Outside Sunagakure, Land of Wind.
Rows of chinaberry trees and Ficus altissima stretched neatly along both sides of the broad road.
The greenery stood more than two meters tall, clearly having been planted many years ago. A black pipe ran beneath the plants, barely visible above the ground.
Following the trees, the pipes spread out in every direction from Sunagakure, the center of the network.
This was the result of Sunagakure's years of careful work to tame the desert. Seen from above, the eastern region of the country had become a vibrant expanse where green and blue met.
Even the Kirigakure Ninja, who had come as invaders, couldn't help but voice their admiration for this achievement.
But admiration didn't make Kirigakure show the slightest mercy.
After capturing Flowing River City and taking a brief rest, Kirigakure's elite forces advanced aggressively toward Sunagakure.
Clearly, Kirigakure intended to crush Sunagakure once and for all this time.
But along the way, something happened that greatly surprised the Fourth Mizukage.
The Third Kazekage, who had led dozens of Secret Medicine troops in a suicide attack against them last time, only for it to end in disaster, had come to face them in person again. This time, however, he stood alone in front of the Kirigakure forces.
Seeing this, Yagura darted to the front of his troops and taunted him. "Lord Kazekage..."
"Your speed at fleeing after every defeat really suits the title of 'Kazekage'..."
"Do you really think you can stop our entire army by yourself this time?"
The Third Kazekage hovered low in the air, flapping his two iron wings. Blood-red bandages were wrapped around his waist. His expression was cold as he flew straight up to Yagura and spoke. "Mizukage."
"If I surrender, will you give me your word?"
The scar beneath