Chapter 287: Land Of Wind Declares War On Land Of Stars
Two days later, Sand Village.
Scorching winds carried sand grains, blowing over the defensive fortifications at the Sand Village entrance, built from massive rocks.
Several dusty ninja figures slowly approached the village entrance under the blazing sun.
“You’ve had a hard journey, everyone.” The leader, a boy ninja wearing a Sand Village headband, with a kind face and round-framed glasses, smiled at the two Sand Ninja on guard at the door.
His voice was gentle and polite, making people feel favorable toward him.
“Oh, it’s Kabuto. Mission completed?” One of the Sand Ninja on guard clearly knew him and responded with a smile.
“Yes, just a simple bandit extermination mission. It went very smoothly.” Kabuto Yakushi pushed up his glasses, his face showing just the right amount of shyness and humility.
Beside him were Team Leader Yorōjin, a Chunin, and two other slightly fatigued Genin teammates.
After a simple check and pleasantries, the team was allowed to pass and entered the narrow passage leading into the village.
Walking in the somewhat dim passage, Kabuto Yakushi, at the end of the team, subtly scanned the surroundings through his lenses.
The passage sides were steep rock walls artificially reinforced; looking up, only a narrow strip of sky dyed yellowish by wind and sand could be seen.
Sand Village was nestled in this massive canyon, with steep, hard-to-climb rock walls on the east and west sides. This natural barrier concentrated the village’s main defensive forces on this north-south passage.
Without flight capabilities or special ninja tools, even a Jonin would find it extremely difficult to silently scale the rock walls and infiltrate the village.
‘The terrain is perilous, easy to defend and hard to attack…’ Kabuto Yakushi silently noted in his mind.
Nearly four months had passed since the Night of the Uchiha Clan Downfall. He had spent a brief but warm time in Star Capital with his foster mother Nono Yakushi.
It was a rare peaceful period in his life without need for disguise or scheming.
But this peace didn’t last long. Knowing his responsibilities well, he proactively applied to the Star Ninja Anbu to continue undercover missions.
His application was quickly approved.
Drawing on his past undercover experience in Sand Village and his outstanding abilities, he was transferred to the Anbu Intelligence Division, reporting directly to Anbu Intelligence Division Team Leader Mei Terumi and Anbu Commander Kisame Hoshigaki.
His latest mission was to rebuild an all-encompassing intelligence network inside Sand Village, covering ninja information, resident movements, terrain defenses, troop deployments, and more.
This return from a “simple bandit extermination in the desert” mission was one of his routine operations to integrate into the Sand Village Genin group and gather peripheral intelligence.
As the light gradually brightened, the team exited the passage, and the full view of Sand Village appeared before them.
The buildings inside the village were mostly made of sand and rock, forming a unique building complex like a massively raised anthill.
Whether oval or cubic structures, many buildings were connected by sand channels resembling “tree roots” or “pipes,” forming a complex and organic whole that resisted wind and sand while facilitating passage in harsh weather.
Kabuto Yakushi walked with his teammates on the somewhat desolate streets, silently observing the village layout, pedestrian flow, and distribution of various facilities, firmly engraving this information in his mind.
Their destination was the Mission Hall on the ground floor of the Kazekage’s Office.
However, as soon as they entered the Mission Hall, an unusual heavy atmosphere hit them.
Normally not bustling, there were always sounds of ninja talking and handing over missions, but now it was exceptionally quiet. Most ninja present had grave expressions, talking in low voices, with the air filled with repression and unease.
Team Leader Yorōjin immediately sensed something was wrong.
He quickly went to the mission submission window, handed the scroll to a familiar Chunin clerk inside, and asked in a low voice, “What happened in the village? Why is the atmosphere so strange?”
The Chunin clerk first expertly verified the mission scroll and completed registration, then leaned closer, speaking in a voice almost only they could hear: “You don’t know yet? Big news!”
Yorōjin tensed up: “What big news?”
