Shiraishi and Maki's wedding was not a grand affair; instead, it was somewhat simple and understated.
Despite this, every major clan in the village, the Kazekage, and the high-ranking members of the Council of Elders sent a mountain of gifts to congratulate the couple.
In the Hidden Sand, Shiraishi—as the head of the Jonin Class—held more practical power than even the Kazekage.
Over the past two years of peace, he had focused on internal development, and the Sand's strength had grown significantly.
A new generation of ninjas, including Mai Hoshino, had matured into elite Jonin and become the core of various departments.
The strategy against the Leaf was simply a natural progression. Two years of rest were merely a prelude to washing away the shame of the two previous defeats at Kikyo Pass.
The Third Great Ninja War had dragged on until now, leaving the Hidden Leaf in its most exhausted state.
Although they held absolute advantages over the Mist and Stone, and a strategic edge over the Cloud, it was also the Leaf's most vulnerable period.
Maki, dressed in a snow-white kimono, served tea to Ebizo and Shiraishi with a gentle nod before quietly withdrawing, embodying the role of a supportive and dignified wife.
However, the primary focus of the two men in the study remained the massive map of the Land of Fire and its surroundings spread across the table.
Shiraishi placed three flags on the territory of the Land of Rivers.
"Do we still need to split forces at Kikyo Pass?" Ebizo asked.
"Kikyo Pass is not suitable for the primary offensive. While the main force gathers in the Land of Rivers, we need a second front—advancing from the Land of Rain."
Shiraishi chose an invasion route starting from the Southern 13th District of the Land of Rivers. By threatening the entire country, they would pose a direct danger to the Leaf's southeastern borders.
The Sand's true goal was the Land of Rivers itself; its fertile land and abundant resources would fundamentally end the Sand's decades of poverty.
Most of the resistant population had already been purged by the Leaf's past occupations; the remaining citizens were numb, making occupation simple.
Aside from the Land of Rivers, the Land of Rain was also a target. Shiraishi planned to control the Ota District in the south of the Land of Rain, redirecting its constant rainfall into the Land of Wind to terraform the desert.
He was laying the foundation for decades of peaceful development, seizing the "final dividends" of this Great War.
"The Hidden Cloud will also choose the same time to declare war on the Leaf," Shiraishi added.
Representatives of the Sand and Cloud had met multiple times in the Kingdom of Kusunoki to discuss a joint invasion.
Because the Sand had historically pushed through Kikyo Pass, and the Southern 13th District ports were seen as purely commercial, Shiraishi had successfully stockpiled massive amounts of war materiel under the guise of trade.
The Sand's war machine was moving steadily, yet the Kazekage remained uninformed. Shiraishi and Ebizo had already drafted a declaration of war in Rasa's name, waiting for the perfect moment to submit it to the Daimyo.
"There are still people in the village who don't want war with the Leaf, feeling the current environment is stable enough," Ebizo noted.
Shiraishi shook his head. "That is only because the Leaf is occupied by the Mist and Stone. Once they crush them, they will inevitably try to reclaim the Southern Land of Rivers."
The previous treaty signed at Kikyo Pass was seen as a humiliation by the Leaf's hawks. Now that victory was in sight elsewhere, the "Rivers problem" would return to the table. It was better to strike first.
Future Timeline: The Encounter
In the future timeline, following the sealing of the Three-Tails, the Leaf's mission was technically over. However, Shiraishi (as Yamato) expressed hesitation. "The Three-Tails is sealed, but we must pay closer attention to the Akatsuki."
The mention of Akatsuki made everyone's expression turn heavy. The organization's capture of Jinchuriki had struck a sensitive nerve in every major village.
"Yamato, what do you mean?" Kakashi asked.
"I plan to stay behind for a few days to scout their movements. You should return to the village first."
As an ANBU elite, Yamato's specialty was reconnaissance. Kakashi didn't doubt him. "Be careful. Akatsuki members are S-rank rogues; do not engage them directly."
Left alone, Shiraishi sat in meditation on a high ridge. He began to condense chakra using the methods left behind by Asura Otsutsuki.
Yamato's body was far more suited for the Asura Sage Body cultivation than his original self. As the only successful Wood Release experiment, Yamato's physique was one of the few in this era capable of fully mastering Sage Arts.
Days passed. Just as Shiraishi's meditation yielded results, two staggering chakras approached the lake where the Three-Tails resided.
The Akatsuki have arrived...
Shiraishi dissolved into bubbles, blending a faint black mist into the surroundings to vanish into the forest.
"Tobi, didn't you say the Leaf and a third party were fighting over the Three-Tails here?" Deidara asked.
"Ah, but this is better! No one to get in the way!" Tobi (Obito) chirped, though he secretly felt a strange prickle of unease—a sense of being watched. He closed his eyes, centering himself. "Senior, go for it! I'm rooting for you!"
Deidara grumbled and headed for the lake, leaving Tobi behind.
Where are you, little rat in the shadows?
Obito's Sharingan began to spin behind his mask. He quickly locked onto Shiraishi's position.
The Sharingan!
The moment Obito turned, a wooden blade manifested in Shiraishi's hand. He unleashed a devastating horizontal slash.
A violent gale tore through the trees, yet Obito's body simply turned intangible, letting the attack pass through him without effect.
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