Although the Sand Ninja scattered throughout the Land of Rivers have not been completely wiped out.
However, after the Sand Ninja Village's main stronghold, led by Yao Kazuki, was completely wiped out along with its stronghold by Suikazan Fuguki, it can be basically declared that the Sunagakure has lost control of the Land of Rivers!
If the remaining Sand Ninja are smart enough and have a keen sense of smell, they can still save their lives. But if they blindly stay in the Land of Land of Rivers like Wu Zetian did after becoming a widow, death will be the only path waiting for them!
Karatachi Yagura gave Suikazan Fuguki an extremely clear order: to annihilate all enemies who threatened the interests of Kirigakure. Any non- Mist Ninja who was discovered would be dealt with in one word—kill!
You can't easily spit out the fatty meat that's already in your mouth!
It's only possible if someone else also uses real weapons to steal it!
And just as the Mist Ninja were carrying out their sweeping operations in the Land of Rivers, the events that were unfolding there spread throughout the entire Shinobi World Land of Rivers the shortest possible time.
The first to receive the news were naturally the Sunagakure, the aggrieved party!
In just half a day, the news of the Mist Ninja invasion had already shaken the Sunagakure 'Sunagakure leadership, but before they could make any substantial decisions...
News of the complete fall of the Land of Rivers followed shortly afterward.
The death of Commander Yao Kazuki was a devastating blow that reverberated in the ears of the Sunagakure.
The Land of Wind.
Inside the Sunagakure in Kazekage Village.
In that private office of the Kazekage.
The Third Kazekage sat solemnly in the main seat, his face grim.
Seated on either side are Chiyo and Ebizo, the two most senior elders of Sunagakure.
Then there's Rasa, who is now a high-ranking member of Sunagakure and the most trusted subordinate of the Third Kazekage. His strength is also outstanding, and he's Scorch Release ninja at the level of Quasi-Kage. He's sitting next to Ebizo Chiyo Pakura.
Several other Jonin who held important positions in Sunagakure also appeared at this meeting.
"As you've all seen, the Land of Rivers has completely fallen. Sixty to seventy percent of the Sand Ninja we deployed there have been killed in action, and the rest have been forced to retreat back to their previous border outposts. Tell me, what should we do next?"
The Third Kazekage took a deep breath and, suppressing his anger, spoke.
A sudden attack.
This really stunned the Third Kazekage. Although he had been trying to regain his Third Kazekage glory and rebuild the Sand Ninja Village's glory over the years, he just hadn't had the right opportunity to find out about his own village's situation.
The Sand Ninja really shouldn't be the ones to stick their necks out now.
The Third Kazekage just wanted to focus on developing his skills, but others wouldn't give him that opportunity!
Land of Rivers!
It is a very important part of the Sunagakure's economic landscape.
It is absolutely essential not to lose it!
Sunagakure is already poor enough; it can't afford to stay poor any longer!
"The fact that the Mist Ninja chose this moment to attack clearly shows they've made up their minds. Third Hokage, I think we'd better prepare for the worst!"
The Third Kazekage had barely finished speaking.
Chiyo, sitting on the left, was the first to speak. Her aged face was filled with solemnity. For this old woman, there weren't many things she cared about anymore, but the village was definitely one of the most important things!
As the most senior Sand Ninja in the village, Chiyo has witnessed the rise and fall of Sunagakure over many years. This period is the most crucial time since the establishment of Sunagakure. If it collapses, it will be very difficult for Sunagakure to rise again.
It must be said that Chiyo's vision and judgment were not bad. On the eve of the Third Shinobi World War, this was indeed very important for Sunagakure. If Sunagakure had been the victor in the original Third Shinobi World War, it would definitely have shown an upward trend in the future. Unfortunately, the Third Kazekage's mysterious 'disappearance' and Rasa's series of questionable actions during the Third Shinobi World War were also unfortunate.
This made matters worse for the already weak Sunagakure!
If Obito hadn't wreaked havoc on Kirigakure, Sand Ninja would have permanently secured its position as the bottom of the Five Great Shinobi Villages!
Therefore, from the perspective of the original work, this period was truly crucial for Sunagakure. The Third Kazekage consistently echoed the Third Hokage's suggestions, wanting to give his own village more options and time.
But now the Mist Ninja are clearly not giving them that chance.
"You mean... the Mist Ninja are going to start a war first? And their target is still us, the Sand Ninja!?"
Chiyo's words not only made the Third Kazekage frown.
Rasa, Pakura, and the other high-ranking Sand Ninja present all showed slight changes in expression.
Even Pakura, with her straightforward personality, couldn't help but ask.
"The target is definitely our Sand Ninja, that's for sure. But whether it's going to provoke a major war is another matter. The Fourth Mizukage also needs to carefully weigh the risks involved. However, if our Sand Ninja really shows too much weakness, given the Mizukage's style over the past few years, he might become even more aggressive!"
Chiyo narrowed her eyes slightly and said in a somewhat cold tone.
Listening to Chiyo's words.
The Third Kazekage's expression also turned extremely gloomy.
If given a choice, the Third Kazekage truly wouldn't want his village to be the first to go to war with another country.
In the original story, it was because the Third Kazekage was killed by Sasori that the leaderless Sunagakure was passively drawn into the Third Shinobi World War, and then suffered defeat after defeat. Rasa even did something outrageous like unintentionally killing (or deliberately causing the death of) Pakura, the only two Kage Level fighters in his village.
The Sunagakure has now completely declined.
While the Third Kazekage is still alive and well, he certainly doesn't want to see the situation change beyond his control.
"My view is the same as my sister's. Third Hokage, the more critical the moment, the more we need to project a strong image. We can't let the Mist Ninja underestimate us. The interests in the Land of Rivers may seem large or small, but the key issue is what happens next!"
Ebizo opened his eyes, looking at the Third Kazekage in the head seat with the same serious expression.
"But wouldn't that be a bit too risky?"
From the lower level, a Jonin -ranking Jonin from Sunagakure cautiously spoke up.
"Hmph, do ninjas ever avoid taking risks? If you're afraid of risks, then don't be a ninja!"
He hadn't finished speaking.
Chiyo snorted coldly, glancing at the person who had just spoken with a slightly icy expression. The Sunagakure Jonin looked like a rabbit seeing an eagle, his face showing embarrassment, and he obediently shut his mouth again.
Rasa, who was about to say something, swallowed his words upon seeing this scene.