Avengers of the Whirlpool Family.

Chapter 307: The Stalemate

How could such a poor ninja village actually give out some money to support these foreign resistance organizations? It was outrageous no matter how you looked at it.

"Before, the Iwagakure Village put too much pressure on the Sand Village, especially after they were defeated by Konoha last year, the Fourth Kazekage died, and the One-Tail Jinchuriki was captured by Konoha. The Iwagakure Village invaded the northern region of the Wind Country. Although it was not a full-scale attack, it also occupied some strategic locations. The northern fortress of the Sand Village was almost captured at one point."

Itachi's eyes flickered as he spoke calmly.

"Oh? I see. But the people they support are a little too weak. Can we really expect them to pose any threat to the Iwagakure Village?"

Kisame said with disdain.

In the five major ninja villages.

What Kisame despises the most is the Sand Village. His hometown, the Mist Village, is at least very brave, and it also had a few highlights in the three Ninja World Wars. It is also very famous in the Ninja World. Not to mention Konoha, Kumogakure, and Iwagakure, they are all stronger than the other. Only the Sand Village has never truly won in every diplomatic confrontation in the Ninja World since it was established.

Either you win first and then lose, or you are completely defeated.

Then you fall into a vicious cycle.

Continuously defeated, continuously weakened, that's it? The Sand Village would occasionally have internal strife.

A ninja village that has almost never won a victory has a very embarrassing status in the ninja world. It is because of the size of the Sand Village that No matter how poor the Wind Country is, its scale is still there, so it can continue to maintain its status as one of the five major ninja villages.

if not.

Based on the three previous Ninja World Wars, the Sand Village could have been knocked down from the position of the five major ninja villages.

I can only say that the Sand Village is really resilient.

"It's just a foreshadowing after all. Since the Sand Village has no backup plan, let's go. With this result and these materials, we can hand in the mission."

Itachi said softly.

"Ah."

Kisame also nodded and replied.

"Art fire escape ho fireball!"

After the two stepped out of this area, Itachi formed a seal with one hand, and a huge fireball condensed in an instant.

In an instant, the area was covered.

All the corpses and houses were burned to ashes.

Look at the rising flames.

A hint of thoughtfulness appeared in the depths of Itachi's pupils.

The ever-changing situation in the ninja world.

This is likely to be the first round of the Ninja World War that is about to break out again. Itachi is really worried about his own Ninja Village, especially the safety of his younger brother.

"I hope everything goes well. Also, the organization's plan seems to be about to start, so we should notify Tsunade-sama and Jiraiya-sama as soon as possible..."

One's own shadow reflected in the flames.

Itachi's expression also became a little stern. For the sake of his inner justice and for his younger brother, Itachi would never stop.

This is also what he thinks is the most correct approach.

The turbulent ninja world.

The appearance of various parties one after another brought layer upon layer of chaos.

The Akatsuki organization chose to take a cold view and quietly wait for the day when their own organization's plan would be officially launched.

The situation in the ninja world has become increasingly intense.

The Iwagakure and Cloud Ninjas in the northern region had come to a head, and within just a few days, the number of casualties on both sides had reached hundreds.

That is, Dodai brought Killer Bee, the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki of the Hidden Cloud Village, to the front line in time.

Otherwise, with the Rock Ninjas led by Huang Tu launching a heavy attack, it would be really difficult for the Cloud Ninjas on the front line to resist.

Some strategic locations were also occupied by the Iwagakure ninjas.

Ōnoki's order was very direct and tough. This battle would not destroy the Hidden Cloud Village, but at least it would prevent the Hidden Cloud Village from having the strength to threaten the Hidden Iwagakure Village on the eastern front in the next few years.

Naturally, the ruthless Rock Ninjas could initially defeat the Cloud Ninjas.

But after Dodai arrived at the front line with reinforcements, especially Killer Bee, the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, the situation on the battle changed fundamentally.

Dodai's military command ability is among the best in the ninja world.

Ninja battles are also different from battles between ordinary national armies, and the choice of strategy is more sophisticated.

Not everyone has the corresponding ability.

