Revitalizing the Uchiha clan starts with becoming a Kage.

"Oh, right! I'll have Fugi go to Elder Ebizo and Elder Chiyo in person and report the relevant information to them. Tell them that Sunagakure is at a critical juncture and ask them to come out of seclusion and help us immediately! No, never mind, I'll go myself!"

Just as the Sand Ninja was about to leave, Rasa seemed to remember something and quickly continued.

"Yes, Lord Kazekage!"

Sunagakure is too weak. If it were before the Third Shinobi World War, or even before the Second Shinobi World War, Sunagakure would still be qualified to compete with the other three major ninja villages besides Konoha. But now, Sunagakure can only bully the remaining small and medium-sized ninja villages. Don't be fooled by Rasa's outward appearance of being a very strong Kazekage. He knows his own situation. In the world today, he is the weakest of the five Kage.

Even the elderly Hiruzen Sarutobi and Onoki are likely stronger than him.

Not to mention the Fourth Raikage A and the Fourth Mizukage Yagura, who were both in their prime!

Then almost all of the older generation of strongmen had passed away, leaving only Ebizo and Chiyo. The younger generation had not grown up at all, and the village's former hero, the Scorching Release ninja Pakura, was even suspected by Rasa and tricked into carrying out a secret mission, where he died in battle.

The One-Tailed Jinchuriki is Gaara, Rasa's own young son.

The Sand Village is no longer qualified to compete with the other five great ninja villages, let alone the Stone Village, which has the potential to become the number one ninja village!

Even so, Rasa must stop Iwagakure's further invasion!

This is the only choice for him and Sunagakure!

And it was also as Luo Sha's highest-level combat readiness order, which was far more urgent than the first conscription order, spread throughout the upper echelons.

The entire Sand Village, in a negative sense, was also completely thrown into an uproar!!!

216. The Active and Passive Situation of Both Sides (Third Update)

The hatred and suffering brought about by war are not so easily erased.

This is especially true for the defeated side. Sunagakure, having been defeated in three consecutive Shinobi World Wars, has had its strength weakened to an all-time low. Due to these consecutive defeats, Sunagakure's credibility in the shinobi world has plummeted, resulting in a significantly reduced number of missions it can accept each year. Fewer missions mean lower rewards for ninjas, which severely restricts the development of the ninjas and the entire village, creating a vicious cycle. It's worth noting that Sunagakure was already the poorest of the Five Great Nations, and in recent years, it has only managed to maintain a balance of income and expenditure by having the Third and Fourth Kazekage continuously "pan for gold" in the deserts and wastelands!

The ninjas of Sunagakure were all holding their breath, wanting to focus on development and strive to reclaim the glory that once belonged to their village in the future, or even go further!

However, reality dealt these Sand Ninja a heavy blow.

When I first heard about the Iwa ninja's attack, I didn't think it was a particularly serious incident. But now, just over a day after my Kazekage issued his first mobilization order, news has come that my proud northern fortress has been breached by the Iwa ninja!?

Lord Kazekage went even further and issued a second mobilization order!

Moreover, this time it was the highest level of combat readiness order!

The entire Sand Village was instantly in an uproar. Even the ordinary Sand Village residents who knew nothing about the situation became somewhat agitated when they saw the village's ninjas hurrying around and looking serious. In particular, the older residents with some experience immediately thought of the war!

Because it is a normal situation.

Or rather, limited border clashes and exchanges wouldn't have made the atmosphere in the village so tense!

The Third Shinobi World War had only ended a few years prior.

Is the village about to suffer another round of hardship?

Many residents of Sunagakure harbored deep-seated anxiety.

Not to mention that Sunagakure was already in a state of chaos and tension, and that Rasa was doing everything he could to stabilize the situation, even going so far as to personally seek advice and help from Ebizo and Chiyo in their seclusion.

Above the ninja world.

The news that Iwagakure had forcefully captured Sunagakure's northern fortress in less than half a day, and that Uchiha Shoji's godlike display of power, spread throughout the ninja world in just one or two days, was not blind. While it's true that spies from different countries would have difficulty obtaining accurate information for high-level classified missions, this kind of war involved at least hundreds of troops fighting together on a grand scale. In such cases, the intelligence agents from different countries could obtain the most accurate information in the shortest amount of time. It was precisely because of this level of professionalism and dedication that the intelligence agents from different countries were able to obtain the most accurate information.

When the leaders of the various ninja villages received the firsthand information relayed by their own intelligence agents, they could hardly believe their eyes and ears. Among them was the Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, who was in charge of the attack and orchestrating everything. He did have great confidence in Shoji's abilities and strength, and he did not doubt that his main force could definitely capture the northern fortress of Sunagakure. However, he believed that it would take a long time to fight, and it would be a task that could only be completed after the main force led by Kyoto arrived!

