With the situation in the Rain Country becoming clearer, the multi-nation conflict began shifting.
Sunagakure's forces in the Rain Country had been no match for the combined might of the Demi-God Hanzo and the Sannin.
This forced Chiyo to lead a large-scale retreat, withdrawing both supplies and troops.
Moments later, the tense silence in the Kazekage's office was broken.
Chiyo stormed in, holding a scroll in her hand.
"Ebizo, with the remaining supplies and manpower, can we relaunch our campaign in the Rain Country?"
Ebizo hesitated, his gaze shifting to the scroll in Chiyo's hand.
"Sister… what are you planning?"
"Ohnoki doesn't want to lose his hold in the Rain Country," Chiyo said, slamming the scroll onto the table.
"He's offering us an alliance."
"If we send our forces back, Iwagakure will remain under the command of Shiraiwa. They'll send their Explosion Corps, and—if things get desperate—they're even willing to deploy the Tailed Beasts!"
Ebizo's brows furrowed.
"They're willing to use Tailed Beasts?"
"That's not like the cautious and calculating Ōnoki," he muttered.
"He's taking a gamble… and that's not something he does lightly."
Chiyo's voice remained firm.
"This is our only chance to win this war."
She exhaled, her tone shifting.
"The Kazekage is currently marching toward the Fire Country. He has the upper hand now because of White Fang's injuries—but Sarutobi Hiruzen is still in Konoha."
"If Hiruzen enters the battlefield, even the Kazekage won't be able to win."
"Not to mention the Uchiha Clan, Konoha's trump card, has yet to fully mobilize."
Ebizo understood her reasoning.
Konoha was deliberately holding back—saving its strongest forces for the right moment.
And as long as they had that advantage, Sunagakure couldn't win.
"Our original goal of expanding into the Fire Country has failed," Chiyo admitted.
"Now, the only option left is to loot as many resources as possible before we lose our momentum."
"The only battlefield left for us… is the Rain Country."
If Sunagakure successfully conquered the Rain Country, it would change the war's entire geography.
The three great nations of Wind, Fire, and Earth would share a direct border, removing the small buffer countries between them.
For Konoha, this meant they would be defending on multiple fronts—from the River Country, the Grass Country, and the Rain Country simultaneously.
For the Land of Wind, the stakes were even higher.
The country was naturally poor, and its desert climate made water resources scarce.
But the Rain Country, with its constant storms and overflowing rivers, was the complete opposite—an oasis compared to the barren sands of Wind Country.
Even though the ninjas didn't understand the scientific reasons behind the climate differences, they knew one thing—whoever controlled the Rain Country controlled its resources.
And Sunagakure desperately needed those resources.
Ebizo sighed, pulling several forms from a drawer.
He adjusted his glasses, scanning the numbers carefully.
"There are currently 123 active Jonin in the village," he began.
"Of those, 14 are still recovering from injuries, including Ishido."
"The western coastline requires at least 15 Jonin to remain on border defense."
"The village itself needs 30 Jonin for internal security and basic protection."
"That's 59 Jonin who can't be deployed."
He tapped the scroll.
"The Kazekage's offensive has 43 Jonin assigned to the eastern front."
"That leaves us with just 21 mobilizable Jonin."
Ebizo let out a slow breath.
"Subtracting the elders, including yourself, Chiyo… that means we have only 20 Jonin available."
Chiyo remained silent.
"The puppet troops…"
"The intelligence division…"
Ebizo methodically sorted through the remaining forces.
"The village's logistical supplies—ninja tools, food pills, medical kits—are barely enough to sustain one more major campaign."
"But we don't have the manpower, Chiyo."
"Our high-end combat forces are stretched too thin."
"Even if Iwagakure is in better shape than us, it's not by much."
"We can hold the line against Amegakure and Konoha, but if we can't secure a decisive victory soon, our logistics will collapse."
"If that happens…"
"We'll be lucky if we escape with our lives."
Chiyo clenched her fists.
"Sister, don't let your hatred cloud your judgment," Ebizo warned.
"The competition between villages isn't won overnight."
"In a few years, when Rasa, Karura, and the younger generation grow stronger—when Hiriito and Sasori mature—our odds will improve."
Chiyo's voice was low.
"I can't let go of their deaths," she admitted.
"But I also know what must be done."
"If we want to buy time for the next generation to grow, we need resources."
"And to get those resources, we must win battles."
"Our Daimyo is cutting military funding. Our village is poor. If we don't fight and take what we need, we'll starve before the next war even begins!"
Ebizo sighed heavily.
"Sister… how much do you truly believe that?"
He knew Chiyo too well.
Her stubbornness gave her extraordinary strength—but also made her reckless.
Her talent and skill gave her confidence—but overconfidence led to disaster.
And her grief over Sasori's parents' deaths made her dangerously extreme.
Chiyo didn't answer.
Instead, she turned to Karasuke.
Karasuke rubbed his chin, glancing between the two siblings.
"If we're sending forces back to the Rain Country," he said slowly, "then I'll probably have to go as well."
"And that means…"
"My team will be dragged in, too."
Chiyo crossed her arms.
"I'll put your team in the reserve forces," she said.
"They'll remain protected."
"Also…"
Her next words made Karasuke's head snap up.
"I'll personally take Hiriito as my disciple."
For a moment, the room was silent.
Karasuke's eyes widened.
If Chiyo took Hiriito as an apprentice, it meant she would personally ensure his safety.
Ebizo laughed softly, shaking his head.
"That's funny," he said.
"Because I was planning to take him as my disciple first."
End of Chapter
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