At this point, securing long-term task agreements would be vital, as they could bring much-needed stability to Sand Shinobi. While mining operations may be troublesome, they could at least ease the current crisis.
Negotiating this long-term agreement with Sand Shinobi Village would gradually transform them into Kain's "Mining Ninja Village."
After sending Ebizō and his party away, Kain turned his attention to representatives from the Terumi clan of Kirigakure.
This time, it wasn't Terumi shin who came but his cousin, who brought troubling news.
Terumi shin was dead. The conflict between the Third Mizukage and the Bloodline Limit Ninja Clans had escalated dramatically, reaching a point where dissent led to brutal consequences.
The "Blood Mist" policy had grown increasingly cruel.
Recently, a horrifying example of this policy emerged at the ninja academy. A graduate managed to pass the final exam—but only after killing all his classmates.
"Kain-san, the family is hesitant about relocating everyone," Terumi shin's cousin began. "But some of us don't want to remain in Kirigakure. If there's a way…"
Before he could finish, Kain interrupted. "It's no problem. The Land of Waves, the Land of Tea, or the Land of Fire—these are all places where your people can resettle. Even if some of the Terumi clan choose to stay in Kirigakure, I can still provide assistance."
"Thank you very much, Kain-san," the cousin replied gratefully. His request was driven by the increasingly erratic behavior of the Third Mizukage.
While the war against Cloud Shinobi had been progressing well, the Mizukage inexplicably halted the offensive.
Ignoring the objections of many Jōnin, he instead established the "Blood Mist Unit" and prepared for conflicts with Konoha and Sand Shinobi.
Moreover, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen and the Anbu had become the Mizukage's primary tools for oppressing the Bloodline Limit Ninja Clans.
Any perceived disobedience, no matter how minor, was punished harshly, often resulting in imprisonment in the Anbu's secret facilities.
After hearing these details, Kain decided to infiltrate Kirigakure with his own agents. His goal was to find an opportunity to recruit ninjas with Bloodline Limits.
Although the Blood Mist Rebellion was still years away, even small changes could accelerate its onset.
A Few Months Later
The war had dragged on for more than two years. The rank-and-file ninjas from all sides—Konoha, Sand Shinobi, and even the typically belligerent Cloud Shinobi—were growing weary and eager for a truce.
Despite this, Konoha continued to fortify its defenses to prevent Cloud Shinobi from gaining any further ground.
Cloud Shinobi's two Jinchūriki were no match for Konoha's Nine Tails Jinchūriki, Kushina Uzumaki.
Kushina wasn't just an ordinary Jinchūriki; as a member of the Uzumaki Clan, she wielded the Adamantine Sealing Chains, a unique technique that granted her the ability to suppress tailed beasts.
Furthermore, her mastery of the chains had awakened a Wood Style-like ability to absorb chakra.
If not for the teamwork between Cloud Shinobi's Two-Tails and Eight-Tails Jinchūriki—and Kushina's own inexperience with full-tailed beast transformation—both of them would have been captured by her already.
Cloud Shinobi Camp in the Land of Hot Water
"Father, all the wounded from the last battle have been sent back to the village," the young A reported to the Third Raikage. "This is a message from Dodai. The next wave of reinforcements won't arrive for another month, but…"
A hesitated, cutting himself off as he handed the summons scroll to the Raikage.
The Third Raikage read the rest aloud: "Can we hold out for another six months…"
The Third Raikage fell silent after reading the summons scroll. The Land of Lightning had already suffered significant losses before the war began, and now the daimyo was unwilling to continue funding Cloud Shinobi Village's war efforts.
The Third Raikage understood the daimyo's reluctance to bear the cost of the ongoing conflict, but he couldn't let go of his hatred for Adam.
It wasn't just about avenging Adam—there were also the Six Paths ninja tools. Every time the Third Raikage saw Konoha's Nine Tails Jinchūriki wielding the Banana Fan, it reignited the anger in his heart.
If the war were only focused on Konoha, the daimyo would likely continue his support. The relationship between the Yeyue clan and the daimyo of the Land of Lightning was far closer than that of other ninja villages with their own country's daimyo.
The young A noticed his father's prolonged silence and spoke up. "The Nine Tails Jinchūriki of Konoha is becoming more and more skilled in tailed beast transformations. It's only a matter of time before B and Aimi can no longer stand against her."
Aimi, the current Two-Tails Jinchūriki, was proficient in wielding the Two-Tails' power, but he was growing older and would likely need to be replaced within a few years.
"Let's talk about peace, A," the Third Raikage said at last. "When this war ends, you will inherit the position of Raikage."
His decision carried a weight that even A could sense. The Third Raikage, once a symbol of unyielding strength, now seemed burdened and subdued.
"Father…" A began, but the Raikage cut him off sharply.
"Do it, A!" he commanded, raising his voice. He knew that his duty was to prioritize the future of Cloud Shinobi Village, rather than letting his personal vendettas dictate its fate.
Still, deep in his heart, the Third Raikage silently resolved to recover some of the village's losses, even if it meant sacrificing his own life.
….
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