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The Kusagakure Daimyo, his voice stammering, finally seemed to grasp the situation. "Konoha and Iwagakure—they truly intend to wage war on our land?!"
"This is unacceptable! I refuse to suffer the same fate as the Amegakure Daimyo."
During the Second Shinobi World War, Amegakure, once a powerful nation with a formidable Hidden Village, had seen its economy regress decades overnight.
Its infrastructure was decimated, its commercial environment shattered.
Its citizens either fled or perished, the survivors forced into servitude by the invading nations, used as human mine detectors—An entire generation of young men was lost.
As a result, the Amegakure Daimyo's standing amongst his peers plummeted.
Once a respected figure at daimyo gatherings, after the war, he was reduced to wearing women's clothing, performing sword dances at banquets for their amusement. It was even rumored that the Raikage, a true alpha male, had—done some very strange things to the cross-dressing Amegakure Daimyo…
No! I refuse to let that happen!
The Kusagakure Daimyo, agitated, clenched his fists. "Connect me to the Fire and Earth Daimyo's red hotline immediately! If I speak with them personally, they will surely grant me face..."
While Kusagakure's Hidden Village wasn't particularly strong, they'd always maintained a policy of neutrality, appeasing both sides, offending neither. Their Village had adopted techniques from various nations, and the Kusagakure Daimyo was well-respected amongst his peers.
The elders exchanged glances and nodded. It was their only option.
The red hotline was quickly connected.
But this time, his "Face-Face Fruit" ability failed...
The Fire and Earth Daimyo didn't even deign to speak with him.
In peacetime, the daimyo feigned camaraderie, bolstering each other's prestige to maintain control over their Nobles and Shinobi. But during wartime, when their interests were at stake, such pleasantries were discarded.
Might made right!
Since Kusagakure's Hidden Village was weak—its wealth was ripe for the picking, its land a banquet table for the ravenous Shinobi forces.
Thump—
The Kusagakure Daimyo collapsed into his chair, his face pale, his eyes filled with despair.
Their intentions were clear—to turn Kusagakure into the next Amegakure!
If they must fight, why not fight in Amegakure?! Why did Hanzō's non-aggression pact hold true? Was it because of their isolationist policies?
"Even my personal intervention is useless."
"No, no, this can't be…" the Daimyo muttered, his eyes suddenly brightening as a thought occurred to him.
Since war on his soil was inevitable, what was the best course of action for him, the Daimyo?
....
A. Knock out all his teeth, replace them with dentures, then, amidst the ruins of his bombed-out nation, deliver a rousing "We shall fight on the beaches" speech.
Benefit: Rally the people, solidifying his rule for generations. Brute force alone would no longer shake the people's faith in their Daimyo. After the war, with the people's support, and by training a "Grass Will," Kusagakure's strength might, in a decade or two, rival the five great Villages.
Drawback: Potential for decapitation.
B. Surrender, fully cooperate with one side against the other. Open the gates for the invaders.
Benefit: Back the winning horse. As a member of the victorious alliance, reap the spoils of war. Drawback: Betray his people, fostering widespread resentment. The Daimyo's authority, undermined by a populace seething with anger, could be overthrown from below.
C. Flee with the accumulated wealth of generations to the Land of Sound, a relatively peaceful nation with the potential to become the next Land of Iron, a "neutral territory." While Otogakure was a Konoha vassal, the Land of Sound was still a major nation, with its own Daimyo. Attacking it would have political ramifications…
The lives and thoughts of the common people of Kusagakure—what did they matter to the Daimyo?
Leave a few loyal Shinobi to maintain remote control, while the Daimyo, representing Kusagakure's elite, fled to the Land of Sound. Let the war rage on outside; he would live in peace.
The Kusagakure Daimyo had also lost a considerable sum in the tulip bubble, but he still possessed some wealth.
Benefit: Escape the maelstrom of war, live as a respected, carefree Daimyo.
Drawback: After the war, having not chosen a side, he would receive no spoils from the victorious alliance. He would lose the respect of his people, becoming an outcast.
....
But... he would be safe.
The Kusagakure Daimyo, after a moment of thought, asked, "Who do you think will win—Konoha or the Allied Shinobi Forces?"
"The Allied Shinobi Forces!" The Elders, his military advisors, answered without hesitation. "Regardless, according to our intelligence, the Allied Shinobi Forces have amassed over sixty thousand Shinobi. Sixty thousand versus a single Konoha—the advantage is theirs!"
