The Kazekage Goes Missing

"Chiyo! Ebizo! Do you know where the Kazekage has gone?!"

"Lord Chiyo, Ebizo, and Lord Kazekage haven't shown their faces for a month! I suspect..."

"Chiyo, Ebizo! Please take charge of the affairs of Sunagakure!"

A dozen or so Hidden Sand Jonin petitioned at Chiyo's Residence, requesting that the two advisors take charge of the Hidden Sand.

Chiyo and Ebizo, siblings, have cared for Hidden Sand for nearly forty years. Now in their fifties, they have some wrinkles on their faces and are considered old among ninjas.

"I've already heard about the Kazekage's whereabouts. It was Konoha who did it. Konoha assassinated the Third Kazekage!"

Chiyo's face was serious, and her words were firm and powerful, truly befitting a heroine among the women of Hidden Sand.

After listening to the requests of the Hidden Sand Jonin, Chiyo hesitated for a moment before directly choosing to pin the blame on Konoha.

Chiyo's son and daughter-in-law were both killed by Konoha's White Fang, indicating a deep-seated hatred between the Hidden Sand's high-ranking Chiyo and Konoha.

Chiyo had long wanted revenge, to personally kill White Fang. However, Konoha's strength was too great, and the Third Kazekage intervened, preventing Chiyo from fulfilling her wish.

Now that the Third Kazekage has mysteriously disappeared, the Hidden Sand Jonin are like rootless duckweed. At the residences of two high-ranking advisors, they invited two high-ranking officials to come out of retirement and take charge of Hidden Sand affairs. This is a good opportunity for Chiyo.

"It really is Konoha!"

"The Third Kazekage wanted to change Hidden Sand's predicament. Even though Hidden Sand was impoverished, it did not declare war on Konoha and maintained friendly relations. Yet Konoha assassinated the Third Hokage Kazekage!"

"Konoha is truly hateful!"

"Avenge the Third Kazekage!"

The Hidden Sand Jonin amongst themselves, filled with righteous indignation, each displaying an angry expression, as if they were not the ones who had instigated the conflict at the border.

"The morale of the troops is high."

Ebizo looked at the angry expressions of the Hidden Sand Jonin and nodded inwardly.

Sunagakure is located in a desert oasis and is relatively poor. The Daimyo of the Land of Wind does not support the development of Hidden Sand, providing little funding.

Many important tasks were entrusted to Hidden Sand in the Land of Fire, rather than Konoha.

This was seen as a disgrace by many Sunagakure Ninja, who viewed Konoha as a thorn in their side.

"I haven't seen Scorpion for a month. Where did he go?"

Chiyo had held a high position in Hidden Sand for many years. Although she handed over power to the Third Kazekage, she still enjoyed a very high reputation in Hidden Sand.

Looking at the Jonin before her, their faces flushed red, eager to draw their swords and start fighting, Chiyo's thoughts were still on her beloved grandson.

Chiyo timely revealed a sorrowful expression, touching her forehead as if she were somewhat saddened, took a deep breath, and then loudly proclaimed:

"All Jonin, listen to my command! Except for the Military Police Force stationed for defense, all other Hidden Sand Jonin, gather your squad members."

The order was relayed to all the other ninja in Hidden Sand. They were instructed to prepare ninja tools and provisions, and to assemble at the Kazekage Building two hours later to attack Konoha! To avenge our defeat! Today is the day!

"Hi!" X30

The Hidden Sand Jonin present all agreed, and then Body Flicker Technique disappeared to gather their troops and convey orders.

"Brother, write a letter and send it to Konoha, condemning Sarutobi Hiruzen and White Fang of Konoha. If Konoha can hand over White Fang, the murderer of the Third Kazekage, then..."

"And if you pay us 30 billion, we'll call it quits and reconcile; otherwise, we, the Hidden Sand, will take it from Konoha ourselves."

Chiyo's hair had turned white with worry over her son, daughter-in-law, and grandson Sasori. Now, the disappearance of the Third Kazekage had thrown Hidden Sand into disarray.

Chiyo, as the long-time leader of Hidden Sand, is ready to return to power and use the incident involving the Third Kazekage to bring Konoha to justice.

"Okay, sister."

Ebizo glanced at his older sister Chiyo and nodded in response.

