The place where the desert meets the Gobi.
A fat figure stood with one foot on a rock, with long orange-red hair, and carried a large knife wrapped in bandages on his back.
He was none other than Suigetsu Hozuki, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.
Suigetsu Hobutaki glanced indifferently in the direction of the battlefield.
"The Sand Village has really made an unwise choice this time."
"If we had just agreed to those conditions, Kirigakure would have retreated. It would have been nothing more than some resources and one more Yekura. Compared to a ceasefire, it was nothing at all."
"They have now driven themselves into a dead end."
"Sunagakure is no match for Kirigakure."
"Moreover, there are also the Konoha ninjas stationed on the border of the Land of Wind, who are eyeing us covetously."
"It won't be long before the entire Sand Village is divided up."
"To provoke our Hidden Mist Village for a mere sense of pride, are you willing to destroy the entire village?"
"As the Kazekage, Rasa is unqualified."
In the eyes of almost all the Hidden Mist ninja, the Hidden Sand Village made the worst decision.
In their hearts, they had already sentenced Sunagakure to death.
Death is only a matter of time.
Some ninja from Kirigakure were already imagining what it would be like after Sunagakure was divided up.
"Grab that sand and refine it into gold every day."
"The puppetry techniques of Sunagakure are still somewhat valuable; we must obtain them."
"Their female ninjas also have a unique charm."
"Yakura and Rasa must die!"
...
Suigetsu-san looked in the other direction.
The direction where the Konoha ninja were stationed.
"Shouldn't these Konoha ninjas be making their move by now?"
"Our Hidden Mist Village has made its decision. Konoha only needs to provide support from the sidelines to participate in the division of the Hidden Sand Village and reap the benefits."
"Given Konoha's character, they would never let such a good thing slip by."
And indeed, things turned out exactly as Suigetsu Hobutsu had predicted.
After the Hidden Mist army launched another fierce attack on the Hidden Sand Village, the Hidden Leaf Village ninja knew that the negotiations between the Hidden Mist Village and the Hidden Sand Village had broken down, and the Hidden Mist Village would definitely launch a full-scale attack on the Hidden Sand Village.
Given the situation in Sunagakure, it would be difficult for them to withstand it.
Sunagakure is too weak.
A middle-aged man, carrying a katana on his back, wearing a typical Konoha-style ninja combat uniform, with a resolute expression.
Kurenai Yuhi got up and looked around.
"Everyone, the Hidden Mist army has already moved out, and the collapse of the Hidden Sand Village is imminent. We absolutely cannot miss this opportunity, which is why the Hokage and Lord Danzo arranged for us to be here."
"Pass on my orders."
"First Battalion, proceed to the main battlefield and join forces with the Hidden Mist army to attack Sunagakure."
"The second battalion will infiltrate the vicinity of Sunagakure. In the immediate aftermath of Sunagakure's collapse, our Konoha ninjas must first enter Sunagakure with the help of Kirigakure ninjas."
"Puppet Technique, Ninjutsu Scroll, Gold..."
"We want them all."
A hint of greed surfaced in everyone's eyes.
No matter how weak Sunagakure is, it is still one of the five great ninja villages. How much wealth would such a ninja village have?
Kurenai Yuhi continued.
"The wars of these years have caused Konoha heavy losses."
"But as long as we complete the division of Sunagakure and obtain the majority of its wealth, Konoha will be able to recover quickly and become the number one ninja village again."
"The task of restoring Konoha's glory lies with us."
"Today."
Everyone became excited, their emotions completely stirred up by Kurenai Yuhi.
Attacking Sunagakure is not only easy, but also highly rewarding.
Moreover, it is perfectly reasonable to secretly take some things during the looting process.
It's very possible that this one time will ensure a life of complete comfort for the rest of my days.
But at this very moment...
Sudden.
A letter was delivered to Kurenai Yuhi.
When Yuhi Shinku opened the box and checked it, her expression immediately changed drastically.
"Shinku-senpai, what's wrong?"
Everyone noticed that Yuhi Shinku's expression was off, and immediately fell silent.
The atmosphere instantly turned cold.
Kurenai Yuhi looked up at the crowd, her eyes flickering uncertainly.
"Cease all operations!"
Everyone was suddenly stunned.
"Stop the operation? Why?"
"Lord Shinku, aren't we supposed to attack Sunagakure and join forces with Kirigakure to divide the spoils?"
Why did you suddenly stop?
"It's a deep voice," said Kurenai Yuhi.
"This is an order personally issued by the Hokage, requiring us to stand by. There may be a problem in the village, and we may be needed to return to the village to provide support at any time."
"Once we get involved in the operation against Sunagakure, we won't be able to get back to the village in time."
Seeing that many people still wanted to attack Sunagakure, Kurenai Yuhi's tone turned cold and hard.
"Those who disobey orders will be executed without mercy!"
It would be a good thing to be able to divide up Sunagakure, but if Konoha is in chaos, then even if we get a lot of resources from Sunagakure, it won't mean much.
Without a village, where will the ninjas go?
Under the domineering attitude of Kurenai Yuhi, everyone suppressed their greed.
"Yes, Lord Shinku."
Before long, a Kirigakure intelligence ninja quickly ran towards Suigetsu Hozuki.
"Lord Fuguki, the Konoha ninjas still haven't made a move."
Watermelon Mountain Pufferfish Demon frowned deeply.
"What does Konoha mean?"
The meat was practically in their mouths, just one step away from being eaten.
Why is Konoha not moving?
Because you think dividing up Sunagakure is unethical? Don't be ridiculous. There's no such thing as morality between ninja villages; it's all about interests.
Konoha has done similar things before.
Except for the time of the First Hokage.
Or does Konoha want Kirigakure to suffer even greater losses?
So you chose to continue observing and waiting to find a bargain?
What do they take Kirigakure for?
"Lord Fugu Demon, could it be related to that rumor?"
"What rumor?"
"Not long ago, a rumor circulated about Konoha and the Uchiha clan, saying that there was a secret behind Uchiha Kagami's death, and that he was deliberately betrayed by Tobirama Senju."
Watermelon Mountain Pufferfish Demon frowned.
"So much time has passed since the incident with Uchiha Kagami. For someone to believe that Konoha will have problems based on such a baseless rumor is too frivolous."
The intelligence ninja couldn't help but say.
"But they're from the Uchiha clan."
Watermelon Mountain Pufferfish Demon remained silent for a while.
"Indeed, the Uchiha clan are all eccentric; nothing is too much to ask of them."
"I can't answer that," the intelligence ninja asked.
"Lord Pufferfish Demon, what should we do now?"
The Watermelon Mountain Pufferfish Demon's eyes flickered.
"Whether Konoha is truly in trouble or just wants to wait and see and take advantage of our Kirigakure."
"Our strategy towards Sunagakure remains unchanged."
"You lead a team to Konoha to keep an eye on things. We can't let them have any chance to take advantage of us or pick up any scraps."