Amid the overt and covert maneuvers of the major ninja villages, the ninja world found itself in an oddly peaceful state.
However, anyone with a discerning eye could see that this peace was merely the calm before the storm. The heavier the water vapor accumulated in the thick clouds, the more terrifying the downpour would be when it finally broke through the heavens.
To incite conflict, Sōmi specifically captured numerous ninjas from Konohagakure, Iwagakure, and even Kumogakure. Under Sasori's manipulation, he continuously orchestrated bloody skirmishes along the borders.
During this so-called period of "peace," a major event occurred in Kirigakure.
A masked man with a single Three Tomoe Sharingan infiltrated Kirigakure, attempting to control the Fourth Mizukage.
However, the Fourth Mizukage, now a Perfect Jinchūriki, did not succumb easily to the masked man's Sharingan genjutsu. Instead, they counteracted each other's techniques.
Just as the masked man tried to weaken Yagura's strength to exploit his vulnerability and forcibly control him, their battle quickly drew the attention of Kirigakure's high-ranking members, including Kisame and Ao.
Realizing that his plan had failed, the masked man reluctantly disappeared from Kirigakure.
This incident briefly stirred voices within Kirigakure advocating for cutting ties with Konohagakure.
However, after Elder Karatachi's thorough purge and under Yagura's formidable leadership, Kirigakure had become a tightly unified entity. These dissenting voices soon faded away.
When Minato Namikaze heard of the incident, he immediately visited the Uchiha clan leader and went to Kirigakure together.
Besides proving Konohagakure's innocence and reaffirming the importance of their alliance with Kirigakure, they also identified the perpetrator as the Akatsuki organization from Amegakure.
Using the Kirigakure attack as a catalyst, the powder keg of the ninja world was once again ignited.
At the end of the fourth year after the Nine-Tails incident, Kumogakure, unable to hold back any longer, launched a large-scale military operation. Using the excuse that the Land of Frost had long harbored terrorist forces and was incapable of governance, Kumogakure dispatched its army to "eliminate the bandits" in the country.
Kumogakure's actions were swift, like lightning. By the time intelligence from the sealed-off borders reached the other villages, the entirety of the Land of Frost had already fallen under Kumogakure's control.
In response, Konohagakure immediately issued a strong condemnation.
Konohagakure declared that Kumogakure's blatant interference in another country's internal affairs and violation of sovereignty went against the spirit of the Five Kage Summit agreements.
Furthermore, since the Land of Frost had alliances with the Lands of Fire and Water, Konohagakure warned that if Kumogakure did not withdraw its troops within a set timeframe, it would consider this an act of war.
Kumogakure dismissed Konohagakure's accusations with scorn. They retorted that when Sunagakure annexed the Lands of Rivers and Birds, no one had stepped forward to say it was wrong.
If Sunagakure could do it, why couldn't Kumogakure?
Moreover, this wasn't an occupation; it was an act of "international humanitarianism," aimed at helping stabilize the region, promoting mutual prosperity, and establishing a "Great Northern Sphere of Co-Prosperity."
Konohagakure didn't waste further words on Kumogakure's rhetoric. Instead, they began silently mobilizing troops to the frontlines.
At the same time, Konohagakure's ninja academy shortened its curriculum and graduation timelines drastically.
Kumogakure's leadership had already made a clear decision. Since war was inevitable, it was better to expand their territory preemptively.
This way, even if war broke out, the battlefield wouldn't be on their home soil. By fighting in foreign lands, they could employ all means without restraint!
After secretly coordinating with Sunagakure, the two villages quickly reached an agreement to launch a joint offensive against Konohagakure.
As for Kirigakure, both sides tacitly chose to leave it out of the discussion, focusing their main forces on dealing with Konohagakure first.
Where Kirigakure would strike was left for it to decide...
While Konohagakure was mobilizing its forces, the Land of Lightning's territory quietly expanded to the borders shared with the Lands of Iron, Rice Fields, and Fire.
"Quick!"
"Kumogakure and Sunagakure are attacking our village simultaneously. We must completely defeat the enemy on the northern front as soon as possible so we can reinforce the southern front!"
"We absolutely cannot let these bastards set foot on the Land of Fire's soil!"
A Chūnin squad leader stood at Konohagakure's main gate, loudly rallying the ninjas before him.
"Yes!"
"Yes!"
After a brief pre-battle pep talk, the Konohagakure ninjas dashed forward, transforming into fleeting shadows as they rushed toward the northern battlefield.
Simultaneously, countless other figures wearing Konohagakure flak jackets shot out from various directions within the village, splitting into two groups heading north and south.
The once bustling and lively streets of Konohagakure now seemed subdued, as if worried for the departing ninjas.
From windows and doorways, figures stood watching. Some prayed, others fretted, and some were lost in anxious thought...
Meanwhile, the Land of Hot Water, an island nation situated between the Lands of Water and Lightning, remained untouched by the flames of war.
Apart from its geothermal hot springs, the island had no resources worth coveting.
Perhaps everyone still wished to preserve this area as a place of relaxation, so no one brought the war to its shores.
After all, soaking in hot springs was a delight.
If war were to ravage the land, destroying or blocking the hot spring sources, the ninja world would lose one of its greatest pleasures.
In the depths of winter, the Land of Hot Water's high mountains and lakes appeared crystal clear, their purity revealing an almost otherworldly beauty.
Between the snowy peaks, glacial valleys dotted the silver-clad forests like scattered stars.
From a bird's-eye view, the tallest snow-capped peak stood majestically, its cloud-covered summit resembling jade pillars holding up the heavens.
These peaks lined the eastern edge of the forest like a graceful jade dragon, winding down from the azure sky and leaping across the resplendent land.
Midway up one of these peaks lay the Land of Hot Water's most famous and most expensive hot spring resort.
A series of well-maintained hot spring inns filled the area with rising steam. The warm vapor melted the snowflakes dancing in the air, creating fleeting, enchanting trails of light.
The mingling of warm spring water and cold air formed a misty veil, shrouding the surroundings in a dreamlike, ethereal atmosphere.
Here, Sōmi lounged by the edge of a hot spring pool, his arms resting on the pool's rim.
He let the warm spring water soothe every pore of his body.
"Ahhh..."
Unexpectedly, in the center of the pool was a young girl with a childlike face and a blue bun hairstyle. She hummed an unknown tune, swaying and splashing in the water.
Occasionally, a glimpse of her fair, smooth, and rounded skin emerged from the water, leaving one secretly astonished.
"Hmm?!"
"News from Manda?"
"It seems Konohagakure has finally sent the Uchiha clan to the Kumogakure battlefield!"
"Sharingan..."
A sharp glint flashed in Sōmi's eyes. Four years had passed since the Third Great Ninja War ended.
Finally...
It was time to act!
~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~
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