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The Hidden Sand didn't get greedy. After achieving decent results, they quit while they were ahead, giving the Hidden Mist no chance to launch a counterattack.
After all, this was just a surprise raid. In terms of true, fundamental strength, the Sand Village still couldn't compare to the Mist.
Greed would only give the Mist an opening.
By stopping at the right moment, they not only inflicted a wave of casualties on Fuguki Suikazan's forces but also dealt a blow to Jinin Akebino's side.
For the Hidden Sand, this was one of the few times recently that they had managed to gain a real advantage.
The first time had been the failure of Fuguki Suikazan's ambush.
Soon, the battle report was delivered to the Kazekage's office.
Rasa couldn't wait to open it.
"Not bad. Not bad at all."
"Being able to catch Jinin Akebino completely off guard proves that Fuguki Suikazan definitely didn't pass the intelligence regarding Pakura's potential transfer to him."
"This proves that the effect of the Dream Card has been achieved."
"There is a high probability that Fuguki Suikazan believed the contents of Kocho Suikazan's dream."
Rasa revealed a satisfied smile.
"It wasn't a waste to include the operational intelligence of the Sand army within Kocho's dream."
A simple dream wouldn't have been enough to convince a veteran like Fuguki. That was impossible.
That was why Rasa had deliberately inserted real intelligence about a Sand army operation into it.
To Fuguki Suikazan, such operational intelligence would appear to be top secret.
Under these circumstances, Fuguki wouldn't think that someone had leaked this intel to his wife.
After all, Kocho was his wife.
The only channel through which Kocho obtained this intelligence was a dream.
She had a dream, and the events in the dream came true—not just one or two details, but the military movements themselves.
So, would the rest of the dream also come true?
There was a massive probability that Fuguki would believe it would.
"This is the correct way to use the Dream Card."
"Insert events that will actually happen into the dream fabrications."
"This way, the conflict between Fuguki Suikazan and Jinin Akebino is bound to escalate."
"How can the Mist army maximize its strength when its two commanders are at odds?"
"The Sand army will finally gain some breathing room."
Rasa's eyes flickered with calculation.
"As long as I continue to spread the rumors about Kagami Uchiha during this period and earn more points, I can draw for more items. By then, even if Fuguki and Jinin reconcile, the situation for the Sand Village will have improved drastically."
"But, what else can I do?"
Rasa opened a drawer and took out a file.
This file contained the methods Ebizo was currently using to spread rumors.
It was clear that Ebizo had put his heart into this matter, attempting various approaches.
Secretly hiring people to spread gossip in taverns.
Drawing illustrated booklets.
When he saw the words "illustrated booklets," a sudden flash of inspiration struck Rasa.
He possessed a rather unique advantage in the ninja world: he could fly to high altitudes, reaching heights where ninja on the ground couldn't see him at all.
"Taverns, booklets... these methods are fine."
"But they spread too slowly."
"First, the channels are limited. Second, I need to minimize the risk of exposing that the Hidden Sand is behind this."
"Multiple constraints are severely limiting the spread of the rumors."
"But what if I take a massive amount of something like propaganda flyers and go to the skies above Konoha?"
"No, going directly to Konoha won't work. First, the distance is too great. Second, the risk is too high."
"Once I go, I might not be able to come back."
"However, I can go to the border where the Konoha army and the Rock army are engaging. I can fly to a high altitude—higher than even the Hyuga Byakugan can see—and scatter a massive amount of propaganda flyers directly downward."
"After dropping them, I can fly toward the airspace of the Rock army, find an opportunity, and slip away quietly."
"In this scenario, the possibility of exposure is extremely low."
"Konoha ninja likely won't see me. And the Hidden Rock also has ninja capable of flight."
"Furthermore, the Hidden Rock might not necessarily deny such an act."
"Even if the Hidden Rock denies it, Konoha won't believe them."
The more Rasa thought about it, the more feasible it seemed.
Air-dropping propaganda leaflets had proven effective in many wars.
Naturally, he could do it too.
"But first, I need to manufacture enough rumor leaflets."
"The person making the leaflets must be trustworthy."
"I need a highly efficient printing press."
Rasa involuntarily looked toward a specific corner of the Sand Village.
"Even without this matter, I needed to have a good talk with Chiyo. The Sand needs Chiyo's power. As a village elder, she can't stay wallowing in depression forever."
Before long, Rasa arrived at that secluded corner.
The entrance to the courtyard was well-hidden, and the area was deserted.
Few people knew Chiyo lived here.
Rasa stepped forward and knocked.
A woman opened the door a crack, poking out part of her head.
"Who is it?"
When she saw Rasa, her expression froze, and she hurriedly pushed the door fully open.
"Greetings, Lord Kazekage."
Rasa nodded.
"Is Elder Chiyo in?"
" answering Lord Kazekage, Lady Chiyo is in."
"Take me in. I have matters to discuss with Elder Chiyo."
The woman hesitated slightly.
Just then, a voice rang out from inside.
"Let the Kazekage in."
The woman breathed a sigh of relief and quickly stepped aside.
"Lord Kazekage, please enter."
Rasa walked in and saw Chiyo sitting by a pond in the courtyard, holding a fishing rod. In a place like the Sand Village, which lacked water resources, this was undeniably a luxury.
But given Chiyo's seniority and contribution to the Sand, it wasn't excessive.
"Elder Chiyo."
"Lord Kazekage."
Chiyo paused for a moment.
"What business brings the Kazekage to find me? Do you want this old woman to go to the front lines? You didn't sell out Pakura, which is good, and your strategic layout is passable. Your understanding of the village is better than the Third's."
"But, I am old."
"My son and daughter-in-law are dead. My grandson is missing. I'm just an old woman with nothing left to look forward to. I've lost interest in everything."
Before Rasa could even speak, Chiyo clearly stated her position.
This made Rasa slightly disappointed.
But it was within his expectations.
Rasa knew that if he tried to persuade her with normal logic this time, he would never change Chiyo's mind.
The only solution was to start with Sasori of the Red Sand.
"Elder Chiyo, what if Sasori is still alive? I have solid information proving that Sasori is still alive."
Chiyo's pupils constricted instantly.