The situation in the Land of Rain also became clearer from that point, transitioning from a multi-country free-for-all.
The forces the Sand Village had deployed in the Land of Rain couldn't sustain themselves against the combination of a Demigod and the Sannin. This led to Chiyo leading the main Sand Hidden forces and their supplies in a retreat.
A few seconds later, the calm of the Kazekage's office was broken.
Chiyo pulled open the door and entered the room, a scroll in her hand.
"Ebizo, with the remaining supplies and personnel in the village, can we still reorganize for a war against the Land of Rain?"
"Sister, are you…?"
Ebizo looked at the scroll in Chiyo's hand, hesitating.
"That Onoki doesn't want to give up his interests in the Land of Rain either. He sent someone to request an alliance. If we can still deploy troops, Stone Hidden will still be led by Shiraiwa in battle, and they'll send their Explosion Release Squad, even using the power of a Tailed Beast at critical moments!"
Chiyo slapped the scroll onto the table, telling Ebizo.
"They're even planning to use a Tailed Beast. Stone Village is really going to gamble on this, which isn't like that cunning old fox Onoki."
Ebizo's unspoken meaning was that he suspected Onoki had other plans.
"But this is our only chance to win this Ninja World War now."
Chiyo shook her head.
"The Third Generation is advancing towards the Land of Fire. Although we currently have the advantage due to White Fang's injury, Hiruzen Sarutobi, that monkey, is still in Konoha. Once that guy makes a move, even the Kazekage won't be able to win, not to mention the Uchiha, Konoha's trump card, haven't been deployed on a large scale yet.
We all know that Konoha's reserved strength is to deal with threats from other great ninja villages, but we also know that as long as those people aren't tied down, we can't truly win.
In reality, our goal of seizing territory from the Land of Fire has failed. We can only plunder resources as much as possible while we still have an advantage. The only way out is in the Land of Rain."
If the Land of Rain were taken, the three great nations of Wind, Fire, and Earth would directly border each other. At that time, Konoha would not only have to face attacks from the Land of Wind and Land of Earth in the Land of Grass and Land of Rivers respectively, but geographically, they would also face an additional threat.
Moreover, this path, unlike the other directions, wouldn't have small countries as buffer zones and could directly threaten the heartland of the Land of Fire.
The same logic applied to the Land of Wind and Land of Earth.
In this sense, the Land of Rain was truly a strategically vital location.
Especially for the Land of Wind, which suffered from a scarcity of water resources.
The neighboring Land of Rain, however, due to mountains blocking moisture and the low-lying terrain causing a large accumulation of moisture, had become the "Rain Pole" of the Ninja World.
Even if these uncultured ninja didn't understand why merely a mountain range would cause such geographical and climatic differences, it didn't stop the Sand Village from yearning to acquire the resource-rich Land of Rain.
Ebizo took out several forms from a drawer and began to check them off with a pen.
"Currently, the village has a total of one hundred and twenty-three active Jonin. Among them, fourteen are unable to fight due to injuries or illness, like Ishido. The coastline on the western border requires at least fifteen Jonin or more to lead its defense, and the village itself needs at least thirty Jonin or more to maintain internal stability and basic defense.
These fifty-nine people cannot be moved. Subtracting the forty-three Jonin with the Third Generation on the eastern front, the available Jonin combat strength is only twenty-one. Subtracting this old man, who needs to remain in the village, and counting you, Sister, we only have twenty Jonin or higher-level combatants."
"The Puppet Force…"
"The Intelligence Unit…"
It was a while before Ebizo finished organizing everything.
"Ninja tools, Military Ration Pills, and other logistical supplies are barely enough to launch another large-scale war, but we might be short on personnel, especially high-level combatants like Jonin. I estimate that even if Stone Hidden's situation is better than ours now, it won't be by much.
With this lineup, stalemating Rain Hidden and Konoha is an option, but our logistics are insufficient. If we can't make progress for a long time, retreating in one piece would be a good outcome."
Chiyo remained silent.
"Sister, don't let hatred blind you. The struggle between nations isn't something that happens overnight. In a few more years, when Rasa and the others grow up, or even when Qingshui and Sasori grow up, the situation will change, and our chances of winning will be greater then."
Ebizo knew that ever since Sasori's parents died, Chiyo had dreamed of dismembering White Fang, the culprit, and making Konoha, who orchestrated it all, pay the price.
"Of course I can't let go of their deaths, and of course I'm not reconciled! But I also know what I should do and what I shouldn't do."
Chiyo clenched her hands, looking at Ebizo.
"The new generation needs time to grow, and they need resources. Aren't we fighting for time and resources right now? If we don't beat others, how will others give us time? The village is already poor, and the Daimyo wants to continue cutting military expenses. If we don't beat others, how will we obtain resources!"
"Sister, how much do you truly believe what you just said?"
Ebizo sighed helplessly.
He knew his sister's personality all too well.
Her stubbornness gave Chiyo a strength that ordinary people didn't possess, while her powerful abilities and exceptional talent endowed her with confidence and decisiveness. However, these traits, combined with her habitually impatient mindset, became extreme, even obstinate.
Perhaps she would change when she was older, after suffering enough setbacks, but Chiyo was currently at the peak age of a ninja's strength, full of vigor. Coupled with the deaths of her son and daughter-in-law, her personality had become even more extreme.
Chiyo remained unmoved, so Ebizo had no choice but to look at Fukami Senran.
Fukami Senran rubbed his nose.
According to these two, if they were to send troops to the Land of Rain again, he, as a Jonin, would definitely have to go.
His squad would likely have to go with him too.
"My previous suggestion still stands: give Qingshui, Pakura, and the others as much time as possible so they can gain the strength to establish themselves in this Ninja World. Only then can they become the future pillars of the village."
"I will place your squad in the reserve unit, ensuring their safety, and take Qingshui as my disciple, teaching him everything I know about Puppetry."
Fukami Senran suddenly looked up.
Chiyo was going to take Qingshui as her disciple!
This meant that Chiyo would not send Qingshui's squad on truly dangerous missions, guaranteeing their safety.
"Well, that's a tough choice, isn't it?"
Ebizo shook his head.
"Actually, I also really wanted to take Qingshui as my disciple. Don't forget, when it comes to Puppet creation, I'm better than you, Sister."
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