For three years.
There had been no large-scale battles between Konoha, Sunagakure, and Amegakure.
They had only carried out sabotage missions against one another using teams of ninja.
Even this war of attrition had greatly weakened the forces each side could bring to bear.
Just as the conflict between the three countries seemed to have reached a stalemate,
another great nation, bordering the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind, began to stir.
Within the Land of Earth.
Here lay Iwagakure, a land of refuge surrounded by treacherous natural barriers.
The village's buildings were tall and imposing, like stone pillars reaching for the heavens.
Now and then, bitterly cold winds howled through the village, carrying tiny grains of sand and stone.
This rare "Rock Rain" was perfectly ordinary to the people of Iwagakure.
Inside a tall stone building at the center of the village, many high-ranking Rock Ninja had gathered, including the Daimyo of the Land of Earth.
"Ōnoki, are you certain that now is the right time for the Land of Earth to enter the war?"
The Daimyo of the Land of Earth looked grave as he addressed the short, middle-aged man seated beside him.
Faced with the Daimyo's question, Ōnoki was equally serious. He replied in a low voice,
"Judging by the situation, Konoha and Sunagakure are both wary of us. If this stalemate continues, it will serve no purpose for us either!"
"After three years, there's no doubt that both countries have been greatly weakened. Choosing to enter the war now is unquestionably the right move!"
As he spoke, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.
Though he was short in stature, every Rock Ninja present trusted his words completely and regarded him with reverence.
Because he was Ōnoki of Both Scales!
He had once followed