Konoha is stationed on the border of the Land of Rain.
Since Jiraiya returned to the village, his teacher assigned him to stay here, where he has remained for over a year.
This godforsaken place has nothing: no material, no fun, no pretty girls, not even a decent hot spring.
Jiraiya sat listlessly on the watchtower, his binoculars occasionally scanning the distant rain.
"Honestly, what is that old man thinking...?"
He yawned, casually flipping open his notebook. "I've completely run out of inspiration for the latest volume of ' Icha Icha Paradise '!"
If it weren't for the fact that the threat from Sunagakure had become too great in the past year, and that he didn't want to see the start of a war, he wouldn't have bothered coming to this godforsaken place to be stationed.
Of course, there's another point.
Over the past year, he has witnessed firsthand how Sunagakure's technology has changed the landscape of the Shinobi World.
Those damn prosthetic ninjas, Chakra weapons, and a whole new system... a five-person co-governance.
This has made Konoha a bit uneasy.
The old man is still the same as always, Danzo for that one-eyed Danzo...
Taking advantage of the rise of Sunagakure, they loudly advocated for military expansion and preparation for war in the Hokage's office, and even began to covet the Anbu directly under the Hokage.
They also mentioned learning the system of Sunagakure.
At the very least, funds should be allocated to establish a large research institute for joint research in both mechanical and biological fields.
That's just utter nonsense!
"If only Minato were still here!"
That blond boy always solves problems in the most unexpected ways; he must know how Konoha will develop in the future.
pity...
Just then, a communication frog suddenly appeared and hurriedly spat out a scroll of secret messages.
Jiraiya opened the secret letter, glanced at it, and his expression immediately changed drastically. He muttered to himself.
"The old man has really gone mad..."
Rain dripped down his white hair, revealing the contents of the secret letter in his hand.
When Falling Rain Town was attacked, Asu and some Anbu and Root ninjas were trapped. He immediately led his troops to provide support and rescued them at all costs. If the Rain Ninja tried to stop him, he was allowed to break through by force.
It should be noted that Falling Rain Town is located on the western side of the Land of Rain.
This is tantamount to asking him to lead a ninja army across half of the Land of Rain, which is no different from declaring war.
Although Amegakure is a small ninja village, the strength of its new leader Pain, after Hanzō's death is unfathomable, and he has many powerful subordinates.
A single move could have far-reaching consequences; rashly entering could easily alert the Sunagakure and Iwagakure, potentially triggering a full-scale war.
But Asuma was someone he had watched grow up since he was a child, and he was also his teacher's own son.
Especially since the teacher's eldest son died unexpectedly last year during the confrontation between the three villages, now only Asuma, his only son, and Konohamaru, his grandson, remain.
Now that Asuma is in danger, he can't ignore it, but starting a war is also out of the question, as many people would die.
As he pondered, Jiraiya's fingers unconsciously tightened, the secret letter crumpling into a ball in his palm.
The rain soaked through the paper, and the ink smudged, like some kind of ominous premonition.
" Lord Jiraiya!" An Anbu arrived in Body Flicker Technique. "The reconnaissance team has confirmed that Falling Rain Town has been sealed off by the Sunagakure's insect swarm, and ninjas from Iwagakure, Kumogakure, and Konoha are trapped inside!"
" Sunagakure?" Jiraiya's eyes darkened. " Hoshino that Hoshino kid?"
"Yes! Intelligence indicates that the Reform Society's Inspection Department ninjas have sealed off the entire town and are burning buildings, seemingly to erase all traces."
Listening to the Anbu Ninja's account, Jiraiya remained silent for a moment, clenching and unclenching his fists.
"Send word to gather all the Jonin. Tell them I'm going out for a while and will be back soon!"
"But the Lord Hokage's order is..."
"I know!" Jiraiya growled, "But once war breaks out, it won't just be Asuma who dies!"
Iwagakure, Tsuchikage's Office.
Ōnoki sat at his large desk, tapping his fingers lightly on the surface, his gaze fixed on the intelligence scroll that had just been delivered.
"Is Kitsuchi trapped in Falling Rain Town?" he asked in a deep voice, his tone revealing suppressed anger.
"Yes!"
The Anbu Ninja knelt on one knee and quickly reported.
" The Explosion Corps led by Lord Kitsuchi was ambushed by the Sunagakure after the transaction concluded. They are currently trapped in the town by the insect swarm and unable to break out."
" Sunagakure... Hoshino..." Ōnoki tapped his fingers lightly on the table, his eyes shifting between light and shadow.
I've heard that name quite a few times over the past year.
The reform of Sunagakure, the conflicts between the Reform Society and the Council of Elders, and the endless stream of technological achievements and mechanical creations.
Cybernetic ninjas, Chakra weapons, and the newly emerging Kikaichū modification technology, and so on.
In a short period of time, they transformed Sunagakure, once the weakest of the Five Great Shinobi Villages, into what it is today.
The situation in Iwagakure is quite different.
Although a research department was established under pressure, progress was frustratingly slow.
Those old fogies still stubbornly believe that the number of ninjas and Dust Release are the key factors, and they scoff at new technologies.
Ōnoki had to admit that in this respect, he was indeed not as decisive as his junior Rasa.
