Before long, a warning letter from Konoha Ninja Village lay on the desk in the Tsuchikage's office. The Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, stared at it with a grave expression.
Although both were third-generation leaders, Ōnoki was a full twelve years older than Kazemori Masaki. He had already made a modest name for himself as a ninja during the Warring States Period, and was now nearly fifty. His formidable strength and loyalty to the Daimyo of the Land of Earth had earned him the name Ōnoki of the Two Scales and the trust of many.
Ōnoki read the warning letter without expression, countless thoughts running through his mind. After Sunagakure Ninja Village declared war, Konoha Ninja Village had sent a letter warning Iwagakure Ninja Village not to aid the aggressor. Although he considered Konoha Ninja Village his greatest enemy, the calculating Ōnoki knew better than to reveal his intentions lightly. He planned to reap the rewards while the two sides fought, so the Land of Earth had ostensibly stopped trading with the Land of Wind. In reality, it had done no such thing.
Ōnoki knew perfectly well that years of funding shortages had left Sunagakure Ninja Village near the bottom of the Five Great Nations in military strength, with only Kirigakure Ninja Village as a comparable rival. Even with the new daimyo's support, it could not recover overnight. On its own, Sunagakure Ninja Village had little hope of victory.
According to the information he had received, Sunagakure Ninja Village's ninja had fought fiercely and indeed caused Konoha Ninja Village some trouble. But Konoha Ninja Village had quickly adjusted its strategy, and now Sunagakure Ninja Village was the one beginning to falter. The torrential rainy season in the Land of Rain had left its forces unable to advance for the time being.
Minerals