"How did this happen?"
On the towering city wall resembling a mountain, a scarred Suna ninjas were securely bound with a rope, suspended mid-air, forming an extraordinarily conspicuous spectacle.
The morning patrol guard immediately noticed this scene, a look of shock evident on his face.
Many onlookers had gathered, pointing at the Suna ninjas hanging in mid-air, engaging in hurried discussions.
"Leave! Everyone, leave!"
The leader of the guards, recognized the gravity of the situation. They ordered lower-ranked warriors to arm themselves and scatter the crowd of onlookers, ensuring that this location was kept away from the public eye.
Once the crowd had been dispersed, the head of the guards promptly instructed subordinates to bring down the Suna ninjas from the wall. Simultaneously, they dispatched messengers to report to the Daimyo within the inner city.
Recalling all the strange incidents that occurred in the daimyo's mansion in recent days, the head of the guards couldn't shake the feeling that someone was targeting this place.
The previous day, government soldiers hurried towards Sunagakure, and today, someone directly hung the Suna ninjas on the city wall. The guard leader found it hard to believe there was no connection between the two events. However, even if he suspected something, as a low-ranking guard, he dared not speak out.
"Captain, here's another letter."
"A letter? Where did you find it?"
The leader received a letter handed over by a junior, expressing skepticism.
"It fell from Baki-sama's arms."
Baki was well-known in the Land of Wind. He served as a close confidant of the Kazekage and held the rank of Jonin. Whenever the Kazekage attended meetings at the Daimyo mansion, Baki accompanied him.
Therefore, the guards were quite familiar with this Suna ninja.
"Baki? I see, I'll go deliver this letter to Daimyo-sama."
The leader of the guards refrained from opening the letter, heading towards the inner city to present it to the Wind Daimyo.
Before long, in the mansion, the Wind Daimyo, seated at the main seat, felt a faint tremor in his slightly fat belly. The muscles on his face quivered as he held the letter handed over by the guard leader, his eyes on the verge of erupting into flames with fury.
He had expected a change in the situation after a peaceful night, but the rats in the dark proved to be audacious.
Not only did they attack the Suna ninjas who arrived for support overnight, but they also captured and hung them on the city wall, humiliating the Land of Wind's incompetence.
"Unforgivable! Truly unforgivable!"
Clutching the envelope and holding a piece of paper in the other hand – a bill. The purple rose was prominently marked, detailing the owed amount and the precise date of repayment.
The message warned that if the Land of Wind failed to settle their debt within a day, similar actions would persist throughout the Land of Wind.
The Guards and ninjas all knelt on one knee, feeling the palpable anger conveyed by the Daimyo. It was the first time they had witnessed such scene with the Daimyo enraged, and tension gripped their hearts.
"Pass on the order for the Kazekage to come to me as soon as possible. We need to discuss urgent matters!"
The voice of the Wind Daimyo was cold. He forcefully the letter into the envelope, crushed it into pieces, and threw it on the ground.
"Regarding the matters here..."
"The truth."
"Yes!"
After the guards and ninjas dispersed, the Daimyo of the Kingdom of Wind gazed out of the window, the direction of the Land of Demons, with a fierce glint in his eyes.
"It seems some have forgotten the terror brought by great power. It's necessary for them to experience the fear etched deep in their souls again."
.....
The Kazekase Rasa arrived at Daimyo Mansion faster than anticipated.
Following Rasa, there were numerous secret departments from Suna responsible for Rasa's security.
Unlike Baki, Rasa encountered no attacks on his way to Daimyo Mansion and arrived unimpeded.
Upon arriving at the Daimyo's mansion, Rasa didn't immediately see the Daimyo. Instead, he sought out Baki to gather information about the situation.
"Kazekage-sama, I..."
Seeing Rasa, Baki felt ashamed and speechless for a moment, unsure of how to explain to him. At that moment, he looked quite embarrassed. His hands were bandaged and plastered, and he had serious injuries on his thigh and abdomen.
"It doesn't matter, you were also ambushed by the enemy. The important thing is that you're safe."
"Yes, Kazekage-sama. I won't fail next time."