Nowadays, the younger generation is starting to take an interest in Sunagakure's technology, and some are even secretly buying Sunagakure's prosthetic bodies.
The authority of the Tsuchikage and the Council of Elders is being shaken.
This is something that worries Ōnoki even more than the military threat from Sunagakure.
Seeing that Ōnoki remained silent for a long time, Kurotsuchi cautiously asked, "Grandpa, should we send out the ninja force?"
Ōnoki sneered, "Let Kumogakure and Konoha reap the benefits?"
"But Dad..."
Ōnoki interrupted, "He is my son, but more importantly, he is a ninja of Iwagakure. If he is smart enough, he should know when to fight to the death and when to admit defeat."
"If Sunagakure really dares to use lethal force against the Kitsuchi, then they can expect the Fourth Shinobi World War to begin!"
Kumogakure, Raikage's Office.
Bang--
Raikage A slammed his fist heavily on the desk, shattering the solid wood surface and sending wood chips flying everywhere.
" Darui has been captured by Sunagakure?" The roar was deafening.
Darui is not only his capable assistant, but also one of the hopes for the future of Kumogakure.
Now that his fate is unknown, this debt must be settled.
"Yes! Lord Darui was ambushed by the Sunagakure in Falling Rain Town, and the entire town has been sealed off. Details..."
The intelligence ninja knelt on one knee, fine beads of sweat glistening on his forehead.
"Asshole!"
Ai's roar interrupted the report, "Are the elite troops of Kumogakure really that easily defeated?"
Over the past year, in order to cope with the technological innovations of Sunagakure, Kumogakure has invested a lot of resources in establishing research departments.
Improvements to the Chakra Cannon, simplification of the Heavenly Transfer Technique, optimization of the Lightning Release Chakra Mode... each of these required a huge investment.
The reason for sending Darui to Falling Rain Town this time was to acquire the missile manufacturing method and to complete the final piece of the Chakra Cannon puzzle.
But now, the exact location of Falling Rain Town Darui's fate are unknown.
Mabui calmly handed over a report, " Lord Raikage, according to the latest intelligence, Sunagakure is using a modified Kikaichū that can..."
"I don't care what kind of insects they used!" Ai rudely interrupted her. "I just want to know why our ninjas lost so badly, and whether Darui is still alive!"
A brief silence fell over the office.
The shouts and commands of Jonin training could be heard from outside the window.
After an unknown amount of time, a blinding flash of lightning suddenly illuminated the center of the office.
A complex array of spells appeared on the ground, accompanied by a crackling sound of electricity, and a blood-stained scroll slowly emerged.
"This is... a teleportation Heavenly Transfer Technique?" Mabui surprise.
Ai darted forward, quickly Hand Seals to break the seal. The moment the scroll unfurled, a pungent smell of blood wafted out.
Missile manufacturing technology...
From the material ratios to the construction of Chakra circuits, even the core detonation technique is clearly marked.
Mabui quickly stepped forward and carefully examined the scroll.
" Lord Raikage, this technical data is very complete. It seems Lord Darui has successfully completed his mission."
Ai's fingers gently traced the dark red bloodstains on the scroll, and the anger in her eyes gradually subsided into a firm resolve.
We absolutely cannot let Darui's efforts go to waste.
He, the Fourth Raikage A, and all the ninjas and villagers in the village will remember Darui's contributions to the village.
Raikage A took a deep breath and solemnly handed the scroll to Mabui.
"Immediately organize the research department to fully analyze this technology and tell those old academics that this is the result of Darui's hard work, and they must thoroughly study it."
Since the rise of Sunagakure, Kumogakure has been secretly accumulating power.
Now, with this missile technology, the military power of Kumogakure will experience a qualitative leap, and may even create an ultimate weapon that can deter the entire Shinobi World.
Unifying the Shinobi World is no longer a dream, but a reality within reach.
Mabui accepted the scroll with both hands, noticing the pity that flashed in Raikage's eyes, she asked softly, "Lady Darui..."
He completed his mission.
Ai turned and looked out the window; the lights of Kumogakure flickered in the night.
"Now it's our turn to do what needs to be done! Sunagakure had better pray that Darui is still alive, or I'll make Sunagakure pay for their blood debt."
"Pass on the order."
Ai's voice echoed in the office.
"First, all ninjas of Kumogakure are on high alert. Second, immediately activate Operation Thunder. Third..."
His gaze swept over the Shinobi World map hanging on the wall. "Have 'Bi' and ' Yugito ' get ready, stand by at any time."
With the Raikage's order given, Kumogakure quickly went on high alert.
The entire village was like a lurking thunder beast, calm on the surface but turbulent beneath.
The intelligence network was fully operational.
The Kumogakure, who were lurking in the Land of Rain, Sunagakure, and the surrounding areas, received a top-level order to obtain information about Falling Rain Town at all costs.
The Kumogakure's border troops began to secretly assemble, but did not cross the border directly.
Raikage's strategy is clear.
If Darui is alive, negotiate; if Darui is dead, go to war.
Meanwhile, Sunagakure, Konoha, and Iwagakure were also operating in the shadows.
The situation in Falling Rain Town is like a bomb about to explode; if things go wrong, the Fourth Shinobi World War will inevitably break out.