think Roshi's Tsuchikage Ōnoki pretty good.
The Land of Earth, with its limited resources, has produced the largest ninja population, and it is generally fair in handling matters.
However, he was too autocratic. Even as a Jinchuriki with strategic value, someone who could wield the power of Tailed Beast, he was still treated with disrespect and treated as if he were someone to be ordered around.
And this wasn't something Ōnoki intentionally wanted to do.
The scarcity of resources forced him to treat high-end combat forces equally, or even deliberately suppress them.
This was done to give other ninjas a sense of psychological satisfaction, as a way to graft onto the cost of domination.
The high costs of maintaining stability, which should have been borne by the village's finances, were instead borne by a very small number of ninjas in order to maintain the obedience of the vast majority of Iwagakure ninjas. " Roshi, I hope your temper remains the same on the battlefield."
Ōnoki narrowed his eyes, suppressing his anger. "If Kirigakure really goes to war as they say, then Iwagakure must follow suit..."
"This time, we must find a way to acquire Konoha's Sky Ninja technology, and we must also break up the alliance between Amegakure and Konoha. A Hokage like Hiruzen Sarutobi controlling a central hub is too dangerous..."
"Pass on my order: all ninjas, prepare for battle!"
"Send messengers to Kirigakure and Sunagakure..."
Ōnoki pondered, "Tell the Third Mizukage that if he attacks Konoha, Iwagakure will definitely lend a hand!"
"Those hyenas from Sunagakure won't stay quiet either. The Daimyo of the Land of Wind and the geographical environment aren't giving them many more opportunities. If they continue like this, they'll eventually fall out of the ranks of the Five Great Hidden Villages..."
Kitsuchi raised his hand. " Lord Tsuchikage, what about Kumogakure?"
"Hmph, no need to talk to that barbarian..."
Ōnoki waved his hand. "I originally wanted to talk to him, but given that guy's shrewdness, he'll surely understand the necessity of containing Konoha..."
"As for discussing with him the importance of maintaining the alliance's stability in the early stages, it's pointless. The Kumogakure is known for its fickle nature; the Kirigakure Village's envoy going is tantamount to our envoy going."
Kitsuchi nodded thoughtfully.
He always felt that although his father and the Third Raikage were constantly cursing each other...
However, when faced with a problem, their thinking always unexpectedly aligns.
Roshi listened silently to Ōnoki's orders, then sighed softly, " The Konoha in the book... I actually wanted to find a chance to visit it, but it seems that opportunity is now lost..."
"If you don't want to fight, then why participate in the war?" the Four-Tails beast inside him asked, puzzled.
"I am, after all, a ninja from Iwagakure. Although I despise Ōnoki, I love the Land of Earth."
Roshi shook his head. "My life has been unlucky, so this is all I can do. I hope to be born in a peaceful world and become a free monk."
Four-Tails Fox was taken aback.
These ideas of Roshi are precisely why the Four-Tails is willing to cooperate with him.
This is not a bloodthirsty person...
" The Old Man, once a monk, wanted to create a peaceful world..."
"What a pity, you failed..."
"Do you even know if you're still alive? Even if you are, you're probably asleep somewhere..."
The Four-Tails monkey lowered its head, its feelings complicated.
#
Kumogakure.
The Third Raikage gave a speech similar to that of Ōnoki.
The gist is that Konoha cannot be allowed to continue to grow. This time, with Kirigakure leading the charge, there's no reason not to follow suit.
"Rob!"
"Stealing the technology of the Sky Ninja, the Kekkei Genkai and secret techniques of Konoha..."
"Not just Konoha's, but once the chaos begins, we must seize the resources of other Hidden Village as quickly as possible..." The Third Raikage crossed his arms, his arm muscles bulging.
"We must realize that we have already fallen behind Konoha!"
"We didn't interrupt them before because if we rushed in, it would only let that Shorty Ōnoki and the other Hidden Village reap the rewards. Now that Kirigakure is willing to be the stepping stone, we can't miss this opportunity..."
