Sunagakure's Plans

Back then, the Second Hokage was the eternal nightmare of Kumogakure, having beaten them until they signed a peace treaty.

Now, being able to watch the spectacle of their enemies slaughtering each other, with the added hope of reclaiming disputed territories—including the Land of Fields and the Land of Iron—naturally filled them with immense satisfaction.

These two nations possessed two vital strategic resources: food and weapons.

Kumogakure, likewise, hungered to secure the essential supplies from these two countries.

They had no worries to hold them back.

Wars between the Five Great Nations rarely took place on their own soil; the existence of these smaller nations served as a natural buffer zone for the five great ninja villages.

They had both the patience and the strength.

The current internal division within Konoha was their greatest advantage.

The Third Raikage's authority in Kumogakure and the Land of Lightning was absolute; he could decide any matter with a single word.

The Third Raikage issued his command.

Withdraw forces from the Land of Rain and head toward the Land of Fields.

Sunagakure.

A figure stood atop the Kazekage Building, feeling the assault of the wind and sand.

He was bald, with a blue dragon coiled around half his face. His eyes were filled with ambition as he gazed toward the Land of Fire.

This man was none other than the Second Kazekage, Shamon, hailed as the founding father of Sunagakure's resurgence.

He had researched the militarization of Tailed Beasts, delved deep into the study of Shukaku, and developed Magnet Release and the Puppet Technique.

Following the example of Senju Tobirama, he had established the Anbu, the Ninja Academy, and other public institutions conducive to the village's legacy.

"Lord Kazekage!"

Below, Ebizo called out respectfully.

Step...

The Second Kazekage drifted down from the roof.

He nodded at Ebizo and walked into the Kazekage Building.

The architecture and decor here were far more austere compared to the Hokage Building.

"Lord Kazekage, as you anticipated, the initial information spread from the City of Wood.

According to our spies' investigations, the structure of Konoha is exactly as the rumors suggest: the Sarutobi Clan has monopolized the majority of the village's resources.

If this continues without reform, Konoha will become the private property of the Sarutobi family."

Ebizo reported with his head bowed, his heart churning with turmoil. While he felt a sense of schadenfreude, he was also deeply concerned about the current state of Sunagakure.

Many of Sunagakure's policies were things the Second Kazekage had learned from Senju Tobirama and replicated.

Konoha was like a mirror, a control group that allowed them to see the future trajectory of Sunagakure's own development.

"Do not be overly concerned. The difference between Sunagakure and Konoha lies in the fact that ninja clans in Sunagakure are extremely rare and lack such capabilities.

This serves as a reminder to us that our future methods of succession cannot be the same as Konoha's; the character of our leaders must be carefully weighed.

I have great admiration for Senju Tobirama, but it seems even he committed such a grave error.

I still have time to do more for Sunagakure.

Once we secure long-term resources for survival, the villagers of Sunagakure will no longer have to live such bitter lives."

The Second Kazekage Shamon's tone was filled with wistfulness as he comforted Ebizo, an outstanding member of the younger generation.

He held high hopes for Ebizo and Chiyo; the future prosperity and growth of Sunagakure would depend on them.

Regarding the future development of Sunagakure, the crisis surrounding Sarutobi Hiruzen's image was, in fact, a good thing.

He had asked Ebizo to investigate because he did not fully trust the rumors circulating in the Ninja World, and thus needed Ebizo to verify them.

He had personally attended the Five Kage Summit following the end of the First Shinobi World War.

At that time, he had followed behind the First Kazekage.

Almost all the Second Kage had attended the first summit in the capacity of bodyguards.

Except for the Second Mizukage, who had missed the summit due to a coma caused by chakra exhaustion, and was replaced by his disciple.

Therefore, it was an unwritten rule that the Kage's direct bodyguard would inherit the position of Kage.

What made Sarutobi Hiruzen so heavily criticized was his failure to fulfill his duty as the Hokage's bodyguard, alongside the sordid deeds he had committed in the shadows.

The intelligence spread by Senju Nawaki was a mix of truth and falsehood, making it difficult to define.

Regardless of whether it was true or false.

Sunagakure could profit from it, perhaps even supplement the barren map of the Land of Wind; he was determined to lead the Land of Wind out of its current predicament.

He felt a lingering resentment over gaining absolutely nothing from the campaign that destroyed the Land of Whirlpools, all due to Sunagakure's awkward geographical position.

He was determined to improve the plight facing Sunagakure.

"Lord Kazekage, has your health truly deteriorated to this extent?"

There was a hint of sorrow in Ebizo's eyes.

He could see the resolve of the Second Kazekage; the reason he was so eager to ignite the Second Ninja World War was precisely because his time was running out.

Shamon, who had dedicated his entire life to Sunagakure, radiated the scent of death.

"It does not matter. As long as we plan carefully, it will be enough to secure the land and resources we desire. Chiyo will continue to fight on the battlefield in the Land of Rain. You are to head to the battlefield in the Land of Fields and stir up the situation. I shall personally go to the Land of Rivers; that is my true objective."

The eyes of the Second Kazekage, Shamon, were filled with gratification. To earn the recognition of the younger generation was something he had always yearned for.

He began to assign their respective tasks.

"This? I have no objections, but why choose the Land of Rivers?"

Ebizo was puzzled.

He did not understand why the Second Kazekage would set his sights on the Land of Rivers instead of the water-rich Land of Rain or the grain-rich Land of Fields.

"Do not be too greedy. Within the borders of the Land of Rain, various factions are intertwined: Hanzo of the Salamander, unknown organizations lurking in the shadows, Iwagakure, Kumogakure, Konoha, and Kirigakure—nearly every power in the Ninja World is present there. We only managed to gain an initial advantage by relying on Chiyo's poison techniques; it is impossible for us to occupy that land for long. That place is destined to be a meat grinder. As for the location of the Land of Fields, it is separated from Sunagakure by several smaller villages, and it is equally impossible to hold it for long. We must learn from the lessons of Takigakure. Only the Land of Rivers, while inferior in water and land resources compared to the other two, is the best choice because its location lies right at the border between us and the Land of Fire."

The Second Kazekage's face wore an expression of exhaustion as he patiently answered the questions of the outstanding junior before him.

This was the last thing he could do for Sunagakure.

Once they secured the land of the Land of Rivers, they would at least avoid falling into a food crisis.

This war had made him increasingly aware of the importance of resources.

"Understood!"

A shrewd look flashed in Ebizo's eyes.

Recalling the map and spheres of influence in the Ninja World, he realized that, just as the Second Kazekage had said, the Land of Rivers was indeed their best option.

The other fronts were merely diversions.

A major battle was needed to solidify their gains.

"Go! Protect yourself! Do not come into conflict with the Senju clan."

The Second Kazekage waved his hand, his eyes filled with weariness.

After Ebizo departed, a scroll appeared in his hand.

"Senju Tobirama, your judgment has grown poor!"

The scroll was a peace offering sent by Sarutobi Hiruzen, containing the sealing techniques that Sunagakure needed most, with the price being the Land of Fields, which he had already decided to abandon.

For Sunagakure, taking the Land of Rivers had become a certainty.

No matter what happened in this war, Sunagakure would be the victor.

They had already obtained the land they desired.

Chiyo, Ebizo, Rasa, and Chiyo's son and daughter-in-law were all talents with the potential to become Kage.

As long as the new generation did not perish prematurely, the future would only get better.

Yet, reality rarely follows one's wishes.