Inside the Hidden Sand Village, Shiraishi flipped through the reports of the nonsensical conflict.
"Why would the Stone and Cloud engage in such a violent confrontation, even sacrificing tens of thousands of ninjas just to kill the Raikage?"
"Information is limited, but it seems Onoki was not the primary mastermind behind this specific escalation," replied Arashi Arakawa, now the head of the intelligence department.
Based on his judgment, the clash between the Stone and Cloud was likely pushed by an outside force.
Deliberately shattering the four-way encirclement of the Leaf seemed like something the Leaf itself would do, yet Shiraishi felt it wasn't that simple.
He instinctively sensed the "black hand" hiding behind the curtains of the ninja world, once again steering the script toward its desired evolution.
"Arashi, you will handle the negotiations with the Daimyo."
Shiraishi handed a pre-stamped official document to Arashi. Though the Land of Rivers and the Land of Rain were small nations, formal approval from the Daimyo was still required—at least on paper.
Seeing Arashi's hesitant expression, Shiraishi knew what he was thinking. "The Daimyo will understand us."
Declaring war on two of the Leaf's allies without prior approval, only to ask the Daimyo to "backdate" the stamp afterward... Arashi had never seen such a bold, borderline-treasonous maneuver.
Ninjas of this world typically viewed the Daimyo's authority as absolute, but Shiraishi didn't care. With the resources and strength he now wielded, he could bypass the Daimyo entirely.
Unlike the Fire Daimyo, who fully supported the Leaf's military actions with endless resources, the Wind Daimyo focused solely on cutting the Sand's budget and forcing an "elite-only" strategy.
He was a literal ball and chain.
If Ebizo hadn't insisted on maintaining appearances, Shiraishi wouldn't have even bothered sending the letter; he would have simply issued the order in Rasa's name.
"I understand," Arashi said, bowing.
The Leaf's Reaction
The Hidden Stone was currently in a dire position, suppressed on two fronts as the Leaf's counterattacks grew more ferocious. At Kannabi Bridge, the "Yellow Flash" of the Leaf had become a living nightmare for the Stone, his god-like speed terrifying all who faced him.
In a high-level meeting in the Hidden Leaf, the Third Hokage was about to breathe a sigh of relief when several ANBU members burst into the room.
"Report, Lord Hokage! The Hidden Sand has officially declared war on the Land of Rivers and the Land of Rain!"
The room fell deathly silent. The elders and high-ranking officials stared at the intelligence with rising fury. Danzo crushed the cup in his hand, his expression twisting into a mask of rage.
While the Sand hadn't technically declared war on the Leaf, attacking their allies was a blatant act of aggression.
Worse, the timing hit the Leaf exactly where it hurt. Intelligence showed that the Sand had gathered sixteen battle divisions—nearly 3,000 ninjas—for a full-scale invasion of the Land of Rivers.
Countless puppets, modified with Ryaku (Dragon Vein) energy, were being deployed. Unlike the fragile puppets of the old era, these new models were high-quality and possessed high-speed regenerative capabilities.
The hundred or so Leaf ninjas stationed in the Rivers were powerless to stop them and had retreated to the Uchiha Clan's southern base.
"The Uchiha clan has pulled back to the Fire Country border and has not initiated a counterattack," a scout reported.
Danzo's face darkened, but the Third Hokage raised a hand to stop him. "The Uchiha base only has a thousand men. Consolidating the defense line is the correct choice. Do not be overly sensitive!"
The Wind Daimyo's Fury
In the Wind Capital, a declaration of war against the Leaf—written in the name of the Kazekage—sat on the Daimyo's desk. Arashi Arakawa stood before him as the messenger.
"Rasa wants to go to war with the Leaf?" The Daimyo rubbed his eyes groggily, trying to verify the signature. He quickly realized it didn't matter; Black Mist Shiraishi had already moved his troops.
"Since the Kazekage—or rather, the Sand ninjas—have such grand ambitions, I shall support them. Hehe."
The Daimyo's voice was dry. It was good to let the ninjas vent their energy, but this "act first, report later" attitude was a direct slap to his authority. The atmosphere in the hall became stifling.
"Thank you, Lord Daimyo," Arashi said. He took the stamped document and walked out with a steady gaze. To the Daimyo, Arashi's stride looked insufferably arrogant.
As the doors closed, the Daimyo's eyes flashed with rage. "These ninjas are getting bolder. In the past, they at least informed me before starting a world war.
Who does this Black Mist Shiraishi think he is? Is he the Daimyo or am I?"
Shiraishi's dominance exceeded the Daimyo's expectations. Over the years, through arms dealing, maritime trade, and terraforming, Shiraishi had amassed a fortune.
Combined with his Magnet Release for mining, his faction had become so powerful it was eclipsing the throne. It was rumored his stockpile of Paper Bombs alone now matched the entire village's reserve from before the war started in Year 43.
The Shadows Move
"Madara, why are you helping the Leaf this time?"
In a mysterious, pitch-black cavern, a withered, elderly man coughed violently while watching the world's events unfold.
"The total destruction of the Leaf does not fit the original plan," the legendary Madara Uchiha replied, his voice a raspy whisper. "So I pulled a few small strings to make the Stone and Cloud slaughter each other."
With the Stone facing both the Cloud and the Leaf, their defeat was only a matter of time. This would allow the Leaf to turn its attention back to the Sand.
"Cough... has that brat woken up yet?" Madara asked. The man who once made the ninja world tremble was now just a dying husk.
"Not yet. His injuries were severe."
From the ruins near Kannabi Bridge, they had retrieved a descendant of the Uchiha clan. His potential was the final piece Madara needed to complete his grand design.
Madara turned toward the shadows. "Begin the preparations for the plan in the Hidden Mist."
"Hehe, as you wish..."
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