The order that was conveyed.
The more than two hundred Mist Ninja in the stronghold also sprang into action immediately. Although they couldn't fully exert their influence, the Mist Ninja still managed to set up numerous traps around the stronghold. Even if these traps eliminated just one more Sand Ninja, they could alleviate some of the pressure on the Mist Ninja side!
In the Land of Rivers, they also received news of the second war between the Mist Ninja and the Sand Ninja. However, without specific information, they only knew that the Mist Ninja had won this clash, and the Sand Ninja had retreated in defeat.
Naturally, they subconsciously assumed that the Mist Ninja had a significant advantage.
The Suikazan Mist Ninja sent by Suigetsu Fugu to demand basic supplies did not refuse any requests. As the saying goes, these small and medium-sized countries have no autonomy in the Shinobi World. Their only option is to constantly waver, obeying and serving whoever is stronger. This is the only way for them to survive.
The same applies to countries that have ninja villages.
Currently, the only ninja village outside of the Five Great Nations that still possesses considerable autonomy is the Land of Rain, as Amegakure is truly the strongest existence below the Five Great Shinobi Villages.
Hanzo of the Salamander earned his formidable reputation through countless bloody battles over a long period of time.
He's widely recognized as one of the strongest Shinobi World!
The title of Demigod was not self-proclaimed, but bestowed upon him by ninjas from various countries and villages. Although in retrospect, this Demigod was still somewhat lacking, at least he was definitely no match for the Third Raikage, but ordinary ninjas were unaware of this!
People think Hanzō is on the same level as the Third Raikage and the Third Hokage, and that he's skilled at large-scale killing!
Under this leader, Amegakure naturally gained a high status in the Shinobi World with ease.
Besides, even though Takigakure possesses Tailed Beast, in the eyes of the other nations of the Shinobi World, it's just so-so. The internal strife more than thirty years ago had already destroyed Takigakure's hopes for a rise. Takigakure, which has not yet recovered from the internal strife, has to be careful and smile obsequiously when facing the Five Great Nations.
A country like the Land of Rivers, which doesn't even have its own ninja village, has even less autonomy.
The news of the Mist Ninja's grand display of force reached Rasa, who had returned to the border region between the two countries, in the shortest possible time.
"What!? The Mist Ninja has reinforcements arriving!? And they're setting up a perimeter now!?"
Rasa looked at the Sand Ninja who came to report with a stern expression and asked in a slightly raised tone.
"Yes, Rasa, should we take immediate countermeasures?!"
The Sand Ninja nodded and then quickly asked.
"No, don't rush, let me think about it carefully!"
Rasa waved his hand and said solemnly.
It must be said that Qi's guess was quite accurate.
Rasa still harbored a certain degree of apprehension towards the Mist Ninja stationed in the Land of Rivers. If the leader of this expedition were the Scorch Release ninja, Pakura, given her personality as the second "heroine" of Sunagakure after Chiyo, she wouldn't care about traps or risks.
Unless it's a situation that clearly leads to certain death, this Scorch Release ninja will definitely go all out and charge in.
In the original story, it was precisely because of this personality flaw that he ultimately died in an ambush.
Rasa is different. You could say he's steady, or you could bluntly say he's timid, in any case, he won't act without a high degree of certainty.
Rasa truly won't act rashly!
To put it bluntly, Rasa is no longer "barefoot," but "wearing shoes." As the next Kazekage successor in Sunagakure, no matter how many achievements he has, they cannot outweigh a single major mistake!
He would rather do nothing than make a mistake.
Otherwise, it can't be said that he will lose his position as Kazekage; at the very least, it will be a result that seriously affects his status!
This is absolutely something that Rasa cannot accept.
After all, even without any achievements, he could easily succeed as Kazekage, so there was really no need for him to take any risks.
Therefore, at this critical juncture, they heard that the Mist Ninja had adopted the most proactive response strategy, and that reinforcements had already arrived, with another batch of Mist Ninja on their way.
Rasa hesitated.
He didn't dare to gamble directly.
After considering it for a long time with an uncertain expression,
Rasa then ordered his Sand Ninja to advance deeper into the flanks of the Land of Rivers.
Should we launch a renewed assault on that most important stronghold?
Rasa hadn't decided yet, but he needed to at least project an image of having 'reclaimed' a portion of the rule over the Land of Rivers. Only then would he be able to give an explanation to everyone, inside and out.
Otherwise, putting aside everything else, it wouldn't be fair to their own Third Kazekage.
He was dispatched to deal with the Mist Ninja forces that had invaded the Land of Rivers, not to be assigned to a post for security.
If that's the case, would we still need Rasa?
Why not just send any strong Jonin the team?
Do the Mist Ninja still have the courage and confidence to continue infiltrating their Land of Wind?
Therefore, both logically and emotionally, Rasa must take this step, at least to rebuild their strongholds controlled by the Sand Ninja within the territory of the Land of Rivers. Only in this way can a relatively balanced situation be achieved in the local context.
Then we'll explore and test the waters little by little.
Let's see if we can fully understand the situation of the Mist Ninja in the Land of Rivers, and see if we can find a truly suitable opportunity to regain 'rule' over the Land of Rivers!
To test and suppress little by little.
This is the approach chosen by Rasa.
Such a strategy was clearly impossible to keep Mist Ninja forces.
Suikazan Fuguki and the others, who were solemnly and cautiously awaiting Rasa's possible attack, were overjoyed upon learning of Rasa's choice.
That's exactly the kind of approach Rasa is going to take!
This usually happened during past Shinobi World Wars.
There were two or three full-scale clashes between the two major ninja villages.
One was at the beginning of the war, and the other was at the end of the great war.
The reason is simple: we need to test the waters first, and who knows, we might just wipe them out in one go?
The reason for going all out in the final push is that if we continue fighting, the logistics won't hold up, and the manpower won't be able to keep up. Giving up directly would feel extremely unwilling.
Let's give it one last try. If we win, great; if not, at least we'll have a reason to give up, right?
Besides, the so-called Shinobi World War mostly consisted of the two armies confronting each other on the borders and in various small countries, and then engaging in one localized clash after another!
No particularly good opportunities will arise.
It's unlikely that a full-scale battle will break out in the middle of the process.
Rasa's current choice is a similar approach, which is exactly what Mist Ninja Suikazan Fuguki want to see!