[Sunagakure]
[Conference Room]
Pakura looked somewhat tired.
The Land of Wind had fallen into complete turmoil recently.
According to the Anbu's investigations, civilians in many villages were discussing what they should do if Konoha reached them.
But the results of those investigations left Pakura's heart cold.
It was hard for most people to imagine how civilians managed to survive in a place with so little water and so little farmland.
From the moment Konoha began invading the Land of Wind, they had been advancing by laying down one patch of greenery after another, like paving bricks.
So the message Konoha had spread was seen as highly credible by the civilians of the Land of Wind.
Most people's answer was surrender. Surrender immediately.
The harsher the environment, the more common that answer was.
Even some lower-ranked ninja were beginning to waver.
Sunagakure had no way to deal with this kind of offensive.
After all, the Land of Wind simply didn't have the means to provide those things to its civilians.
Honor? How could that compare to water and oases?
It couldn't.
Their technology couldn't produce such large-scale seawater desalination equipment.
Nor did they have anyone with Wood Release who could easily plant forests.
Pakura rubbed the bridge of her nose before asking, "Elder Fuji, how are your preparations coming along?"
She was referring to the large-scale formation Elder Fuji had been setting up in the Demon Desert.
Elder Fuji replied, "The Wind Prison Sandstorm Grand Formation has been completed. The winds are especially strong this season, making it the perfect time for sandstorms to form."
"As long as we guide the sandstorms from the Demon Desert out and destroy large areas of their greenery... the civilians in our country will naturally lose faith in Konoha."
There was some truth to what Elder Fuji said. Once a sandstorm started, it could blot out the sky.
It could cover thousands, or even tens of thousands, of square kilometers.
However, once a sandstorm reached that scale, it would be beyond Sunagakure's control.
Still, no matter how you looked at it, this was essentially a cost-free strategy for Sunagakure.
At most, it would cost them some chakra.
If it succeeded, it could greatly delay Konoha's plans.
"Good. If Konoha enters the Demon Desert, we'll look for an opportunity to activate the Wind Prison Sandstorm Grand Formation."
"After the sandstorm passes, we'll see if there's a chance to launch an attack."
"If Konoha's forces suffer heavy losses in the Land of Wind... the situation should turn around."
While Pakura was saying this to the elders, the conference room door was knocked on.
"Lord Kazekage, urgent report!"
A Sunagakure intelligence ninja hurried in and handed the report to Pakura.
Pakura quickly read it, and her expression immediately darkened.
"Kazekage, what's wrong? What kind of report could make your face look so bad?"
Pakura let out a breath and handed the report to Elder Fuji.
Elder Fuji opened it and was stunned.
They already knew that Kumogakure's Jinchuriki had gone to Kirigakure to cause trouble earlier that day.
They had all been waiting to see whether Konoha would send reinforcements to Kirigakure, which would have eased the pressure on them.
Konoha had indeed stopped advancing.
But they had never expected a powerful expert to attack Kumogakure itself.
Using a weather-based secret technique, one person had devastated the entire Hidden Cloud Village.
Merchants, civilians, and even spies from other ninja villages inside Kumogakure had all seen someone with enormous ice wings flying through the sky.
Later, Byaku personally revealed his identity.
He had come from Kirigakure to retaliate against Kumogakure.
The Raikage had fired a Tailed Beast Bomb at the Land of Water's Daimyo's residence.
Byaku had answered by dropping an ice storm on Kumogakure.
A fitting exchange.
After finishing the report, Elder Fuji also wore an expression of disbelief mixed with bitterness.
Kumogakure had suffered such heavy losses that asking them for help would probably no longer be possible.
Previously, Kumogakure's top-tier combat strength had clearly surpassed Kirigakure's.
But things were different now.
There was no way to count on Kumogakure to relieve Sunagakure's pressure anymore.
Kumogakure and Kirigakure were now locked in direct conflict. A war between them could break out at any moment.
All Five Great Ninja Villages were now in motion.
The next step might be another Ninja World War.
"This is bad."
Elder Fuji clearly understood the importance of this intelligence.
After reading it, he passed it down to the other elders.
Pakura only felt exhausted, "Forget about all that. Let's focus on stopping Konoha first."
"Elder Fuji, make the arrangements."
———
[Iwagakure]
[Tsuchikage's Office]
"Grandpa, why did you call me back?"
Kurotsuchi had been serving as Deidara's assistant in the Land of Wind.
Onoki had suddenly summoned her back alone, leaving her completely confused.
"You're all grown up now. It's time for you to get married."
Onoki opened with a bombshell that immediately startled Kurotsuchi.
"Grandpa... what are you talking about? I'm only eighteen. I don't want to get married."
Caught completely off guard, Kurotsuchi became a little flustered.
Onoki stroked his beard, a kind smile appearing on his face.
"Haven't you always liked Deidara? Wouldn't you even marry him?"
If Kurotsuchi had only been embarrassed before, she was now completely red.
Two bright blushes instantly spread across her cheeks.
"Grandpa!"
Everyone knowing it was one thing.
Actually saying it out loud was another.
"You've been by Deidara's side for so many years. Now that you're grown up, how can you keep staying with him without any status?"
Onoki could naturally see how embarrassed his granddaughter was.
But what he said was also true.
If Kurotsuchi had still been young, it wouldn't have mattered.
But now she was already over eighteen.
She couldn't be treated like a child anymore.
She had grown into a young woman, yet whenever the chance arose, she and Deidara would still hug and hold each other.
It was time to put marriage on the agenda.
Kurotsuchi's heart beat a little faster.
She had always thought there was plenty of time and that she could slowly deepen her relationship with Deidara.
After all, the two of them got along very well now.
But Onoki had suddenly started pressing her to marry, and she still didn't even know how Deidara felt.
"So, are you willing or not?"
Seeing Kurotsuchi hesitate for so long without giving a clear answer, Onoki asked directly.
Kurotsuchi pressed her lips together and said timidly,
"I don't know what Deidara-nii thinks."
Onoki understood immediately.
His granddaughter was worried that Deidara might refuse.
"In that case, I'll have Deidara come back."
Kurotsuchi still felt a little uneasy, though she was even more curious.
"Grandpa, why are you suddenly bringing this up?"
She was certain her age wasn't the main reason.
After all, her eighteenth birthday had already passed. If that had been the reason, he would have brought it up back then.
Onoki shook his head, "You can go now. I'll ask Deidara what he thinks when he gets back."
Although Kurotsuchi didn't understand what was going on, she obediently left.
After she was gone, Onoki picked up the report on his desk again.
It was the intelligence report about Kumogakure's attack on Kirigakure and Kirigakure's sudden counterattack on Kumogakure by a mysterious expert.
'I'd better get Deidara and Kurotsuchi married soon. Only then can I be at ease.'
Onoki rubbed his aching lower back as he silently thought it over.