The Land of Wind, outside Sunagakure.
Rows of Chinaberry trees and towering banyans lined the wide, orderly roads on both sides, stretching out in perfect symmetry.
These green plants, mostly over two meters tall, clearly had been planted for years. Beneath them, a black water pipe slightly protruded from the ground.
The pipes extended outward along with these trees, radiating in all directions from the center of Sunagakure, spreading across the entire nation.
This was the result of years of meticulous effort by Sunagakure to combat desertification. If one were to overlook the entire eastern region of the country from above, they would see a vibrant landscape where green and blue intertwined, bursting with life.
Even the attacking Mist ninja (Kirigakure shinobi) couldn't help but express their admiration for this achievement.
However, admiration was one thing, and the Mist's actions showed no hesitation or mercy.
After capturing Ryukawa City, the elite forces of Kirigakure regrouped briefly before marching aggressively toward Sunagakure.
It was clear that this time, Kirigakure intended to completely crush Sunagakure.
During this campaign, however, something unexpected occurred—something that caught the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura, off guard.
The Third Kazekage, who had previously led dozens of "secret medicine" troops in a suicidal assault only to face a crushing defeat, appeared once again. This time, however, he stood alone, blocking the path of the Mist ninja forces.
Seeing this, Yagura swiftly moved to the forefront of his troops, sneering, "Kazekage-sama..."
"Your speed at retreating after each defeat truly befits the title of 'Kazekage' (Shadow of the Wind)."
"Do you really believe you can stop our entire army by yourself this time?"
Hovering in midair with two iron wings flapping behind him and blood-red bandages wrapped around his waist, the Third Kazekage's expression was cold. He flew straight to Yagura and said, "Mizukage."
"If I surrender, can I ask for a promise from you?"
The scar below Yagura's eye twitched slightly, as if he were surprised. His voice, incongruous with his youthful appearance, carried a calm authority befitting a leader.
He scoffed, "Do you think your life alone can buy the survival of all of Sunagakure, or even the Land of Wind?"
"The title of Kazekage isn't nearly that valuable..."
"Especially not for a Kazekage who's about to become a stray dog."
The Kazekage's face darkened, but he endured the taunts. Feigning indifference, he continued, "I beg you not to slaughter the shinobi and civilians of Sunagakure."
"If there are those willing to leave the Land of Wind, I hope you'll allow them to live freely elsewhere..."
"Hah!"
Yagura chuckled derisively. "How noble, truly befitting the leader of a village."
"Offering your own life to buy a chance for your village to survive, is that it?"
Suddenly.
Yagura drew a black staff adorned with a green flower from his back. With a sharp swing, the pointed hook at the end of the staff pressed against the Kazekage's neck. A slight movement was all it would take for the Kazekage's head to fall.
Yagura pressed the weapon firmly against the Third Kazekage. Even as the sharp hook pierced his neck and crimson blood flowed freely, the Kazekage remained expressionless, showing a resolve as if he had already accepted death.
"Fine."
"I'll agree to your terms."
A mysterious smile crept onto Yagura's lips.
"Thank you..."
The Kazekage forced a faint smile onto his pale face, exhaling deeply as though a heavy burden had been lifted.
But in an instant.
A fountain of blood erupted, shooting several meters into the air like a crimson geyser.
The Kazekage's head flew into the air, his eyes closed, his face bearing an expression of peace.
As the Kazekage, he had dedicated nearly his entire life to his village. He had no regrets about his title as the "Shadow."
Yagura grabbed the bloody head, holding it up to his eyes for closer inspection.
"Letting someone die with a comforting lie is probably kinder than letting them face a cruel reality..."
"I really am merciful, aren't I..." Yagura muttered softly.
Regarding the fate of Sunagakure, Yagura had already discussed the final plan with Elder Karatachi before setting out.
Destroying and massacring Sunagakure would bring no benefit to Kirigakure. Such measures were only necessary in the early stages to intimidate their enemies.
As for allowing Sunagakure's ninja to leave freely after its capture, Yagura would never let that happen.
