The Sand Village, as it is now, isn't strong enough to take on four others simultaneously. Distant alliances and close attacks, along with forming vertical and horizontal alliances, are their only options.
"I'll gather the men and prepare to depart immediately." Ebizo nodded slightly.
The Sand Village currently has only four truly significant top-tier figures. Rasa, Pakura, and Karura might become new top figures in the future, but they're still a step below for now. With Qingshui and Chiyo both leading troops, only he and the Third Kazekage remained. The latter's position was more crucial, so they sought out the Rain Village, which was more likely to side with them. This would make the Rain Village feel sufficiently valued and important, thus solidifying their alliance. If any unforeseen circumstances arose, the Land of Rain and the Land of Wind shared a border, allowing the Third Kazekage to retreat more easily. After Tobirama Senju's death, leaders of all nations took precautions when undertaking such matters.
Emerging from the Kazekage Building, the entire Sand Village began to mobilize. Rasa would serve as his deputy, likely acting as a high-level enforcer, handling difficult tasks for him—a role similar to Danzō's. Therefore, Qingshui needed to bring his old core team. Pakura, being strong enough and someone he trusted implicitly, would be Qingshui's true and most crucial assistant. Baki and Fukami Senran were naturally included; the former was skilled and effective, while the latter possessed both strength and experience, able to identify and address any shortcomings. Most of the ninja who had joined his faction over the past year or two would also follow, eager to prove their worth to Qingshui, the future Kazekage and current "crown prince." Sasori and Jianye were also among them, directly assigned to the Puppet Force.
The assembly of personnel, the deployment of resources, logistical preparations, and personnel appointments all required Qingshui's personal attention and oversight. Fortunately, his Avatars from other worlds had provided him with ample management experience. Coupled with his understanding of most Special Jonin and higher-ranked ninja over the past two years, and the fact that the Sand Village, as one of the Ninja World's five strongest military organizations, possessed a mature and complete war mobilization system, these tasks didn't pose much difficulty for Qingshui. There would undoubtedly be some minor flaws, but as long as the problems weren't too obvious, Qingshui would quickly adjust as he became more familiar with the army.
"Double-check the reserves of Explosive Tags, Military Ration Pills, and Ice Bombs. Sasori, you'll lead the All-Seeing Eye drone Puppet operation group. On the battlefield and during marches, you'll need to coordinate with the Scout Squad and Sensor Squad to operate the drone Puppets."
"Jianxue, have the Medical Squad's medicines been inventoried and confirmed? Excellent!"
Before departing, Qingshui methodically conducted a final check, paused for a moment, then continued his work. Another Fortune transfer had just been credited to his account. Before that, his Fortune Value had risen from an initial 1.7% to 8.4%. Part of this came from the expansion of his Avatars' subordinate forces, which was a fixed income. Another part came from the Demon Slayer Avatar. After two years of operation, not only had it secretly preserved the Demon Slayer Corps, but it had also successfully risen to a high position within the Japan police force, taking over Uesugi Sakaii's previous role as the Police Superintendent General of the Shiga Police Headquarters. As for the latter, he had now become the head of the Japanese police, the Superintendent General. In Qingshui's plan, he would have Uesugi Sakaii enter Japan's Ministry of Defense later, eventually joining the cabinet to pave the way for Qingshui himself, gradually taking control of Japan's military power by infiltrating the Ministry of Defense. Qingshui estimated that this step could be achieved in about three to four more years. After all, the timeline in that world was still only 1914. In a world without nuclear weapons or other unconventional armaments, with Qingshui's strength and the powerful self-healing ability of his Perfect Demonization body, he was invincible, and he wouldn't have to worry even if his methods were a bit aggressive.
As for the Fortune he had just received, it came from the Marvel Universe. The new S.H.I.E.L.D. now belonged to Watt.