Baki gritted his teeth, vowing to confront those detestable debt collectors from the Land of Demons more effectively next time. He was recuperating in Daimyo mansion. When he woke up, he learned that while he and his comrades were unconscious, the debt collectors had hung them on the wall, attracting attention and gossip from onlookers.
Fortunately, he was unconscious during the incident. If he had been awake, Baki thought he might have preferred death. He felt he had lost all the pride of Suna.
Rasa comfortingly patted Baki on the shoulder.
"Being able to defeat you suggests that the ninjas from the Land of Demons aren't weak. I underestimated their strength," Rasa sighed.
Baki shook his head in response, saying, "That's not the case, Kazekage-sama. Those debt collector ninjas weren't strong enough to overpower us. They resorted to underhanded tactics, and we fell victim to them."
"Oh? Explain."
"They had flying ninjas and launched an aerial attack on us, catching us off guard."
"Aerial attack? Are you certain, Baki?"
Upon hearing this, Rasa became grave.
"Yes. The people from the Land of Demons seem to employ some tool for achieving a flying effect." Baki nodded.
"Is that so..."
Rasa pondered the situation. He had never heard of the Land of Demons possessing such peculiar flying devices, but when considering flying tools, memories of the second ninja war came to mind. The Land of Sky, once eradicated by Konoha, had researched such technology.
However, the Land of Sky had been destroyed long ago, and even Konoha who annihilated them didn't utilize flying devices in the subsequent war. It was reasonable to assume that the flying ninja tools of the Land if Sky had long been lost.
Whether the Land of Demons developed these tools independently or inherited them from the Land of Sky was unclear. Regardless, the ability to fly presented a significant challenge.
While Rasa could fly using the gold dust and excelled in aerial combat, but if the Land of Demons could mass produce the flying ninja tools on a large scale, it might complicate matters.
Sunagakure possessed limited air-to-air capabilities and might struggle to counter such attacks effectively. However, this was merely speculation, and the truth needed verification.
"In addition to those flying ninja tool, they also had a stange weapon capable of continuously fire kunai. The kunai are imbued with wind chakra, enhancing their speed and power. Most ninja would find great difficulty dealing with such things. Even seasoned Chunin and Jonin risk being shot dead."
After all, even Jōnin and Chūnin, despite their superior mobility, were made of flesh and blood and could be susceptible to such firearms while faster ninjas could potentially evade gunfire with the body flicker and such.
So they relied mainly on those unusual ninja tools catching you off guard?"
"Yes, Kazekage-sama, that's certain," Baki affirmed.
This statement wasn't arrogance but an acknowledgment of their initial inability to adapt to the new and specialized ninja equipment. Once they adapted to the enemy's style, counterattacking would be inevitable. However, the debt collectors denied them that opportunity, disrupting their formation with exploding tahs dropped from the air.
Setting aside the special tools, the combat effectiveness of the Suna ninjas surpassed that of the debt collectors.
"I understand the situation. Baki, continue your recovery here, rhe Daimyo is waiting for me. I'll discuss everything upon my return."
"Yes, Kazekage-sama."
.....
"If I'm willing to give to others, they can take; if I'm unwilling to give to them, they can't forcefully seize it. You understand this principle, right, Kazekage?"
This was the first sentence spoken by the Daimyo after Rasa met him. His face was composed, and his tone remained calm. There was no trace of anger visible on his plump face; only a vast calmness prevailed.
Yet, Rasa understood this was merely the calm before the storm. The real tempest had already begun to brew.
"Yes,."
Among their own, Rasa didn't need to feign excessive formality.
In the third ninja war, Suna had seized a significant portion of the Land of Rain, compelling the daimyo and nobles to contribute supplies to Suna without charge. A stark illustration of the power dynamics between large and small nations.
Weakness was the original sin in the ninja world.
There was no ethical reasoning behind the strong intimidating the weak; it was merely a matter of wanting or not wanting..While the rules were set by the five major countries, the five major countries weren't obligated to strictly adhere to these rules of the game.
However, Rasa was aware that the Daimyo's anger-induced rhetoric was just that, an outlet to vent his anger.
