The Land of Rain is a small country, perpetually caught between the three great nations of Wind, Earth, and Fire.
There are many small nations like this scattered across the ninja world; their primary function is to serve as a buffer zone, absorbing the initial clashes between the major powers.
Then, Hanzo the Salamander emerged from this land. His existence was both the fortune and the misfortune of the Land of Rain.
It was fortunate because a figure capable of standing on his own finally appeared in this embattled nation. It was unfortunate, however, because this powerful figure was born in a minor country, one that could not provide the resources a demigod deserved, and whose military strength could not match its leader's ambitions.
Thus, war followed. Despite Hanzo's unparalleled strength, the overwhelming disparity in national power dragged the Land of Rain into the abyss.
Hanzo the Salamander was now in an incredibly awkward position.
Initially, he was brimming with ambition. Hailed as a demigod, he dreamed of leading the Land of Rain to become the sixth great ninja village.
However, he later came to a bitter realization: while he could dominate the top shinobi from other villages, those same villages could easily dominate the rank-and-file ninja of his Hidden Rain Village.
His forces went from initially having the upper hand, to being evenly matched, and finally to being unable to defeat anyone, resorting only to guerilla harassment. Where did it all go wrong? Damn it, the Land of Rain had only him to carry the entire nation, while everyone else's ranks were diminished with each battle. How could they possibly win?
Now, he could neither surrender nor refuse to surrender. He was stuck in limbo, only able to lead a small group of elites on raids to sustain their existence.
After all, the ninja world had dubbed him a demigod. If he surrendered directly, where would he put his face? Besides, wouldn't surrendering require reparations? Where would the Land of Rain find money for reparations now? The very soil of his homeland had been turned over multiple times by the warring factions. If it weren't for the constant, miserable rain making it impossible to grow much grain, Hanzo would have already ordered his people to start farming. The earth was so loose that even a plow-ox would weep, fearing it had lost its value and was about to be sent to the butcher.
***
At the Hidden Sand Village camp in the Land of Rain.
After three grueling days of travel, Shiro finally arrived at the front lines, but this time, he came as the Third Kazekage.
"Lord Kazekage."
"Lord Kazekage!"
As Shiro entered the camp, passing shinobi greeted him with expressions of profound reverence.
There was no other explanation for it; most of them had witnessed the Second Kazekage's near-fatal injuries and had personally seen Shiro's heroic stance as he single-handedly covered their retreat.
"Lord Kazekage's presence is awe-inspiring."
"Indeed! With the arrival of Lord Third, our victory is now certain."
Shiro listened to the murmurs behind him as he proceeded to the command tent.
*Sigh... it seems the morale of these shinobi still needs some work,* he thought. *If I directly announce a retreat now, it will significantly damage my prestige in their eyes.*
"Lord Third."
The shinobi inside the command tent all stood abruptly upon Shiro's arrival.
"Mm, be seated."
After acknowledging them, Shiro sat down in the main seat, and the Jonin who had been occupying it quickly moved to a subordinate position.
Shiro surveyed the men before him: Lord Bunpuku, Sasori, and twenty-two other Jonin. Of course, this was not the total number of Jonin; many were still on guard duty, preventing surprise attacks. Including those on missions, the current number of Jonin in the camp was around fifty—a stark decrease of twenty from before the war began.
Just as Shiro was lamenting the cruelty of war, a Jonin's sharp question interrupted his thoughts.
"Lord Kazekage, I do not understand why we must retreat. We still have the strength to fight. Although we suffered losses in the previous battles, we still hold an advantage on this front!"
Shiro looked in the direction of the voice, seeing a Jonin with his right hand heavily bandaged, his face flushed with passionate conviction.
Shiro did not speak; he simply rose and walked over to him.
The Sand Ninja tensed as Shiro approached, thinking his words had displeased his new leader. Just as he was about to apologize, Shiro's action brought tears to his eyes.
Shiro extended his right hand, a soft green light of medical ninjutsu emanating from it, and placed it over the ninja's injured arm.
"Your name is Kurakai, correct? I remember you. During the great retreat, you took a kunai to your hand while saving a comrade. You are an excellent shinobi. I am proud of you. But this war has already cost us too many. You have all sacrificed enough; you should go back and rest. The remainder of this conflict will be concluded by me, your Kazekage. I recall that your daughter was recently born. Don't you wish to go back and see her?"
The man named Kurakai lowered his head, his earlier bravado gone, and spoke no more.
Shiro already knew his choice; the man yearned to return to his daughter. After healing the injured hand completely, Shiro returned to his seat.
"This is my first combat order as the Third Kazekage, and it will be the last for this war. Everyone, listen up."
"Yes, sir!" came the unified reply from twenty-four voices.
"Ten Jonin and Sasori will remain with me to cover the retreat. The rest of you, led by Lord Bunpuku, will return to the Land of Wind, back to the Hidden Sand Village."
He paused, his voice ringing with authority. "Tell the shinobi outside that this war is over. The final victory will be achieved by me, your Kazekage, for all of you."
"Yes, sir!"
Just as everyone was about to get up and carry out their orders, Shiro's voice stopped them once more.
"Wait a moment."
"Our Hidden Sand Village is a village that sees things through from beginning to end. To demonstrate the magnanimity of a great nation, we will not leave a single piece of trash behind in the Land of Rain. When you withdraw, tell everyone not to be stingy with their sealing scrolls. Take all the soil, trees, and even the water from this land. Those without scrolls should find a way to carry some soil. We will not leave any burden for the people of the Land of Rain, understood?"
Everyone: "..."
***
At the Hidden Stone Village camp in the Land of Rain.
The commander here was a man named Roshi. At this time, Roshi had not yet had his major conflict with Onoki. Furthermore, he could already utilize some of his Tailed Beast's power, granting him Kage-level strength. Thus, he was appointed commander for the Land of Rain battlefield.
"Report! Lord Roshi, the Third Kazekage has appeared at the Sand Ninja camp!"
"What? The Third Kazekage is here? What is the Hidden Sand planning now?"
Roshi was startled upon hearing this news. The arrival of a village's Kage was no small matter.
"They are preparing to withdraw, my lord."
"What? Why would they suddenly retreat? Are you sure this is a genuine withdrawal and not some elaborate trick?"
"Report, Lord Roshi, I am certain they are genuinely retreating. I personally saw them... digging up the very ground beneath their camp. I was hiding behind a tree, and the Third Kazekage suddenly appeared in front of me and tossed me aside."
"Then how did you manage to come back alive?"
"I initially thought I was going to die, sir. But the enemy Kazekage just… pulled up the tree I was hiding behind by the roots."
"And then? They just ignored you? Did their Kazekage say anything?"
"Report, sir, they did indeed ignore me. The enemy Kazekage did say one thing to me."
"What did he say?"
"He said, 'Move aside, you're stepping on a sapling. If it doesn't survive when I take it back, see how I'll deal with you.'"
Roshi: "..."