It's estimated that the Wind Release chakra mode will be fully developed within six months to a year and a half, at the earliest.
The only cost for this is that Qingshui has to dedicate an entire room to it.
Spraying blood like this occasionally, and having to clean up after every training session, is quite troublesome.
If Qingshui hadn't already bought up the surrounding few houses, the neighbors would probably have called the village patrol or the Anbu to investigate just from the strong smell of blood.
However, this time, the Anbu did come looking.
"Lord Qingshui, your room… is it really alright?"
Yashamaru looked at the room, which was being cleaned by several Puppets, with a suspicious gaze and asked Qingshui.
"Cough, cough, it's fine."
Qingshui casually wiped a small amount of residual blood from his arm with a towel.
At this moment, his actions, combined with the background of a room splattered with blood everywhere, made him look exactly like a deranged serial killer.
"This… alright, the Kazekage requests your presence for a meeting at the Kazekage's office."
Yashamaru said timidly.
"Did they say what it's about?"
"My rank isn't high enough, so I don't know the specifics, but my sister came back with serious injuries."
Yashamaru's sister is Karura.
Karura's previous mission was to escort the hidden Daimyo heir to the capital, preparing for the new Daimyo's enthronement.
Karura got injured, could something have happened to the new Daimyo?
Qingshui frowned slightly.
He had originally planned to head straight to the capital tomorrow after the Daimyo arrived, to legitimately secure the position of Kazekage candidate.
If there truly was no Daimyo, then he'd just have to find someone to impersonate them with a Transformation Jutsu to fool everyone publicly. After all, the Daimyo had no say in him becoming the Kazekage candidate, as long as the process was followed.
No matter what, the destiny that belonged to him absolutely could not be diminished!
After bidding farewell to Yashamaru, Qingshui found a coordinate point relatively close to the Kazekage Building and teleported there, not entering the Kazekage Building directly.
Such an important political venue, before truly becoming the Kazekage, couldn't be entered and exited as freely as other places. Procedures still had to be followed; at the very least, he needed to show his face to enter, which wouldn't waste much time anyway.
He was now absolutely part of the Sand Village's top ruling class. Maintaining these rules was, in essence, maintaining himself.
As soon as he entered the Kazekage's office, Qingshui saw Karura, with several parts of her body wrapped in bandages. Beside her was a young, newly promoted Jonin from the medical department, who appeared to have finished treatment.
Although Karura's face was still pale, her injuries had stabilized.
The Jonin from the medical department nodded slightly to Qingshui, called out "Lord Qingshui," then said something to the Third Kazekage before slowly retreating.
This was a high-level meeting. Even though she was a Jonin, it was better not to interfere unnecessarily.
"Who did this? And where's the new Daimyo?"
Qingshui glanced at Karura, then asked Rasa, who was standing by her side.
Before Rasa could answer, the Third Kazekage interjected:
"It was Konoha. The designated Daimyo was abducted. Fortunately, I had a backup plan when I issued the command. The remaining two heirs of the old Daimyo have already been secretly sent to the capital by the Anbu."
"Konoha? Who was it? The Sannin or Danzō? Hiruzen Sarutobi, as the Hokage, wouldn't personally make such a move, and Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane don't have the power to injure Karura like this."
Chiyo walked in from the doorway, just in time to hear the Third Kazekage's words, and snorted.
"None of them."
Rasa said grimly.
"It was Minato Namikaze, the one Qingshui warned us to be vigilant about, and the current Ino-Shika-Cho."
"Jiraiya's student? He's only two years older than Qingshui, right? He already has that kind of power?"
Chiyo asked curiously.
"He uses the Flying Thunder God, so he's very fast. His Wind Release and toad summoning jutsu are also very powerful."
Karura spoke up then, her voice sounding a little weak.
"Karura was stopped by the Ino-Shika-Cho combination, which allowed Minato Namikaze to abduct the person. If she hadn't retreated in time, she would have had a hard time coming back alive under the combined attack of Minato Namikaze and Ino-Shika-Cho."
Ebizo shook his head.
Konoha had indeed produced another genius. This was the last thing the Sand Village, which had the most direct competitive relationship with Konoha, wanted to see.
"I will avenge you."
Rasa tightly clasped his wife's hand, his voice firm.
"Mhm."
Karura gave a sweet smile, responding to Rasa.
