Mufasa stood his ground, his expression unwavering despite the immense pressure from Tsunade.
He refused to bend, maintaining a level of integrity that was rare for a ninja, let alone a Sand shinobi.
After a long and exhausting negotiation filled with back-and-forth arguments, Mufasa finally managed to secure several critical agreements with Tsunade.
These included the:
"Konoha Village Electric Automation Defense System Reconstruction,"
the "Konoha Industrial Park Reconstruction Contract,"
the "Sand Ninja Commodity OEM Contract,"
the "Suna-Konoha Transportation Agreement,"
and the "Mutual Non-Aggression Pact."
These deals marked the largest industrial contract the Hidden Sand Village had ever secured.
Upon returning to his village, Mufasa immediately called for a high-level meeting. As the council gathered, he addressed them with a triumphant smile.
"According to the transportation agreement, Konoha will finance the road construction within the Fire Country, while we will provide technical support and training.
Konoha will be responsible for maintenance and security. The revenue from railways and highways will be split 30-70."
Kankuro furrowed his brow. "So we get 70%?"
Mufasa rolled his eyes. "No, they get 70%."
Kankuro frowned. "We're only getting 30%?"
Mufasa smirked. "Think bigger. We're also charging them for the technology and equipment we provide. That 30% is just an extra bonus."
Realizing the scope of the deal, Kankuro nodded in satisfaction.
Mufasa continued, "Next, we have a series of industrial projects ahead—power plants, iron factories, ninja equipment production.
We also need to construct an automated defense system for Konoha. This will be crucial."
"What kind of defense system?" Kankuro asked.
Mufasa shot him an amused look. "Of course, the same standards we use in the Hidden Sand Village.
No light prism towers, but drone patrols, surveillance systems, automated turret defenses, and a fully encrypted barrier system. We can't have just anyone walking in and out."
Understanding the vision, Kankuro nodded. Mufasa then shifted his focus to Gaara. "How's the progress on connecting the Land of Wind and the Land of Rivers with roads and railways?"
"Halfway complete," Gaara responded.
"Good. That's moving at a decent pace." Mufasa noted Gaara and the others looked eager. They had been waiting for this moment. "Your battalions are ready, but before we move, we need to handle one more thing."
Gaara nodded. "A declaration of war."
Mufasa wasn't a brute. He believed in diplomacy, even in war. And his way of declaring war was far from traditional.
A helicopter carried Gaara over the capital of the Land of Rivers, hovering above Kawasaki Town. A loudspeaker blared across the streets below, shaking the citizens to their core.
"People of the Land of Rivers! Your daimyo, Momonosuke, has given an envoy from the Hidden Sand Village a death threat.
As a result, we, under the leadership of Kazekage Mufasa, have decided to bring justice. In ten days, our forces will march on Kawasaki Town to punish the one responsible!"
The citizens flooded the streets, eyes wide as they gazed up at the massive flying machine.
"As long as non-combatants, officials, and soldiers do not interfere, we guarantee your safety and the protection of your property.
This is not a war against your country but against Momonosuke alone!"
The city was in an uproar. The sheer audacity of the public warning sent waves of fear through the people. In the palace, Momonosuke, who had been leisurely enjoying a meal, panicked. He toppled over from his seat, wailing like a child.
"The Sand Village is coming! What do I do?" he sobbed, scrambling into the arms of his attendants.
The black-clad advisor, Kurozumi, pulled him up in frustration. "Young master, they haven't attacked yet. We still have ten days!"
Meanwhile, outside, the helicopter continued circling, repeating its warning. The sight was demoralizing for Momonosuke's forces. Seeing the loss of morale, Heitan turned to his top general.
"Master Fuma, we cannot let them humiliate us like this! Drive that machine away!"
Fuma Santaro, the leader of Fuma Village, grinned with confidence. "Leave it to me."
At his command, twenty elite Fuma ninja took their positions atop the tallest buildings in Kawasaki Town.
With synchronized precision, they unleashed a barrage of oversized Fuma Shurikens, each over two meters in size.
These deadly weapons, connected to near-invisible wires, were guided through the air with expert control, twisting and turning to strike at the helicopter.
The shuriken sliced through the air, their sharp edges glinting under the sunlight. Against any normal target, this attack would have been devastating.
Unfortunately for them, they were up against Gaara.
Standing within the helicopter, Gaara didn't even flinch.
As the deadly projectiles approached, a thick wall of sand surged into the air, forming an impenetrable shield.
The Fuma shuriken clashed against the sand barrier and dropped uselessly to the ground.
Gaara smirked. "Pathetic."
Gaara's power sent a chill down Fuma Santaro's spine.
How were they supposed to fight a monster like that?!
Someone, anyone—give him an answer!
But Gaara wasn't here to fight, not yet. His mission was simple: deliver the declaration of war. The Sand Village prided itself on discipline, and this was no exception.
The message was clear—war was coming. Then, without another word, Gaara commanded the helicopter to turn back.
