Back then, the Second had been Kumogakure's eternal nightmare, beating them until they signed a peace treaty.
Now they could watch the Konoha shinobi tear each other apart, with a chance to reclaim disputed lands, including the Land of Fields and the Land of Iron. Naturally, they were delighted.
Those two countries possessed two important war supplies: food and weapons.
Kumogakure wanted to obtain these vital resources as well.
They had nothing to worry about.
Wars among the Five Great Nations rarely took place on their own soil. These small countries existed as buffer zones between the five great shinobi nations.
They had both patience and strength.
Konoha's internal divisions were their greatest advantage.
The Third Raikage held absolute authority in Kumogakure and the Land of Lightning. He could decide anything with a single word.
The Third Raikage gave the order.
Send forces from the Land of Rain to the Land of Fields.
Sunagakure.
A figure stood atop the Kazekage Building, feeling the wind and sand lash against him.
He was bald, with a blue dragon coiling around one side of his face. His eyes brimmed with ambition as he gazed toward the Land of Fire.
This was the Second Kazekage, Shamon, hailed as the founder of Sunagakure's revival.
He had researched the militarization of Tailed Beasts, conducted extensive studies of Shukaku, developed Magnet Release and the Puppet Technique, and learned from Senju Tobirama to establish the Anbu, the Ninja Academy, and other public institutions that would help the village endure.
"Lord Kazekage!"
Below him, Ebizo called out respectfully.
Tap...
The Second Kazekage floated down from the rooftop.
He nodded to Ebizo and walked into the Kazekage Building.
The architecture and decor here were far simpler than those in the Hokage Building.
"Lord Kazekage, just as you predicted, the initial reports came out of the City of Wood.
"According to our spies, Konoha's situation is just as the rumors claim: the Sarutobi Clan monopolizes most of the village's resources.
"If things continue this way without reform, Konoha will become the Sarutobi Family's private possession."
Ebizo lowered his head as he reported. His heart was in turmoil. He was glad to see Konoha in trouble, but also worried about Sunagakure's own situation.
Many of Sunagakure's policies were copied by the Second Kazekage from Senju Tobirama.
Konoha was like a mirror, showing Sunagakure the direction its future development might take—a point of comparison.
"Don't worry too much. The difference between Sunagakure and Konoha is that Sunagakure has very few shinobi clans, and they don't have the same capabilities.
"This is a warning to us, too. We can't pass on power the way Konoha does. We must carefully consider the character of future leaders.
"I greatly admired Senju Tobirama, but now it seems even he made such a serious mistake.
"I still have time to do more for Sunagakure. If we secure resources for the long term, the villagers won't have to live in such hardship."
The Second Kazekage, Shamon, spoke with a sigh, comforting Ebizo, one of his most promising juniors.
Ebizo and Chiyo were juniors he held in high regard. Sunagakure's future prosperity and strength would depend on them.
For Sunagakure's future, the crisis surrounding Sarutobi Hiruzen's reputation was actually a good thing.
He had asked Ebizo to investigate because he didn't entirely trust the rumors circulating through the Ninja World and wanted them verified.
He had personally attended the Five Kage Summit after the First Shinobi World War ended.
Back then, he had followed the First Kazekage.
Almost every Second Kage attended the first Five Kage Summit as a bodyguard.
The only exception was the Second Mizukage, who had fallen into a coma after his chakra ran dry and missed the summit. One of his disciples attended in his place.
Thus, it was an unwritten rule that an Kage's personal bodyguard would succeed him.
What people held against Sarutobi Hiruzen was that he had failed in his duty to protect the Hokage, as well as the vile things he had done in secret.
The information Senju Nawaki had spread was a mixture of truth and falsehood, impossible to sort out.
True or not, it didn't matter.
Sunagakure could profit from it, and even expand the meager territory of the Land of Wind. He wanted to help the country escape its current predicament.
They had gained nothing from the war that destroyed the Land of Whirlpools, and that still rankled him. It was all because of Sunagakure's awkward location.
He wanted to improve the village's difficult position.
"Lord Kazekage, has your health really deteriorated this badly?"
Ebizo's eyes filled with sadness.
He saw the Second Kazekage's resolve. The reason he was in such a hurry to spark the Second Shinobi World War was that he didn't have much time left.
Shamon had devoted his life to Sunagakure, and now he carried the aura of death.
"It's all right. With careful planning, we can obtain the land and resources we want.
"Chiyo will continue fighting on the battlefield in the Land of Rain.
"You'll go to the battlefield in the Land of Fields and stir things up.
"I'll head to the Land of Rivers myself. That's where your real objective lies."
The Second Kazekage, Shamon, looked pleased. Earning the approval of the younger generation was something he had always hoped for.
He assigned each of them their tasks.
"Me? I don't have a problem with that, but why choose the Land of Rivers?"
Ebizo was confused.
He didn't understand why the Second Kazekage had chosen the Land of Rivers as his target.
Why not the Land of Rain, rich in water, or the Land of Fields, rich in food?
"Don't be greedy.
"Every faction is entangled in the Land of Rain: Hanzo of the Salamander, the mysterious organization hidden in the shadows, Iwagakure, Kumogakure, Konoha, Kirigakure—the powers of almost the entire Ninja World are there. We only have the upper hand for the moment because of Chiyo's poison. There's no way we can hold on to that territory for long.
"That place is destined to become a meat grinder.
"The Land of Fields is only a few small countries away from Sunagakure, so we can't hold it for long either. We must learn from Takigakure's mistake.
"Only the Land of Rivers remains. Its water and land resources are inferior to those of the other two countries, but it lies right on the border between us and the Land of Fire. It's our best choice."
The Second Kazekage looked tired as he patiently answered the questions of his promising junior.
This was the last thing he could do for Sunagakure.
Once they had the land in the Land of Rivers, they would at least no longer face a food crisis.
This war had made him increasingly aware of the importance of resources.
"Yes!"
A shrewd glint flashed in Ebizo's eyes.
He recalled the map of the Ninja World and the various territories. As the Second Kazekage had said, the Land of Rivers was their best choice.
The other locations were just distractions.
A major battle was needed to secure their gains.
"Go. Protect yourself, and don't clash with the Senju Clan."
The Second Kazekage waved him away, looking utterly exhausted.
After Ebizo left, a scroll appeared in his hand.
"Senju Tobirama, your judgment has grown poor!"
The scroll contained a peace offer from Sarutobi Hiruzen. In exchange, Sunagakure would receive the Sealing Jutsu it needed most, while giving up the Land of Fields—a place Shamon had already decided to abandon.
Sunagakure's acquisition of the Land of Rivers was now all but certain.
Whatever happened in this war, Sunagakure would emerge victorious.
They had already obtained the land they wanted.
Chiyo, Ebizo, Rasa, and Chiyo's son and daughter-in-law were all talented enough to become Kage.
As long as the new generation survived, the future would only get brighter.
But things never went as people wished.
Before you continue