However, reality far exceeded Onoki's expectations.

The commander, leading his troops and the border garrison of a mere thousand men, actually captured the northern stronghold in a single battle, securing the empire. This was far beyond Onoki's expectations, and such an unexpected development was exactly what Onoki wanted to see.

"They launched a direct attack and then broke through the northern fortress. That purple-gold giant was probably the Susanoo, a technique passed down through generations of the Uchiha clan and only usable by those with the Mangekyou Sharingan. This super-powerful forbidden technique was once only used by Madara Uchiha. The Uchiha clan is truly a chosen clan, and also the most terrifying clan!"

As Ohnoki looked at the detailed intelligence on the battle of the northern fortress recorded on the table, a look of emotion appeared on his wrinkled face as he spoke.

Amidst his感慨 (feelings of deep emotion), Onoki's joy was also so intense and so obvious, because the more terrifying the Uchiha clan was, the stronger Shoji was, the more it could enhance, or even represent, the strength of their Iwagakure village!

Onoki was already feeling somewhat powerless, but he longed to see a continuous stream of such new generation powerhouses emerge from his own ninja village.

Not to mention that Shoji is already one of the only two candidates for the next generation of Tsuchikage that Onoki values ​​most!

The more outstanding Shoji was, the more satisfied and pleased Onoki became. In particular, the intelligence showed that Shoji was able to restrain himself and not impulsively pursue the defeated Sand Ninja. After a limited pursuit, he ordered all the front-line troops to return to defend and control the northern fortress. This was what made Onoki even more gratified.

Indeed, all a strong person needs is to possess extremely strong abilities.

However, as the leader of the village's shadow, one must learn to consider all aspects of the issue. The core of this plan has already been explained: merely occupying a small area of ​​the Land of Wind, which is based on the northern fortress, is not enough to allow for further expansion.

Without mentioning the threat from Konoha and Kumogakure.

The Sand Village still has nearly ten thousand ninjas.

If you really piss them off...

Iwagakure was also in a difficult position, since they couldn't really commit too much resources to attack Sunagakure. Getting bogged down in a war would be detrimental to Iwagakure's interests.

'You're truly outstanding, Mr. Shoji!'

If Shoji were four or five years older now, and had been a member of Iwagakure for five or six years, and already had considerable prestige among the Iwagakure ninja, Onoki would have wanted to directly nominate Shoji as the Fourth Tsuchikage.

This strength, this magnanimity, this method, and this mindset.

It already deserves the title of 'Shadow'.

"Pass on my orders! Have the garrison personnel on the eastern border be ready for an enemy attack at any time. Also, have Yan Shi and the others immediately send another batch of strategic supplies to the southern front. Then tell Huang Tu, Jiang Si, Yan Jue, and the others that they can make their own decisions on everything at the front. I only have one request: preserve the existing interests and do not further escalate the scale of the war!"

Onoki stood up and looked at the Jonin from the intelligence squad in front of him, speaking in a deep voice.

"Yes, Lord Tsuchikage!"

The Iwa ninja in front of him immediately responded in a deep voice and then disappeared from the spot in a flash.

217. Shocks and Reactions in Various Countries

You can't easily spit out the fat meat that's already in your mouth.

Even disregarding the fact that the lanthanum metal within the area of ​​the Land of Wind that the northern fortress can cover is essential for Iwagakure, the strategic value of the northern fortress alone is enough to make Iwagakure determined to seize this victory.

However, this depends not only on the response of Sunagakure, but also on the responses of Kumogakure and Konoha. This time, Iwagakure's goal is not only the northern fortress, but also the ownership of a piece of land nearby. In other words, Iwagakure can choose not to escalate the war or even stop fighting, but it must make Sunagakure admit defeat and then force Sunagakure and the Land of Wind to agree to cede that piece of land to Iwagakure or the Land of Earth!

The clauses involve the cession of territory, even if the area involved is less than one percent of the Land of Wind. The nature of the clauses is clear, and it is not difficult to predict the reactions of Sunagakure, the Daimyo of the Land of Wind, and his high-ranking nobles and politicians.

Even whether Konoha and Kumogakure would stand idly by was a huge unknown. Therefore, despite gaining a huge advantage and victory, Onoki further strengthened the defenses of his own village, especially the defenses along the long eastern border. In addition to the Five-Tails Jinchuriki, Han, and his thousands of Iwa ninja who had been dispatched in advance, Onoki also mobilized a second batch of forces within the village, ready to be deployed immediately should any changes occur in the border forces of Konoha and Kumogakure!

The balance of power on the border must not be disrupted.

It was absolutely impossible for Onoki to accept threats from these ninja villages and give up the benefits he had already gained; this was Onoki's bottom line deep in his heart.

As for the rest, they are all negotiable. For example, if we just show that we are going to start a full-scale war, wouldn't Sunagakure panic?

