On top of that, the Land of Wind Daimyo still did not fully trust Sunagakure. He had previously been furious upon learning of Sunagakure's rash attack on Land of Fire, though he was now forced to support them.
Even so, logistical support remained extremely strained.
The accumulated consumption of various military supplies was an astronomical figure, and this was the main reason Chiyo insisted on raiding Land of Rain.
"Please rest assured!"
The Sunagakure Ninja in charge of logistics straightened his back and smiled. "Last week, we already placed an order with the 'Wedge Real Estate Company' of the Land of Waves for medicines, Ninja Tool, and food."
"The Land of Waves, Wedge Real Estate Company…" Chiyo repeated the name. A trace of scrutiny flashed through her clouded eyes as she asked, "Are they trustworthy?"
The Land of Waves was very close to Land of Fire, and the two were almost in a vassal like relationship. It was natural for Chiyo to have doubts.
"We have cooperated many times before. They are reputable and reliable, and the transactions are discreet."
The Sunagakure Ninja nodded without hesitation. "Purchasing and transport both go through their channels, avoiding Konoha's eyes. This shipment will be enough to support long periods of high intensity consumption."
They had worked together before.
Hearing this, Chiyo nodded in satisfaction and did not press for further details.
After a moment of thought, her tone grew heavier as she added, "Since they are trustworthy, make sure to maintain the relationship. Sign a long term agreement in the name of Sunagakure for priority and stable supply."
"Even if the price is a bit higher, it doesn't matter, as long as the terms are not excessive."
In such a special wartime period, material prices were far higher than before, and often unavailable even at a price. Being able to buy them at all was already fortunate.
After all, the largest supplier of materials in the Ninja World was Konoha.
And Sunagakure was currently fighting Konoha to the brink. Most merchants had to consider Konoha's stance, and even if they sold, it would only be in small, secret amounts.
Therefore, a partner who was not swayed by Konoha's attitude, dared to trade openly against the pressure, and could provide stable supplies was extremely important to Sunagakure.
"Yes! Understood!" The Sunagakure Ninja responded solemnly.
Chiyo nodded and swept her gaze across the room. "Do not rush for quick success. We are the ones holding the advantage. We only need to keep pushing forward."
Her tone was filled with confidence and ambition, as the situation was still under her control.
If nothing unexpected happened, once the supplies arrived, they would mobilize all forces and launch a full scale assault on Konoha.
Using the new poison she had developed, they aimed to break through Konoha's defenses in the shortest possible time.
Then, without stopping, they would move straight into Land of Fire and naturally win the war.
This time, they would station troops in those relatively fertile lands and force Land of Fire to sign a treaty ceding territory, lowering tariffs, opening trade, and paying war reparations.
But just as these hopeful visions of the future settled in, and the tense atmosphere in the tent finally eased slightly, something changed.
Swish. Swish.
The sound of rain outside the tent suddenly seemed much louder, and many people instinctively looked up.
"Has the wind picked up?"
They drew in a breath through their noses, and the air seemed colder than before.
As it entered their nostrils and traveled down their airways into their lungs, it brought a stinging pain, like ants biting.
"Hmm?"
Chiyo's gray brows tightened at once, a battlefield-honed instinct warning her before her thoughts could catch up. In the next moment, the rain pierced through the top of the tent and fell straight down. The sound cut through the air with a sharp whistle.
A Sunagakure Ninja who looked up did not even finish showing his shock before a dim blue arrow went through his mouth and cleanly through his fragile neck. Bone fragments, torn flesh, and a spray of blood burst out as the arrow nailed itself deep into the wooden table behind him. The arrow shaft still shook, humming softly as his eyes went dull.
Blood poured from the hole and splashed across the map of the Land of Rain on the table. "It's the ene…" one quick reacting Sunagakure Ninja shouted half a word before his voice was swallowed by shrill tearing sounds. Whistles rang out one after another.
Only then did the people from Sunagakure see it clearly. This was not rain at all, but an overwhelming number of arrows. Arrows formed from pure Chakra punched through the tough tent roof with ease.
