Chapter 73: The Cloud Enters the Fray and the New Three Ninja
The Cloud's move had left the various powers of the ninja world reeling. No one understood why they had allied themselves with the battered Hidden Rain, or why they had declared war on so many powers at once.
But one thing had surprised even Dana: the attitude of the Cloud itself.
He had expected considerable internal resistance, but to his surprise, many were eager for a fight. Since the beginning of the Second Great Ninja War, the Cloud had not lost a single soldier. They had been accumulating strength, and instead of dampening their fighting spirit, it had only fanned the flames. The call for war had never ceased. Their reputation as a warrior village was not for nothing. If anyone could be called a "peace faction," it was the Third Raikage, who had been holding this force in check. Of course, Dana knew that not everyone was eager for war, but as long as the village didn't suffer a major loss, there would be no internal problems.
Land of Rain
Onoki was furious. "Is the Cloud insane?! Declaring war on three great villages at once!"
Hidden Cloud Village, Raikage's Tower
The Third Raikage, A, was in a war council. "It may seem like we are fighting three villages," he said, "but according to our intelligence, they are all stretched to their limits. They have no resources to expand the war. They are exhausted. We, on the other hand, are not."
Hidden Rain Village
Hanzo of the Salamander was worried. "Though I am thrilled by the Cloud's support, I fear they will be overwhelmed."
Hidden Cloud Village
Dana placed a kunai on the map, on the Land of Rain. "Our enemy is clear," he said. "It's not the three great villages. It's whoever is in the Land of Rain. We will fight them there. If they don't want to fight, we will force them to. And elsewhere, we will avoid conflict."
Land of Fire, Hidden Leaf Village
Danzo Shimura said to Hiruzen Sarutobi, "The Cloud must think the great villages are exhausted and that this is their chance to take a bite out of us. Their alliance with the Rain is just a pretext. They will likely attack the Land of Fire from the Land of Hot Water. Hiruzen, we must defend the border."
Hidden Cloud Village
Dana added, "The southern garrison will be stationed in the Land of Hot Water. Make a big show of it. It's fine if they're slow. The western front, the Land of Earth, is far, but that's even better. Make a big show of it there too. Pass through as many small countries as possible. Inform them before you enter. If they don't allow it, wait. Do not pass until they give their permission."
A clan head of a minor clan raised his hand. "But won't that disperse our forces?"
Dana smiled. "The western and southern fronts will be mainly Chunin and Genin. We just need to show our numbers. We will avoid battle. This war is different. We will fight at a single point, not on a broad front."
Land of Water, Hidden Mist Village
The Third Mizukage received a report. "Lord Mizukage, it seems the monster is gone. He hasn't been seen for days."
He took off his hat and remained silent. The Mist's attempt to join the war had been thwarted by a single man. The Mizukage himself had tried to stop him several times, but had failed. His prestige in the village had been greatly diminished, and he no longer had the authority to lead. He was thinking of stepping down. And even if the monster was gone, they didn't dare to make a move. He could return at any moment and rain down Tailed Beast Balls on their village.
Hidden Cloud Village
The Third Raikage, A, smashed the table with the map on it. "Blue Bee has been recalled!" he roared. "I will personally lead an elite special attack force to the Land of Rain! I will be the commander of the First Combat Unit! Blue Bee will be the commander of the Second! Arashi Yotsuki will be the commander of the Third! Dodai and Dana Yotsuki will be my advisors!"
In a dark, underground cavern, a strange, white figure was reporting on the recent events of the ninja world.
"The Cloud has declared war on all the villages in the Land of Rain," it said. "The Sand, the Stone, the Leaf, and the Mist, which was already suppressed. Wow! It's like they've declared war on everyone! Lord Madara, they're so cool!"
The old, stooped figure's face was hidden in the shadows, but his voice was as rough as a battle-worn blade. "Declaring war on the entire world? It seems there are some interesting young people among the later generations. No matter. They cannot succeed, and they cannot affect our plan. The more chaotic this failed world becomes, the better. It is just one or two ambitious fools, dreaming of unifying the ninja world."
Hidden Cloud Village
Dana looked down at the eager Cloud ninja. "Everyone," he shouted, "we must be clear about what we are fighting for! We are fighting to establish and protect the order of the ninja world!"
"OSU!"
Then, in a voice only he could hear, he added with a smile, "An order established by the Hidden Cloud."
In the 40th year of Konoha (and the Cloud), the Hidden Cloud Village allied with the Hidden Rain Village and declared war on all the great nations that had invaded the Land of Rain.
It was the first time in the history of the ninja world that a village had gone to war for the rights of another nation (or at least, claimed to). The ninja world fell silent. The small countries, which had been oppressed by the great powers for years, suddenly raised their heads and watched the unfolding of the war with a mixture of caution and hope.
At the same time, in the Land of Rain, Hanzo of the Salamander, his confidence restored and his future bright, no longer held back. He began to actively drive the other villages' forces from his country. It wasn't that he couldn't have fought before, but that he had been too cautious. With the Cloud as his ally, he was much bolder.
In one battle, he encountered three Konoha ninja. Though he didn't know their names, from their age and skill, they were clearly young prodigies. In the past, he would have held back, fearing retaliation from Konoha. But now, he had an ally. He showed no mercy. The three young ninja were completely outmatched and were soon seriously injured.
He was about to finish them off when he remembered that his old friend from the Cloud had mentioned them in a letter.
He stood on his summoned salamander, looking down at the three of them as they supported each other.
"Let's see," he mused. "A tall one with white hair, a blonde woman, and a pale-faced pretty boy with snake eyes. It's them."
Seeing that Hanzo had stopped attacking, Jiraiya was filled with a mixture of emotions. The battle had shattered the confidence he had built up over the years. It was the same feeling of helplessness he had felt when he had faced the Third Raikage.
"Why did you stop?!" he roared. "We can still fight! Don't underestimate us!"
Hanzo remembered what his friend had written. He crossed his arms, the very picture of a master. "This war will likely end in a victory for the Rain and the Cloud," he said. "I enjoyed our little battle. I have decided to grant you..."
The three of them looked up, surprised, wondering what the "demigod" was about to do.
"...I will grant you the title of the 'Yellow, Gamble, and Poison Three Ninja'."
Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade: (￣_,￣)...
"You," he said, pointing at Jiraiya, "are the Yellow Ninja."
"You," he said to Tsunade, "are the Gamble Ninja."
"And you," he said to Orochimaru, "are the Poison Ninja."
Jiraiya suddenly felt the pain in his broken arm disappear. "Don't stop me! I'm going to kill him! I can still fight!"
Hanzo laughed. "Hahaha! Cherish the titles I have given you. Now then..."
He waved his hand, and a large group of Rain ninja surrounded them.
"Take them prisoner!"