Inside the Konoha main camp, the atmosphere was completely different from Kumogakure.
Senju Mori was playing Shogi with Nara Shikatsune, and the situation on the board, much like the current state of the war, showed one side holding an absolute advantage.
"Kumogakure will likely have to rob Peter to pay Paul."
Shikatsune placed a piece. "I heard they utilized strategic reserves, postponed the medical expansion plan, and are even preparing to increase the commission deduction on missions for the Ninjas within the Village."
Senju Mori gazed at the board, his tone calm:
"A is a sensible person; he knows that rash resistance would only lead Kumogakure to eternal damnation. Nevertheless, we must also be prepared."
"Are you worried they might resort to desperate measures?"
"No."
Senju Mori smiled and shook his head.
Since Third Raikage A led his army back to the Hidden Cloud Village, the entire Land of Lightning has essentially been left wide open. If Kumogakure attempts to violate the agreement, Konoha can ignite the flames of war deep within the Land of Lightning at any moment.
A merely has a strong personality; he isn't crazy. Of course, he wouldn't do something so foolish.
Senju Mori gently set down a piece and said:
"I am referring to five years from now. Given the personality of that fellow, Third Raikage, he will never endure humiliation indefinitely. Once Kumogakure recovers, that will mark the beginning of the next war."
"Once the first installment of reparations arrives, we will prioritize the construction of border outposts. At the same time, I plan to increase investment in medical and scientific research."
After a slight pause, Senju Mori added:
"Furthermore, we must utilize the large mission quotas we secured in the Lands of Frost, Hot Water, and Rice to strengthen surveillance over the Land of Lightning. We need to gather as much intelligence on Kumogakure as possible."
Nara Shikatsune nodded in acknowledgment of the order.
He understood that Senju Mori was already preparing for the next war.
In this chaotic Ninja World, any peace is merely an illusion. Konoha must use this precious time to expand its advantage to a degree that Kumogakure can never catch up to.
As the sun set, Senju Mori pulled back the tent flap and walked toward the high ground of the camp, gazing in the direction of Kumogakure.
He knew the first installment of reparations would soon be delivered.
But that was not the end; it was the beginning of a new era—a Ninja World order dominated by Konoha was slowly being established on this land watered by blood and fire... Inside the Hidden Cloud Village.
The former central Village plaza had been transformed into a dark, massive crater. Starting from this point, a severely damaged, fan-shaped area spread outwards.
The once towering Raikage Building had vanished, leaving behind only ruins, broken walls, and twisted metal frameworks.
Everywhere lay collapsed houses, scorched trees, and blackened earth where the Tailed Beast Ball had plowed through. The ground was riddled with craters large and small, and the bodies of Cloud Hidden Ninjas and civilians were visible everywhere.
The air was filled with smoke, dust, and the stench of blood. Medical Ninjas hurried through the ruins, striving to treat the injured.
Exhausted Ninjas were still clearing rubble, attempting to find possible survivors within. The sounds of low weeping and calls for loved ones echoed occasionally.
Third Raikage A stood atop the ruins. His normally sharp eyes were now bloodshot and filled with insurmountable fatigue.
After a difficult battle, he finally led the Village elite and used the Amber Purifying Pot, the only six paths sage tool still in Kumogakure's possession, to reseal the rampaging Eight-Tails.
But he didn't even have time to catch his breath before he had to face another mess.
"Reporting, Lord Raikage!"
An Anbu Captain, his face wrapped in bandages, knelt on one knee, his voice hoarse:
"The Eight-Tails has been resealed, but over half of the Village area was destroyed in the previous battle. Anbu squads are currently tallying the casualties among Ninjas and villagers, and the situation is likely not optimistic..."
A did not speak. He walked step by step through the devastated streets, the gravel underfoot crunching loudly.
He stopped in front of a destroyed training ground, bent down, and picked up half a forehead protector engraved with the Kumogakure symbol from the rubble, clutching it tightly in his palm. The cold touch pierced straight to his heart.
Soon, another figure approached, reporting bitterly to A:
"Lord Raikage, the fundraising for the first installment of reparations has also encountered great difficulty."
"Even after draining the Village's liquid funds and selling off some material reserves, there is still a shortfall from the 300 million ryo cash and 50 million ryo worth of Chakra metal."
"We must set aside funds for rebuilding the Village. After all, the Village has already..."
"Confiscate the Chakra metal supplied to the Ninjas within the Village first."
A's voice was low: "Also, notify the Mission Dispatch Office to increase the commission deduction on all missions below A-rank by thirty percent."
"This will likely cause significant opposition..."
"Then I will be the villain!"
A roared furiously:
"Tell everyone this is the necessary pain Kumogakure must endure! We lost the war, and we must pay the corresponding price for it!"
"These are the rules of the Ninja World!"
Just then, an Anbu suddenly appeared and whispered:
"Lord Raikage, the emissary from the Daimyo has arrived."
...Since the original Raikage Building was completely destroyed, the location chosen for meeting the emissary of the Land of Lightning's Daimyo was a building situated on the outskirts of the Village that was still relatively intact.
Standing before Third Raikage A was an elderly man dressed in the luxurious official robes of the Daimyo's estate—the Daimyo's Chief Advisor, Tsuchiya Kousuke.
He held a folding fan and did not sit, instead sweeping an undisguised, strange gaze over the simple furnishings around him.
"Lord Raikage."
Tsuchiya Kousuke's voice was measured, yet every word cut like a knife:
"The Daimyo is deeply shocked and disappointed by the outcome of this incident. The Hidden Cloud Village rashly initiated the conflict, only to reap such bitter consequences, even necessitating the use of the national treasury to fill this... massive hole."
A's fists clenched beneath the table, but he ultimately restrained himself.
"Lord Kousuke, Kumogakure certainly made a mistake, but now that the Village has suffered this catastrophe, only the full support of the Daimyo can allow Kumogakure to overcome this difficulty and continue protecting the territory of the Land of Lightning."
"Support?"
Tsuchiya Kousuke lightly tapped his palm:
"The Daimyo will naturally support the Ninja Village under his command. The Daimyo's Court can allocate half of the 300 million ryo down payment."
A's heart had just slightly relaxed, but the man's subsequent words made his expression even darker.
"However," Tsuchiya Kousuke changed his tone, "for the next three years, the Daimyo's Court's annual allocation to the Hidden Cloud Village will be cut by twenty percent."
"Furthermore, the budget for long-term projects such as the research and development of new Ninja tools and the construction of border defenses will be frozen indefinitely."
"Lord Raikage, the Daimyo wishes you to understand that every expense of the nation is hard-earned. And the Daimyo's trust in the Ninja Village, once lost, requires time and concrete actions to regain."
Having said that, he bowed slightly, turned, and departed.