Dull impacts filled the tent as arrows pierced flesh again and again. Several people were hit before they could react, their bodies skewered by sharp Chakra arrows. Blood and fragments sprayed out, splashing across faces frozen in terror.
"Enemy attack!"
Chiyo shouted sharply, snapping everyone awake as she flung the purple Scroll from her waist. The Scroll unfurled in the air, revealing ten identical symbols. Before her Chakra could flow into it, a heavy thud echoed out.
A figure dropped from above and landed on the meeting table. The arrow rain stopped at once, abrupt and complete. An excited, trembling voice followed as a strange blade glinted before the figure's face, showing only eyes full of killing intent.
"Looks like everyone is here."
"Hanzo?!"
Chiyo's furious cry rang out as recognition hit her. In the instant their pupils shrank, Hanzo crouched on the table, grinning as he whipped out the scythe of the Kusarigama. A piercing screech tore through the air.
Kenjutsu·Kusarigama Nidan Uchi!
The pouring rain was cut clean in half by black arcs of light, the air itself split into visible rings before their eyes. Almost without thinking, everyone raised their weapons to block. A terrifying hiss followed as sparks burst out and weapons were sliced cleanly apart.
The suddenness left no time to react. Some unlucky Sunagakure Ninja had their heads flung into the air, faces still locked in shock. Others were cut straight through the chest or waist in a single blow.
Screams of pain and fear erupted as half bodies slid from the rest, blood and organs spilling onto the ground. Those cut in half did not die at once, instead crying out clearly in agony and terror. Their voices echoed through the tent.
"Ah, it hurts!"
"Lady Chiyo, save me!"
"My guts, no…"
Chiyo had already leapt back, yet a curved spray of blood still splashed onto the ground near her. She spat out blood and staggered, looking down at the wound on her abdomen. Her waist was soaked red, and the cut was only just short of tearing her open.
She looked again at the Sunagakure Ninja left crawling with only half their bodies, dragging their insides across the floor as they screamed. Rage surged through her as she raised her head. "Hanzo!"
Veins stood out on Chiyo's face as she stared coldly at the figure on the table. "Dare to break into the camp of Sunagakure, you are asking to die."
With a heavy sound, Chakra burst from the Scroll in her hand. Symbols surged outward and formed three humanoid puppets wrapped in white cloaks. They were three of the Near Chikamatsu Ten Puppets.
Chakra threads stretched from her fingers to the puppets as she barked a low command. One puppet wielding two great blades charged at Hanzo and swung down in anger. The strike tore the air apart with its force.
"Good!"
Hanzo grinned as he raised the Kusarigama to meet it. The clash rang out with a deafening boom, sparks scattering as violent air currents blew the rain aside between them. The power sent back through the Chakra threads made Chiyo's expression change.
"How is this possible?"
As a puppet master, her strength had not faded much with age, while a Taijutsu focused Ninja like Hanzo should have declined. Yet the man before her felt faster and stronger than ever. The difference was undeniable.
"Hmph, old puppet hag, you really are old."
Blades ground against each other as sparks fell, and Hanzo glanced past the puppets toward Chiyo with growing excitement. "If that's the case, then I'll send you to your death."
He forced the two puppets back with raw strength. Several Sunagakure Ninja rushed toward him as his teeth bit into his finger, blood spraying into the air. Chiyo's cry of fear came too late.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
A roar louder than thunder erupted from beneath their feet. The packed ground burst upward without warning, shattering in an instant. The earth broke apart like brittle crackers, flung aside by unimaginable force.
A massive black shape burst out with a deafening roar, filling their vision as it clawed its way free.
At the same time, atop the High Tower in Amegakure, Shadow stood alone in the rain. In his hand, the cube-sized Box of Ultimate Bliss turned endlessly. Inside it, a twisted powerful form devoured and fought, swallowing the souls gathered so far.
"Don't rush," Shadow said with a smile as he looked into the rain. "The food is on its way."
Rain was the eternal background sound of the Land of Rain, like a low groan from the ground. While Chiyo and a small group held a meeting that would decide the future direction of Sunagakure, most of the other Sunagakure Ninja were on alert or resting in simple tents or lookout posts.