Qi swallowed the last bite of food, then stood up, looking at the seemingly boundless azure sea, a hint of coldness appearing in his eyes.
'The war has begun!'
There was no formal declaration of war, nor any large-scale clashes between ninja armies, but for Qi, his war had already begun!
This is a brutal war where it's either you die or I die!
It is an opportunity for Qi, but also a hurdle he must overcome!
After a long and bumpy journey of most of the day.
The ship carrying over three hundred Mist Ninja arrived at their destination—the northern coast of the Land of Tea —late at night. This area was still under the absolute control of the Mist Ninja, but the Land of Rivers across the strait was not!
This was the unspoken rule in the Shinobi World in the past.
That area falls under the jurisdiction of the Sand Ninja and Konoha Ninja.
The tasks assigned to ordinary citizens and nobles of the Land of Rivers are usually shared between Sunagakure and Konohagakure!
Some of the country's most important strategic locations are controlled by ninjas from the two major ninja villages!
At the national level, the country is still controlled by the nobles, led by the Daimyo of the Land of Rivers, but in reality, the Sand Ninja and Konoha Ninja can roam freely throughout the country at will!
Even damages caused during the execution of duties are to be borne and compensated by the public themselves!?
Sorry, that's not within the scope of what a ninja would consider.
They're not citizens of their own country, are they?
This is a universally accepted, ugly truth in ninja villages around the world!
However, the changing situation in the Shinobi World has led the Mist Ninja to plan its involvement in the Land of Rivers, attempting to control a portion of the area to serve its overall strategic goals for the future!
After disembarking and a quick rest,
"Those who hear the next command, step forward immediately!"
This is the more than three hundred Mist Ninja who have been gathered together.
In the uppermost position.
Suikazan Fuguki, accompanied by several Jonin including Minazuki Fuuka, stood calmly at the front.
These were the words spoken in that cold voice.
Qi Xin felt a chill run down his spine. It seemed there wouldn't be any extra rest time as he had anticipated. He had thought that since they would arrive late at night, they could rest here for the night, but now it looked like they would have to throw themselves directly into the mission!
That's quite normal, though. We already rested on the way here, and now it's late at night, which is the perfect time to carry out the mission!
" Aoyuu!"
"Yes!"
" Uesugi!"
"Yes!"
"Night!"
"Yes!"
One name after another was called, and these Mist Ninja quickly stepped forward, after calling out about twenty names.
"Whoosh!"
"Whoosh!"
"Whoosh!"
It was under the guidance of a Jonin.
They left this Mist Ninja front-line outpost first.
Different batches, heading to different destinations.
Qi even saw a group of Mist Ninja, led by his own 'elder'— Minazuki Fuuka —going in the opposite direction, heading deeper into the inland areas of the Land of Tea.
This surprised Qi, and he also felt very sorry for him.
He had previously wondered if, if the mission this time involved splitting up, he could be included in the team of one of his clan elders!
We're all from the same clan, after all. It's not guaranteed we'll be taken care of, but at least we won't be taken advantage of, right?
It's worth noting that there are very few Mist Ninja from the Yuki Clan in their group; it seems that Qi You only saw less than ten.
Moreover, they were all seemingly the most traditional 'elders' (meaning they were almost all around thirty years old).
This immediately dispelled Qi's initial thought of asking some questions.
While Qi was lost in thought, the group of over three hundred people quickly dispersed. The Jonin the head of the group were clearly leading their respective tasks Mist Ninja departed.
Qi came to his senses.
Only twenty Mist Ninja, including him, remained on the spot!
"I already explained the importance of this mission before we set off, but I'll reiterate it now: our mission is to completely expand our village's sphere of influence into the inland areas of the Land of Rivers! Our first objective is to eliminate the Sand Ninja's stronghold in the capital of the Land of Rivers! Remember, leave no one alive, understand!?"
"Suikazan Fuguki said with a murderous look on his face."
The Land of Rivers was not originally within the reach of Kirigakure's influence, but in the previous power struggle, it forced Konohagakure to voluntarily relinquish its influence along the coast of the Land of Tea, bringing the Land of Tea almost entirely under the control of the Mist Ninja.
Karatachi Yagura's appetite naturally increased as a result.
The Kirigakure he now represents is no longer content with the interests of the mere southeastern coastal area; Karatachi Yagura has shown boundless covetousness for the interests of the entire southern region!
Not to mention, Sand Ninja was the easiest target among the Five Great Shinobi Villages!
There is also the special pressure from the three powerful ninja clans in the village.
Karatachi Yagura, acted decisively!
As a trusted subordinate of Karatachi Yagura, Suikazan Fuguki naturally understands and executes his Mizukage's instructions perfectly!
"Yes!"
The twenty people below, including Qi, responded coldly at that moment.
Upon hearing this, the Suikazan Fuguki nodded in satisfaction, its round, bell-like eyes sweeping coldly over the people present.
Upon seeing Qi, it seemed as if I subconsciously paused for a second or two longer.
Qi also keenly grasped this point.
However, the more this happened, the calmer Qi remained on the surface.
This was just a 'routine' border raid and patrol mission!
Qi had always been reminding himself of this deep in his heart.
"Very good, then, let's go!"
"Yes!"
The arrival of the Mist Ninja.
It's clear that the Sand Ninja operating in the Land of Land of Rivers region were unaware of this.
Their primary concern has always been Konohagakure, located in the center of the continent, and their defenses haven't been particularly tight. After all, everyone knows that Konoha rarely launches a preemptive strike unless absolutely necessary!
That Third Hokage would only choose to defend the border and safeguard the core interests of the Land of Fire!
In past border clashes.
The ninja who fought the most against the Sand Ninja were always the Stone Ninja.
Along the long border between the Land of Wind and the Land of Earth, over the decades, at least tens of thousands of ninja from both Sunagakure and Iwagakure have shed their blood on that land.
Furthermore, there are many small neighboring countries between the two countries, starting from the Land of Swamps and the Land of Demons in the far west, followed by the Land of Bears, the Land of Birds, the Land of Grass, and so on!
There are countless interests to be fought over!
Therefore, the Sand Ninja is always most wary of the Stone Ninja.
At least half of our forces are deployed on the northern front, where we are facing off against the Stone Ninja!