Ōnoki stood in his Tsuchikage's office, gazing towards the southern direction where Sunagakure was located, a faint coldness emanating from his slightly cloudy pupils.

Those in positions of power must always plan for the overall situation, not just focus on partial gains and losses. For Onoki and Iwagakure, the overall strategic goal this time was actually to make some advance preparations for the 'Chakra Armor' and the arrangements on the Snow Country side. Attacking Sunagakure was just a side effect. As long as the main goal can be achieved, Iwagakure's strength will be able to undergo a transformation in three to five years!

That's the core issue.

That is the goal that Onoki has been longing for Iwagakure to achieve.

Sunagakure was clearly unaware of this. Although Rasa was slightly less capable than the other four Kage, he was still considered one of the most outstanding figures in the ninja world. However, due to insufficient intelligence and the rapid changes in the situation, Rasa found it difficult to see through certain aspects of the situation. He could not be so certain that Iwagakure did not intend to launch a full-scale war.

You are passive.

They took the initiative.

As long as Iwagakure adopts an aggressive stance, Sunagakure must anticipate and plan for the worst-case scenario. This is the most frustrating aspect for Rasa, so even if it affects Sunagakure's future development and plans, Rasa can only passively mobilize all the resources of his own ninja village.

The northern fortress has been breached. If the next defensive line continues to be pushed forward, not to mention anything else, the combined pressure from his own ninja village and the Daimyo of the Land of Wind alone will be something that Rasa cannot easily withstand!

Even if it means gritting our teeth and incurring some losses, we must stabilize the defense line in the area of ​​the northern fortress and the southward passage. This is the order that Luo Sha gave to Ma Ji after redeploying personnel to the front line!

The rest of the countries.

Upon witnessing the sudden outbreak of war between Iwagakure and Sunagakure, especially the sheer ferocity of Iwagakure, everyone became alert. The most directly affected were the countries like the Land of Grass, the Land of Rivers, and the Land of Rain, each of which had some contact with both of the two great powers.

The previous three Shinobi World Wars were bloody lessons. If this is a harbinger of the Fourth Shinobi World War, these small countries must make corresponding preparations in advance. Even if they cannot avoid the most critical invasion, it is better than nothing, isn't it?

Compared to these smaller countries.

The most important thing, of course, is to see the reactions of Konoha and Kumogakure.

However, setting aside Konoha for the moment, Kumogakure's response to Iwagakure's attack on Sunagakure and its direct capture of Sunagakure's strongest northern fortress was extremely ambiguous, with no further indication of their stance towards Iwagakure.

Instead, they strengthened their border forces in the area near the Land of Fire in the Land of Hot Water, and their restless appearance directly aroused the vigilance of the Konoha personnel stationed at the front line. It should be noted that the small skirmish between the two great ninja villages had only ended three or four months ago, while they had been fighting in the Land of Hot Water for a full six months.

The slightest movement will attract the attention of both sides!

Although the person in charge of Konoha's border defense was not the same one as before, and Suzaku Nara had been recalled ahead of schedule, the one who could be trusted by Hiruzen Sarutobi and placed in a front-line position was still an experienced Jonin from Konoha with both strength and skill.

"Quickly! Send this intelligence back to the village immediately!"

"Yes!"

This is crucial intelligence that must be transmitted back to the village as quickly as possible.

Konohagakure, located far inland in the Land of Fire.

The Konoha F4 reunited this time, and among those present were not only the four members of the Sarutobi Hiruzen clan, but also Nara Shikaku and Yamanaka Inoichi, the leaders of the Nara and Yamanaka clans, who held significant positions among the many ninja clans in Konoha.

Both of them were deeply trusted by Hiruzen Sarutobi. They were among the few powerful ninja clans in Konoha who, apart from his own Sarutobi clan, could be trusted by the Third Hokage.

Of course, the reason the two of them are here at this moment is because they are among the most outstanding individuals of the younger generation.

"Hmph! We must send troops and immediately intervene in Iwagakure's actions. Sunagakure has already taken the initiative to align itself with us. This is the best opportunity for Konoha to take the initiative to attack Sunagakure. As long as we seize this opportunity, we can definitely cripple Iwagakure. You must know that not only Sunagakure, but also Kumogakure and Iwagakure have a mortal feud!"

It was the same old Danzo Shimura, almost immediately after everyone had gathered.

Before Hiruzen Sarutobi could say anything, he did not say anything.

This dark figure of Konoha spoke with a sinister expression.

In the ninja world, any village that could threaten Konoha was considered an enemy by Danzo, and the threat level of Iwagakure was no less than that of Kumogakure.

There's even the issue of accepting members of the Uchiha clan now.

Don't mess with him!

That wouldn't be Danzo's style!

Danzo's hatred for the Uchiha clan was more intense and profound than anyone else's!