In the world of Hokage, Hashirama Senju was like the blazing sun high in the sky. With his absolute power and unparalleled prestige, he subdued all sides, maintaining a delicate peace between nations. However, when news of his death quietly spread to various countries through multiple channels, the entire world order began to subtly shift, and the Yin Shadow of war quickly loomed over the land.
In the towering, metallic grand hall of the Kumogakure in the Land of Lightning, the First Raikage, A, sat upon his massive Raikage throne, radiating a chilling aura of dominance. Suddenly, a dark figure appeared like a ghost in the hall, kneeling on one knee—it was the leader of the Kumogakure's Anbu. Head bowed, his voice low and urgent. " Lord Raikage, extremely urgent intelligence! Reliable news has come from the Konoha: the God of Shinobi World Hashirama Senju, is dead!"
Upon hearing this, the First Raikage, A, abruptly stood up, his eyes flashing with a terrifying light. His Chakra surged uncontrollably, distorting the very air in the hall with its immense power. He clenched his fists and let out a low laugh, "Hahaha, finally dead! This guy who suppressed the world for so long is finally gone!"
Soon, the Kumogakure convened an emergency military meeting. Attendees included the Kumogakure's high-ranking leaders, including the Vice Raikage, commanders of various ninja units, and several noble representatives from the Land of Clouds, who also wielded considerable influence in the Kumogakure's decision-making.
Standing before the enormous sand table, Ai waved his hand, pointing towards the Land of the Moon and the Land of Land of Hot Water, and roared, " Hashirama Senju is dead! This is the perfect opportunity for us to expand!"
At this moment, Yotsuki Araki frowned and asked, " Lord Raikage, although Hashirama Senju is dead, Konoha has a deep foundation. Won't taking any rash action provoke Konoha's intervention?"
A's eyes were firm as he said without hesitation, " Konoha has just lost Hashirama, and the people's hearts are unsettled. Moreover, our targets are the Land of the Moon and the Land of Hot Water. As long as we act quickly enough and take over these two countries, we can force the issue. Even if Konoha wants to interfere, they'll have to think twice!"
Commander Senrai continued, "Although these two countries are weak, they do possess some defensive capabilities. How can we ensure victory?"
Ai sneered, "That's simple. We'll divide our forces into three groups. The first group, led by Senrai, will consist of 100,000 ninja and will attack the Land of the Moon from the northeast. Our goal is to cut off the Land of the Moon's connections with other countries and strike directly at its capital. The second group, led by Kinkaku and Ginkaku, will also consist of 100,000 troops and will attack the Land of Hot Water from the northwest, focusing on striking their military strongholds. The third group, as a mobile force, will be personally led by me, with 100,000 troops, ready to support the front lines at any time. We'll leave 150,000 ninja soldiers in the country to be on standby, guarding our homeland and ensuring the safety of our rear. Our goal this time is to take down both countries within three months."
The nobles of Kumogakure also expressed their support. One noble, dressed in magnificent attire, excitedly said, " Lord Raikage's move is brilliant! The Land of the Moon and the Land of Hot Water are rich in resources. Taking them will greatly increase the strength of our Land of Clouds! We nobles are willing to fully support the preparation of war supplies."
Ai nodded in satisfaction. "Good! Then prepare all the war supplies. We must let them know that the power of the Land of Lightning is unparalleled in the world and should not be underestimated!"
In an instant, the Kumogakure was a hive of activity. Warehouses were opened, and all sorts of weapons, scrolls, and pills were being carried out in droves. Ninjas spread the word and quickly assembled, the glow of Chakra rising and falling throughout the village. Those ninjas skilled in Lightning Release began to adjust their ninja tools, and the crackling of electricity in the air seemed to be the prelude to the impending war.
The young ninjas gathered excitedly, discussing the upcoming battle. "Finally, it's war! We've been training Tenten, and now we finally have a chance to show our skills!" one young ninja exclaimed, pumping his fist. "Yeah, this time we'll show the other nations the might of the Cloud Ninja! I'll make a name for myself on the battlefield!" another ninja chimed in. Their faces radiated a warlike excitement, as if what was about to happen wasn't a brutal war, but a grand celebration.
