Thus, the Anbu immediately dispatched a group of operatives without hesitation, beginning to search everywhere for the Third Kazekage's whereabouts. Each of these Anbu was exceptionally skilled; their capabilities naturally beyond doubt—whether in reconnaissance, tracking, or combat, they were all top-tier.
Moreover, they prioritized their search along the mandatory route connecting the village to the Daimyo's estate, firmly believing that if the Third Kazekage had indeed met with an accident, it most likely happened along this very road.
Meanwhile, Madara Uchiha, as if he had foreseen everything from the beginning, didn't even attempt any concealment. He simply waited in silence, like the unseen hand pulling the strings of this dark plot.
The Anbu's actions were swift and efficient. Relying on their sharp instincts and outstanding abilities, they quickly located the crime scene. As they stood on the blood-soaked ground, a wave of grief and rage swept over them. Remaining rational, they began carefully reconstructing the sequence of events, trying to piece together what had actually happened.
Since the Third Kazekage had been killed by Wood Release techniques, this undeniably pointed toward the Land of Fire. After all, in the Ninja World, the last person known to wield Wood Release was Hashirama Senju. Aside from him, no one else had ever successfully used this extraordinary ninjutsu.
If Wood Release resurfaced now, the likeliest source would be the Senju Clan. This discovery weighed heavily on the Anbu, for they understood well that perhaps from this moment onward, a storm destined to shake the balance across the entire ninja world was about to begin…
When the Sunagakure Anbu realized the shocking circumstances surrounding the Third Kazekage's death and the hidden implications behind it, the Anbu Commander—a calm and decisive leader—seemed instantly burdened with immense responsibility.
He knew full well how significant this matter was. If handled carelessly, even for a moment, the entire Sunagakure could plunge into irreversible ruin. Therefore, he swiftly suppressed the news, ensuring it wouldn't spread wildly like rampant wildfire. At the same time, he clearly realized that his current power and resources alone could not adequately resolve such a complex and dangerous situation.
Because of that, he quickly turned to two respected elders in the Sand Village—Chiyo and Ebizō. Upon hearing this shocking information, both Lady Chiyo and Motoi shouldered an immense pressure akin to that of towering mountains.
Lady Chiyo and Motoi looked at the incident—something that could shake the very foundations of Sunagakure. They furrowed their brows, momentarily feeling helpless and uncertain. After all, once this matter became public knowledge, the chaos within the Sand Village would be inevitable—like a pot about to boil over.
Even more terrifying was the possibility that this disorder might trigger a chain reaction, provoking merciless invasions from the three powerful neighboring countries: the Land of Earth, the Land of Fire, and the Land of Water. Each potential scenario felt like a sharp blade hanging above their heads, sent ice through their veins.
Yet, confronted with such a dire situation, they were fully aware that passivity wasn't an option. They had to formulate a countermeasure as soon as possible. Though anxiety and unease filled their hearts at this moment, they still restrained their emotions, forcing themselves to calmly consider every possible solution available.
After a heated discussion and careful consideration, The Third and the chiefs of Sand's Anbu forces ultimately decided to temporarily set the matter aside to avoid causing unnecessary panic. At the same time, they would carry out a thorough investigation and selection process within the Sand Village to identify the most suitable candidate for the position of Fourth Kazekage.
Only after this key individual was determined could they cautiously make the matter public, restoring order and peace to the Sand Village.
To carefully choose the right person to serve as Fourth Kazekage, The Third's siblings and the chiefs of Sand's Anbu forces gave the issue deep thought and careful deliberation. They knew this decision was a big deal — it would shape the Sand Village's future and keep it safe.
So after much back-and-forth, they finally made up their minds — the only way out was to start a war.
They all agreed that such a war would not only unite the entire village and rally its strength, but also provide the perfect chance to find someone truly capable of taking on the mantle of Kazekage through the crucible of war.
This approach might seem risky, but if handled skillfully, they could avoid being attacked by other villages at once. After all, the initiative was in their hands — they could choose an appropriate opponent based on actual circumstances.
Among the three neighboring villages, the Land of Water was far across the sea, with difficult terrain and poor transportation. Plus, its infamous blood mist policy — a deadly internal security policy enforced by the Bloodline-limited Village of Mist — made it a poor choice for an easy attack.
The Land of Earth seemed highly suitable in terms of geography and military strength, but targeting them might bring unpredictable consequences regarding Konoha's response.
After all, those from Konoha were both timid and greedy — no one could predict which side they'd take. This uncertainty posed a real risk of Konoha seizing the opportunity to invade the Land of Wind. With Suna's current strength, it would likely struggle to withstand such a fierce assault.
However, turning their sights toward the Land of Fire presented a completely different scenario. Launching an attack against Fire would certainly bring significant benefits.
Besides, Earth had long coveted Fire — everyone knew about this longstanding rivalry.
Combined with Cloud's hot-headed aggression and Mist's cold indifference, if Sand struck first against Fire, it would inevitably trigger a chain reaction, possibly sparking the outbreak of the Third Great Ninja War.
At that point, conflicts between the ninja villages would intensify, and Sand would find its own opportunities and paths forward amid the chaos of war.
Only in a tricky situation like this could Sand pull off a smooth transition of power.
Furthermore, recalling what happened during the Second World War, even if the Sand Village ultimately suffered defeat, amidst the turmoil of a Ninja World War, there was a high chance that Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage of Konoha, wouldn't excessively oppress or harass the Sand Village.
Moreover, the Third Kazekage had now officially perished under the effects of that legendary Wood Release technique. In that case, the Sand Village now had every reason to strike against Konoha. At the same time, the reappearance of the Wood Release in the world would surely send chills through the other Kages. After all, curiosity would naturally drive them to test it for themselves. They would watch closely, perhaps even lending covert or overt support to the Sand-nin in their strike on Konoha.
Given such circumstances—truly a perfect alignment of timing, opportunity, and unity—the prominent figures among the Sand-nin quickly reached a unanimous decision together.
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