January, Year 32 of Konoha.
The alliance between Konoha and Iwagakure was officially broken.
At the end of the same month, Sunagakure declared war on Konoha.
...
"I disagree." Chiyo stood up angrily and said, "We are currently allies with Konoha. There is no need to go to war with them."
"The villagers are living in hardship now, and on top of that, the weapons..."
They had spent so much money.
"If we fight a war on two fronts, the village's situation will only get worse."
However...
"Advisor Chiyo, this war is inevitable." The Kazekage looked at Chiyo and said calmly, "It is precisely because we purchased so many weapons that I decided to declare war on Konoha. Once we win, everything will be regained."
"But Konoha is too strong." Chiyo slammed the table, took a deep breath, and said seriously, "Sunagakure is no match for them, especially since we are initiating a war against our ally. If this continues, Sunagakure's reputation will be ruined. This is treachery!"
"Hmph." The Kazekage sneered disdainfully. "Between villages, there is only the relationship of interests. If war can bring benefits to Sunagakure, then why not start it?"
"Besides..."
"How can ninja affairs be called treachery?"
"I see no benefits for the village in this, Lord Kazekage." Chiyo sighed inwardly and said helplessly, "All I see are losses and deaths."
With that, she stormed out of the room.
She knew...
This Third Kazekage had gone mad. Those weapons had made him lose sight of reality. Sunagakure could never rely on those weapons to fight Konoha.
Had he not considered...
Konoha was far richer than Sunagakure!
Wouldn't they buy weapons too?
"Sister." Ebizō, his head wrapped in bandages, chased after her and said, seeing Chiyo's anger, "No matter what, he is the Kazekage now. You should be more careful with your words."
"Sorry, I understand." Chiyo sighed and said helplessly, "But declaring war on Konoha... Sigh! I don't see it ending well."
"If the Kazekage has made this decision, he must have his reasons. Sister, you should go back and check on Sasori." Ebizō comforted her. "Sasori has been learning puppet techniques lately. He is the future of the village. As for other matters..."
"We don't need to interfere."
"Sasori!" Hearing her grandson's name, Chiyo's face softened into a smile. "He is indeed very clever. According to Chiyo, Sasori can already assemble simple puppets now."
...
"Stubborn!" The Kazekage snorted coldly as he watched Chiyo leave. "It is precisely because Konoha is too strong that I declared war. Otherwise, how will Sunagakure ever catch up to them?"
No money, no land—what else could they rely on?
And she didn't even knock before barging into the Kazekage's office. She clearly had no respect for his authority!
Her son was already hopeless...
Yet she still acted so arrogantly.
"Hmph." The Kazekage curled his lips into a cold smile as he looked at the list of Suna-nin on his desk and muttered, "I heard Chiyo's son is also on the battlefield. In that case..."
He would assign him to the frontlines against Konoha!
Since you're so unwilling to fight Konoha...
Then let your son go instead!
...
Land of Rain.
Hanzo of the Salamander had something to say but didn't know if he should say it.
This... This alliance of the three great villages had already collapsed, yet they still wanted to fight Amegakure? Were they looking down on him?
"This is utterly infuriating!" Hanzo sighed helplessly and said, "Tell all Rain-nin to stay on high alert. The three great villages clearly have no intention of withdrawing their troops."
It seemed they still wanted to destroy and carve up Amegakure.
But...
This suited him just fine.
Now that the three great villages had spread their forces thin, Amegakure could rely on that massive stockpile of weapons to secure victory.
So...
"No matter what, Amegakure must win." Hanzo stood up and said to the Rain-nin before him. "Only then will the Land of Rain have a future."
The sixth great nation, the sixth great village...
He, Hanzo of the Salamander, was the one who would bring hope to the Land of Rain.
...
Kumogakure.
"So..." a Kumo-nin asked, "Are we withdrawing or not?"
Originally, they hadn't planned to join the chaos in the Land of Rain. The battlefield was too far away, and with Konoha already suffering heavy losses, there was no need to pressure them further. But now...
Plans couldn't keep up with changes!
Not long after the alliance was formed, the three great villages were fighting again...
Should they take advantage of the situation?
"It's still unclear." The Kumo-nin commander shook his head. "We've already sent word to the Raikage. We should receive a response today..."
Before he could finish, however...
"Screech."
The cry of an eagle echoed outside.
The commander smiled and said, "It's here."
Sure enough, a messenger eagle flew in and perched on the table before the commander.
The commander took the Raikage's letter, opened it, and read carefully before narrowing his eyes.
"What is it?" The Kumo-nin, seeing the commander's expression, asked curiously. "What are the Raikage's orders?"
"Pass down the order. All troops are to hold their positions." The commander shredded the letter with a lightning jutsu and said calmly. "The Raikage has new orders."
"We are to..."
"Cooperate with Konoha."
...
Land of Whirlpools.
"The vitality and chakra of these cells are far too powerful." The Elder pointed at the cells Jun had given him and said. "Ordinary creatures cannot withstand them."
After numerous animal experiments, not a single creature had been able to accept these cells. No matter the species, once injected, every single one burst apart and died.
These cells were fundamentally incompatible with ordinary biological cells.
"So that's how it is." Jun nodded and murmured. "Only the bloodline of the Uchiha Clan can withstand Hashirama's cells?"
The long-standing feud between the Senju and Uchiha Clans had seeped into their very blood.
No wonder Uchiha Shin could inherit the Uchiha name. Not only could he transplant Sharingan, but he could also inject Hashirama's cells!
It seemed he would need to study the blood of other Senju and Uchiha members to see if there were any discoveries.
"It's time to conduct a full physical examination for all public officials in the Land of Whirlpools." Jun narrowed his eyes, a faint smile curling his lips as he muttered. "And test their blood while we're at it."
"Moreover, we've discovered a special substance in these cells." The Elder stared at the cells before him with fascination, as if gazing upon a treasure. "It's different from ordinary chakra."
"And it doesn't resemble Wood Release chakra either."
Hearing the Elder's words, Jun froze, then frowned.
Could it be Asura's chakra?
"Any discoveries?" Jun asked.
"None." The Elder shook his head, his tone regretful. "The substance seems alive."
"For now, we are completely powerless against it."
"Never mind, let's not dwell on this." The Elder snapped out of his regret and smiled slightly. "The reason I called you here isn't about this, but rather..."
"We've made another new invention..."