In the village square, some ninjas even began to engage in small-scale sparring to demonstrate their strength, drawing cheers from the surrounding crowd. The entire Kumogakure was immersed in a frenzied atmosphere of war, as if driven by an invisible force, striding towards the abyss of war.
In the Sand Shadow Village of the Land of Wind, where yellow sand swirled and the First Kazekage, Reto, sat in the council hall built of massive sandstone, handling state affairs. Suddenly, the Captain-Commander of the Anbu rushed into the hall like a gust of wind, kneeling on one knee. " Lord Kazekage, Konoha's spies have sent S-rank encrypted intelligence: the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, has passed away!"
Reto's pen paused abruptly, his eyes instantly sharpening. He slowly stood up, gazing at the endless yellow sand outside the window, silently thinking, "This world is about to descend into chaos, and the Land of Wind's opportunity has arrived."
The high-ranking officials of the Sand Shadow Village quickly gathered. The atmosphere inside was heavy, the flickering lamplight reflecting their varied expressions. Reto looked at everyone and said gravely, " With Hashirama Senju dead, the balance is broken. The Land of Land of Rain strategically vital; we must strike first. Gather 250,000 ninja and march on the Land of Rain!"
" Lord Kazekage," the Sunagakure advisor and puppet master, Sasoriemon, stood up, his brow furrowed, "Although the Land of Rain is weak, its geographical location is special, bordering three major powers. If we attack rashly, it will definitely attract the Land of Earth and the Land of Fire. Won't we get bogged down?"
Reto snorted coldly, "If we don't act now, when will we? We'll finish this quickly and take over the Land of Rain before the other countries can react. Besides, we have the advantage of Wind Release, and our experience in desert warfare will allow us to take the initiative in the complex terrain of the Land of Rain."
Commander Shamon added, " The Land of Rain is a country without any ninja villages. If we wipe out the army of the Land of Rain's daimyo in one fell swoop, the entire Land of Rain will belong to our Land of Wind. I suggest we split our forces into two groups: one to launch a feint attack from the front to draw away the main force of the Land of Rain; the other to flank them from the rear and cut off their supply lines. This battle will decide the fate of the Land of Rain."
Reto nodded slightly. "That's how it will be. The first route, led by Shamon, will have 150,000 men attacking head-on; the second route, led by myself, will have 100,000 men flanking and encircling the enemy."
The nobles of Sunagakure also expressed their opinions. One noble, dressed in luxurious attire, excitedly said, " Lord Kazekage is wise! After taking over the Land of Rain, our Land of Wind will no longer lack water resources, and our trade routes can be expanded to the Land of Fire and the Land of Earth. Then, wealth will flow in endlessly! We nobles are willing to contribute funds to support our military."
The Sand shinobi began their work, massive caravans carrying supplies slowly making their way across the desert. Those skilled in Secret Puppet Technique began crafting various mechanical puppets for the village, reinforcing its fortified defenses, and forging unique mechanical weapons for the army about to depart. The young Sand shinobi gathered, excitedly discussing the upcoming battle. "Finally, we can go out into the world and show our skills! I heard other countries don't have deserts, so they can bathe every day!" a young ninja exclaimed, waving his arms, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "That's right! Let's show those countries the power of the Sand shinobi! We'll conquer the Land of Rain, where it rains all year round—it's so enviable!" another ninja chimed in. The entire Sand Shadow Village was enveloped in the tense and exciting atmosphere of war.
In the mysterious Mizukage Village of the Land of Water, the First Mizukage, Minazuki Teru, stood on the balcony of the Mizukage Building, gazing thoughtfully at the shimmering water. Anbu member silently appeared behind him and respectfully said, " Mizukage- sama, Hashirama Senju is dead."
Minazuki Teru frowned slightly, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes. "What was bound to happen has finally arrived. We've been waiting for this for a long time."
A decision-making meeting was quickly convened in Mizukage Village. The room was filled with steam, and a huge crystal chandelier emitted a soft glow. Minazuki Teru tapped the table lightly with his finger and calmly said, "Although the Land of Whirlpools is a small country, their Sealing Jutsu are extremely powerful. If we don't deal with them soon, they will surely become a major threat in the future. Gather an army of 200,000 and attack the Land of Whirlpools!"