Current Fortune Value: 39.7%
Being a S.H.I.E.L.D. Director brought Qingshui a considerable amount of Fortune. No matter how weak S.H.I.E.L.D. was now, after its reorganization, it remained an international behemoth. The number of official members alone reached five digits, each one an elite. Other related peripheral members and forces were countless, and those with Level 10 clearance even controlled the nuclear weapon launch codes. Aside from the five major powers, there were truly few forces on Earth that could openly surpass S.H.I.E.L.D. If S.H.I.E.L.D. were in its prime, it would be even stronger than it was now. However, this also meant that if Qingshui could restore S.H.I.E.L.D. to its former glory, he would gain a significant amount of Fortune from it.
I wonder how much Fortune I'll gain once I secure the Kazekage candidate position.
...
...
Land of Fire, Konoha Village.
Hokage's Office.
"Third Hokage, here is the mission report."
The handsome, blond young man handed the mission scroll to the Third Hokage sitting at his desk.
"What a pity, you didn't eliminate Karura. However, bringing back the third prince of the former Land of Wind Daimyo to the village means the mission was completed quite successfully." The Third Hokage quickly scanned the mission scroll, removing the pipe from his mouth.
"I apologize, Third Hokage, but because Senior Dinsuke was already severely injured, continuing the mission would have put his life in danger, so I..."
"I understand. Sakumo's incident has served as a warning to me, and to the village. The village is always made up of people, and when ninja carry out missions, they must prioritize the safety of their comrades. Dinsuke and the others were excellent ninja personally trained by my father back then; they are important members of the village. You did very well, Minato." The Third Hokage set down the mission scroll, looking at the gentle yet dazzling young man before him, who was like the rising sun, with a look of contentment.
The Sand Village had produced Qingshui, the Separation Release user, who was now a Kazekage candidate. But their Konoha Village was no slouch either. With Minato Namikaze's talent, he was bound to become one of the Ninja World's top figures, even surpassing the current Sannin.
"Not only were there no casualties among your comrades, but your mission also wasn't a failure. You've already done very well, haven't you?"
"I understand, Lord Third. Thank you for your consideration."
Minato Namikaze bowed slightly, his expression somewhat troubled.
"Minato, do you have any questions about this mission?"
"Lord Third, I was just wondering. Even though it's at the Daimyo's request, aren't we essentially initiating a war with the Sand Village this time? Is this… appropriate?"
The Third Hokage sighed.
"I understand what you mean. If it weren't necessary, I wouldn't want to do this either. But the village needs the Daimyo's support. The situation in the Ninja World is different now. With the Sand Village breaking free from the Daimyo's control, it has shaken the ninja village system established by Lord First. Every Daimyo is worried about going down the same path as the Land of Wind's Daimyo.
Our Daimyo is no different. I am the Hokage; I must prioritize the village above all else. Although Orochimaru has begun trying to decipher the Sand Village's various technologies, for now, Konoha's economy still relies on the Daimyo. For the village's sake, I have no choice.
Minato, you are young, but I believe you already possess the Hokage's mindset and can weigh the pros and cons of this situation."
The Third Hokage blamed everything on the Daimyo.
However, while he did harbor thoughts of suppressing the Sand Village, he truly hadn't intended to provoke a war. Now, he genuinely felt a sense of being forced into it.
Because the Daimyo, who had always been laid-back, had shown unprecedented firmness in his stance this time. Even if he personally tried to persuade him, it wouldn't sway him.
Konoha's strength was immense, but this strength was heavily dependent on the Daimyo's financial support. They couldn't ignore the Daimyo like the Sand Village or even turn the tables on them.
"I understand. Perhaps this time, the Daimyo truly feels his position is threatened."
Minato Namikaze expressed his understanding.
Daimyo were not like ninja. As ordinary people, their status came entirely from wealth and power. What the Sand Village was doing was turning the Daimyo into a Puppet, merely a rubber stamp in the halls of power.
No Daimyo would tolerate that.
"Ultimately, the current Daimyo of the Land of Wind has gone too far. In the system established by Lord First, the village and the Daimyo were interdependent and mutually supportive. It was the Daimyo's capriciousness that led the Sand Village to seek an alternative path, thus triggering this series of changes."
The Third Hokage actually understood the Sand Village quite well.
With such a Daimyo, the Sand Village had no choice but to act this way if they didn't want to decline day by day. They just hadn't expected their methods to be so radical or so effective.
