The Mist Ninja is definitely not one of the more powerful of the Five Great Shinobi Villages.
However, its cold and cruel side is absolutely the most outstanding. The Village Bloody Mist Village Kirigakure is not a name for a specific period of Kirigakure, but rather a style that Kirigakure has always had, only differing in degree.
The methods used by the Mist Ninja have always been the most ruthless.
If they can avoid leaving any survivors, they absolutely will; that's the style of the Mist Ninja.
Rasa, who is not yet the Kazekage and has a rather cautious personality, is unwilling to easily see his village fight with Kirigakure. In Rasa's opinion, it would be better to have that kind of will and strength to fight Stone Ninja or even Konoha Ninja. Kirigakure still needs to think things through. However, after hearing Chiyo and Ebizo's opinions, Pakura's eagerness, and most importantly, when he could see a faint but clear look of approval in the depths of his Third Hokage's eyes, he wisely swallowed his opinion.
"Yes, I think Chiyo makes a good point."
"Yes, we can't let the Mist Ninja underestimate us!"
The other high-ranking Jonin from Sunagakure, who were sitting further back, also chimed in with their agreement.
"Let's test their attitude first, Rasa!"
After the Third Kazekage slowly nodded, he looked at Rasa, who was sitting in the second seat on the right, and called out with a solemn expression.
"Yes, Lord Third Generation!"
Rasa also stood up, sensing something.
"This time, you will personally lead the team, and send an additional 500 men with you to the border region of the Land of Rivers to join the garrison there. We'll test the strength of the Mist Ninja's forces there and gather as much intelligence as possible!"
The Third Kazekage spoke in a very stern tone.
"Yes, Lord Sandai!"
Rasa also lowered his head abruptly and replied in response.
It is still unclear how many troops the Mist Ninja forces have sent into the Land of Rivers this time.
However, since no intelligence has been received regarding a large-scale operation, the Mist Ninja force that has arrived this time must be a small-scale elite raiding force, typically numbering only a few hundred people!
Given this, the Sand Ninja is also unlikely to launch a major offensive, as that would further disrupt the current state of the Shinobi World. Moreover, the Sunagakure is currently unlikely to mount a large-scale counterattack or invasion.
Unless the forces on the northern border are mobilized, but those are meant to defend against the Stone Ninja, if they are actually drawn out, and the Stone Ninja south, then Sunagakure will be in serious trouble!
Putting aside the fact that Iwagakure currently has two Jinchuriki of the Tailed Beasts who are at their peak, what about Sunagakure? Their One-Tailed Jinchuriki is already so old that he can barely walk!
The disparity in strength between them was already enormous, so the Third Kazekage dared not act recklessly!
This is to demonstrate our strong will to the Mist Ninja, so that we can force Mist Ninja back down, or even better, completely reclaim the interests of the Land of Rivers.
If that doesn't work, then it's appropriate to stop at the right time.
As the chosen successor to the Kazekage Rasa, the Third Kazekage believed that Rasa would be able to handle the situation well.
Moreover, this is also another test for Rasa!
They were also Sand Ninja who acted swiftly.
Under the orders of the Third Kazekage.
In less than a day, more than 500 Sand Ninja gathered, including no fewer than ten Jonin. This lineup was quite impressive for the Sunagakure!
Keep in mind that the team leader is none other than Rasa, a candidate for Kazekage!
Even though Rasa was only in his early twenties at this time, he already possessed power that was definitely above the Quasi-Kage, and even directly comparable to the Kage Level!
Just as Rasa led the more than 500 Sand Ninja who had gathered towards the border region between the Land of Wind and the Land of Rivers, news of the clash between the Sand Ninja and the Mist Ninja in the Land of Rivers spread throughout the Shinobi World, and all countries received the news.
Under the leadership of the Third Hokage, Konoha remained unmoved, showing no interest whatsoever. The same applied to the Third Raikage of Kumogakure. The interests of the Land of Rivers were meaningless to the Cloud Ninja; they were more interested in observing how much effort the Mist Ninja had actually invested!
The only ninja village truly interested in a clash between Mist Ninja and Sand Ninja was Iwagakure, and that was led by the Third Tsuchikage — Ōnoki!
Just as Sunagakure was extremely wary of Stone Ninja ninja.
In fact, this Third Tsuchikage has been trying for the past one or two decades to break through the Sand Ninja's defenses on the southern front, plunder more of the precious mineral resources in the northern part of the Land of Wind, further squeeze the Sand Ninja's living space, and seize mission quotas from the many other small countries neighboring the two countries!
That's a huge profit!
Therefore, from Ōnoki's perspective, this clash between the Mist Ninja and the Sand Ninja could very well be a good opportunity!
Although he didn't take any major actions, he deliberately ordered the frontline garrison and his own direct Anbu to closely monitor the Sunagakure's every move. As long as the Sand Ninja forces on the southern border showed any unusual activity or their numbers decreased significantly...
Ōnoki wouldn't mind initiating the Shinobi World War and leading his army straight south to invade the Land of Wind!
If Ōnoki can find an opportunity to severely damage the Sand Ninja, he can greatly expand the living space of his own Iwagakure. While plundering a large number of mission shares and resource benefits, he can also fully covet the rich territory of the Land of Fire!
Otherwise, with the Sand Ninja holding them back, the Stone Ninja would find it very difficult to take any action. A single misstep could easily lead to a multi-front war, something all Five Great Shinobi Villages dread. Ōnoki's fear of the Sunagakure wasn't due to Sand Ninja strength, but rather the extremely long border between the Land of Wind and the Land of Earth, as mentioned earlier. Even though a large portion of this border was separated by smaller countries like the Land of Bears, the Land of Birds, and the Land of Swamps, it would be incredibly easy for the Sand Ninja Village to pass through them!
Don't mention that the Sand Ninja has never actively used such methods to invade their Land of Earth in the past. It's not about whether it will happen or not, but about whether it's possible. As long as there is such a probability, no matter how low, as a leader, you cannot ignore it!
The eyes of other small and medium-sized ninja villages, such as Kusagakure, Takigakure, Yugakure, and Amegakure, were also focused on the Land of Rivers at this moment.
At the same time.
In the Land of Water, in the Kirigakure.
Mizukage Building.
Karatachi Yagura had already received the news, looked completely relaxed.
For the Fourth Mizukage, the success of the strategy for the Land of Rivers would be ideal, but failure wouldn't be a major issue.