Breaking all the rules would have dire consequences.
The distinctions between countries and ninjas would blur. At that time, the Land of Wind will bear the brunt, subject to joint attacks by other countries.
"But I didn't anticipate the Land of Demons being audacious enough to directly target the Daimyo Mansion and incite disturbances."
Rasa expressed his candid view. The daimyo of the five major countries was the highest authority and supreme leader, a terrifying figure that ordinary people dared not provoke.
Yet, Rasa's truth was that he didn't expect the Demon Congress to be so bold as to cause chaos directly in the Daimyo Mansion.
In the system of the five major countries, the five most powerful ninja groups held the power to deter all.
"I didn't expect them to be so audacious. Regardless of who is pulling the strings behind the scenes or leveraging their status as a neutral country, they believe the Land of Wind won't dare to retaliate. This time, we must show them ourselves."
A stern expression crossed the Daimyo's eyes. He had lost considerable dignity, and even if he regretted it now, it was too late. If they couldn't reclaim the lost reputation, the ridicule from other prominent figures in the country would be inevitable, diminishing the Land of Wind's prestige.
"But if we declare war directly, it might not be wise,"
Rasa didn't consider directly declaring war on the Land of Demons a wise choice.
After all, the root cause of this incident, ultimately, traced back to them, offering no justification for such a declaration. Moreover, the current state of the ninja world was one of 'peace,' albeit superficial even if it won't last long. Disrupting this balance voluntarily would create significant complications.
The Daimyo thought for a moment and suggested, "Then, we can use a military exercise as a pretext, leveraging the Land of Bears as a military deterrent against them."
Given that the Land Wind and the Land of Demons didn't share a border and the Land of Bears lay in between, any military deterrent against the Land of Demons would likely involve the Land of Bears.
"Is that so? It sounds possible. What level of military deterrent should we aim for? Do we strike as soon as we're ready, or..." Rasa's expression turned serious.
"Probe their strength first and engage them in a real, localized conflict. However, don't escalate the battle; keep it confined to a specific area. We must not provoke the conflict; even if we're seeking a pretext, let them initiate the attack. This way, we have grounds to demand compensation from them after the war and make them yield with interest."
While the Wind Daimyo desired an immediate lesson for the Land of Demins, starting a war wasn't an option to be taken lightly. even for a small country, caution was necessary. Although victory for the Land of Wind was assured, the process was equally critical.
Done right, it could salvage lost prestige and secure a substantial advantage against the Land of Demons.
"I understand. However, even though it's a short-term localized conflict, I hope Daimyo-sama will provide sufficient supplies. Our military expenditure for this year has almost been depleted," Rasa requested.
The Daimyo closed the fan, a smile appearing on his face. "Please rest assured, Kazekage. This time, we're fighting together. Don't worry about supplies, I'll ensure enough is prepared for you."
"Then, please. Leave the matter of the Land of Demons to Suna. Let them witness the wide gap between the ninjas of a small country and those of a major country," Rasa said, smiling knowingly. He nodded to the Wind Daimyo, rose, and walked out of the room.
....
"Launching a war against the Land of Demons... so suddenly!?"
Baki was shocked upon receiving the news. He anticipated the Wind Daimyo taking action against the Land of Demons to regain his lost dignity, but initiating a war so abruptly seemed too hasty.
The Land of Demons was a neutral country, and many neighboring countries, particularly the Land of Swamp and the Land of Honey.
While individually weak, the combined force of these smaller countries was not to be underestimated. Moreover, after the recent battle, Baki no longer regarded the ninjas from the Land of Demons with the same level of disdain.
"It's not a war; it will only escalate into a local conflict. We want the Land of Demons to witness the might of Suna and imprint this overwhelming power into their souls. It will encourage them to adopt a more honest and peaceful stance in the days to come," Rasa explained, shaking his head.
"But can it truly be controlled when the time comes?" Baki expressed concern.
"As a Jonin of Suna, you are well aware of our power. Do you doubt that I, as the Kazekage, cannot control the battlefield of a small country?"