"Good! In that case…" The Daimyo gritted his teeth, making his decision. He pointed to an elder. "You! Send an envoy to the Allied Shinobi Forces tonight! Pledge our allegiance! I, too, will send an envoy to meet with the Earth Daimyo. We may not contribute Shinobi, but we will provide the Allied forces with every convenience!"
"Kusagakure—will stand with the victors!"
Having issued his command, the Daimyo immediately rose, instructing his attendant to pack his belongings.
The elders were bewildered. "Daimyo, where are you going?"
"Since Kusagakure will become the main battlefield, and I know nothing of war, I entrust the nation to you. As for me—I will retreat to a secure rear area and witness Kusagakure's rise!"
"And where is this—rear area?"
"The Land of Sound!"
"Daimyo, how can this be?! With war imminent, we need you in the mansion to maintain morale! Besides, the Land of Sound was built with Konoha's aid. Can your safety truly be guaranteed?"
"Hmph! My decision is final! No more discussion! I may not understand Shinobi affairs, but I understand politics."
"Since Konoha has established this precedent, they won't dare tarnish their reputation."
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The war between Konoha and the Allied Shinobi Forces began.
Without warning, without a formal declaration, the Shinobi forces amassed on Kusagakure's border launched their attack.
Dozens of Hidden Villages, bound by interest, united, launching an unjust war of aggression against Konoha.
To redraw the map of the Shinobi World, to seize hegemony. The warring factions poured all their resources into the conflict, engaging in a fierce struggle on military, political, economic, cultural, technological, and diplomatic fronts…
The scope was vast, the participating Villages numerous, the resources consumed immense, the destruction to the environment and the peaceful order—unprecedented.
This was—the Fourth Shinobi World War.
In truth, once the situation escalated to this point, even those with no desire to be involved had no choice.
Everyone was at war; not participating meant being an outcast. After the war, those who remained neutral would be labeled as defeated nations, facing retribution. The excuse: possessing dangerous weapons, requiring further investigation…
Only Takigakure, with its Tailed Beast as a trump card, could refuse the coercion and inducements of the four great nations, avoiding retribution. They truly possessed a dangerous weapon!
Through coercion and inducement, another Shinobi force was hastily assembled.
The Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki, the Fourth Raikage A, the Fifth Kazekage Baki, and the acting Mizukage Ao stood side-by-side on a high cliff. Below them were the five Shinobi divisions.
The Allied Shinobi Forces—on parade!
Iwagakure, Kumogakure, Sunagakure, Kirigakure, and the joint forces of the smaller Villages…
A teeming mass of Shinobi.
But their morale was low, their spirits dampened.
And why not?
They had to purchase their own equipment, and there was no guarantee of compensation for death. The Village was essentially getting free labor. Who would endure such treatment? But having been conscripted, there was no retreat.
The elite Anbu Shinobi, forming the rearguard, their exploding tags and shuriken of superior quality, were a constant threat. Perhaps not used against Konoha, but against any who showed signs of desertion—they would be ruthless.
....
"Now, the war begins!" Ōnoki commanded.
The massive Shinobi force surged forward, entering Kusagakure, then—stopping.
What you imagined: Two armies clashing, ninjutsu against ninjutsu. Decapitation strikes, torrents of Shinobi tools…
The reality: The Allied Shinobi Forces broke into smaller units, receiving orders from the four Kage's command center, and engaged in guerrilla warfare with Konoha in the dense forests of Kusagakure.
Iwagakure, however, methodically established defensive lines, steadily advancing towards the Land of Fire border.
And Konoha's response was simple—
Repel the enemy at the border!
The Fifth Hokage's command was absolute—the Allied Shinobi Forces would not set foot in the Land of Fire!
Under this directive, the two sides engaged in a high-intensity conflict within Kusagakure.
However, Konoha's forces, being outnumbered, had to remain mobile, establishing defensive lines, halting the enemy's advance.
Nara Shikaku personally went to the front lines to oversee operations. Looking at the map, covered in flags, his expression was grim.
Though mentally prepared, facing a force of sixty thousand with only ten thousand—the pressure was suffocating.
Konoha's forces were surrounded.
The Allied Shinobi Forces' coordinated attacks were effective.
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