"Has the bounty been issued?"
Sand Village of the Land of Wind, high-level conference room.
The Third Kazekage sat at the head of the table, his chin resting on his hands, his expression imposing even without anger.
"Yes, it has been issued. The intelligence departments of the major ninja villages have likely received the news as well."
Chiyo sat below him, her face haggard.
"Good..."
"Konoha will surely want to protect this genius ninja and won't publicize his achievements. So we'll help them along..."
The Third Kazekage's gaze was profound. "Pass down another order. If any Sand Village squad encounters Hyuga Wuye while carrying out a mission... there will be no punishment for mission failure."
The senior officials were startled.
"That way, the name Hyuga Wuye will immediately spread throughout the ninja world," Ebizo said with a nod. "Combined with the bounty, he'll be pushed into the eye of the storm."
The Third Kazekage nodded, then turned to Chiyo and said in a low voice, "Elder Chiyo, it won't be long. Once we recover in a year or two, once Konoha's ninjas come to see Hyuga Wuye as their hope for the future, I will personally arrange his assassination and avenge you!"
"Kazekage..."
In just three days, Chiyo's hair had turned completely white, making her look more than ten years older.
In a hoarse voice, she said, "Do not act out of hatred. The village's interests must come first."
The Third Kazekage shook his head. "Suppressing Konoha's future serves the village's interests. Besides, this war won't end so simply. It will probably remain deadlocked for another three or four years. By then, every major ninja village will want a ceasefire, and that will instead be the best opportunity to strike..."
He let out a cold laugh. "Tempted by a truce,