September, a season as hot as the blazing sun.
The Third Shinobi World War was in full swing.
As the intersection of war disasters—due to its awkward geographical location, the Land of Grass and the Land of Rain have suffered greatly from the wars of the Great Nations.
The domestic economy has been declining year by year, and the daimyo and nobles only care about protecting themselves. Even the Ninja Villages prioritize self-preservation and are deeply apprehensive about getting involved in the Great Ninja Village wars.
It is obvious to everyone the tremendous gap between the Ninja Villages of the Great Nations and those of the small nations.
And this enormous gap is not something that one person or a few people can remedy.
Compared to the Land of Grass, the Land of Rain has suffered more frequently and to a greater extent from the war.
This was at dawn, a new day had not welcomed sunlight falling on the earth, but rather cold, continuous rain, washing away the blood in the air.
The ground was covered with corpses, weapons, blood, and fragments of flesh.
Several giant snakes rampaged across the battlefield.
"Charge forward!"
Orochimaru stood bloodied atop a purple giant snake, surrounded by several large patterned pythons. With their massive size, even a casual swipe could cause an attack no weaker than Ninja Techniques.
The power of the Sannin is evident.
Their ability to command giant Summoning Beasts, along with their respective Hiden Ninjutsu, is a calamity for the enemy.
Compared to the battlefield of the Land of Grass, the battlefield in the Land of Rain is more bloody and brutal. The offensive from the Hidden Sand grows fiercer by the day, with combat frequency also increasing.
Sharp Wind Blades sprayed continuously, and kunai with Explosive Tags aimed at the snakes.
They were all well aware that only by thoroughly defeating Orochimaru could they achieve victory, break through Konoha's defensive formations in the Land of Rain, and rush into the Land of Fire to seize everything there.
Orochimaru also understood this, but as the commanding officer, he could not retreat from this position.
Once he fell here, the consequences would be unimaginable.
He knew well his situation in the Land of Rain; not losing was his greatest victory.
His task was merely to hold back the Hidden Sand's forces in the Land of Rain; what sacrifices this would entail was not within his considerations.
Using a few as sacrifices, setting traps, and exchanging minor casualties for major ones from Hidden Sand was all worth it in his eyes.
The battle continued until noon, with the Hidden Sand forces being repelled once more. Konoha's side did not feel any joy.
Continuing to fight like this was very disadvantageous for Konoha.
Because of the forces stationed in the Land of Rain, at this rate, it was only a matter of time before Hidden Sand broke through the line of defense here.
However, there was no better solution. Hidden Sand was no longer engaging in small-scale strategies but was instead crushing forward with large forces, a high-pressure strategy of sacrificing a thousand to hurt eight hundred enemies.
No matter how cleverly Orochimaru set the traps, they could not inflict any significant losses on the large forces of Hidden Sand.
In fact, on the battlefield in the Land of Rain, Konoha had nowhere left to retreat.
"Is there still no support? At this rate, we won't be able to hold on much longer."
At the Jonin meeting in the camp, one Jonin said tiredly.
Compared to the ease of the Hidden Sand, Konoha ninjas in the Land of Rain were already less than three thousand.
While the forces that Hidden Sand had poured into the Land of Rain still amounted to at least five thousand.
"There are still many squads in the Land of Fire performing patrol tasks, but that is to prevent elite squads from Hidden Sand from sneaking into the Land of Fire to cause trouble and cannot be easily mobilized. As for the village, it can only send a maximum of another five hundred to support the battlefield in the Land of Rain."
Another Jonin objectively analyzed.
The battlefield on the Hidden Rock's side could not be ignored, as the pressure there was similarly great.
Moreover, the Hidden Cloud forces stationed to the east in the Land of Hot Water also dispersed some of Konoha's forces, going over to be alert.
Hidden Cloud Village and Hidden Rock Village, while fighting each other, did not forget to trouble Konoha.
Otherwise, if the Konoha ninjas defending against the Hidden Cloud forces were transferred here to the Land of Rain, the situation would improve significantly.
"Five hundred people can't solve anything."
"What else can we do but keep fighting? If we had known this, we shouldn't have hurriedly negotiated with Hidden Sand during the last Shinobi World War."
A Jonin spoke out thoughtlessly.
Everyone's expressions began to change.
After all, that matter left them somewhat regretful.
After all, during the last Shinobi World War, when they fought against Hidden Sand, Konoha held the advantage.
The White Fang Squad struck deep into the enemy's territory, causing chaos as the main Konoha forces suppressed in the front, advancing on two fronts, leaving Hidden Sand cowering in battle, and even the Third Kazekage could do nothing against Konoha.
However, after a Jonin meeting in the village, unwilling to make further sacrifices, they negotiated with Hidden Sand.
Thereafter, Konoha's situation deteriorated.
White Fang Hatake Sakumo committed suicide, the White Fang Squad disbanded, and there were defections of Uchiha and Hyuga, further weakening Konoha's overall strength.
If during the last Shinobi World War, they had fought until Hidden Sand was exhausted, Konoha would have incurred some costs, but it would have been better than the current stalemate. At least Hidden Sand Village would not dare to provoke Konoha again, and this hidden danger here would have been eliminated.
They would only need to focus on dealing with Hidden Rock and guarding against Hidden Cloud.
Even with Konoha's deep reserves, dividing forces across three lines was extremely taxing.
At this moment, a Chunin responsible for urgent dispatches rushed into the meeting tent and said to Orochimaru, "Lord Orochimaru, Elder Danzo is here to visit."