This Isn't a Minor Skirmish—It's a Ninja World War

"Is this the legendary Sharingan?" Jing Hang carefully examined the small transparent bottle in his hand against the sunlight. Inside the clear solution floated a pair of eyes, their pupils ringed by three tomoe. As Jing Hang turned the bottle, the eyeballs swayed slightly as well, their bewitching red seeming to possess a soul-stealing power.

"Mm, they belonged to someone named Kagami Uchiha. He tried to cast a genjutsu on Shamon, but Shamon struck first and dug them out. By the time I got there, Shamon was badly injured—his kidney had been pierced through—but he still clutched those eyeballs tightly. Luckily, I had a collection bottle on me. They should still be fresh. Want them? Should I put them in for you?"

Chiyo said this as casually as if she were discussing the weather.

"No rush, no rush. Put them in cold storage first. I haven't figured out how to use them yet." Jing Hang handed the small bottle back to Chiyo.

As a transmigrator, Jing Hang naturally knew that the Sharingan was definitely a good thing. But honestly, the thing was pretty sinister. Awakening it, the Mangekyo Sharingan, the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan—each stage was more troublesome than the last. And there was always something about severing bonds and the like. It was too emotionally draining, bad for the brain, and liable to turn someone into a lunatic.

Although each skill was stronger than the last, and in the end one could even summon a Susanoo mecha, the durability of those abilities was terrible. Use them long enough and you went blind. Replace the eyes? What were the odds that you just happened to have a biological brother who had also awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan waiting around for you?

Still, ever since learning ninjutsu, Jing Hang had constantly wondered what he should do if he encountered an Uchiha in battle.

He wasn't afraid of giant mechas. He had one too, and he had tested it on Tailed Beasts—the results were outstanding. The troublesome part was genjutsu, which was also the weakest area among all of Jing Hang's ninjutsu. He simply didn't know any! So Jing Hang had undergone plenty of anti-genjutsu training in his spare time. But the Uchiha Clan's genjutsu...

Sigh, it was impossible to guard against. Fortunately, ever since that old schemer Madara Uchiha had faked his death and hidden himself away, the Uchiha Clan's talent pool had suffered a gap in succession. Even now, they seemingly had not produced anyone particularly remarkable.

The only somewhat famous Uchiha, Kagami Uchiha, had already been killed by Boss Shamon. Jing Hang had just been playing with his eyes. It would still be several decades before legends like Shisui, Obito, and Itachi were born, so the threat was not great.

Pulling back his wandering thoughts, Jing Hang sat upright and solemnly said to Chiyo, "Grandma Chiyo, I happen to have something I need to discuss with you."

"Is it about this war?"

"Yes."

"Then go ahead."

"After defeating Danzo Shimura, I want to form an alliance with the Hidden Leaf Village!"

Chiyo fell silent. Her expression darkened slightly. But Jing Hang showed no intention of stopping and continued speaking eloquently.

"I looked over the intelligence Ebizo submitted from the agents planted across various regions.

Eight days ago, the Hidden Cloud Village secretly began assembling ninja forces. Their specific intentions remain unknown.

Six days ago, unrest broke out in the Hidden Waterfall Village. Nearly all of its upper ranks were slaughtered by rogue ninja, and the major clans began attacking one another.

Five days ago, Onoki, the Third Tsuchikage of the Hidden Stone Village, issued a general mobilization order. Three days ago, he annexed the Hidden Crystal Village and three nearby small settlements without ninja villages.

Two days ago, a large number of Hidden Mist Village ninja landed in the Land of Fire. Their specific purpose remains unclear..."

Jing Hang spoke at an unhurried pace while casually pouring Chiyo a cup of tea. Chiyo's icy expression gradually turned contemplative.

"This is no longer a minor skirmish. This is a ninja world war!"

As the leader of the Hidden Sand Village's war faction, what Chiyo desired and had always pursued was gaining the greatest possible benefits for the village through war—securing more of a future for the village's children and winning a greater voice in the struggles among the Five Great Nations.

She was not a simple-minded war maniac like the Kaguya Clan, nor was she an ambitious schemer like Black Zetsu, who constantly stirred up wars.