Rasa responded with confidence. He had been a prominent shinobi during the third ninja war, standing out like Konoha's Yellow Flash.
Rasa never considered himself weaker than others. Becoming the fourth Kazekage went smoothly without obstacles, and most of Suna's power belonged to him after the retirement of advisors Chiyo and Ebizo. The only drawback was lacking a notable record as the fourth Kazekage.
"Although I trust Kazekage-sama's abilities, I still find this abrupt to do. We might face condemnation from countries around the word..."
Baki wasn't concerned about Suna losing in a conflict with the Land of Demons, that wasn't even a consideration.
The comparison of a small country to a major power seemed trivial. In terms of ninjas, he was a strong elite Jonin, but Suna had numerous Jonin like him. The size, number, and quality of ninjas in the two countries were vastly different. Even with their special ninja tools, the Land of Demons could only gain a slight advantage.
Baki's concern was about declaring war on a neutral country without proper justification. He feared that a partial conflict could evolve into a full-scale one.
"A few reprimands won't shake the status of Suna and the Land of Wind. Baki, you're overthinking. Consider the bigger picture. The daimyo's reputation must be preserved at all costs. Those infamous debt collectors have already caused disturbances in our daimyo's mansion inside the Land of Wind. If we don't respond firmly, what might follow?" d.
"Yes."
"Moreover, do you truly believe that Daimyo acted against the Land of Demons purely out of anger?"
"What?" Baki was surprised.
"Since the third ninja war started, we don't know how much money the Land of Demons had made in the war. However, according to recent statistics, while our five major countries weakened each other, their economy thrived. It's the only country whose national strength has not decreased but increased during the war. Many years ago, they established a military organization integrating ordinary soldiers and ninjas, indicating military ambitions."
"You're saying..."
"Although they are a neutral country, it is necessary to curb their development. They have experienced a significant growth in commercial capabilities in recent years, impacting the treasury revenue of our country. Many people in the Land of Wind have lost money to the merchants from there. If we can't compete with them in business, we must resort to certain force to recover our losses. Daimyo-dama isn't just planning this, but also for the future development of the Land of Wind."
In this wrestling, it appeared to be an incident triggered by debt collection, but in Rasa's view, it was all about one word - Benefits.
In the face of huge interests, any rules and principles could be discarded. With enough power, anything is achievable. Throughout all the ninja world wars, regardless of the major country involved, this has been the default, tried, and tested. But it's been more stable.
"The ninja world is the shogi board, the small counties are the shogi pieces, and we are the shogi players dominating the game. Suna and the Land of Wind are one. This is the obligation that I, as Kazekage, must fulfill. I have obligations and responsibilities to strengthen the country and the village."
There's an eternal win-win contract between the village and the country.
Rasa considered this contract made as a stroke of genius. The interests of the nobles were secured, the lives of the ninjas improve, and the country becomes more stable. This balance was what Rasa wishes to see.
"I understand. I will heal from my injury as soon as possible and do my best. Please allow me to take both the blame and credit this time, Kazekage-sama."
Baki sought instructions from Rasa.
"Well, then you'll have room to play. Don't force yourself too much. In a short time, we need detailed deployments, and we are not in a hurry to force the Land of Demons to take military action against us. Furthermore, we also need to be prepared in advance for the flying equipments, ensuring we don't give them any opportunities to take advantage of."
Rasa nodded, agreeing to Baki's request.
"Then, you can rest here, Baki. I need to go back to the village and discuss with the elders how to deploy for action."
"Please take care, Kazekage-sama."
Rasa nodded, turned, and left with theAnbu.
While the ultimate goal of the strategy was given, the deployment process was crucial. The key was how to prompt the Land of Demons to initiate war first, triggering the conflicts, allowing Suna to execute legitimate "defense" military operations and compel the Land of Demons to surrender completely.
The only concern is whether the Land of Demons might ignore the provocations of the Land of Wind due to fear of their power.
"Forget it. If the Land of Demons isn't fooled by then, we can create a legitimate excuse for war, but this might attract criticism..."
In the face of absolute interests, Rasa deemed it unnecessary to pay attention to the gossip of jealous individuals.