"Since we've fallen behind, the fastest way to catch up is to seize the opportunity."
"But don't worry, everyone, I, along with the Fourth Raikage and Killer B, will stand at the very front..."
The Third Raikage said in a deep voice, "Just follow me!"
The Kumo-nin below erupted in thunderous applause, offering no objection whatsoever.
Compared to Iwagakure, the Third Raikage, with his superior resources and more outward charisma, transformed Kumogakure into a formidable village with an organizational structure second only to Konoha.
"Gentlemen, but you must also remember that whether it's Kirigakure, Iwagakure, or Sunagakure, if Konoha withstands the first wave of pressure, there's a good chance that some of the Hidden Village will launch a surprise attack on their allies to recover..."
Dodai added to the Third Raikage, "There is no such thing as true allies between villages, especially among the Five Great Hidden Villages!" The Third Raikage nodded; Dodai's words were exactly what he wanted to say.
If Konoha is exceptionally strong, it will not give Kumogakure any opportunity to profit.
Then the Third Raikage would find an opportunity to take a swipe at another village, and then simply turn around and go back to Kumogakure to hide...
Furthermore, the Third Raikage believed that Ōnoki must think the same way.
#
Sunagakure.
"This is Sunagakure's best chance yet!"
Rasa waved his hands forcefully, his expression ferocious. " Kirigakure has taken the initiative to jump out! The other Three Great Hidden Villages will definitely follow suit. This is our destiny to obtain the fertile land!"
" Third Kazekage, please give the order!"
"I am willing to serve as the vanguard of the village, leading the elite troops to bring glory to Sunagakure!"
The Third Kazekage squinted, a slight upturn at the corners of his mouth.
Compared to Iwagakure and Kumogakure, which were able to reach a consensus with the Daimyo.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's dual offensive against the Nobles Hidden Village made Sunagakure, Daimyo of the Land of Wind has never been close, even more difficult in every aspect. The Daimyo's money isn't going to their own people, but instead flowing into Konoha?
This is absolutely outrageous!
Seeing the Nobles of the Land of Wind colluding with Konoha through Amegakure as a trading platform, the Third Kazekage was so anxious that he wanted to assassinate the Daimyo and replace him with a sensible person!
But even this method was impossible for him, because the Hyuga Main Branch, acting as diplomats and salesmen, maintained close ties with the free Nobles of the Land of Wind. If the Daimyo died under suspicious circumstances, it would surely be discovered...
If the assassination attempt on the Daimyo were exposed, it would be enough to make Sunagakure not only the target of accusations from the other major Shinobi World Major Hidden Villages, but also the target of a joint attack from the other four clans... But now things are different...
Once the war begins, even if the Daimyo and Nobles of the Daimyo of the Land of Wind are still flirting with Konoha, they will have to obediently support Sunagakure in fighting this war. Chiyo nodded slightly upon hearing this; she had always supported attacking Konoha.
She has a blood feud with Konoha. As an elder of the Warring States period, she is naturally wary of Konoha, which possesses the Senju and Uchiha.
"But didn't we sign Peace Agreement with Konoha?"
Pakura frowned and raised his hand to speak.
Upon hearing this, the Sunagakure present all looked at her with the eyes of someone looking at an animal...
Has this woman been using all her brainpower for cultivation? How could she ask such a question...?
Does anyone really think that the Peace Agreement of the Shinobi World is any different from a piece of waste paper?
"I did not mean that..."
Pakura felt a little uncomfortable under his gaze. "What I mean is, if we actively tear up the Peace Agreement, then regardless of its effectiveness, the anger of the Konoha Ninja towards us will only intensify..."
" Konoha's military strength is considerable, as can be seen from both the border skirmishes and the attack on Kusagakure."
"How about we wait and see?"
Pakura carefully chose her words: "If Konoha can't hold out, it's not too late for us to enter the fray..."
"Furthermore, considering the situation in Amegakure, we might consider forming a new alliance with Konoha and Amegakure. There are quite a few advantages to that, don't you think?"
