"The Sandaime has personally led a detachment to the Land of Grass border," Shikaku reported, "to assist the Grass Village in guarding against potential movements from Iwagakure."
"As for your situation here," he added, "the Fifth Hokage wants you to exercise your own judgment. I'm only here to provide reinforcements."
Roshi let out a quiet sigh. "That's a remarkably lazy decision."
Shikaku laughed openly. "You can tell her that yourself when you get back. You two always enjoy arguing."
Roshi ignored the jab and instead eyed him suspiciously. "Shikaku-san, you're not getting back at me over the Kumogakure incident, are you? Since you're here, command shouldn't still be mine."
The Jōnin Commander waved his hands quickly, his grin fading. "Let's focus on work. Business first."
Roshi studied him for another two seconds before turning back to the map spread across the table.
"The Sky Ninjas are maintaining continuous low-intensity aerial harassment," he said. "The pattern is extremely regular—once every four to six hours. I've dispatched multiple elite reconnaissance teams to trace their point of origin."
His finger slid to the eastern coastline of the Land of Rivers. "Every trail ends here. They appear from the sea—and retreat back to it after each strike."
"At the same time," Roshi continued, "Sunagakure's main force has made no further cross-border advances. Instead, they're fortifying their positions, constructing defensive works within the Land of Rivers, and relying on several strongpoints—clearly preparing for a long-term presence."
"If my assessment is correct," his finger moved to a coastal location within Sunagakure-controlled territory, "the Sky Ninja's launch point—or even a temporary base—is hidden deep inside Sand-controlled lands, or possibly on an offshore island."
"In other words," Roshi concluded, "to completely eliminate the Sky Ninjas who are harassing us and destroying our forward defenses, a direct clash with Sunagakure is unavoidable."
Shikaku's expression grew grave. The situation was indeed more complicated than expected.
During the Second Great Ninja War, the Sky Ninja could fly—but not at these altitudes. More importantly, they had no allies.
Once Konoha located their village, it had been erased in a single decisive strike.
Now, however, they had Sunagakure—a heavyweight power—as both shield and partner.
That changed everything.
"What's your plan?" Shikaku asked.
Roshi replied without hesitation. "The Land of Rivers cannot be handed over to Sunagakure. So my proposal is to enter it."
"To reassure the local population."
For a ninja village, what constituted true control over a country? Under the so-called 'One Country, One Village' system, the answer was simple: within that land, no other ninja village could function as a rival.
The Daimyō could supply funds, the nobility could issue mission quotas—but only to the recognized village. And while resources might appear separate from ninja affairs, in reality, they flowed to that village at the most favorable terms.
Did Sunagakure truly hold the Land of Rivers yet?
Not fully.
But if Konoha failed to continuously deploy sufficient forces to demonstrate both presence and resolve, it soon would.
Especially now.
October had arrived. The Land of Rivers' harvest was nearing completion.
Grain that might once have been sold to the Land of Wind at a premium no longer needed to be seized by force. With large Sand forces present, Rasa only had to offer gold at a slightly reduced price—still competitive with Land of Fire merchants.
Faced with uncertainty, the River Country's merchants and landlords would have no choice but to accept.
That wasn't just an economic loss.
It was a collapse of political influence.
Shikaku stroked his chin thoughtfully. "So—we use our usual methods?"
"Yes," Roshi answered. "At the moment, Rasa's only visible trump card is the Sky Ninja."
"But the caution shown by Sunagakure's ground forces suggests they're waiting for something."
He looked up, eyes sharp.
"And precisely because they're waiting, this is the best moment for us to strike—disrupt their tempo."
"Once Rasa finishes preparing," Roshi said quietly, "it will be too late."
"In that case," Shikaku said in a low voice, eyes fixed on the arrow marking the Sky Ninja's attack route on the map, "before we advance, we must draw them out—and wipe out a batch of them."
"Leaving aerial units free to roam above us would cripple any ground operation."
"I have a ninjutsu specifically suited for that," Roshi replied calmly. "Earlier, when only two or three Sky Ninja were probing us, I chose not to reveal it. I couldn't guarantee a clean kill, and exposing it too early would've been a waste."