Fuma Santaro watched the aircraft retreat, quietly wiping the sweat from his brow.
"Good… they're leaving."
A nervous chuckle escaped his lips as he turned to Kurozumi. "See that, Kurozumi-sama? Sand Shinobi aren't as terrifying as they make themselves out to be."
Kurozumi wasn't so sure. Now was not the time to expose his doubts, though. Instead, he focused on Momonosuke, who was still cowering in fear.
"Master Momonosuke, look," Kurozumi said, forcing a reassuring smile. "The Sand Shinobi retreated."
Momonosuke hesitated before sneaking a glance outside. The flying, roaring beast that had shaken the town was finally gone.
"Kurozumi… what do we do now?" he asked, voice trembling.
What else could they do?
If Fuma Village could defeat the Sand Village… If the Land of Rivers could overpower the Land of Wind… Wouldn't they have done it already?
Kurozumi didn't hesitate. "We must request aid from the Land of Fire's Daimyo. Lord Yoshimitsu will surely send reinforcements."
"That's it! Hurry up and do it!" Momonosuke barked, kicking Kurozumi in his panic.
Kurozumi gritted his teeth but forced a laugh, hiding his anger. Just wait, you pathetic little worm…
Out loud, he said, "Foolish Kazekage..."
Momonosuke and Santaro blinked in confusion.
"Think about it," Kurozumi continued, smirking. "If they had attacked without warning, that monster could have crushed us in an instant."
"But no."
"They announced their arrival."
"They gave us time to prepare."
He let out a dramatic sigh. "Arrogant and foolish. They practically handed us an advantage."
Momonosuke and Santaro exchanged glances before bursting into laughter.
"Kurozumi, you're right!" Momonosuke grinned. "That fool of a Kazekage gave us a warning. What an idiot."
Confidence swelled in the room.
"Our country is full of rivers and hidden routes," Kurozumi mused. "A natural maze. If they step in, they'll never step out."
Santaro nodded eagerly. "The Fuma Clan will hold them off."
But Kurozumi had other plans. "You and your ninja will leave the frontlines to the army and Land of Fire reinforcements.
Instead, use your knowledge of the land to sabotage Sand Shinobi's supply lines. Burn their food and weapons."
Fuma Santaro's grin widened. "Brilliant. We'll make sure they regret ever stepping foot in our territory."
Momonosuke, however, was still uneasy. "What about me?"
"What if they come for me?!"
Kurozumi patted him on the shoulder. "Worry not, my lord. The Red Blade Nine and the Fuma Clan's Elite will remain behind to protect you."
Relief washed over Momonosuke's face. "Good! Then let's not waste time—go, send for help!"
Within a day, the Fuma Clan's fastest ninja had delivered a plea for aid to the Land of Fire's Daimyo, Yoshimitsu.
When Yoshimitsu heard that Kazekage Mufasa had declared war on his vassal state, his fury was immediate.
"How dare they!" he roared. "Attacking my ally is no different from attacking me!"
His fist slammed onto the table, shaking the entire room. "Prepare the army! We go to war with the Hidden Sand Village!"
Elder Hosokawa hurriedly stepped forward, trying to calm him. "My lord, please, wait."
"Wait?" Yoshimitsu glared at him. "You want me to sit back and watch them humiliate my people?"
Hosokawa took a deep breath. "Kazekage never declared war. He only seeks to punish Momonosuke."
Yoshimitsu frowned. "And what difference does that make?"
"My lord, read his message carefully," Hosokawa urged. "The Hidden Sand Village does not intend to occupy the Land of Rivers. They will not harm its people. This is a personal matter between the Kazekage and Momonosuke."
Other advisors in the room nodded in agreement. Many had strong economic ties with the Hidden Sand Village. War would disrupt trade.
But Yoshimitsu was unmoved. "No."
"I will send my forces."
"Even if Momonosuke is at fault, that Kazekage should have come to me. I would have disciplined him myself."
He clenched his fists. "By going over my head, he disrespected me."
He turned to his generals. "Send our troops to the Land of Rivers immediately."
"Additionally, summon the Hokage. Konoha will march as well."
The order was given. But when the messenger returned from Konoha, his report was shocking.
"My lord," the messenger hesitated. "Hokage-sama declined to send troops."
"What?" Yoshimitsu's eyes narrowed. "Why?"
The messenger's expression turned grim. "Because Konoha has just survived a near-destruction crisis. The village is in ruins."
"Their forces are stretched thin."
"They have no soldiers to spare."
Silence filled the chamber. Yoshimitsu's rage dimmed, replaced by confusion. "What… happened to Konoha?"
The messenger continued, "Hokage-sama mentioned you might already know the cause…"
Realization struck Yoshimitsu like a thunderbolt.
He gritted his teeth. "Kazuma."
"Find him."
His hands clenched into fists. "That bastard… What did he do now?!"
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Word count: 1641
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