The Third Hokage was troubled, but his concerns were vastly different from those of the Third Kazekage.
As the dust settled on the battlefield, news of Sand Ninja Village's defeat spread far and wide. The stunning loss had shocked many in the ninja world.
The question on everyone's mind: Wasn't the situation on the Kawa no Kuni battlefield stable?
How had Sand Ninja Village suffered such a colossal defeat, forced to retreat back into the Wind Country, turning a total war into a localized conflict?
No matter how desolate the Land of Wind was, having war on home soil was a disaster. The Daimyo of the Wind Country, furious over the news, had been venting his anger daily, verbally berating the leadership of Sand Ninja Village.
The Third Kazekage, as one of the main targets of the Daimyo's ire, bore the brunt of the blame.
While outsiders relished the drama, analyzing the reasons for Sand Ninja Village's defeat, one truth became clear: the loss was largely attributed to Shinki and his devastating puppets.
Shockwaves Across the Ninja World
The puppets that had decimated Sand Ninja forces were now the talk of the ninja world.
In Iwa Ninja Village, Ōnoki, who had heard whispers of Konoha's new puppets, grew wary. He realized that with Shinki's rise, Konoha's danger level had increased significantly.
Initially, other villages dismissed Konoha's puppet development as a minor threat, but the scale of their effectiveness against Sand Ninja forces had caught everyone off guard.
The new puppets were a game-changer.
Chiyo's Bold Plan
In the hastily rebuilt Sand Ninja Village camp, the Third Kazekage sat in deep thought as Chiyo presented her latest proposal.
"Chiyo, are you sure about this? Sharing this crucial information freely seems... excessive," the Third Kazekage said, his brow furrowed.
Chiyo had returned from the village to the frontlines with a bold idea: share the intelligence on Konoha's puppets with Iwa Ninja Village, Kumo Ninja Village, and Kiri Ninja Village for free.
Her rationale? Uniting these villages against Konoha.
"Kazekage-sama," Chiyo began, her tone measured, "we've already suffered significant losses because of these puppets. The entire ninja world is clamoring for information about them. While selling the information would bring some rewards, giving it away for free will yield far greater results."
The Third Kazekage frowned. "Why give it away when we could profit from it?"
"Because," Chiyo said confidently, "by giving it for free, we can create a pervasive threat narrative about Konoha."
She continued, "The village's defeat has already piqued everyone's curiosity about these puppets. If we share detailed intelligence about their capabilities, it will fuel the fear of Konoha's growing strength. Villages like Iwa, Kumo, and Kiri will perceive these puppets as an existential threat."
The Third Kazekage leaned back, considering her words.
Chiyo explained further: "Once these villages feel threatened, they will naturally align with us—even if only superficially. Their mere acknowledgment of this threat will put pressure on Konoha. If we couple the intelligence sharing with offers to cooperate or form alliances, we can gain significant strategic advantages."
The Third Kazekage nodded slowly, beginning to see the wisdom in her plan.
"Konoha has already demonstrated their willingness to deploy these puppets on the battlefield," Chiyo pressed. "If they used them against us, what's stopping them from targeting other villages? This fear will force the other great ninja villages to act."
The Third Kazekage sighed, finally conceding. "You're right. Winning allies is more important than short-term gains. Fine, I'll approve your plan. But don't let me down again, Chiyo."
"I won't," Chiyo promised, her determination unwavering.
Spreading the Threat Narrative
Chiyo wasted no time. She assembled a team of messengers to deliver intelligence scrolls to Iwa Ninja Village, Kumo Ninja Village, and Kiri Ninja Village.
If she was going to make a move, it needed to be big. The more allies they could win over, the more pressure they could place on Konoha.
Chiyo's ultimate goal was clear: paint Shinki and Konoha as the greatest threats to the ninja world, forcing other villages to stand with Sand Ninja Village—even if only out of fear.
Meanwhile, at Konoha's Camp
Unaware of the storm brewing against him, Shinki was focused on more immediate matters.
The arrival of the Daimyo's envoys had caused quite a stir in the camp.
"Are there any wounded needing surgery today?" Shinki asked one of his assistants as he reviewed the day's schedule.
The assistant hesitated. "Well, yes, but… don't you need to greet the envoys, Lord Shinki?"
The assistant found Shinki's priorities surprising. While the surgery wasn't particularly complex, it was something the medical team could handle without his involvement. Surely, meeting the Daimyo's representatives took precedence?
Shinki glanced up, his expression calm. "The envoys can wait. A patient's well-being cannot."
The assistant nodded, impressed but slightly exasperated. It was just like Shinki to prioritize people over politics.
A Brewing Storm
As Shinki prepared for the surgery, Chiyo's messengers were already en route to their destinations, carrying intelligence that would shift the balance of power in the ninja world.
The threat narrative surrounding Konoha and its puppets was about to take center stage, setting the stage for new alliances, betrayals, and an escalation of tensions among the great ninja villages.
Shinki remained unaware of the plot against him, but his actions—both on and off the battlefield—were reshaping the ninja world in ways no one could have predicted.
>>>>>
200 Chapters ahead available on Patreon.com/c/GGFanfiction :)
50% discount code (DDBFC)
Gimme power stonesssss
Also, leave a review please and check out my new story
[Naruto: The Tale of an Otsutsuki]