The technique he had once used against Satori—the monster from the Box of Paradise—was, on paper, nothing more than a C-rank ninjutsu. Its effect was simple: creating localized vortices to disrupt airflow, designed to counter airborne targets or incoming projectiles.
Simple—but effective.
With sufficient chakra, Roshi could generate multiple vortices at once. In Sage Mode, the technique had been powerful enough to destabilize a massive creature like Satori. Against Sky Ninja who relied on crude mechanical wings, the effect would be devastating.
Their passive defense and observation at the forward outpost had not been fruitless. Konoha had already determined the Sky Ninja's operational envelope.
To accurately drop explosives on ground targets, they were forced to dive to roughly thirty meters—a height well within counterattack range for prepared Konoha shinobi.
If they stayed higher, above fifty meters, accuracy dropped—but interception became far more difficult.
That altitude was the Sky Ninja's perceived safe zone.
But if Roshi could secure a sufficiently elevated position and act as the pivot for his technique, that "safe distance" would cease to exist.
Until now, Roshi had been the only one on the front line capable of decisively turning the tide. He couldn't afford to gamble recklessly and alert the enemy.
Now, with Nara Shikaku present, the situation was different.
"I see," Shikaku said after hearing the explanation. "Then our move must be large enough to lure out a significant number of Sky Ninja—and eliminate as many effective units as possible in one strike."
"Otherwise," he added grimly, "once they suffer a loss like that, they'll never give us another chance for a concentrated annihilation."
Roshi nodded. "The detailed planning and deployment will have to be handled by you, Shikaku-san."
Shikaku let out a wry chuckle. "Looks like I couldn't dodge this responsibility after all."
"Just wait a few more years for Shikamaru," Roshi said flatly, making it impossible to tell whether he was joking.
"Hey—hey," Shikaku protested. "That's the second time you've said that. You serious, kid?"
"Completely."
—
Land of Rivers—Sunagakure Command Tent
Rasa was listening to a report on the progress of grain purchases from the Land of Rivers when the tent flap suddenly lifted. A scout appeared instantly, dropping to one knee.
"Kazekage-sama, it has been confirmed that Konoha reinforcements have reached the front line. At the same time, Konoha ninja activity has sharply increased—they appear to be conducting a large-scale assembly near the border."
'So they've come.'
Konoha's first real response.
"Order the frontline units to raise alert status and deploy according to the second contingency plan," Rasa said, rising as he reached for the straw hat beside him.
"Notify the Sky Ninja as well. Once clear signs of a large-scale Konoha assembly are confirmed, they are to seize the opportunity and launch the largest possible aerial strike."
"I want their gathered forces crippled."
The orders were relayed at once.
As more and more Konoha shinobi appeared along the forest's edge—clearly forming up—Sunagakure's ground forces advanced in tandem, constructing a solid defensive line on the opposite side of the border.
Rasa, flanked by two close ANBU, personally stepped forward to the front.
Almost at the same moment, a familiar figure emerged from the shadows of the forest on Konoha's side.
"So," Rasa said, eyes narrowing slightly, "it's you, Nara Shikaku."
"It's been a while, Kazekage-sama," Shikaku replied evenly. "Last time we met, it was Sunagakure helping Konoha mediate with Iwagakure."
Rasa crossed his arms, the white Kazekage robe fluttering faintly in the wind.
"And now you've come to press the border—planning to enter the Land of Rivers on Konoha's behalf?"
"I'm afraid that won't be possible," he continued calmly. "Sunagakure has accepted a formal commission from the Daimyō of the Land of Rivers to protect its territory."
"And we cannot allow you to cross."
Shikaku looked genuinely puzzled.
"Kazekage-sama, that's quite an exaggeration. We received reliable intelligence that a group of ninja of unknown origin—capable of flight—attacked a Konoha border outpost and then fled into the Land of Rivers. We're simply here to pursue and eliminate these dangerous elements."
"I've also heard that several towns within the Land of Rivers were previously struck by similar aerial forces," he added mildly. "It seems we're facing a shared threat. Konoha's actions are in the spirit of alliance—assisting our allies in fulfilling the commission and removing hidden dangers from the region."
