Something this big happening in Konoha naturally couldn't be hidden.
So spies from many villages were already working nonstop to send the information back.
In about one or two days, the entire ninja world learned that Konoha had been attacked.
The first reports said several thousand people had died or been injured, and the number of poisoned people had exceeded ten thousand.
Besides the flying Sky Ninja, many scouts also saw the enormous fifty-meter-tall body of Shukaku of the Sand.
This news quickly reached Kumogakure and Sunagakure.
———
[Sunagakure, Kazekage Office]
"Damn it! Has Rasa gone insane?", Pakura slammed her hand hard onto the desk.
She was furious.
Not only had Rasa, as a Jinchuriki, escaped and defected from the village, but now he had actually targeted Konoha.
Joining forces with the Sky Ninja Village to attack Konoha, what was he thinking?
Inside the office were her student Maki and Baki.
Back when Kankuro and Temari were taken away five years ago, Rasa hadn't made any move to save them.
That completely chilled Baki's heart, and over the years he had gradually moved closer to Pakura.
During the period when Rasa became the One-Tail Jinchuriki but couldn't control it, Baki finally gave Pakura his full loyalty.
Pakura's side already lacked people. There was no issue with Baki's ability or loyalty to Sunagakure.
She gladly accepted him.
There was no anger on Baki's face, only deep concern.
"Kazekage-sama, now isn't the time to get angry. No matter why Rasa attacked Konoha, he's still from Sunagakure in the end. Konoha will probably use this against us."
Pakura's expression stiffened after hearing Baki's words.
That was true. During the Fourth Great Ninja War, they had ceded territory from the Land of Wind before Konoha withdrew.
"But we have no idea where Rasa is."
After understanding the situation, deep worry appeared on Pakura's face.
Baki spoke seriously, "This matter is extremely serious. Konoha lost that many people, so they definitely won't let it go."
"So we should make our position clear first and capture Rasa before Konoha reacts."
"If we don't do this, there's even a chance Sunagakure could be annexed by Konoha because of this."
His words landed heavily as he laid out the worst possible outcome.
Maki, who had stayed silent until now, also nodded in agreement.
"Master, I think so too."
Although Pakura was young, she still knew how to use people well. Since Baki spoke so seriously, she naturally didn't hold onto any lucky hopes.
"Maki. Notify all the elders. Hold a meeting immediately!"
"Yes, understood."
Maki immediately accepted the order and left.
Pakura looked bitter. Being the Kazekage of Sunagakure really felt suffocating.
When Konoha took away a piece of land five years ago, Sunagakure mostly felt humiliated mentally.
After all, desert land had little value. Who would have thought Konoha would build a city called Sandthorn City there?
And around Sandthorn City, a large section of land had already been turned into an oasis.
On top of that, Sandthorn City intentionally attracted people, and many citizens of the Land of Wind had already defected to Konoha.
In the Land of Wind, this kind of thing had never happened before, because even if the people of the Land of Wind longed for green land, they couldn't leave the country.
Other countries wouldn't accept them either.
Now not only was there a new oasis right outside their door, but the city also openly welcomed people from other countries.
Sunagakure had specifically sent some spies there, but Sandthorn City accepted every single one of them.
The environment there, as well as food and living conditions, were much better than in the Land of Wind.
Some spies had even defected already.
A few days ago, when Rasa disappeared as a Jinchuriki, Pakura already had a bad feeling. She hadn't expected it to come true now.
Pakura rubbed her temples.
"Baki, send more people to Konoha to gather information first. Once the high-level meeting ends, immediately release a public statement."
"Yes."
Baki answered, then quickly went out to make arrangements.
After everyone left, Pakura slumped backward and leaned against her chair.
Taking over as Kazekage meant inheriting a complete mess.
Sunagakure had no money, no people, and had even lost land. Its reputation had already fallen to the bottom.
And most of the people in the village were elders satisfied with staying in their corner.
There were very few people who wanted progress or genuinely cared about the village. Most were elders who only divided up her authority.
'This might not be bad. Only when something happens can things start to change.'
Pakura quickly pulled herself together. After all, the matter had already happened. She had to find a way to deal with it.
———
[Kumogakure]
Among the Five Great Ninja Villages, Kumogakure's commerce ranked second only to Konoha. It was the village most wary of Konoha, but also the one with the most business cooperation with it.
After all, some businesses benefited both sides once they were done. If they refused to do business, Konoha would keep developing while Kumogakure fell behind.
After Konoha won the Fourth Great Ninja War with overwhelming force five years ago, and Minato later forced Sunagakure to cede land, Kumogakure developed a huge sense of crisis. Not only did they desperately continue researching the Chakra Cannon, after finding the Two-Tails Matatabi, they immediately captured it and began training a new Jinchuriki.
They were afraid Konoha would repeat what happened to Sunagakure.
Fortunately, Konoha had no intention of starting a war with Kumogakure.
But in terms of business and scientific research, Kumogakure still paid a huge price.
The result was that Konoha's business and research technology had now completely surpassed Kumogakure.
There was even less need to mention medicine. Even the Raikage's arm had been grown using Konoha's technology.
Although this place was far from Konoha, Kumogakure had many merchant groups traveling the Konoha route, along with many part-time spies living there.
Now, several reports had already been sent back.
———
[Raikage Office]
Tap! Tap! Tap!
The Raikage tapped on the table.
Besides him, Dodai, Cee, and Darui were also present.
"Go ahead and speak. About what happened in Konoha this time."
The Raikage's temper had improved a lot now. After all, he had gone through the low point of losing an arm.
There was also the fact that Kumogakure had nearly been destroyed during the Fourth Great Ninja War.
And later, Konoha used the cloned arm as part of a deal with him.
The Raikage had restrained his old temper somewhat, or rather, become more reserved.
Everyone exchanged looks. Dodai gave Cee a look, signaling for him to speak first.
After all, among the younger generation, Cee had the best mind. Dodai was intentionally training him.
Pointing at the report, Cee said, "Although many people died in Konoha, they were basically all from the outer city. Most were ordinary people and merchants."
"At most, they lost some money. Their actual strength didn't suffer any damage."
"And with Shukaku appearing, what happens next depends on Konoha's response."