It is naturally impossible to easily seize the northwest region of the Land of Wind, as the Hidden Sand Village will not surrender easily.
The current military situation has deterred Hidden Sand from acting rashly, turning the battlefield into a diplomatic negotiation.
If negotiations fail to resolve the issue properly, then the Land of Demons must be prepared for a second war with Hidden Sand.
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The hospital's lounge was filled with the smell of disinfectant.
Ebizo heard the door opening and looked toward the entrance, where his sister Chiyo appeared, frowning as she entered.
"How is it, sister? Is Rasa's condition still not improving?"
Since the defeat on the frontline, the Hidden Sand Village has lost the initiative in the war. Nearly five thousand casualties only resulted in about two hundred enemy casualties. A near twenty-five-fold disparity that makes it hard to believe this is the result the Hidden Sand could achieve.
In previous exchanges with Konoha, the losses were never so unbalanced.
As for those who fought Hidden Sand, it was just two individuals. Using this as an excuse to shirk responsibility would make Hidden Sand appear even more disgraceful.
Being forced to such an extent by two ninjas is a first in the history of Hidden Sand.
"The deafness in the ear has been treated, but as for the brain, it has suffered a significant impact. The chief medical ninja says he needs a period of rest for recovery."
Chiyo sighed, her elderly face showing exhaustion.
After the third Ninja Realm War ended, she and her brother Ebizo retired immediately after deciding on the Fourth Kazekage and completing the transition, handing the future of the Hidden Sand Village to its younger and more dynamic members.
It was unexpected that Rasa would give them such a 'surprise' this time.
The war lasted only a month, but thousands of Hidden Sand ninjas died, and the vitality restored after the third Ninja Realm War quickly plummeted.
The worst part is that the loss was not to a great nation but a small one.
That's the most troubling aspect.
Although there was an intense desire to lead soldiers immediately to eliminate all potential threats, considering the consequences of such actions, Chiyo calmed down to think things through.
Impulsive actions are of little significance, and acting recklessly could lead into the enemy's trap.
Just like Rasa.
His strategic plan had no issues; the problem was with Chiba Hakushi and Uchiha Ruri's power... and Konoha, which was busy dealing with internal spies.
Not first assessing the enemy's actual combat capability was a major oversight, and allying with Konoha was equivalent to completely exposing one's strategy to the enemy, acting right under their noses.
Ebizo nodded and continued, "Just now, a message came from the Daimyo's Mansion, saying that the Land of Demons' diplomatic delegation has already arrived there, demanding the cession of all land in the northwest of Kazami City as compensation for the Land of Wind invading the Land of Demons, and their attitude is very firm."
"Have the Daimyo drag things out a bit longer. After the results of the Five Kage Summit are out, perhaps we can pull other ninja villages into putting diplomatic pressure on the Land of Demons as well. I'm sure they do not want to see the Land of Demons rise suddenly. The convening of the Five Kage Summit is advantageous to our Hidden Sand."
Chiyo said this.
The Five Great Nations already hold most of the resources in the Ninja Realm, and if the Land of Demons is allowed to rise, it means a portion of their interest would be infringed upon.
"Sister, as long as you have a plan. I'll temporarily assist the Daimyo with the diplomatic delay, and once the results from the Five Kage Summit have support from other countries' Daimyos and Kages, I suspect the Land of Demons will retreat in the face of difficulty. Until then, we can use their renegade ninja status to our advantage."
"Alright, leave the Five Kage Summit matters to me."
Chiyo sighed as she spoke.
Rasa's situation clearly does not suit participation in the Five Kage Summit, and since the Land of Demons is pressing so hard and it is impossible to negotiate with the Witch, if internal resolution from the Land of Demons cannot be achieved, external pressure must be applied.
It's hoped that the Kages from all countries can put past grievances aside and jointly suppress the rise of the Land of Demons to prevent the emergence of a sixth great nation.