Then, a portion of the force must remain in the ninja village, and others must be stationed at various important strongholds in the Land of Wind.
Specifically, regarding the Land of Rivers...
The number of Sand Ninja is less than three or four hundred.
Moreover, almost all of them Genin, Chunin were rare, let alone Jonin. This was only because the Shinobi World had become very tense during this period, and Konoha had even sent more ninjas to the northeastern region of the Land of Rivers. The Third Kazekage gritted his teeth and sent out more personnel.
Otherwise, the number of Sand Ninja in the Land of Rivers would be even smaller.
For the incredibly weak Sunagakure's finances, the more ninjas guarding the borders there are, the greater the burden on the village, assuming no major war breaks out. Remember, these people can't earn even a single penny for the village!
The village also needs to continuously provide supplies.
It's easy to imagine how much pressure the Third Kazekage would face if the number of people increased!
Gold panning isn't so easy!
The Sunagakure leadership, led by the Third Kazekage, are practically splitting every single one of their members in two!
That's also why.
The Mist Ninja have launched a silent attack.
With insufficient and widely dispersed defensive forces, the Sand Ninja Village had very few areas that could withstand the Mist Ninja's invasion!
The hunt began that night!
" Hidden Mist Technique!"
Water Release!
"Pfft!"
"Ah!?"
Using the southern coastal region of the Land of Rivers as the main point of advance, this small strait, which would require an ordinary person to cross by boat, can be traversed by ninjas with just a little more time and Chakra!
After the Mist Ninja entered the Land of Land of Rivers under the cover of night...
This was done according to the previously assigned task objectives.
They launched the bloodiest hunt against the Sand Ninja.
"What!? It's Mist Ninja?"
"When!?"
"Quick transfer... oh!?"
This attack was completely unexpected.
It was only in the middle of the night.
The Sand Ninja had symbolically established two strongholds in the southeastern coastal region of the Land of Rivers. Less than thirty Sand Ninja were almost entirely wiped out in one fell swoop. The swift and bloody Mist Ninja gave these Sand Ninja no chance to react or even transmit a message.
A fierce and relentless offensive.
In the blink of an eye.
The entire southeastern coastal area of Land of Rivers fell completely under the control of the Mist Ninja.
Then the Mist Ninja continued to venture deeper into the area.
At the fastest speed.
The erosion has penetrated into the entire Land of Rivers.
Led by Suikazan Fuguki, Kei traveled all the way to the capital city located in the western part of the Land of Rivers.
That place is the main base of the Sand Ninja in the Land of Rivers. As long as they wipe it out, the entire Land of Rivers will be almost under the control of the Mist Ninja. As for the subsequent talks with the Land of Rivers, high-ranking nobles and dignitaries of the Land of Rivers, that will be left to the professionals in the village. Incidentally, the nobles of the Land of Water can also play a role!
Method doesn't matter!
In any case, the Land of Rivers must fall into the hands of the Mist Ninja!
This place is even more important than the Land of Waves, since the Land of Waves only has military and strategic significance!
There are still incredibly lucrative profits to be made in the Land of Rivers!
Trade is one aspect, and various resources are another. As a neighboring Land of Fire and a coastal nation, the Land of Rivers is undeniably prosperous and wealthy. The Sunagakure was able to maintain its pride as one of the Five Great Nations in the past, partly due to its own village's rich heritage, but even more importantly, due to the resource support provided by the Land of Rivers.
If it's not too exaggerated, the Sand Ninja's profits from the Land of Rivers account for at least one-tenth of the entire village's income!
That's the starting point.
The Sand Ninja should deploy more forces here!
Unfortunately, the pressure from the northern Stone Ninja is too great. In the border area between the three great nations of the Land of Wind, the Land of Earth, and the Land of Fire, which is close to the Land of Grass Konohagakure also has a large number of troops guarding it!
The Sand Ninja's defensive core is definitely on that side.
Although it seems that Konoha is also Stone Ninja, Sunagakure can't guarantee that they aren't interested in them, can they?
In addition, the Mist Ninja have indeed not invaded the Land of Rivers in the past few decades, nor have they shown any interest in the interests of the Land of Rivers. The nearest Mist Ninja stronghold is quite far away from the Land of Rivers!
No wonder the Third Kazekage was a bit lax!
The Mist Ninja advanced without encountering any obstacles whatsoever.
However, it was obviously impossible to keep the news a secret forever. Even if the Third Kazekage didn't have a large number of Sand Ninja deployed in the Land of Rivers, and their quality wasn't particularly high, they were still ninjas from one of the Five Great Nations.
How could it really be that everyone just lies flat!
"What!? Mist Ninja have invaded!? Is it confirmed that almost all of our comrades at the front have been killed in action!?"
Outside the capital of the Land of Rivers. Tianlai Novel Network
A base specifically established by the Sand Ninja.
Under normal circumstances, ninjas from any village are not allowed to establish their bases within the city walls of a nation. After all, ninja battles should not involve ordinary civilians. Although this is just a truism, it is still something that needs to be followed on the surface!
Therefore, the core stronghold of Sunagakure could only be located outside the capital of the Land of Rivers.
Yao Kazuki, the Jonin in charge of the entire Sand Ninja in the Land of Rivers, looked Jonin his subordinate who had come to report with a shocked expression.
Several hours had passed since the Kirigakure Mist Ninja, led by Kei, invaded the coastline of the Land of Rivers.
This is the Sand Ninja who received the message. While they can't be said to be completely useless, they have clearly missed the best opportunity to react!
"Yes, Yao. This is information received from the East. Their entire force has been routed, and they are likely forced to retreat. Although there is no intelligence to confirm this yet, the Mist Ninja can penetrate deep into the East, and since we haven't received any news from Ichiro and the others, I think we should prepare for the worst!"
A Yao -faced man dressed in Sand Ninja uniform looked at Yao Kazuki with a very anxious and stern expression and said...
"Immediately order all our comrades from the other outposts to gather back, and then quickly relay the information about what's happening here back to the village. We need reinforcements!"
Yao Kazuki took a deep breath, quickly adjusted his mindset, and decisively issued the most correct order.
"Furthermore, immediately notify Otani and Akemi to find out as soon as possible how many Mist Ninja have arrived, who is the commander, and what their true intentions are!"
"Yes, Yao!"
After bowing his head in response, the round-faced man flashed away and quickly left to carry out the orders of his superior, a Jonin.
'Hopefully, it's not too late!'
The Sunagakure Jonin spoke with a stern expression.