" Mizukage," Hozuki Gengetsu asked, " the Land of Whirlpools and Konoha have a close relationship. If we attack the Land of Whirlpools, will Konoha intervene?"
Minazuki Teru sneered, " Konoha is currently preoccupied with its own problems. Hashirama Senju has just died, and there are bound to be many internal conflicts. As long as we act quickly and take over the Land of Whirlpools before Konoha can react, it will be too late for Konoha to intervene."
Kaguya Tsukino Na suggested, "We can use caravans to launch a coordinated attack from both inside and outside the Land of Whirlpools, combined with a surprise water attack, to catch the Land of Whirlpools completely off guard."
Minazuki Teru nodded in agreement. "Good, divide the forces into three routes. The first route, led by Kaguya Tsukino Na, will consist of 80,000 men launching a frontal waterborne assault; the second route, led by Hozuki Gengetsu, will consist of 60,000 men attacking the eastern part of the Land of Whirlpools from the flanks; the third route, personally commanded by me, will consist of 60,000 men attacking the western cities of the Land of Whirlpools. All three routes will also send elite special forces teams to infiltrate the Land of Whirlpools under the guise of merchant caravans, ready to strike at the Land of Whirlpools cities from within at any time."
The nobles of Mizukage Village also expressed their support. One noble, adorned with jewels, said, "Lord Mizukage's decision is brilliant! If we can utilize the Sealing Jutsu of the Land of Whirlpools, our Land of Water will become the strongest ninja village in the world, and our military strength will be further enhanced. At that time, unifying the Shinobi World might not be impossible. We are willing to provide the army with the best war supplies and ninja tools."
The water ninja began their operation; massive warships were towed out of the harbor, laden with various Water Release ninja tools. Skilled Water Release ninja moved nimbly through the water, practicing various combined attack techniques. "Finally, I have a chance to test my Water Release!" a young ninja exclaimed excitedly. "This time, we must show the Land of Whirlpools how powerful we water ninja are!" another ninja said, rubbing his hands together in anticipation. The entire Mizukage Village was immersed in a tense atmosphere of preparation for battle.
Inside the impregnable fortress of the Tsuchikage Village in the Land of Earth, the First Tsuchikage, Ishigawa, was training in a secret chamber. An ANBU member rushed in and whispered, "Tsuchikage-sama, Hashirama Senju is dead."
Ishikawa suddenly opened his eyes, a glint of madness flashing within them. "Hahaha, I've finally waited for this day!"
At the military conference in Tsuchikage Village, Ishikawa laughed maniacally, " With Hashirama Senju dead, it's time for our Land of Earth to expand! Our Land of Earth has 600,000 ninja troops; let's gather 400,000 more and attack the Land of Rain and the Land of Grass simultaneously, leaving neither behind. We'll conquer these two small countries within three months and then face the Land of Fire!"
" Lord Tsuchikage," an advisor said cautiously, "If we attack two countries simultaneously, won't our forces be spread out?"
Ishikawa glared at him. "What are you afraid of? How can the strength of our Land of Earth compare to those two small countries? We'll split into two groups. The first group, led by me personally, will have 250,000 men to attack the Land of Rain; the second group, led by Wu, will have 150,000 men to attack the Land of Grass. We must finish this quickly!"
A nobleman stood up excitedly. " Lord Tsuchikage is mighty! With the capture of these two countries, our Land of Earth's territory will expand significantly. We nobles fully support the war; we will provide manpower and supplies as needed!"
The earth ninjas sprang into action, manipulating giant rock golems to transport various supplies. Those skilled in Earth Release techniques began constructing a formidable defensive line along the border, while simultaneously preparing offensive explosive tags and Clay Bomb —war materials for the war effort. "Finally, we can have a good, satisfying fight!" one earth ninja shouted, brandishing his weapon. "Yes! Let those countries know the might of our Land of Earth! Unify the entire Shinobi World!" The surrounding ninjas echoed his sentiments. The entire Tsuchikage Village was filled with the fervor of war.
Faced with the sudden attack from the four major powers, the smaller countries that were targeted were plunged into endless panic, like a small boat in a stormy sea, tossed about and on the verge of capsizing at any moment.