Dodai was already very outstanding in this aspect, only slightly inferior to Shikaku. Under Dodai's command, the Cloud Ninjas flexibly used the geographical advantage to block the attacks of the Rock Ninjas layer by layer, and for a while they were able to block the further pressure from the Rock Ninjas.

The most crucial reason lies in the front battlefield.

Kirabi's move.

He was able to single-handedly withstand the attacks of Yellow Earth and the Five-Tails Jinchuriki, which was the key to stabilizing the Cloud Ninja defense line.

Otherwise, even the Cloud Ninjas would probably have to pay a heavier price.

Rao is so.

In the northern war.

The Rock Ninja still has a certain degree of advantage.

But it is inevitable that it has entered a stalemate.

This is also a very common situation in wars between ninja villages. As long as it is not the kind of battle that can lead to an overwhelming victory, the occupation will last for a long time until the attacking side, or both sides can no longer hold on, or feel that it is meaningless.

The same thing happened when Menma led the Taki ninja in a surprise attack on the Cloud ninja.

Menma was unable to defeat the Fourth Raikage head-on.

If the consumption between them is at an equal level.

Even if the Cloud Ninjas have to pay a higher price.

It was impossible for the battle to end quickly. After a certain point, Menma was forced to retreat. Even if he temporarily won a suppressive victory, as long as he could not completely defeat them, the Fourth Raikage would be able to lead the remaining troops to retreat calmly, and then continue to dispatch troops to the front line, and then join the Konoha troops to crush them. By that time, it was Menma's side that faced defeat.

Such battles have appeared countless times in the history of the ninja world. The most classic one was an almost instantaneous defeat in which Menma and Naruto's father, the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, faced the Rock Ninja troops led by Toushi. He relied on his own strength and the BUG advantage of the Flying Thunder God Technique to annihilate the invading elite Rock Ninja troops in a flash.

If Minato couldn't do this at that time.

If the Iwagakure ninja troops led by Toushito can gain a foothold, the Iwagakure Village will surely send reinforcements continuously in the future. By that time, it will be another protracted battle.

Now, the Iwagakure Village and the Kumogakure Village have entered into a regular, white-hot battle. The final outcome will depend on the decisions of the shadows of both sides and the specific situation on the battlefield.

The ninja villages of various countries are still very concerned about the outcome of this battle.

Because the victory of different ninja villages will bring different impacts, especially for Konohagakure Village.

The sudden stance of the Iwagakure Village brought great pressure to Konoha.

Although there is no clear evidence yet.

Ohnoki did not make an official announcement.

But some clues can still be found, especially the investigators learned that the Kizuna Castle, which was originally the "World Prison", is now garrisoned by the Iwagakure ninjas, who are cooperating with the Iwagakure ninjas in their attack on the Hidden Cloud Village.

The answer is as obvious as lice on a bald head.

It is also based on this point.

Tsunade immediately dispatched personnel to strengthen the connection with the Hidden Mist Village. Since Menma was able to lead the Taki Ninja to attack and defeat the Cloud Ninja troops led by the Fourth Raikage himself, including the Two-Tails Jinchuriki, then their Konohagakure Village troops might also suffer a defeat.

This is not a question of confidence or not.

Rather, it is a realistic issue that must be considered objectively.

You have to know that Tsunade was very afraid of the three Jinchuriki of Menma from the beginning, otherwise she would not have insisted on bringing the Cloud Ninja and the Mist Ninja together. Now she has proved this through a battle.

It is even more impossible for Tsunade to let her own ninja village fight alone.

Even if Jiraiya is stronger than the Fourth Raikage, he is not strong enough to crush him. His own village does not have a Jinchūriki yet. One Uzumaki Menma may not be able to defeat Jiraiya, but what if the Six-Tails Jinchūriki or even the Seven-Tails Jinchūriki is added? ?
Tsunade had to consider the worst-case scenario.

Of course, this is also based on the fact that Tsunade does not know that there is a monster in her own ninja village who can activate the unparalleled mode and sweep the entire field at the cost of his life.

Therefore, she must be fully prepared.

The correct approach is to stabilize the Hidden Mist Village, then try to win over the Hidden Sand Village, and it would be best if you could find a way to divide the Hidden Rock Village.

