White Fang is dead?
When the Third Kazekage heard this news far away in the Hidden Sand Village, he wondered if the Hidden Sand Anbu had made a mistake.
It's not questioning the strength of other Ninja Villages, but rather because the Third Kazekage believed that besides the current Five Kage, there seemed to be no ninja who could tackle the Konoha White Fang.
On the front battlefield, the destructive power of the Konoha White Fang did not concern the Third Kazekage.
But this was a blade that could penetrate deep into enemy lines, invincible in its path.
Especially since the Konoha leaders skillfully wielded this blade, they never placed him on the front battlefield, but rather used elite squads to conduct sabotage operations behind enemy lines. During wartime, this once rendered the Hidden Sand powerless to respond.
In critical moments, he could deliver a fatal blow to the enemy.
Moreover, in recent years, the squads led by him achieved a 100% success rate. Many major merchants and nobles from the Ninja Realm would specifically request Sakumo by name to complete their tasks in Konoha.
This represents supreme trust.
Now, upon receiving the news from the Anbu that Konoha's White Fang, Hatake Sakumo, had died, the Third Kazekage's first reaction was disbelief.
How could such a formidable ninja suddenly die?
"Who killed him? Was it a Hidden Cloud ninja?"
The Third Kazekage's expression turned solemn.
Although a bit unwilling to accept, the overall strength of the Hidden Sand actually ranked lower among the Five Great Ninja Villages.
Right after Konoha came the Hidden Cloud of the Land of Lightning.
The ninjas of this village mostly respect strength and decisiveness in action, possessing an extremely formidable will to fight.
If anyone could kill the Konoha White Fang, the likelihood would be the Hidden Cloud ninja.
"It's not like that, Lord Kazekage. That Konoha White Fang... he committed suicide."
"Suicide?!"
After the Hidden Sand Anbu finished speaking, the Third Kazekage's face became extremely peculiar, his eyes filled with disbelief.
Suicide?
How could it be suicide?
That Konoha White Fang actually died by suicide?
How is that possible?
What is Konoha up to?
Is this a ploy against the other four Ninja Villages?
"This is the course of events, Lord Kazekage."
The Anbu presented the collected intelligence to the Third Kazekage.
After receiving it, the Third Kazekage meticulously reviewed it five or six times from beginning to end, and finally confirmed one fact—
Konoha's White Fang is dead.
The Konoha White Fang, who had been an immense headache for him, is dead.
He had been prepared to sacrifice Sand's elite ninja to perish together with the Konoha White Fang, but now the highly risky plan is no longer necessary, and they don't need their Hidden Sand ninja to sacrifice themselves to kill the Konoha White Fang.
For a moment, the Third Kazekage even thought of the Konoha leaders as allies.
Understanding the cause of events, although there was no detailed record, the Third Kazekage could guess a few things.
Konoha's Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, nearing fifty, was indeed at the point of electing a successor.
Konoha's White Fang, the Sannin, and some other Konoha Jonin were strong contenders for the Fourth Hokage.
This was merely an internal political struggle within Konoha.
"..."
The Third Kazekage sighed.
Konoha White Fang... what a regrettable death.
While feeling happy that a formidable enemy was gone, he also felt a deep sorrow, sensing it might be a warning.
No matter how strong a village is, it cannot adopt a method that pains allies and pleases enemies to gain political leverage.
Concerning the election ceremony for the next Fourth Kazekage, it seems necessary to examine it seriously to avoid repeating Konoha's mistake.
However, thinking there might be no such person in the Hidden Sand Village, and he himself being in his prime, it was not yet time to elect the next Kazekage.
With this thought, the Third Kazekage felt much more at ease.
"Convey this message to Elder Chiyo. White Fang led his team and killed her son and daughter-in-law. Now that White Fang is dead, it can be considered as revenge for her."
"Yes."
After the Hidden Sand Anbu left, the Third Kazekage exhaled lightly, took a scroll from the drawer, spread it on the table, and carefully examined the contents on the scroll.
It contained the overall plan for the future attack on the Land of Fire and the containment of Konoha's forces.
This included attack routes, supply channels, resource points of occupation, and all action plans recorded without omission.
Cross out one of the important steps.
That step was to eradicate the Konoha White Fang.
Since the Konoha White Fang was already dead, there was no need to invest many resources in this step.
Excess resources could be allocated to other critical steps.
"If only the Sannin could end up like the White Fang..."
At this point, the Third Kazekage realized he was indulging in unrealistic thoughts.
The White Fang and the Sannin's affiliations within Konoha's ranks and their political backing were entirely different.
No matter what, the death of the Konoha White Fang was something to celebrate.
Today, end work early, and go home for a good night's rest.
◎
Other Ninja Villages gradually received the news of White Fang's suicide.
Their outward responses varied—some were disdainful, some indifferent, some excited.
However, many merchants and nobles in the Ninja Realm were displeased. After all, the missions they posted to Konoha remained unresolved, and they had paid a large sum of money to hire the Konoha White Fang for their tasks.
Now that White Fang was dead, their tasks were being executed by other Jonin.
Even though Konoha's leadership promptly decided to refund the surplus funds from these rewards, it still had a significant impact on Konoha's reputation.