After Iwagakure and Kumogakure altered their strategic goals, shifting their focus from Konohagakure to Sunagakure, both the Tsuchikage of Iwagakure and the Raikage of Kumogakure realized that things were not developing as they had anticipated.
In their plans, since Sunagakure was the weakest among the Five Great Shinobi Villages, they believed that with a little pressure and trickery, Sunagakure's Kazekage would, just like last time, compromise with Iwagakure and Kumogakure. However, as they carried out their plans step by step, they were met with repeated setbacks.
Not only did the shinobi they dispatched to Sunagakure fail to obtain any valuable information, but every action they took ended in failure.
Whether it was provoking Sunagakure by sacrificing their own shinobi as poisoned bait, or joining forces with their respective daimyō to pressure Sunagakure, all their moves were countered one by one.
This made both the Tsuchikage and the Raikage increasingly uneasy about the young Kazekage and Sunagakure. Especially the calm demeanor shown by the young Kazekage, which made both sides feel even more unsettled.
Originally, they had wanted to wait a little longer, to see if any changes would occur,
such as Konohagakure, who bore deep grudges against Sunagakure, entering the fray, or any other unforeseen developments.
However, the latest intelligence from Sunagakure made them realize they could not afford to wait any longer.
First, Sunagakure had formed an alliance with the Land of Demons. The Land of Demons would hire Sunagakure's shinobi to protect their country, which meant that for a considerable period, Sunagakure's greatest development obstacle—military funding—would be significantly alleviated.
Second, there was news from Amegakure about the organization called Akatsuki, stating that Akatsuki had entered into a cooperation agreement with Sunagakure. Akatsuki's shinobi would act as mercenaries to assist Sunagakure against Iwagakure and Kumogakure.
As for Akatsuki, the two great villages were naturally aware of their existence.
After all, throughout the war, Akatsuki had made their presence known several times.
Although in the eyes of the two great villages, Akatsuki was still considered a minor and weak organization, their alliance with Sunagakure nonetheless caused deep unease. They had no idea what other strategies this young Kazekage might unleash. Therefore, they had to act decisively before it was too late.
Thus, with a tacit understanding, Iwagakure and Kumogakure began to mobilize the shinobi stationed within the Land of Fire, advancing toward the Land of Wind.
As for abandoning Konohagakure, after having invested so much energy and manpower and fighting for half a year, were they unwilling to let go? Of course they were.
However, the current situation was still within Iwagakure and Kumogakure's acceptable range.
Among the Five Great Shinobi Villages, rather than completely annihilating one another, maintaining the balance of power between the five was also one of the objectives of war.
Now, they could say that this objective had been achieved.
After half a year of war, with even children being sent to the battlefield, Konohagakure had suffered devastating losses. It would take them several years to recover.
This was also the reason why Iwagakure and Kumogakure had to launch an offensive against Sunagakure.
The silent rise of Sunagakure had already begun to disrupt the balance of power.
Thus, within just a few days...
Caught between the Land of Wind, the Land of Earth, the Land of Lightning, and Konohagakure were many small countries, scattered across their territories.
The figures of shinobi once again became active.
The shinobi of Iwagakure and Kumogakure were busily preparing for this coming war. The shinobi of Konohagakure were also lying low, waiting for an opportunity. Even the shinobi of Kirigakure began to appear, constantly gathering intelligence about the state of the entire shinobi world.
However, something surprised everyone. The very focal point of this upcoming war, Sunagakure, showed an unexpectedly calm demeanor, as if all the chaos outside had nothing to do with them.
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Land of Wind, Sunagakure.
Thanks to Sunagakure's recent rapid development, more and more outsiders had been entering the village, inevitably bringing news from the outside world with them.
Aside from ordinary people fleeing the chaos and merchants hoping to make their fortune in Sunagakure, spies from various countries and villages were, of course, among them.
These spies came not only to smuggle out Sunagakure's intelligence, but also with hopes of causing internal sabotage.
Yet something puzzled them deeply.
The outside world was on the verge of erupting into chaos; anyone could feel the tension in the air. And yet, inside Sunagakure, everything remained calm, as if nothing unusual was happening.
Not only were Sunagakure's shinobi continuing to go about their tasks as usual, even the village leadership showed no sign of mobilizing forces for defense.
This left the spies utterly baffled.
They could clearly see that it wasn't just them— even the villagers and shinobi within Sunagakure were unsure of what was happening. Both Iwagakure and Kumogakure had already made their intentions to go to war clear, yet Sunagakure remained completely unmoved.
Could it be they planned to surrender? Everyone knew that was impossible.
Just as confusion spread, a piece of news, said to have been personally conveyed by Baki, the head of the Anbu, spread throughout the village:
"Tell everyone in the village not to overthink. All they need to know is that Kazekage-sama is fully prepared. The only ones who will emerge victorious in this war will be us, Sunagakure!"
Of course, many people still harbored doubts in their hearts. But over the past year, the prestige Rasa had built up and his repeated successes helped the villagers of Sunagakure temporarily put their worries to rest.
However, the spies couldn't calm down so easily. They immediately transmitted the information out. Upon receiving this intelligence, the leaders of the various shinobi villages all frowned deeply.
They could not help but hesitate. After all, Rasa's two prior operations against Konohagakure had already instilled a strong sense of caution toward this young Kazekage.
Could it be that he had yet another hidden trump card?
No matter how much the Third Tsuchikage and the Third Raikage racked their brains, they couldn't figure out what means Rasa could possibly have to be so confident in the face of the joint forces of Iwagakure and Kumogakure.
Still, they firmly believed one thing:
Before overwhelming strength, all schemes and tricks were useless.
"Enough of this posturing! Katsuchi, tell the shinobi on the frontlines to immediately launch an offensive against the Land of Wind. I want to see what this brat can possibly do..."
"Hai!"
As the shinobi of Iwagakure began to move, the shinobi of Kumogakure, after receiving the message, also sprang into action.
In an instant, the entire shinobi world descended into chaos once more.
At the same time, in Sunagakure, within the Land of Wind, the shinobi gathered together at the Kazekage Tower upon receiving the news.