Before the Third Kazekage could speak, Rasa exchanged a glance with him, then immediately slammed his fist on the table and roared:
" Pakura, if you don't have a brain, don't try to demoralize the troops!"
"Do you think the other three Hidden Village are fools? That they'd just sit and watch us reap the rewards? If we do what you suggest, the Sunagakure Village will be caught in a pincer attack the moment they enter the fray!"
Chiyo nodded slightly; that was true.
Being caught in the middle is a highly skilled job; a slight misstep can leave you feeling trapped and frustrated.
"Cooperate with Konoha? How dare you even say that!"
Rasa's eyes were fierce:
"It's Amegakure is content with scraps from Konoha and willing to be Hanzo! Are you comparing Sunagakure, one of the Five Great Hidden Villages, to such a Small Hidden Village?"
"If you can get Konoha to cede territory, then go ahead and do it!"
After being rebuked by Rasa, Pakura was speechless for a moment.
"I'm telling you, Pakura, don't forget the will of the First Kazekage!"
Rasa quoted historical precedent, saying, "During the first Five Kage Summit, Reto and the other four Kage directly demanded land from each other, but they joined forces to refuse!"
"Land has been Reto's obsession since the village's founding..."
" Pakura, do you intend to betray the will of the First Kazekage?!"
With this serious accusation leveled against him, Pakura was clearly frightened and quickly shook his head.
The First Kazekage, Reto, was once a formidable God-Man kept Tobirama on his Tobirama.
During the first Five Kage Summit, Sunagakure, possessing the One-Tail Tailed Beast, desired Konoha's fertile land instead of purchasing it. Crucially, Reto didn't just want to pay for the land; he insisted on having it!
They also want 30% of the funds from other Hidden Village to buy Tailed Beast, otherwise they will refuse to sign the Peace Agreement.
Tobirama laughed when he heard this. Did he really think his older brother was an idiot?
Fortunately, the other three First Kage spoke up, telling Reto that if he kept thinking like that, he'd better be getting beaten up!
However, the bigger reason might be that they didn't want Madara and Tobirama to use this as an excuse to cause trouble...
But Tobirama remembered Reto deeply because of this, and he also remembered Sunagakure. He had repeatedly warned Hiruzen Sarutobi when he was young that cooperation with this village should never be taken lightly...
"Since no one has any objections..."
The Third Kazekage nodded, but at that moment Sasori lazily spoke:
"I support Pakura!"
Chiyo and Ebizo were both taken aback. Why didn't their grandson consult them before speaking?
Rasa and the Third Kazekage were also surprised; Sasori was never one to speak in meetings...
"I've already said this is the will of the First Kazekage, are you still going to support Pakura?"
Rasa frowned deeply.
"What kind of willpower is this? Is it just a delusion that you could have bought another Tailed Beast but ended up with nothing?"
Sasori scoffed, "Don't try to intimidate us with your reputation for Reto. Sunagakure was able to develop because of the Puppet Technique developed by the Second Kazekage, Lord Shamon, to compensate for the village's resource shortage..."
"When it comes to Puppet Technique, I am the strongest in Sunagakure, and none of you are..."
" The Sand Manipulation Technique you are skilled in was also invented by Lord Shamon, only it has been combined with Magnet Release."
"I'd like to ask you, have you inherited the will of the Second Kazekage? Instead of always thinking about starting wars, why not try to consolidate existing resources first? Did Sunagakure benefit from the Second Shinobi World War?"
"My parents were willing to die fighting for Sunagakure, but they cannot be killed by foolish decisions!"
Rasa's expression froze.
How did Scorpion, who usually appears as a withdrawn teenager, suddenly become so sharp-tongued?
Will they still use the same tactic of the Second Kazekage against the First Kazekage?
Scorpion smiled inwardly, marveling at the Lord Tobirama.
This line of dialogue was certainly not what he had in mind.
It was Ah Huo and the other " Six Kage " who were just idly pondering things for him; these guys were very knowledgeable about all the gossip in the Shinobi World.
