It was from then on that the situation in the Land of Rain shifted from a chaotic multi-nation conflict to one with clear lines.
The Sand's forces stationed in the Land of Rain simply couldn't withstand the combined might of the Demi-God and the Sannin, leading Chiyo to withdraw the bulk of Sunagakure's forces along with their supplies.
A few seconds later, the calm of the Kazekage's office was broken.
Chiyo opened the door, holding a scroll as she entered.
"Ebizō, with the remaining supplies and manpower in the village, can we reorganize for another campaign in the Land of Rain?"
"Sister, you…"
Ebizō hesitated as he looked at the scroll in Chiyo's hand.
"Ōnoki doesn't want to give up his interests in the Land of Rain either. He's sent a request for an alliance. If we can still send troops, Iwagakure will continue to be led by Byakugan, and they'll even send their Explosion Corps. At a critical moment, they might even use the power of a tailed beast!"
Chiyo slapped the scroll down on the table as she spoke to Ebizō.
"They're even willing to use a tailed beast? Iwagakure is really going all in. That's not like the cunning old fox Ōnoki at all."
Ebizō's words implied suspicion of Ōnoki's true intentions.
"But this is our only chance to win this ninja war."
Chiyo shook her head.
"The Third Kazekage is advancing toward the Land of Fire. Although we currently have the advantage because of White Fang's injuries, Hiruzen Sarutobi is still holding down the fort in Konoha. If he makes a move, even the Kazekage wouldn't be able to win. Not to mention, the Uchiha clan, Konoha's trump card, still hasn't made any large-scale moves.
We all know Konoha is holding back its power to counter the other great villages, but we also know that unless these forces are tied down, we can't truly win.
In reality, our goal of seizing territory from the Land of Fire has already failed. All we can do now is loot as many resources as possible while we still have an advantage. Our only way out lies in the Land of Rain."
If the Land of Rain is taken, the three great nations of Wind, Fire, and Earth will share a direct border. At that point, Konoha would not only have to defend against Wind and Earth's attacks from the directions of the Grass and River countries, but also face a direct threat geographically.
And unlike the other fronts, this one wouldn't have any small countries as a buffer—it would directly threaten the Land of Fire's heartland.
The same logic applied to both Wind and Earth.
In this sense, the Land of Rain was truly a strategic stronghold.
Especially for the water-scarce Land of Wind.
The neighboring Land of Rain, thanks to mountain barriers blocking the moisture and low-lying terrain collecting it, had become the "rain pole" of the ninja world.
Even if these not-so-educated ninja didn't understand why a single mountain range could cause such a drastic climate difference, it didn't stop Sunagakure from coveting the Land of Rain's abundant resources.
Ebizō pulled out a few forms from a drawer and began checking them off with a pen.
"Currently, we have 123 active jonin in the village. Fourteen of them, like Ishido, are unable to fight due to injuries. The western coastline needs at least fifteen jonin to lead the defense. The village itself needs at least thirty jonin to maintain stability and basic defense.
Those fifty-nine can't be moved. Subtract the forty-three jonin on the eastern front with the Third Kazekage, and we're left with only twenty-one jonin who can be mobilized. Subtract myself, who has to stay in the village, and counting you, sister, that leaves just twenty jonin-level combatants."
"Puppet troops…"
"Intelligence troops…"
It was quite a while before Ebizō finished organizing his thoughts.
"Ninja tools, soldier pills, and other logistical supplies are barely enough to launch one more large-scale war, but we're short on manpower, especially high-level combat power at the jōnin level. I estimate that even if Iwagakure is in better shape than us, it can't be by much.
With this lineup, we can manage a stalemate with Amegakure and Konoha for now, but our logistics are lacking. If we can't make progress for a long time, we'll be lucky to retreat intact."
Chiyo remained silent.
"Sister, don't let hatred cloud your eyes. The contest between nations isn't something that's settled overnight. In a few years, once Rasa and the others have grown, and even Hardy and Sasori have matured, the situation will change. Our chances of winning will be much greater then."
Ebizō knew all too well that ever since Sasori's parents died, Chiyo had dreamed of tearing White Fang to pieces and making Konoha, who orchestrated it all, pay the price.
"I can't let go of their deaths, of course I can't! But I also know what I should and shouldn't do."
Chiyo clenched her fists and looked at Ebizō.
"The new generation needs time and resources to grow. Aren't we fighting for time and resources right now? If we don't defeat others, why would they give us time? Our village is already poor, and the Daimyō wants to keep cutting military spending. If we don't win, how do we get resources?"
"Sister, how much do you really believe what you just said?"
Ebizō sighed helplessly.
No one knew his sister's character better than he did.
Her stubbornness gave Chiyo a strength others lacked, and her talent and power gave her confidence and decisiveness. But combined with her impatience, these traits became extreme—even obstinate.
Maybe she'd change after suffering enough setbacks in old age, but right now, Chiyo was at the peak of her power as a ninja, full of pride, and the deaths of her son and daughter-in-law had only made her more extreme.
Chiyo was unmoved, so Ebizō turned his gaze to Kazekami Chiran.
Kazekami Chiran rubbed his nose.
From the way these two were talking, if they were to send troops to the Land of Rain again, he, as a jōnin, would definitely be going.
And his squad would probably have to go too.
"My suggestion is still the same: give Hardy, Yakura, and the others as much time as possible, let them gain the strength to stand firm in this ninja world, and only then can they become the pillars of the village's future."
"I'll put your squad in the reserve forces for safety, and I'll take Hardy as my disciple and teach her all I know about puppet techniques."
Kazekami Chiran's head snapped up.
Chiyo wanted to take Hardy as her disciple!
That meant Chiyo wouldn't let Hardy's squad take on truly dangerous missions—their safety would be guaranteed.
"Well, it really is a difficult choice."
Ebizō shook his head.
"Actually, I'd like to take Hardy as my disciple too. Don't forget, when it comes to puppet-making, I'm better than you, Sister."