It was only because Iwagakure's foundation was deep enough that it didn't collapse because of this. But even so, it couldn't avoid suffering significant damage.
The main issue for Konoha, on the other hand, was fighting on four fronts simultaneously, leading to a severe shortage of manpower.
Coupled with the continuous unexpected events on the Kirigakure front, this caused great worry among Konoha's higher-ups.
One side was intimidated by Minato's killing spree and sought self-preservation. The other needed to divert troops to reinforce the Kirigakure front.
Their strategic needs unexpectedly aligned perfectly, so it was only natural that the Third Tsuchikage and the Third Hokage would conclude a ceasefire agreement.
War mobilization, preparing troops.
After the village's high-level meeting concluded, Kirigakure began reinforcing the Land of Fire front line, intending to take a large bite out of Konoha.
Famous Kirigakure's powerhouses like Fuguki, Yagura, Kisame Hoshigaki, Ao, and Meigetsu all headed to the front line.
The Hozuki, Kaguya, Yuki, and other great clans also drafted a large number of their clan's ninjas to be stationed on Karra Island in the northern waters of the Land of Water.
The name 'Karra Island' might sound unfamiliar, but this island had an even more chilling former name: the site of the former Land of Whirlpools, where the Uzumaki Clan once resided!
Years ago, it was on this very island that three Kage joined forces to slaughter the Uzumaki Clan to the last member.
This was an island once soaked in blood. After many peaceful years, it was once again drawn into the vortex of war.
The reason for Kirigakure's two-pronged approach was simple. After a period of quiet, the war-hungry genes within the madmen of the Yotsuki Clan in Kumogakure became excited again. They began mobilizing forces, essentially having plans to land in the Land of Water, so precautions had to be taken.
"The Yotsuki Clan…"
"They're all muscle-brained madmen!!!"
The Third Mizukage expressed great anger about this. From a global perspective, this was a god-sent opportunity for the two villages to join forces and carve up the Land of Fire.
But the war-mongering madmen of the Yotsuki Clan insisted on turning their guns towards Kirigakure at this very moment, making the war situation turbulent and unpredictable again. It was utterly stupid to the extreme.
In short, the dark clouds of war once again enveloped the Ninja World.
The higher-ups of the great Ninja Villages began appearing in public, constantly making speeches to boost morale… certain victory, invincible, charging forward fearlessly.
They exuded as much confidence as possible. Once the war machine started, it couldn't be stopped. At times like this, confidence was essential. Showing fear would definitely invite others to gang up on you.
With the frenzied war preparations, the entire population became soldiers.
Even the usually moderate Konoha began considering whether to have Ninja Academy's students graduate early to become Genin, providing more manpower for the battlefield.
In large-scale wars, Genin were basically cannon fodder.
Their most crucial role was to use their own lives to consume the enemy's shuriken and Chakra for the village's Chunin and Jonin. This was the cruel truth of war.
Therefore,
If it reached the point where children at Ninja Academy were graduating early to go to the battlefield, it meant the war was almost entering its final, decisive stage.
Fortunately, perhaps because Sora, the newly appointed Commander, had achieved an overwhelming victory against Konoha's aces, the entire Kirigakure was unexpectedly in a relatively calm state.
Apart from Ninja Troops moving to the front line according to plan, no students were drafted from the Ninja Academy to serve as cannon fodder.
It seemed that from top to bottom, everyone had suddenly developed a blind optimism, even fanaticism, about this war.
Many Ninjas, even Jonin, were shouting slogans like 'Sora-sama is invincible in the world!' and 'He can take on seven Konoha's aces alone and wipe them out!'
With the Third Mizukage secretly fanning the flames, this slogan quickly spread, plunging the entire Kirigakure's forces into a tense and restless atmosphere.
At the dark cavern a thousand meters underground.
"Madara-sama…"
"Why are you placing such great importance on that Yuki Sora? Doesn't he know your secret?"
A monster with a venus flytrap-like body and a black-and-white face asked in a strange voice.
"Importance?"
"No!"
The elderly man, his face full of wrinkles, snorted coldly, disdainfully: "The Ninjas of this world always have an extremely abnormal obsession with power and bloodshed. This insane obsession not only makes people powerful but also leads them unknowingly towards destruction."
"I, am like this."
"Hashirama, was also like this."
"That inflated desire will eventually consume him. When the time comes, I won't even need to lift a finger; Yuki Sora will drive himself into a corner."
"Those who steal the blood of the world will be rejected by it. The only way out is to return all that was stolen and create a truly harmonious world."
Madara's face showed little expression. His time in this world was running out. Perhaps he should put killing Sora on the agenda.
The world will ultimately be unified. This is the destiny of history. No one can stop him from achieving this final ideal.
As for Sora, he, Madara, could not take action himself.
But wasn't the Third Mizukage of Kirigakure still there?
Dying at the hands of the Mizukage would be a rather fitting end for a Ninja of the Village of the Bloody Mist.
…
'Why?'
Sora sat upright in the commander's tent of the main camp. He often pondered why the Third Mizukage's attitude towards him had undergone such a drastic change, leaping from an Anbu Captain to a top-three power holder in Kirigakure. This rate of promotion was even faster than a rocket.
'Could I be the Third Mizukage's illegitimate child?'
Sora shook his head.
In terms of looks, the Third Mizukage was just average, a 'confidently average' man. Apart from both being human, they shared no resemblance whatsoever.
'Then…'
'Was it solely because of my achievements in suppressing Jiraiya and Namikaze Minato?'
'It probably wasn't that simple.'
'Even with such achievements, it shouldn't warrant four promotions in ten days. That was just too absurd.'
The Third Mizukage's series of actions simply didn't conform to logic. The pace was unbelievably fast, as if he was in a hurry to be reincarnated.
This gave Sora a strange feeling… it was as if the other party was deliberately trying to win his favor.
'Is it…'
'To build trust through benefits?'
'Or perhaps, is Uchiha Madara planning to make a move against me?'
Sora's brows slightly furrowed, a flash of realization in his eyes.
'Perhaps…'
He and Madara were thinking along the same lines about certain things.
'The current Third Mizukage might be independent in personality, but his soul was most likely already controlled by Uchiha Madara, becoming a walking corpse'
This was quite similar to the current situation with Kakashi. So perhaps what Madara had in mind was similar to his own thoughts.
'Visible betrayal is not frightening. What is truly frightening is the betrayal you cannot see…'
Sora slowly closed his eyes.
If this was Madara's scheme, he had probably miscalculated one thing: No matter how much the Third Mizukage tried to win him over, he would always remain a 'red name', an enemy in Sora's eyes.
After all, who would trust a walking corpse that was highly likely already controlled by the Sharingan?!