“Rumor has it that two days ago, an elite unit went out on a mission, with many Jonin Lords participating…” The Chunin’s voice dropped even lower: “Then, when they returned yesterday, it was a heavy casualty! I heard… I heard even Advisor Elder Ebizo… fell in battle!”
“What?!” Yorōjin’s face changed abruptly, exclaiming involuntarily before lowering his voice, his face full of disbelief: “Advisor Elder Ebizo?! This… how is this possible?!”
Kabuto Yakushi behind him had a fleeting glint of cold light in his lenses.
On the surface, he maintained the bewildered and tense expression befitting a Genin, but his mind was racing.
Ebizo!
One of Sand Village’s Advisor Elders, an Elite Jonin, in charge of the village’s important Intelligence Department, and a key figure who pushed Rasa to power back then!
Such a high-ranking, powerful ninja had died?
‘What mission was it? What kind of enemy did they encounter?’ Kabuto Yakushi’s brain analyzed rapidly.
This was absolutely crucial intelligence!
He carefully controlled his breathing and expression, like a real Genin shocked by the news, slightly shrinking his neck while perking up his ears, not missing any possible information.
His two Genin teammates beside him looked bewildered, clearly not yet realizing what this news meant.
Of course, for ordinary Genin, high-level advisors like Ebizo might not even have heard the name.
Soon, without them needing to inquire, an even more explosive piece of news, centered on the Kazekage’s Office, rapidly spread through Sand Village, causing a huge shock!
The Land of Wind had formally declared war on the Land of Stars!
The dark cloud of war instantly enveloped the entire Sand Village.
Ninja were urgently mobilized, the Mission Hall became even busier and more chaotic, with various orders and dispatches issued continuously.
On the streets, the previously leisurely atmosphere vanished, replaced by a tense and murderous tension like a storm about to break.
Sand Village seemed to return overnight to the heavy state of full mobilization during the Third Great Ninja War.
Kabuto Yakushi silently left the Mission Hall with the team after completing the mission submission, walking on the suddenly bustling streets, fully aware in his heart.
‘Ebizo’s death, the declaration of war on the Land of Stars… looks like Lord Shura is making big moves.’ He pushed up his glasses, firmly memorizing this important change in the situation, which would be key for future intelligence analysis.
At the same time, on the top floor of the Kazekage’s Office, in a heavily guarded meeting room.
Fourth Kazekage Rasa sat wearily in the main seat, with a special communication screen in front of him displaying the figure of the Land of Wind Daimyo Sato Masaki.
This Daimyo wore a luxurious kimono, habitually holding a refined folding fan, with a hint of doubt on his face.
“Rasa, this battle… must it be fought?” Sato Daimyo’s voice came through the speaker, carrying the tone unique to those in power.
Rasa frowned, slightly surprised in his heart.
He clearly remembered that a few years ago, when the Land of Stars first rose and slaughtered nobles and Daimyo in the Land of Bears, Land of Shadows, and other places with thunderous means, this Land of Wind Daimyo had been filled with righteous indignation, hating the Land of Stars and “Shura” to the bone, almost wanting to immediately send ninja to exterminate them.
He had even been dissatisfied with his own refusal.
How, in just three or five years, had his attitude become hesitant?
Rasa’s gaze swept over the obviously expensive artworks and luxuries in the background behind the Daimyo on the screen, suddenly gaining a flash of understanding.
Probably, in these years, the novel goods and huge trade profits from the Land of Stars had let this Daimyo taste the benefits, and perhaps the Daimyo’s Mansion had secret dealings with the Land of Stars…
Rasa cursed inwardly, suppressed his guesses and slight displeasure, and put on a pained yet determined expression on his face, explaining to the screen: “Your Excellency Daimyo, it is not us who initiated the war.”
“The Star Ninja brazenly invaded our Land of Wind territory, killing fifteen of our elite ninja in the ‘Sea of Death’ area, and they even abducted the Jinchūriki, our village’s important strategic weapon!”
“Now, they are even building defenses within our borders! This is not only an insult to Sand Village but also to Your Excellency Daimyo. If we do not strike back hard, where is the dignity of the Land of Wind? How can Sand Village stand in the Ninja World?”