Furthermore, Chiyo had lived through the First Shinobi World War, from the dawn of chaos to the rise of the Five Great Nations. Naturally, she understood what a world war meant. Boulders could be ground into dust, villages could be reduced to scorched earth, hard-earned wealth could vanish like a bubble, and living lives could become heaps of white bones!

The current situation was so similar to the First Shinobi World War. After several months of war with Hidden Rain and the Hidden Leaf Village, both the war faction and the conservatives had suffered enormous losses. Troop reserves, wealth, and food supplies had all reached their red lines.

If Jing Hang had not turned the tide and crushed Hidden Leaf's White Fang on the western front, the Hidden Sand Village might no longer exist. His final mobilization had squeezed dry even the ANBU and the ninja academy. Meanwhile, the Hidden Leaf Village might have used only half its strength. Hiruzen Sarutobi and the other big names had not even left the Hidden Leaf Village.

"The Hidden Sand Village must pull itself out of this war, recuperate and rebuild, develop its economy, and use the war to absorb displaced talent and increase its population. Only the final victor is the true victor! Otherwise, if the Hidden Sand Village is dragged into this furnace of war, even if it survives, it will suffer crippling losses!" Jing Hang said with a resolute gaze.

Looking at the young man she had watched grow up, Chiyo saw profound strategy and unshakable conviction in him. That unquestionable aura made her gaze blur slightly. For an instant, the image of her husband, Reto, seemed to overlap with this young man. Slowly, Chiyo's eyes became incomparably firm as well.

"How much longer do you estimate this war will last?"

"Four to five years."

"Are you sure the Hidden Leaf Village can claim the final victory?"

"The Hidden Leaf Village has deep foundations and numerous experts. Hiruzen Sarutobi is decisive and steadfast, sharp and capable in handling affairs, and rarely makes mistakes. He will surely win."

Chiyo closed her eyes and thought for a moment.

"What do you need this old woman to do?"

The moment Jing Hang heard that there was hope, he hurriedly leaned closer and "fawningly" refilled Chiyo's tea.

"You're one of the village's senior figures, and you watched me grow up. Don't I know my own limits? I've only just become Kazekage, so I don't exactly have much authority. If I make such a decision, I'm afraid some clans may not understand..."

Chiyo was the leader of the war faction. It would naturally be more effective for her to come forward than for the Kazekage to use his lofty title to force people into submission.

"What is there not to understand? Let them fight to the death on the battlefield, and they'll understand! You are the Kazekage rightfully recommended by Shamon and recognized by the elders of every clan. Who would dare disobey your orders? Don't worry. When the time comes, this old woman will speak up!" Chiyo slapped the table domineeringly. That settled it. The matter was basically handled.

"How confident are you about defeating Danzo Shimura?"

Jing Hang confidently drained the tea before him in one gulp and smiled.

"I wouldn't dare claim a hundred percent, but I'm at least ninety-nine percent confident."

"Ah! It hurts!" Jiraiya grimaced in pain.

"Stop yelling. Be grateful that this iron sand wasn't poisoned, or you would have lost your life already."

Tsunade held an enormous magnet, using it to draw out the iron sand embedded in Jiraiya's flesh.

Danzo narrowed his eyes. He picked up a small pinch of the extracted iron sand between his fingers, rubbed it carefully, then sniffed it.

"Was he alone?"

"He was alone," Orochimaru answered.

"Have you dealt with him before?"

"I've heard of him, but never met him."

"Sigh, this defeat wasn't your fault." Danzo sighed.

"The ANBU's intelligence gathering on him was far too lacking in detail. This is outrageous. For such an important enemy, all we have is his battle record and biography. There is not the slightest information on the characteristics of his ninjutsu or his tactical habits. Is this what you call intelligence work?" Danzo berated an ANBU operative wearing a mask.

"How much iron sand like this do you think he brought?"

Orochimaru thought for a moment.

"Judging from the ninjutsu called Iron Garden... at least ten tons."

"Order the entire army to retreat to the Night-Cry Sand Sea. Notify logistics to purchase magnets in large quantities throughout the Land of Rain and the surrounding towns and villages. Prepare at least thirty tons! No, fifty tons!"

Danzo dominantly raised five fingers.

"It seems Lord Danzo intends to build an enormous beast trap."

Orochimaru smiled and licked his lips.