Anyway, stirring up internal strife in Sunagakure has nothing to do with them...
Chiyo blinked hard, but didn't say anything.
For her, the most important thing was that her grandson could participate in the politics of Sunagakure and not be so withdrawn; everything else could be sacrificed for this.
As for contradicting the Third Kazekage, Chiyo didn't care.
Moreover, what Scorpion said wasn't entirely unreasonable...
In terms of seniority and background, Elders Chiyo and Ebizo are no less capable than the Third Kazekage!
"Let me make this clear from the start: I'm willing to participate in any war you decide to start, but I don't believe that Rasa and the Kazekage, having left the desert environment of Sunagakure, possess any significant fighting power..."
Scorpion shrugged:
"If we lose again this time, I want to give the village an explanation. I've had enough of letting mediocre people make decisions and then not paying the price for their mistakes."
After saying that, Scorpion left the meeting on his own.
" Chiyo, is this what you mean?" the Third Kazekage asked, his face dark.
"As you know, my grandson has always been a loner; he became depressed after losing his parents at a young age..."
Chiyo waved her hand, but her eyes remained fixed on him.
" Lord Kazekage, please don't take it to heart. Sasori was just saying it casually; he's probably thinking about his parents who sacrificed themselves for the village." "I'll definitely criticize him when I get back. You should think about how to lead Sunagakure to victory in this war!"
Pakura watched this scene and slightly opened his mouth.
Is this what a true battle of wits is like?
She's practically a Genin in that respect!
The Third Kazekage narrowed his eyes; sometimes he really wanted to ask...
In this Sunagakure, is he the master, or is Chiyo the master?
"To become a fully-fledged Kazekage, you absolutely must win a battle!"
The Third Kazekage made this decision in his heart.
#
One month later.
Ichiraku Ramen.
Hiruzen Sarutobi and Might Duy Guy sat in chairs, enjoying the new food.
After eating countless bowls, he reluctantly wiped his mouth, still feeling unsatisfied.
" Teuchi and Ichiraku's skills are getting better and better..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi praised him sincerely:
"I heard others say that Ichiraku has the appearance of a ' Ramen Sage,' and at first I thought it was a bit of an exaggeration, but after experiencing it, I realized it was no exaggeration!"
The Sage of Six Paths chuckled and said with a smile, "You flatter me, you flatter me. I'm not worthy of being called Sage. I'm just glad the Lord Hokage enjoys his meal!" Hiruzen Sarutobi chuckled and said, "You're too modest..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi genuinely admires people who work diligently and conscientiously with their skills.
The Sage of Six Paths ' smile deepened.
After observing Hiruzen Sarutobi for some time, the Sage of Six Paths is currently quite satisfied.
He was friendly and kind to the village's ninjas, and he never neglected his own training.
He's a promising talent who might be worth helping out a little...
However, the Sage of Six Paths hasn't yet decided whether to help or how to help.
Moreover, for the Sage of Six Paths, the most crucial thing was to observe Hiruzen Sarutobi's handling of the war.
Might Duy and Hiruzen Sarutobi up.
The two walked and talked.
" Lord Hokage, I've adapted to the serum from the Lord Orochimaru of Yamato and the First Hokage, the serum Orochimaru-sama combined with his own!"
Might Duy raised his arm. "I've never felt so strong!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi chuckled and said, "That's good!"
He Might Duy Day today, partly by chance, and partly to ask him about Hashirama Cells inoculation.
So far, it seems to be quite successful.
However, Might Duy possesses a unique non-attribute Chakra constitution, and further experimentation is needed before it can be widely adopted in Konoha. But with the first case, the rest will be quick.
Upon arriving at the Hokage Office Building, Hiruzen Sarutobi intended to have another talk with Might Duy.
Danzo rushed in at that moment, his eyes filled with barely suppressed elation, his tone slightly out of control:
" Hiruzen, the Third Mizukage has gone mad! He's actually declared war on Konoha!"