Could it be that the Four Great Shinobi Villages have launched a direct invasion? Otherwise, how could Sand Village shift so abruptly from defiance yesterday—vowing to make the Four Great Shinobi Villages recognize its resilience—to suddenly announcing its disbandment? How could such a dramatic change occur in just one night?
Akihiko and Hanzo stood in stunned silence, their eyes fixed on Chiyo, who had just announced the dissolution of Sand Village. According to her, the decision was final: Sand Village would be disbanded immediately, and all its shinobi would become wandering ninjas. This sudden shift in the situation left them utterly bewildered.
Naturally, those who disagreed with the dissolution could choose alternative paths: defect to the Land of Wind, join another military force or integrate into one of the other nations. Even though ninjas are pivotal in the shinobi world, great nations maintain their own armies alongside the hidden villages.
The relationship between ninja villages and their respective nations is relatively balanced. It has been over fifty years since the First Hokage proposed the integration of ninjas into the national framework, transforming them from mere mercenaries into integral parts of the state apparatus. This shift ended the earlier, more transient employer-employee dynamic that characterized the Warring States period, when ninja clans frequently fought among themselves and were hired by various nations.
Though, even today, remnants of this practice persist. For instance, after the Third Great Shinobi War, the Daimyo of the Land of Wind delegated certain tasks, once managed by Sunagakure, to Konoha, illustrating the ongoing interplay between ninja villages and their nations.
However, the situation today is far less chaotic than during the Warring States period. For example, today, if a mission endangers their own country, ninjas can refuse to undertake it. In contrast, during the Warring States period, ninja clans would accept any task, regardless of the risk to their own lands.
The establishment of the One Country One Village system by the God of Shinobi changed this dynamic. Villages became integral to their nations, taking on both the responsibility of protecting their country and being hired for missions, which helped mitigate such conflicts.
Although ninja villages are officially subordinate to the Daimyo, their status is relatively equal. For instance, Danzo once threatened the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, expressing his skepticism about the Daimyo's stance on the hidden villages. Even now, many ninjas occasionally voice their dissatisfaction with the Daimyo's policies regarding them.
Therefore, should Sand Village be disbanded, its ninjas would become wandering shinobi, subject to disdain from the broader Shinobi World. Given this, what exactly is Chiyo planning?
"Don't look at me; I have no idea either," Hanzo said, shaking his head and withdrawing his shocked gaze. "Maybe that old hag accepted my offer? After all, I promised her a fair salary!"
Akihiko ignored this 'daydreaming guy' and glanced at the bewildered ninjas around him, some of whom were even swearing to stand by Sunagakure. He shook his head helplessly and sighed, "A village as significant as Sand Village reduced to this… How did it come to this?"
With the evolution of the hidden village system, many villages have taken in numerous orphans over the years—orphans who originally belonged to various nations' civilian populations. Therefore, when a village disbands, it's quite normal for these orphans to join national armies.
This is also why major hidden villages are cautious about teaching ninjutsu indiscriminately in their academies. There's always a concern about potential leaks, especially from orphans who haven't been raised within the village. Consequently, ninjas are only taught advanced techniques after they have proven their loyalty and made significant contributions to the village.
"After all, Adviser Chiyo understands this deeply," Pakura said, approaching with a sigh. "Sand Village can no longer sustain itself. Even if we manage to keep it afloat for a while, it's only a matter of time before it disappears."
Akihiko shook his head, a hint of regret in his voice. "It's a shame. I was hoping to step in and pick up the pieces after Sand Village's conflict with the Four Great Shinobi Villages."
Pakura rolled her eyes internally, thinking, Seriously, is it really okay for you to speak so openly? Even though Chiyo has gone off to inform everyone of her decision, there are still other ninjas around. She mentally cursed Akihiko, Half of Grass Village's bad reputation is due to its unscrupulous nature, and the other half is probably your doing.