He deliberately concealed the true details of the Sea of Death battle, such as how their side dispatched an elite unit personally led by him, including many Jonin and elders, yet suffered a disastrous defeat return with far more than fifteen casualties, even Ebizo falling in battle, and elites like Baki and Yakura all wounded.
He knew well that if the Daimyo learned of such heavy losses in Sand Village’s high-end combat power, the other side might choose to let it go due to concerns and stinginess over military funds.
But with the One-Tails Jinchūriki abducted and Ebizo and others fallen, not fighting this battle would make his Kazekage position unstable.
As for whether they could win the war?
If every war required full certainty before starting, the world wouldn’t have so many wars and disputes.
Indeed, he successfully aroused the Daimyo’s vigilance and anger.
On the screen, Sato Daimyo stopped fanning upon hearing “Jinchūriki abducted,” his lazy expression vanishing, turning serious.
Sato Daimyo had originally thought that the godforsaken Sea of Death, nothing but sand, without even a taxable oasis village, could be sold to the Land of Stars if they wanted it.
But the nature of the Jinchūriki abduction was completely different!
That was one of the most important strategic deterrent forces for a country and a ninja village!
This concerned national dignity and his ruling stability—it was a bottom line that absolutely could not be conceded lightly!
If even their own Jinchūriki couldn’t be protected, could the Land of Wind still claim to be a great power?
Other countries might gang up on them, and even Konoha in the Land of Fire, this “ally,” might stab them in the back.
Sato Daimyo shook his folding fan, asking gravely: “Then, Your Excellency Kazekage, what are your odds of victory? To what extent do you plan to fight this battle? If other countries, like the Land of Fire or Land of Earth, intervene, what then?”
Seeing the Daimyo’s attitude soften, Rasa immediately perked up and laid out his plan: “Please rest assured, Your Excellency Daimyo! I have urgently sent people to contact our ally, Konohagakure in the Land of Fire, and also dispatched diplomatic envoys to Stone Village in the Land of Earth. If possible, I hope to form a joint army of the Lands of Wind, Fire, and Earth to collectively subjugate the Land of Stars, this public enemy of the Ninja World!”
“Konoha and Stone Village?” Sato Daimyo nodded upon hearing this: “I’ve also heard that Konoha has a grudge against that Shura. As an ally, they should send troops or money to help, both emotionally and rationally.”
“However… that Third Tsuchikage Onoki in Stone Village is said to be a cunning old fox. Will he send troops without sufficient benefits?”
Rasa had already considered this and explained: “Your Excellency Daimyo, the Land of Stars shares a long borderline with the Land of Earth, with direct territorial disputes.”
“Alone, that isn’t enough to make that old fox Onoki move ninja. But if Your Excellency personally contacts the Land of Earth Daimyo, promising joint division of Land of Stars territory and wealth, it should be enough to sway them.”
“After all, the Land of Stars has developed rapidly these years; the Ghost River Plains it controls are fertile, with booming commerce—a tantalizing piece of fat meat.”
Hearing “divide the Land of Stars,” Sato Daimyo’s eyes on the screen clearly lit up, his face showing greed.
He had long heard of the Land of Stars growing increasingly prosperous.
The Land of Stars had not only become a commercial hub in the western Ninja Continent, exporting large amounts of grain annually to land- and grain-poor Lands of Wind and Earth, amassing great wealth.
If he could get a share… it would be a huge temptation for the Land of Earth Daimyo too.
Sato Daimyo finally nodded, making his decision: “Alright! In that case, the matter of war against the Land of Stars is fully entrusted to you! The Daimyo’s Mansion will specially allocate a sum of war funds, paid at the standards of the Third Great Ninja War period!”
“For the Land of Fire and Land of Earth Daimyo, I will personally write to communicate. As for specific negotiations with Konohagakure and Stone Village and joint army coordination, that will be handled by you, the Kazekage!”
“Yes! Thank you for your support, Your Excellency Daimyo! Rasa will not fail the trust!” Rasa responded solemnly, slightly relieved in his heart.
