Standing on the rooftop of the Kazekage Building, feeling the yellow sand blowing across his face, Rasa frowned deeply.
Things went very smoothly; Pakura's death brought peace with Kirigakure.
Large quantities of supplies have been delivered to the front lines, and the most elite ninjas of Sunagakure are currently gathered in the Mount Kikyo area.
Konoha has just ended its war with the three hidden villages, and this is precisely when they are most vulnerable and at their most relaxed.
But--
"The Sannin, the Yellow Flash, the White Death God — Konoha's talents keep pouring in."
It's always the same; whenever Konoha's opponents think Konoha has lost its sharp claws, a new star always rises.
What's done is done; there's no point in dwelling on it.
Forced to swallow the fine sand that the wind had blown into his mouth, Rasa revealed a resolute expression.
"Let's start the war!"
The Sunagakure actions did not escape Konoha's notice; Sakumo had received news of the Sunagakure gathering Mount Kikyo long ago.
Realizing that the other side might be planning something big, Sakumo quickly made a decision.
While ordering the reinforcement of Mount Kikyo's defenses, a highly respected commander was dispatched.
Then he received a letter from Sunagakure.
The Sunagakure claims that the Third Kazekage was assassinated by Konoha and demands a satisfactory response from Konoha.
I'll answer you about a certain leg!
This accusation, so obviously fake, almost made the good-natured Sakumo swear.
However, the second diplomatic letter from Kumogakure made Sakumo drop the "almost" and actually swear. "Bastard!"
The Kumogakure declared its support for the Sunagakure's claim, demanding that Konoha hand over the murderer and compensate the Sunagakure. They also expressed their support for the Sunagakure's use of force to protect their rights.
I thought the Third Shinobi World War was over, but instead, a Shinobi War DLC has been released?
Fortunately, Mount Kikyo Mountain already has a plan in place, so the only thing to guard against now is Kumogakure.
Sakumo was making plans in his mind.
His only worry now is whether Kumogakure will join forces with Sunagakure to attack Mount Kikyo's stronghold.
That alone doesn't seem to be enough.
Jiraiya and Tsunade have already left the village, and Kazashiro has begun his own training. However, even if he were here, it would be of no use, as the boy is still young and has no experience in commanding large-scale battles.
Sakumo was left with only one choice.
"Is there something you need, Fourth Generation?"
Orochimaru, the head of the Konoha Science and Technology Research Bureau, glared at Sakumo with obvious displeasure.
He had finally completed the establishment of the Research Bureau and was just about to plunge into the ocean of scientific research when he was summoned to the office by a single order from Sakumo.
"I'm sorry, Orochimaru, but I really can't give you time to research right now."
Sakumo looked at Orochimaru with an apologetic expression.
"Hmph, it was Sunagakure who made the move."
Seeing Sakumo sincerely apologize to him, Orochimaru's anger was forcibly extinguished, and he coldly snorted as he guessed the root of the turmoil.
Now it was Sakumo's turn to be surprised.
"It's simple. At this point in time, only Sunagakure has the motivation and ability to do this." Orochimaru stuck out his tongue, like a venomous snake sizing up its prey.
As always, he was very perceptive.
"I'm worried that Kumogakure and Sunagakure will merge Mount Kikyo, so..."
"I understand, we're supporting Mount Kikyo, right?"
Orochimaru nodded and left the office.
Now that he has set his goal, he must seize the time, defeat the enemy, and return to his scientific research life as soon as possible.
The war came faster than expected.
That afternoon, Sakumo received another letter from Sunagakure.
Rasa also timed it perfectly, appearing personally on the battlefield of Mount Kikyo about ten minutes after the diplomatic letter was delivered, to command the Sunagakure in their attack on Konoha.
They thought this move would catch Konoha off guard, but they never expected to see an unbelievable figure on Konoha's battlefield.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, dressed in full military uniform, stood at the front of the position, watching the Sand Ninja surge in like a tide. The former Hokage formed a hand seal with one hand and summoned a giant shuriken.
Throwing the giant shuriken towards the Sand Ninja, Hiruzen Sarutobi charged out of the formation, his hands forming hand seals as he ran. "Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
A considerable number of giant shuriken utterly destroyed the Sand Ninja's charging formation, tearing apart both flesh and puppets under their attack.
As the giant shuriken lost its momentum and fell to the ground, the Sand Ninja attempted to rebuild their offensive formation, but the once-hard ground beneath their feet suddenly became soft.
"Earth Release · Yomi Swamp!"
The sudden swamp swallowed up many Sand Ninja who had no time to react. The puppets were lucky enough to escape thanks to their controllers' skillful techniques, but the ninjas who fought with their bare hands could only watch helplessly as they sank deeper and deeper.
"Don't even think about it!"
A white puppet suddenly appeared beside Hiruzen Sarutobi, swung its sword, but was nimbly dodged by the opponent.
"It's been a long time, Chiyo."
Using the puppet's features, Hiruzen Sarutobi recognized the intruder.
Chiyo, whose identity had been exposed, ignored the other party's intentions and continued to control the puppet to attack Hiruzen Sarutobi.
A ninja who possesses wide-area destructive Ninjutsu makes such a significant contribution to the war that he must be kept away from the immediate battlefield.
While Hiruzen Sarutobi was focused on dealing with the puppet in front of him, two puppets wielding Ninja Blade suddenly appeared from the shadows and pierced through Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Did you succeed?
Chiyo frowned, muttering to herself with some uncertainty.
What do you think?
Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice rang out behind her. Chiyo didn't have time to turn around and frantically flicked her little finger.
"Earth Release: Earth Release: Earth Flow River!"
The land beneath their feet turned into a muddy river, carrying Chiyo away into the distance.
The Hiruzen Sarutobi into a mound of earth, proclaiming his identity as an earth clone.
Just as Chiyo was about to counterattack after forcibly withstanding the impact, she was interrupted by Hiruzen Sarutobi: "Fire Style: Fire Dragon Bullet!"
"Machine Light Shield Seal"
A puppet burst from the ground, spreading its shield to block the scorching fire dragon.
"Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Seeing that the Fire Dragon Bullet was blocked, Hiruzen Sarutobi resorted to the same trick, attempting to smash the opponent's defense with a giant shuriken.
"The Three Treasures Suction Crush!"
The three puppets formed a triangular formation, attempting to absorb and shatter the Shadow Clone Shuriken Technique. However, Hiruzen Sarutobi threw out a giant shuriken, and with the added force of its powerful potential energy, it smashed Chiyo's three puppets to pieces.
"Impossible!"
Chiyo panicked as she watched her three puppets become useless.
In an attempt to avenge her son and daughter-in-law, she immediately used Chikamatsu Ten-Puppet Collection, a masterpiece representing the pinnacle of puppetry and inherited from the Puppet Master's progenitor Monzaemon. Surprisingly, three of them were easily destroyed by Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Chiyo scrambled out of the Earth Release: Earth Flow River and rolled around on the spot, trying to lure Hiruzen Sarutobi into attacking her.
Unexpectedly, the opponent did not fall for the trap, but instead cautiously used a ranged Ninjutsu attack. "Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet!"