Allowing the remnants of Sunagakure to escape and potentially form a hidden resistance against Kirigakure? Absolutely not.
Elder Karatachi's plan was to support a puppet Kazekage who would continue to govern the Land of Wind. Meanwhile, Kirigakure's influence would gradually infiltrate every aspect of the nation.
This slow and steady approach, like boiling a frog in warm water, was the most effective way to maximize their gains.
In their prior interactions, Kirigakure had already identified their candidate for the new Kazekage.
Thus, the Third Kazekage's fate was sealed. The leadership of Kirigakure knew full well that a true hero like the Third Kazekage would never betray his country for personal survival.
"Kisame!"
"Now that the Third Kazekage is dead, you don't need to participate in the remaining battles."
"The situation between Konohagakure and Kumogakure is still tense. Take the ANBU and go support them."
"Until we've fully consolidated the Land of Wind, we can't let the Land of Lightning have the opportunity to turn their attention toward us!"
Carrying the bloodied head, Yagura approached a tall man and issued his orders in an authoritative tone.
"As you command, Mizukage-sama..."
"The One-Tails Jinchūriki and that red-haired guy aren't here anyway. There's no one left to make things interesting for me..."
"I've been wanting to test my skills against the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki for a while now!"
The shark-faced man spoke casually, though his tone was filled with a thirst for battle. For him, the word "strong" was like the scent of blood to a shark.
...
Clearly, with the Third Kazekage's death, Yagura believed it was time to implement the "Pseudo Land of Wind" plan.
However, as Kirigakure's forces advanced toward Sunagakure, they discovered that things would not be as simple as they had anticipated.
The outer perimeter of Sunagakure was encircled by sturdy brown earthen walls serving as defensive fortifications. Normally, four large gates in the north, south, east, and west would remain open, allowing trade caravans to come and go freely.
But today, all four gates were tightly shut. A defensive barrier spread across the earthen walls, covering the entire village.
At the eastern gate, hundreds of ninja wearing Sunagakure forehead protectors stood with expressions of deep sorrow and anger, staring at the head hanging from Yagura's hooked staff.
"Kazekage-sama!"
"Kazekage-sama!!"
Heart-wrenching cries of grief echoed through the air.
Clearly, they had immediately recognized their leader, who had led a "suicide squad" to intercept the enemy.
From the outcome, it was evident that the Third Kazekage's plan for mutual destruction had failed.
"Oh?"
"Still planning to resist?" Yagura sneered.
Standing before the mass of Sunagakure ninja, the thousands of Mist ninja had already overwhelmed their opponents in sheer numbers and morale.
"Kill!!"
"Avenge the Kazekage-sama!!"
"We will live and die with Sunagakure!!!"
The battle cry was short but powerful.
Leading the charge was none other than the desert hero Pakura, dressed in her signature backless combat attire.
The light green rhombus mark on her forehead had transformed into intricate patterns that spread across her face, forming mysterious lines.
Behind Pakura floated six orange-red fireballs, slowly rotating. Suddenly, her figure blurred, moving at an extraordinary speed as she dashed toward Yagura.
This was none other than Pakura's second Kekkei Genkai, Swift Release!
The successful development of Swift Release was largely due to the assistance provided by Sōmi, who had brought back a trove of Lightning Release ninjutsu from his archaeological expeditions.
Pakura, who had previously served as a commander on another front, was facing Yagura for the first time in this war.
"This speed..."
"It's similar to the Lightning Release Chakra Mode used by the Raikage..."
"I didn't expect Sunagakure to have someone capable of mastering two Kekkei Genkai!" Yagura thought, feeling a slight sense of surprise. However, he didn't regard Pakura's fireballs as a significant threat.
As for the remaining Sunagakure shinobi, who still held high morale, the Fourth Mizukage had already decided to fully transform into his Tailed Beast form. With the strongest Tailed Beast Bomb, he intended to crush Sunagakure's spirit in one decisive blow.
What Yagura didn't know, however, was that Sunagakure's true pillar of support had already streaked across the horizon, leaving a golden trail in its wake...
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