"The current Ino-Shika-Cho… did Choza Akimichi use a Secret Technique?"
Qingshui asked.
The current Ino-Shika-Cho isn't Shikaku Nara, Inoichi Yamanaka, and Choza Akimichi; they're the same age as Minato Namikaze. While they've already made a name for themselves as Jonin, their fathers, the fourteenth generation of Ino-Shika-Cho, are currently in their prime and even stronger.
"Yes, it was used, but she didn't enter the Butterfly Transformation. She likely only took the Curry Pill, not the Chili Pill. My injuries are so severe because Minato Namikaze distracted me early on, and I fell into Shikaku Nara's strategy, putting me on the defensive. By the time I reacted, Minato Namikaze had already used the Flying Thunder God to leave and abduct the Daimyo's heir."
Karura said softly, sitting in her wheelchair.
The Ino-Shika-Cho formation had already formed an alliance during the Warring States period, witnessed by the Sarutobi Clan. This combination has been passed down for over a dozen generations, so information about their Secret Technique in the Ninja World is certainly abundant. The Sand Village, of course, knows about the Akimichi Clan's Curry Pill, Chili Pill, and Butterfly Transformation Secret Technique.
Of course, having information doesn't mean there are obvious weaknesses. The Ino-Shika-Cho's combined abilities are too comprehensive. Even if an enemy has information, it doesn't mean they'll be targeted to death like Kakuzu and Hidan just because the information was leaked.
"Since the Daimyo's position has an heir, it doesn't matter. Our objective was still achieved. The key issue now is what impact Konoha's actions will have, and why they did this."
Ebizo twitched his long eyebrows and said in a low voice.
The Third Kazekage nodded in agreement.
"That's right, and that's the main topic of discussion for this meeting. Although Hiruzen Sarutobi is known as the 'Ninja Professor,' we all know his style of doing things. He's not someone who would actively stir up trouble. Konoha doing something like this is practically instigating war. This isn't something the Third Hokage would do."
"Could it be Danzō? His methods are quite aggressive; it could be his doing."
Rasa interjected.
"Not Danzō."
Qingshui, Ebizo, Chiyo, and the Third Kazekage all spoke in unison, refuting Rasa's judgment.
"Danzō can't command the heads of the Ino-Shika-Cho. Those three are direct descendants of the Sarutobi Clan and will only listen to Hiruzen Sarutobi. Not to mention, Minato Namikaze is the Third Hokage's grand-disciple. With such strength at a young age, he must be highly regarded by the Third Hokage and even less likely to listen to Danzō."
Qingshui shook his head.
"Perhaps Orochimaru? Don't forget that Orochimaru has taken over Danzō's position as head of Root. Orochimaru is the most likely person to succeed as Hokage, and his methods are equally ruthless. With his abilities and intelligence, he might really have convinced those four to undertake this mission."
Rasa suggested another possibility.
Since Danzō was out of the question, the other two older generation Konoha leaders were even less likely.
Therefore, Orochimaru, seen by everyone as the future Fourth Hokage, was the most probable candidate.
"It's not impossible, but clearly, the possibility is very small. Because neither Orochimaru nor any other high-ranking Konoha official has a motive to do this. So the most likely person is..."
The Third Kazekage narrowed his eyes slightly, his tone gradually sharpening.
"The Daimyo of the Land of Fire."
Qingshui picked up where the Third Kazekage left off.
Throughout the entire Land of Fire, the only one capable of influencing Hiruzen Sarutobi and making him act uncharacteristically was the Daimyo of the Land of Fire.
Konoha's economic situation is much better than the former Sand Village's. Even now, the wealth and resources they can deploy are the most among the Five Great Nations.
However, among the Five Great Ninja Villages, only the Sand Village can be self-sufficient, independently bearing its village's expenses and development.
Although Konoha has a prosperous internal economy and substantial mission rewards, to have so much money to support its powerful military capabilities, most of it still relies on military funding from the Daimyo.
Seeing the fate of the current Daimyo of the Land of Wind, the Daimyo of the other Great Nations would certainly be wary.
They definitely wouldn't want to see a ninja village become independent after gaining self-sufficiency, then turn around and restrict the Daimyo's power.
Furthermore, the Sand Village is indeed very strong now, strong enough to pose a threat to the Land of Fire. The Daimyo of the Land of Fire definitely has this motive.