"So, is this a new system born out of the Sand Village's desperation for change, a shock to the old system? Are they doing what Lord First once did?"
Minato Namikaze asked.
"I... don't know."
The Third Hokage shook his head.
He was a very conservative politician.
Although he was known as the "God of Shinobi" in the Ninja World and still retained some of the boldness of his youth, his inability to support Konoha as the Ninja World's top power meant that Konoha had suffered significant losses under his leadership over the years.
Though its prestige was undiminished, it had begun to show signs of decline, relying entirely on the abundant reserves left by its predecessors.
So the Third Hokage was afraid. He was afraid that Konoha would decline under his watch. Therefore, he did everything in his power, with the help of comrades like Danzō, to maintain the existing order of the Ninja World and preserve Konoha's status.
He feared that if change occurred and Konoha fell from its Throne, he, the self-proclaimed strongest Hokage of all time, would be nailed to the Pillar of Shame.
So even if it meant internal or external compromise, even if it meant enduring indignity, he had to maintain appearances and keep up this facade.
Thus, the Third Hokage was actually the most worried about the Sand Village's continuous pursuit of change and growth.
The Third Hokage naturally couldn't tell Minato Namikaze this directly.
He could only tell Minato Namikaze that everything the First Hokage did was the foundation of Konoha's existence and the most fundamental reason why Konoha could grow to its current size.
"Regardless of whether this is a conflict between new and old systems, a conflict between us and the Sand Village is inevitable due to our differing ideologies. Only the victorious side will represent what is right.
If we lose, it means everything since Lord First established the village will be negated.
And for the sake of the village, we must win at all costs. Minato, do you understand what I'm saying?"
"At all costs?"
Minato Namikaze murmured.
What about Kushina?
As the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, would she also be used as a weapon, thrown into the most brutal and dangerous battlefield in this world?
"Exactly. For the future of the village, we must use every ounce of our strength."
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the young man before him.
"I will stake my life on it. I will."
Minato Namikaze said firmly.
"I know."
Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled.
Now that the Sand Village had put forward a Kazekage candidate under the age of sixteen, Konoha, as the Sand Village's direct competitor, also needed to put forward someone who could contend with them.
Minato Namikaze, who was about to turn eighteen, was the Third Hokage's chosen candidate.
"This is my order. After you leave here, an Anbu will take you to read the Scroll of Seals. When it comes to Wind Release, even I can no longer teach you. You can look at Danzō's Wind Release training insights there, as well as the Mutual Exploding Tag technique. Although it cannot be cast instantly, it is enough to make up for your lack of offensive techniques."
Hiruzen Sarutobi knew what Minato Namikaze was still lacking to reach the highest tier of the Ninja World.
This kind of problem could usually only be remedied by Minato himself improving or creating Ninjutsu; others couldn't help him.
Fortunately, Tobirama Senju was also a lightning-fast ninja who used Flying Thunder God, so many of his experiences and ninjutsu could be applied to Minato Namikaze, easing some of Minato Namikaze's burdens.
The Third Hokage believed that with Minato Namikaze's talent and current abilities, there was no risk of pushing him too hard.
After Minato Namikaze departed, the Third Hokage immediately instructed the Anbu to summon Jiraiya and Orochimaru to the Hokage's office.
With the Third Great Ninja War on the verge of breaking out at any moment, he needed someone to lead Konoha's ninja to resist and even defeat Sand Hidden.
Although Orochimaru's recent actions had been curbed by him, this favored disciple remained the Third Hokage's most trusted individual.
Whether in terms of strength, intellect, or cunning, Orochimaru was the most outstanding ninja Konoha had at its disposal. Only by sending Orochimaru could the Third Hokage feel at ease.
After all, Sand Village was a powerful force. Even though Konoha had already secretly allied with Stone Hidden, Orochimaru alone wouldn't be enough. Jiraiya, a highly reliable and capable fighter, would also need to be sent as support.
The Third Hokage could no longer clearly foresee how the future of the Ninja World would unfold.
All he could do was make every possible preparation and do his utmost to maintain Konoha's standing.
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