Even for the Sage Technique of Katsuyu, the range of reverse summoning is not unlimited. The coordinates can only be locked onto the location where Tsunade originally performed the summoning, as shown during the Fourth Shinobi World War. This limitation was critical, and Ryosuke understood the need to act swiftly.
Although the Rain Shinobi's assault wasn't formidable in scale, Sand Shinobi's concerns went beyond mere numbers they had to fear the opportunism of nearby Rock Shinobi and Konoha forces, especially after their recent leadership change.
But in truth, when the Wind Shadow position was recently handed over, it brought no fortune only turmoil.
"Sir, after you left…" one subordinate began hesitantly.
Indeed, only the site where Tsunade executed her Summoning Jutsu could be used as the reverse-summon destination.
"Shouldn't it be the Third Kazekage himself leading the front?" Ryosuke inquired, eyes narrowing.
Hearing this, Ryosuke's expression softened with satisfaction. If the Third Kazekage was still at Sand's base camp, then the political game had just begun.
The respectful bows from Kaguya Yuta and Momochi Zabuza upon hearing the movements confirmed Ryosuke's arrival. Despite their intimidating presence, the two mist-nin bowed low, showing complete submission.
The Third Kazekage's position had not fully stabilized yet. Amid this fragile political climate, Rain Shinobi's actions would be enough to cause splitting headaches for the Sand council.
After departing from Hanzō's headquarters, Ryosuke made his way swiftly to a secret safe house managed by the White Sharks within Amegakure. Intelligence was paramount now. Any gap could be fatal.
Setting aside the First and Second Kazekage, the Third was infamous for his misfortune betrayed by his own, then turned into a human puppet by Sasori of the Red Sand. His death wasn't just personal it destabilized Sunagakure for years.
Mizuki Ryosuke internally praised Hanzō of the Salamander. For all his brutal methods, the man's decisiveness was commendable.
Mist Shinobi hadn't seen consistent strength in leadership since the brutal Yagura reign. But names like Second Mizukage Gengetsu Hōzuki and Fifth Mizukage Mei Terumī reminded Ryosuke that even mist had its brief golden moments.
He couldn't afford to lose composure now.
Hoshigaki Kisame, standing guard, offered a curt nod as Ryosuke arrived.
Hanzo's estate had been emptied of non-essentials no doubt, the Salamander had mobilized Rain's elite and taken to the front lines himself to counter Sand's surprise attack.
"No need for idle words. Speak," Ryosuke said firmly.
"Of course, it's about trust, Lord Ryosuke!" Kisame responded with a grin that hid sharp intent.
Kisame reported the war between Sand and Rain was ongoing with no immediate end in sight. However, Rain had seized initiative thanks to their sudden strike and Hanzō's personal leadership.
"My lord, Hanzo-sama left a message before departing. He has taken the main force to the front." Kisame bowed.
The news wasn't surprising. Sunagakure had been struck hard and fast. Caught unprepared and reeling from the recent loss of Second Kazekage Shamon who died of lingering injuries the village had barely crowned the Third before war began.
Momochi Zabuza looked sidelong at Kisame and Yuta, smug pride gleaming in his eyes. He had been chosen for a new mission directly by Ryosuke an honor rarely granted.
"How's the overall situation in the shinobi world during my absence?" Ryosuke asked.
"Please allow me to explain, Lord Ryosuke."
At the moment, Sand Shinobi was fighting Rain, but also keeping one eye on Iwagakure and another on Konoha, fearful of being pincered.
Coincidentally, their recent leadership change left them vulnerable. With Shamon gone and the Third just taking power, internal stability was shaky.
"If you're ready, Zabuza, I have a mission for you," Ryosuke stated coldly.
"Understood!" Zabuza responded immediately, thrilled.
Had Ryosuke been sent to serve Sand in his youth, he'd have left without hesitation. A village where even the Kazekage couldn't protect himself wasn't worth loyalty.
"It's a clean move," Ryosuke muttered to himself.
He opened the door. Seeing Ryosuke, Kisame visibly relaxed. The pressure of waiting had been stifling.
Compared to Sand, even Mist's bloody civil war looked organized.
Ryosuke turned to Kisame, suddenly recalling a crucial detail.
"Do we have any intelligence on Nagato?" he asked urgently.
Kisame saluted before producing a sealed scroll. "That night, the Rain Shinobi began mass mobilization toward the Wind border. Hanzo foresaw this. This scroll contains what you asked for."
A large hand of chakra-formed ice caught the scroll mid-air before it reached Ryosuke's hand, a technique reminiscent of his Magic Mirror Ice Crystal technique, an evolved form of Haku's Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals.
He opened the scroll. It detailed Uzumaki Nagato's last known coordinates.
The document was exactly what Ryosuke needed.
After confirming the details, Ryosuke vanished in a blur, leaving behind astonished Rain Shinobi.
Back in Amegakure's center, at Hanzo's estate, Ryosuke reappeared. Tsunade had voiced concern over his return, but his unique abilities made her silence herself.
He examined Sand's current mess from a strategic angle.
The Kazekage's disciple Chiyo and her brother Ebizō were still around, but with limited influence.
"Give this to you when I see you," Kisame had said earlier.
"Yes, Lord Ryosuke!" responded the Rain Shinobi in unison.
Fourth Kazekage Rasa's end was only marginally better than his predecessor's. Silently killed by Orochimaru before the Konoha Crush, he became a pawn in another's game. Sunagakure's leadership had been cursed with betrayal and downfall.
A knock came at the safehouse door, making the trio inside tense up.
Ryosuke approached an unremarkable hut and knocked rhythmically.
He hadn't acted rashly earlier, unwilling to offend Hanzo by killing minor guards. But now was different.
"Rain Shinobi has declared war on the Lands of Wind, Earth, and Fire simultaneously."
The leading Rain ninja tossed a scroll toward Ryosuke. No words were needed only actions.
The ninja didn't even flinch when an ice-formed hand intercepted the scroll.
The surrounding Rain Shinobi looked unsure, hesitant.
Ryosuke's caution was legendary. A single misstep could cost everything, and he intended to sail this long war precisely.
Kisame signaled to Yuta and Zabuza, then moved to open the door.
"Any word from Konoha or Iwa?" Ryosuke asked sharply.
"Aside from Sand and Rain, the other villages remain inactive," Kisame answered, concise.
The leader Rain Shinobi gestured for the others to retreat, giving Ryosuke space.
"Who is Sand sending to fight Hanzō?" Ryosuke asked with narrowed eyes.
In the end, the so-called 'strongest Kazekage' was just a corpse turned puppet by Sasori, paraded on a battlefield that mocked his legacy.
No ninja leader had suffered as much indignity not even Gaara, the Fifth, whose near-death at the hands of Akatsuki had at least earned him sympathy and loyalty.
But the Third? Silently betrayed, killed, puppeteered.
His miserable fate had become a symbol of Sunagakure's cursed legacy.
No rebuttal could challenge that claim.
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