With the Daimyo’s support and funds, at least the war machine could start turning.
The communication screen went dark.
Rasa breathed a sigh of relief and turned to the side: “Chiyo Elder, Your Excellency Daimyo has agreed to go to war. Please… accept my condolences.”
From the shadows in the corner of the meeting room, a figure slowly emerged.
It was Chiyo Granny, her face haggard, her eyes burning with bone-deep hatred.
Her brother Ebizo’s death had thoroughly ignited the long-suppressed grief and rage in her heart. At this moment, she had only one thought—revenge against the Land of Stars!
To sacrifice her brother’s soul with the enemy’s blood!
The news of the Land of Wind declaring war on the Land of Stars spread like it had wings, quickly throughout the Ninja World.
It also reached Konohagakure in the Land of Fire.
In the Hokage’s Office, Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi sat behind the large desk, holding an intelligence scroll on Sand Village movements just compiled and delivered by Anbu, as well as the diplomatic document from Sand Village requesting Konoha fulfill ally obligations and jointly send troops.
He slowly exhaled a smoke ring, a hint of surprise on his face.
According to the secret intelligence previously sent back by Kakashi, the Kakashi team’s operation disguised as Star Ninja to frame the Land of Stars in the Land of Earth shouldn’t have reached the Land of Wind border yet.
How had the Land of Wind and Land of Stars started a major conflict so quickly?
However, this surprise was soon replaced by a satisfied expression.
‘Whatever the specific reason, conflict between the Land of Wind and Land of Stars is exactly the result I desired.’
He placed the scroll on the desk and looked at the two Advisor Elders seated to the side.
Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane.
“Koharu, Homura, what do you think of Sand Village’s request for aid?”
Koharu Utatane adjusted her glasses and spoke first, a hint of excitement in her tone: “Hiruzen, this is good news! War between the Land of Stars and Sand Village of the Land of Wind—regardless of who wins, it will greatly consume their strength, extremely beneficial to our Konoha.”
“I think we can appropriately dispatch some ninja troops to join the war and support Sand Village, fulfilling ally obligations while gaining a deeper understanding of the Land of Stars’ true combat power, and even… have a chance to gain benefits at key moments.”
Homura Mitokado was more cautious, shaking her head: “Koharu, dispatching ninja troops to join the war requires careful consideration.”
“The Land of Fire is far from the Land of Stars, separated by countries like the Land of Rivers and Land of Rain. Sending ninja troops would bring huge logistics supply pressure, and even if we help Sand Village win, we couldn’t cross such distances to divide the Land of Stars’ land; at most, we’d get some monetary or material compensation. Input may not match output.”
“I think providing Sand Village with supplies and funds support is more stable.”
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded, took a puff of smoke, and said slowly: “Homura’s concerns are valid. Distance is indeed the biggest issue. We…”
“We must dispatch ninja troops to join the war!”
At that moment, a voice interrupted Hiruzen Sarutobi, and the office door was “bang” pushed open.
Shimura Danzō, half his face covered in bandages, entered expressionlessly on his cane, followed silently by Yuruma Aburame.
Koharu Utatane slightly turned her head to look at this old friend but said nothing.
“What nonsense are you spouting now?!” Homura Mitokado spoke with some displeasure.
Hiruzen Sarutobi’s brows immediately furrowed, scolding: “Danzō! You’re no longer Root leader or Advisor Elder! Who allowed you to barge into the Hokage’s Office?!”
However, Danzō ignored the scoldings from Homura Mitokado and Hiruzen Sarutobi. His single eye swept over the three in the office, and in a low voice, he dropped a bombshell that changed all their expressions.
“According to top-secret intelligence I just received, Sand Village’s One-Tails Jinchūriki is suspected to have been abducted by that ‘Shura’!”
“What?!” This time, even Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn’t stay calm, abruptly standing from his seat, unaware that his pipe had slipped from his mouth!
The One-Tails Jinchūriki seized?!
No wonder Sand Village declared war on the Land of Stars.