Before she could respond, Akihiko continued, "Never mind that. If I had known Sand Village was going to disband, we should have kidnapped the Sand Ninjas last night." He then glanced at the small figure standing beside Pakura and added, "Why is this child with you? You're not planning to take out your grudge against Rasa on a kid, are you?"
"What are you thinking? Gaara is one of ours now!" Pakura snapped back, clearly irritated.
"Ours? As in Grass Village's?" Akihiko raised an eyebrow, puzzled.
"...Sort of!" Pakura gave Akihiko a strange look before sighing. "I'm planning to bring this kid to Grass Village for study."
"Kidnapping, you mean? Looks like you've truly embraced the spirit of a Grass ninja." Akihiko remarked with a hint of pride, though still confused.
So what exactly defines a Grass ninja? Pakura thought, mentally rolling her eyes at Akihiko's proud tone. She then turned serious and said, "You should start considering how to handle the allied forces of the Four Great Shinobi Villages."
"The allied forces of the Four Great Shinobi Villages? Why bother? That's Sand Village's problem." Akihiko waved his hand dismissively. "Our focus should be on whether we can acquire Sand Village's puppet techniques and Magnet Release abilities at a bargain."
However, before Pakura could respond to Akihiko's comment, Chiyo and Ebizō, who had seemingly just finished notifying the village, approached with cheerful expressions.
"No, this is already your problem, Leader Akihiko!" Chiyo declared, her tone serious yet upbeat.
"?" Akihiko was taken aback and responded with a serious tone, "No, it's not. Kusagakure has always sworn never to interfere in the internal affairs of other villages."
"I'm aware," Chiyo sighed, cutting him off before he could say more. She took a scroll from Ebizō, marked with the symbol of Sunagakure, and placed it solemnly in Akihiko's hands. "Now, Sunagakure is your responsibility, Leader Akihiko."
As she passed over the scroll, Akihiko stared at it in stunned silence. He looked up at the smiling faces of Chiyo and Ebizō, the last two advisers of Sand Village, and after a moment of bewildered silence, he could only tilt his head in confusion, "Huh?"
What did they just say?
…
"Next, we, the Four Great Shinobi Villages, will surround and attack Sand Village from all sides," Danzo declared with a serious expression, pointing to the map spread out on the table in the temporary command tent. "Although Sand Village won't surrender easily, they will have no choice but to capitulate eventually when faced with the combined might of our forces."
Danzo's demeanor was not one of underestimating Sand Village but rather a realistic assessment of their current situation. Given their weakened state, how could they hope to withstand the allied forces of the Four Great Shinobi Villages? Surely, they weren't under the illusion that they were on par with their neighboring Grass Village.
With a determined look, Danzo clenched his fist and continued, "Once we've overwhelmed them, Sand Village will have no choice but to convene a Five Kage Summit and agree to our demands to halt the conflict."
As everyone nodded in agreement, Danzo turned to the allied shinobi. "Go! Launch our attack on the Sand ninjas and make it clear that any resistance is futile!"
"Yes!" The allied forces responded in unison, ready to execute the orders.
After watching the allied shinobi depart, Danzo sighed and muttered to himself, "What will you do next, Adviser Chiyo? Will you Collaborate with Grass Village? Will you seek their help?"
However, it wasn't long before a shinobi who had just left came rushing back, his previously serious expression was now replaced with one of bewilderment. "Danzo-sama, they're gone!"
"Gone?" Danzo frowned, puzzled. "What do you mean, 'gone'? The allied forces are following my orders. Of course, they've gone to execute them. What's the problem? Shinobi are supposed to follow orders without question."
"No, not that!" The shinobi, sensing Danzo's irritation, quickly regained his composure but still appeared puzzled. "It's Sand Village that's gone! The stationed Sand ninjas said the village disbanded this morning. They're heading back to pack their things and told us to proceed as we see fit!"
A stunned silence filled the meeting room. Danzo's eyes widened in disbelief. "Wha… what?"