Hiruzen Sarutobi is probably also very wary of the Sand Village right now. Even if actively instigating war isn't his style, he would certainly go with the flow and find ways to suppress them.
If Qingshui were in Hiruzen Sarutobi's position, he would definitely first stabilize the Daimyo, then find ways to gain additional benefits from the Daimyo, then enthrone the abducted original heir as the Daimyo of the Land of Wind, and then use the Daimyo of the Land of Fire to endorse it, causing political chaos within the Land of Wind. This would also give them a proper reason to call upon other ninja villages in the Ninja World to launch an attack on the Sand Village.
If they won, they would annex the part of the Land of Wind that borders their own territory and is relatively valuable, then rebuild a new Land of Wind, making the enthroned Daimyo mortgage domestic assets for concessions, thoroughly exploiting the Land of Wind.
If they lost, the resentment within the village could only be directed at the Daimyo, and Konoha wouldn't be the only one to bear the consequences of defeat.
Hiruzen Sarutobi has been Hokage for so many years, and he has strategists like Shikaku Nara under him. Even if he doesn't adopt the exact method Qingshui envisioned, the difference wouldn't be too significant.
At the very least, Qingshui considered this a contingency plan to prepare for with the high-ranking officials of the Sand Village.
"Regardless, Konoha entering our Land of Wind territory, abducting the Daimyo's heir, and attacking a Sand Village Jonin to the point of severe injury are all provocations against the village. If we don't take appropriate action, I'm afraid other ninja villages in the Ninja World will think the Sand Village is easy to bully. So this time, we must send troops!"
The Third Kazekage looked at the people before him, preparing to assign tasks.
Their Sand Village had just won a Ninja World War a few years ago, and the village's military strength had grown significantly in recent years. They were full of confidence. Could they tolerate Konoha, whom they considered a defeated foe, bullying them?
Three years ago, Konoha was the one who suffered losses, and Konoha was also the one who initiated peace talks. Neither the high-ranking officials nor the villagers of the Sand Village would stand for this indignity.
"There's no need to send people to Konoha to inquire and buy time. The village's war reserves are abundant. Even if some personnel are still out on missions, we can first assemble a force and advance towards the Land of Fire. Qingshui, you will command the attack on the Land of Fire.
The Fourth to Sixth Puppet Force divisions, the First and Second Elite Combat units, Intelligence Department Class Two, Sealing Department Class Two, and Medical Department Class Two—these elite units, along with some main combat units and reserve units from within the village, totaling five thousand people, will be under your command. Rasa will be your second-in-command. This also conveniently allows for the process of him becoming a Kazekage candidate as you pass through the capital.
Remember, first exert pressure. If Konoha refuses to yield, then attack directly!"
The Third Kazekage waved his hand, immediately writing out the appointment order.
"Understood."
Qingshui accepted the appointment order.
From now on, he was the commander of these five thousand people.
"Elder Chiyo, the First, Second, and Third Puppet Force divisions, the remaining Elite Combat units, and Class One from each combat department will be under your command. A total of four thousand people will head north to guard against Stone Hidden. If Konoha makes a move, our neighbor will certainly act as well."
Konoha had already acted, and Stone Hidden was itching for action.
If they didn't know that the Sand Village was too strong to fight now, Stone Hidden would have found ways to suppress the Sand Village long ago.
Even Konoha, with its superior strength, felt the pressure from the current Sand Village, let alone Stone Hidden.
As long as Onoki wasn't foolish, he'd surely try to team up with Konoha to weaken Sand Village. Konoha was the strongest, so cooperating with them offered the highest chance of success.
"I understand," Chiyo nodded.
She was an old hand; she knew exactly what to do in any situation and didn't need much instruction.
"Elder Ebizo, you and I need to get moving now. I'll head east to visit Hanzo. At this point, we need to stabilize the Rain Village, make Hanzo believe we can secure the final victory, and firmly keep him on our side to alleviate some of our pressure.
You'll need to sail west, bypass the Land of Fire and the Land of Earth, and go as an envoy to the Hidden Mist Village and the Cloud Hidden Village. While we can't be sure of the Daimyo's attitudes in those two countries, for them, taking advantage of Konoha's predicament would be most beneficial. If we can persuade them to send troops against Konoha, that would be ideal. But if not, we still need to find out their stance. At the very least, we cannot let them become hostile to our village, even if it means paying some acceptable price."
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