My sister actually used the disappearance of the Third Kazekage to settle personal scores. I hope she doesn't drag Sunagakure into the abyss.

Konoha

Hokage Building

Jonin Class Meeting Room

The Konoha Quartet were all present this time, seated high on the platform.

Below are about 150 Konoha Jonin.

In the past two years Jonin Class meetings have been held very frequently. With the changing situation in the Shinobi World, Sarutobi Hiruzen needs to mobilize all the Konoha Jonin to deal with the situation.

"The Third Kazekage of Sunagakure have been missing for over a month. Instead of searching for their own Kazekage, they've slandered us and turned their anger towards Konoha."

Chiyo and Ebizo are truly a scourge to Hidden Sand!

In the Jonin Class's meeting room, during a discussion about the recent Kazekage incident, Mitokado Homura couldn't help but slam his hand heavily on the table, furious at the letter from Hidden Sand.

"Hmph! How dare the little Hidden Sand be so arrogant! Third Hokage, form a ninja army! I will lead the Konoha Ninja to wipe them out and erase the name of Hidden Sand from history!"

Hawks Shimura Danzō nearby, snorted coldly and said with murderous intent.

Sarutobi Hiruzen, sitting in the center, had a pipe in his mouth, showing no emotion, only a glint of light flashing in his eyes from time to time, as if he were deep in thought.

The numerous Jonin and ninja clan leaders below silently watched the people on the field.

This kind of Jonin Class meeting, to call it a meeting, is more like a pre-battle meeting. It gathers the Konoha Jonin to discuss how many Jonin to mobilize.

The idea is to gather a number of low-ranking Genin form a ninja force, to resist, drive away, or even engage in a battle—basically, it means war.

"It's unbelievable that the Kage of an entire village could disappear without a trace. This Sunagakure is far too chaotic."

Utatane Koharu, who was standing next to Danzo, did not answer Danzo question, but instead offered her opinion on the letter from Hidden Sand.

What are your thoughts on the demands placed on Hidden Sand?

After a long pause, Sarutobi Hiruzen uttered these words.

The letter demanded the handover of the murderer, White Fang, and compensation of 30 billion yen. The Land of Fire Daimyo also stated that he would provide Konoha with 3 billion yen in funding annually, in times of war or other circumstances.

Funding will increase to ensure Konoha is not short of money. During Second Shinobi World War, the Land of Fire provided the highest amount of funding, even 10 billion yen a year.

However, overspending has an impact on the country, and the Daimyo of the Land of Fire wouldn't squander money for no reason; he usually only gives around 3 billion.

The situation in the Shinobi World is turbulent, and the amount has increased to five billion, leaving Konoha to deal with it.

In addition to Konoha's medical services at Konoha Hospital, its ninja tool business, and income from commissioned missions, Konoha's annual revenue is certainly in the tens of billions.

The Hidden Sand's demand of 30 billion yen is a lot for Konoha, but it's still just a lot.

"How can this be! Lord White Fang has risked his life for Konoha, working tirelessly and conscientiously. How can you consider such a thing!"

Upon hearing the Third Hokage's words, a commoner Jonin below couldn't Jonin it anymore and stood up to loudly object.

"No! We absolutely cannot agree to that!"

"How dare the Hidden Sand do this!"

"The Hidden Sand is so arrogant, they should be taught a lesson!"

Immediately, many Jonin seated below expressed their opinions.

Sitting next to Naraku, Hatake Sakumo sighed and stood up. "I was just sitting at home when trouble came out of nowhere."

"If sacrificing myself can stop the war, then let me sacrifice myself. Peace is hard-won; let us prevent war from breaking out..."

Hatake Sakumo spoke calmly and softly, but everyone in the room could hear him clearly.

Danzo, the Hawks originally wanted to teach Hidden Sand lesson, narrowed his eyes and surprisingly became timid, refusing to express his opinion.

"Lord White Fang, this will not do!"

"No! Lord White Fang, rest assured! We, Konoha, are not afraid of those Hidden Sand Village clowns!"

"Sunagakure is utterly rude!"

Although White Fang's reputation was severely damaged by the previous rumors, a subsequent announcement clarified the situation.

Many Konoha Jonin still admire White Fang. At the same time, Jonin couldn't help but feel sincere admiration for White Fang's words and spirit of sacrifice.