Neither the Hidden Mist Village nor the Hidden Sand Village gave a clear answer.

The Mist Ninja troops are indeed still under the leadership of Mei Terumi and Ao, and have temporarily joined up with Konoha's front-line troops, but if they continue to advance, there will obviously be a big question mark, not to mention the Sand Ninjas.

As the shadow of a village, Maki must take all changes in the situation into consideration.

It is impossible to act rashly just because you see the benefits.

Unlike Rasa, Maki now almost always consults Ebizo and Chiyo, the two elders of the Sand Village, whenever he encounters any problem.

These two elders were the pillars of the Sand Village when they were young, and now they play a role similar to that of a stabilizing force. Maki was able to ascend to the position of the Fifth Kazekage with the recognition and support of the two elders.

As for the situation regarding the Taki and Kusanagi Village forces led by Menma Uzumaki.

Chiyo and Ebizo's opinions can be summed up in one word: 'wait'!
Their Sand Village is too weak and too poor. After repeated defeats, it is now difficult for them to recover to its peak, and even stopping the decline seems very difficult. You should know that the number of ninjas in their Sand Village is only over 10,000. This alone is enough to prove how weak their Sand Village is.

And the current situation in the ninja world is so complicated.

It’s true that Takigakure Village is a little far away.

But the Kusagakure Village is right next door, and there is the Iwagakure Village in the northernmost part. Over the years, there have been hundreds of major and minor wars at the fortress set up by their own ninja village in the northernmost area. That is the northern gate of their Sand Village.

If you really want to take action, you have to consider the reality.

God knows whether they will counterattack and launch a second encirclement and suppression.

Will the Hidden Mist Village come to support them? Or will Konoha come to support them?
Chiyo and Ebizo don't believe this, and so does Maki. After all, their Sand Village is barely able to protect itself, so why are they still thinking of attacking?
That's a dream!
In a word, unless he is more than 80% to 90% sure, and the benefits are tangible and visible, otherwise, Maki, the Fifth Kazekage, will 100% obey the instructions of Chiyo and Ebizo, and no Sand Ninja will set foot on a territory that he should not go to.

What they, the Sand Village, need to do now is to suppress their restless hearts.

The failure of two consecutive wars and the deaths of two consecutive Kazekage were enough to sound the highest level of alarm in the Sand Village.

They cannot take a single wrong step now, as the margin for error left for them in the Sand Village is already very low.

Therefore, Maki chose to respond perfunctorily to Tsunade's repeated request for a joint effort.

It depends on the timing to take action.

The two major ninja villages gave almost the same answer.

This also made Tsunade feel very difficult.

The Country of Fire, Hidden Leaf Village.

The institute was forced to hold another high-level meeting.

There was no one else this time. Apart from Tsunade, there were only Mito Kado En, Utane Koharu, and Shimura Danzo.

The three elders of the Hidden Leaf Village fell into silence after hearing the latest information conveyed by Tsunade.

At this point, even Danzo dared not boast that his own ninja village could solve everything. Even if he could really do it, would he not be on guard against other ninja villages at all? It was the stupidest thing to do to help others.

"What do the three elders think? Should we continue to suppress the enemy? Or should we wait and see for now? Both options have their pros and cons. I would like to seek the opinions of the three elders."

Tsunade crossed her hands on the table and asked Danzo, En and Koharu with a very serious expression.

This is no longer a simple issue, but a matter involving the survival of the ninja village. Uzumaki Menma has already made his attitude clear. He will definitely take revenge on the Hidden Leaf Village in the future, and he has also proved this with practical actions.

At this point, Tsunade naturally would no longer have any naive ideas.

As I said before, protecting the Hidden Leaf Village is the top priority.

Menma is now so powerful that even the people in Konohagakure have to be wary of him, not to mention that Menma's identity is so special. As long as Menma is away, Konoha will have to bear tremendous pressure.

“He defeated the Fourth Raikage in a one-on-one fight? Can Uzumaki Menma really be that strong!?”

Mizuto Menyan said softly with an extremely solemn look.

(End of this chapter)