August 1, Konoha Year 40.
After receiving the White Snake Sage's summoning token, Akaseki left Ryūchi Cave with Orochimaru.
Rather than returning to Yugakure, the two prepared to head straight to the battlefield...
Yesterday, Orochimaru's shadow clone in Yugakure had received word that a large force of Rain Ninja had suddenly entered the southeastern Land of Wind and attacked Konoha Ninja there!
"A large force? Amegakure can still scrape together a 'large force'?" Akaseki could not help feeling puzzled at Orochimaru's words.
Four years ago, Amegakure had indeed been the "Sixth Great Ninja Village." Some had even questioned whether the chaotic, dilapidated Kirigakure deserved to rank above it. Although the Land of Water had plenty of ninja overall, the Third Mizukage had relatively few Mist Ninja at his command!
But...
Ever since Konoha had disrupted its plan to invade the Land of Iron, Amegakure had spent most of its time getting beaten down.
The spirit of the "Demigod of the Ninja World" had also been crushed by one defeat after another.
Moreover, the Land of Rain had been at the heart of the fighting for these past four years. Experts such as Three Feathers had long since died on the battlefield, and the Rain Ninja's fighting strength had dwindled considerably...
"Lingering Rain Mountain has been emptied," Orochimaru said.
"Huh?" Akaseki froze. He could not imagine Konoha abandoning its village...
But then he reconsidered. He had visited both Kumogakure and Sunagakure, and their biggest difference from Konoha was... their isolation!
Other ninja villages generally emphasized their role as fortresses, easy to defend and difficult to attack. Konoha was different: not only was it prosperous, but it also housed a large civilian population.
That was probably a matter of confidence!
Konoha believed no enemy would reach the village itself...
That gave the