"If that is the case," Rasa replied coolly, "then I thank Konoha for the information. However, protecting the commissioned territory is Sunagakure's responsibility. We are fully capable of handling the situation ourselves and do not require outside assistance."
"Oh dear…" Shikaku sighed, spreading his hands helplessly. "That puts me in a difficult position. Unfortunately, pursuing that hostile force is also a mission assigned by my village, and I can't simply abandon it halfway."
"As an ally," he continued lightly, "I also can't stand by and watch Sunagakure shoulder all the risk alone."
Before his sentence fully settled, Shikaku's figure had already begun to retreat. Step by step, he melted back into the forest shadows until he vanished from sight.
Rasa stared at the place where he had disappeared, uncertainty flickering across his expression.
'Konoha's words suggest they're not ready to turn openly hostile… yet.'
Since Shikaku himself had come, where was Hiruzen Sarutobi? Though retired, the old Hokage was still a formidable piece on the board.
Was he stationed against Iwagakure—or was Konoha planning to force a breakthrough solely along the Land of Rivers?
Rasa turned and issued orders in a low voice.
"Have all units establish layered defensive lines. Use the mountainous terrain ahead. Focus on countering infiltration and preparing for potential high-intensity attacks from Konoha."
As he walked back toward the core of Sunagakure's position, another thought surfaced.
'I should ask Elder Chiyo to deploy an elite puppet unit as soon as possible.'
At the same time, Rasa formed a hand seal.
Eye of Sand—activate.
Tiny grains of sand gathered silently at his feet, forming a small, inconspicuous eyeball that slipped away toward the area of Konoha activity.
Through its shared vision, Rasa observed Konoha's movements.
They chose mountainous terrain—rugged, layered, and overgrown—as their crossing point.
'Trying to use complex topography and vegetation to evade aerial reconnaissance… and reduce exposure to Sky Ninja strikes.'
A textbook approach. Effective.
However—
Rasa subtly adjusted the Eye of Sand's vantage point, raising it higher.
His attention was immediately drawn to a broad, open valley among the mountains.
A natural convergence point.
Konoha ninja were streaming into the valley from multiple directions, briefly regrouping before dispersing deeper into the mountains beyond.
"Even the most meticulous strategist," Rasa murmured, "can't avoid such choke points when deploying troops at scale…"
And Sky Ninja—who fought from the skies—had a far better perspective than he did.
They wouldn't miss an opportunity like this.
—
High in the mountains, behind a concealed rock shelf with a commanding view—
Roshi closed his eyes.
Natural energy flowed into him, blending and stabilizing with his chakra. The rhythm settled. Balance achieved.
As the hum of the sky drew closer, dark markings bloomed around his eyes.
Sage Mode.
Above, a dense cluster of Sky Ninja finally came into view, diving toward the valley.
Within their formation, the lead ninja scanned the terrain sharply.
'Ambushes on the mountain flanks are likely… but the valley itself is open. Troops will inevitably be concentrated there.'
'If we secure the drop points, that's enough.'
'Lower altitude. Maximize lethality.'
"Maintain altitude at fifty meters!" the leader barked. "Twenty meters above the ridge lines—enter attack position. Prepare—release!"
The sky ninjas whistled downward in unison, poised to unleash destruction.
At that exact moment—
Roshi brought his hands together.
Sage Art: Hurricane!
Without a sound, dozens of transparent vortices erupted around him, expanding outward and violently churning the airspace occupied by the Sky Ninja.
In an instant, the once-stable high-altitude airflow collapsed into chaos—smooth currents shredded into countless raging eddies.
Screams tore through the sky.
The Sky Ninja felt as if they'd been hurled into an invisible maelstrom. Their crude mechanical wings groaned and twisted under the strain, completely losing control.
Bodies spun, collided, and were flung apart—like toys scattered by a giant, unseen hand.
"Hold formation! Pull up—pull up now!!!" the leader roared.
His voice was swallowed whole by the storm.
Flight balance shattered.
One after another, sky ninjas plummeted from fifty meters above, their trajectories wild and hopeless, smashing into mountainsides and valleys below.
Explosions of dust, metal, and broken wings erupted across the terrain.
Through the Eye of Sand, Rasa witnessed it all.
His hand clenched slowly inside his sleeve.
The board had just been flipped.
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