"This is not the time for sentimentality."
"What we must do now is seize the Land of Grass at the fastest possible speed."
"The Fire-Earth Alliance cannot afford even the slightest mistake!"
Sakura skillfully pulled out a map of the ninja world from beneath the tea table, then swept aside the cups and teapot sitting atop it.
Her movements were so quick that one of the antique tea cups fell and shattered on the floor.
However, neither Sakura nor Nara Shikaku paid any mind to such a small matter. Only Hiruzen Sarutobi's brow twitched slightly.
Another one of my antique tea cups… gone…
Hiruzen walked over to where the map had been spread out on the table.
"As I was saying, the Land of Grass is like a thorn stuck between the Fire and Earth nations. Though it may appear insignificant, it is in fact a vital artery between our two allied lands."
Sakura's slender finger pointed directly to the symbol representing the Land of Grass. She continued:
"With its obvious geographical position, anyone with half a brain can see the strategic importance."
"What's more, it lies right next to the Land of Rain and the Land of Waterfalls."
"Among the smaller nations, these two are not to be underestimated."
"Teaming up with Iwagakure, we must take this region with utmost speed. Both sides will dispatch 500 ninja to garrison the area and hold position. We must not provoke unnecessary enemies."
A thousand ninja—neither a small number nor a particularly large one.
But it would serve as a stabilizer to the Land of Rain and the Land of Waterfalls. If either wanted to seize the territory guarded by the Fire-Earth Alliance, they could do it—but not without paying a heavy price.
The Land of Rain, of course, was home to the Akatsuki. Sakura had neither the interest nor the strength to confront that organization just yet.
The Land of Waterfalls, on the other hand, was arguably the most powerful of the smaller nations after the Land of Rain. It was home to the Seven-Tails, Chōmei.
Back then, they had spent a fortune to purchase the Seven-Tails from Konoha. In hindsight, it had been a shrewd investment. Thanks to the power of the tailed beast, not a single war among the three Great Ninja Wars had touched the Land of Waterfalls.
"Sunagakure won't sit by and watch as we and Iwagakure seize the Land of Grass."
Nara Shikaku suddenly interjected.
"That's right."
"There are only two options for Rasa if he wants to stop our plan."
Sakura's finger slid slightly, pointing toward the Land of Rain.
"He could join forces with the Land of Rain and send reinforcements to the Land of Grass."
A faint smile curled on her lips as she continued:
"But if they form an alliance and want to send troops to reinforce the Land of Grass, they'll have to march through the Land of Rain."
"Do you think anyone will agree to such a decision, old man?"
—
Land of Rain — Amegakure
Amegakure was a fortress of steel built under gloomy skies. It was as if the entire nation were weeping. Yet, from this land of sorrow rose some of the strongest shinobi in the world.
"Impossible. Don't bring this up again."
Inside the highest tower of the city, bright lights shone through the windows, illuminating the rainy night beyond.
The atmosphere was tense. Four figures clad in black cloaks adorned with red clouds were gathered around a table on which a map of the ninja world lay spread out.
The man at the head of the table had spiky orange hair, purple ripple-patterned eyes, and black studs embedded in his face. His cold expression and unusual features gave him an aura that seemed beyond human.
"Pain, do you realize how powerful the alliance of Fire and Earth will be?" asked the man opposite him—also wearing the Akatsuki cloak—with a swirling orange mask covering his face.
"No matter how powerful the alliance, in the eyes of a god, they are no more than insects."
Pain calmly rejected the masked man's suggestion.
"Under no circumstances will Sunagakure be allowed passage through the Land of Rain. That is non-negotiable."
The cold voice came from a beautiful woman with short blue hair, a paper flower tucked in her bangs, and a piercing in her lower lip.
The masked man fell silent, clearly displeased.
"If Fire and Earth join forces and split their army to attack the Land of Wind, Sunagakure won't be able to withstand them."
"If the Land of Wind falls, the Land of Rain will be surrounded by a force larger than anything ever seen before."
"Enemies on all sides."
As soon as the masked man finished speaking, the last individual in the room raised his hand.
Although, calling him a "person" was perhaps inaccurate.
From the neck down, his body was wrapped in a giant carnivorous plant. Even his face was split between black and white halves.
"Latest news—Kumogakure has made a move against the Land of Fire~!"
"And I'm guessing the Land of Frost will erupt into conflict soon too~~!"
The white side of the strange plant creature spoke with a cheerful, sing-song tone.
His words made the masked man glance in his direction. A flash of crimson flared under the orange mask—clearly displeased by the plant man's tone.
"If Konoha doesn't want to make too many enemies, then attacking the Land of Rain would be an even worse idea."
"On the contrary, they might even try to win us over for support in a two-front war."
The blue-haired woman spoke softly.
But to the masked man, her tone sounded unmistakably sarcastic.
After a long silence, the masked man looked at the man with ripple-patterned eyes and said:
"Pain, you will regret this."
"Madara, I am the leader of Amegakure."
Pain's voice remained calm as he stared down the man before him.
'Madara' stared back for a long moment, then turned and walked toward the door.
BANG!
The heavy door slammed behind him.
The blue-haired woman frowned slightly at his rude departure.
"Hehehe… I'll just go collect more intel then…"
The plant creature laughed awkwardly, as if suddenly realizing the tension in the room. With that, he sank into the ground and vanished.
"Konan, I won't allow the Land of Rain to be dragged into war."
Pain said quietly, staring out at the falling rain beyond the window.
"Nagato, I believe in you."
The woman called Konan also turned to the rain outside, her voice soft.
No matter what happened, this was the country that Yahiko had dreamed of changing.
He had even given his life for that dream.
And they had carried that dream forward ever since.
"Konan, inform Kisame and Kakuzu to prepare to enter the battlefield between the Fire-Earth Alliance and Sunagakure in the capacity of hired mercenaries."
"While we won't grant passage through our territory, we also can't let Sunagakure collapse so easily."
"As Madara said, the Land of Wind cannot fall."
"At least not to the hands of the Fire-Earth Alliance."
Those purple ripple-patterned eyes stared into the rainy night, dark and lifeless.
(End of Chapter)
---