Chapter 371: Sunagakure's Stand, Onoki's Hesitation

After eating and drinking their fill, the army continued on its way. However, some took Takuya's words to heart.

That night, as they rested, they hunted their own game and tried their hand at roasting meat.

Unfortunately, without seasoning and with poor cooking skills, the resulting roast meat was practically inedible, making the dried rations seem more appetizing by comparison.

At the Fire Country border, Sunagakure had taken control of the outpost and set up camp. They made no attempt to push further, seemingly waiting for Konoha's reinforcements to arrive.

"Sensei, why don't we just push into the Fire Country now?"

Several thousand shinobi invading the Fire Country would definitely cause some serious trouble for them.

The Third Kazekage glanced at his student before replying, his tone indifferent.

"A few years ago, I thought just like you did. We inflicted heavy losses on the Fire Country and Konoha, but we also suffered greatly ourselves, and even managed to anger the Fire Daimyo's court."

Isn't the purpose of war to inflict as much damage as possible on the enemy?

If the Fire Daimyo's court got offended, then so be it! What did that have to do with Sunagakure?

Seeing that his student still didn't understand his reasoning, the Third Kazekage continued.

"After the war, the Fire Daimyo's court was initially unwilling to accept our proposal to purchase supplies. Eventually, it took our own Daimyo's intervention to get the deal through."

"Our Daimyo was furious, and combined with the situation with the River Daimyo, Sunagakure ended up walking on eggshells."

"So..."

Rasa was stunned. "Sensei, are you saying that if we defeat Konoha, we can occupy the fertile lands of the Fire Country? But if we can't, causing destruction in the Fire Country will only bring us trouble?"

"No, it's not just that."

"If we could, I wouldn't mind invading the Fire Country."

The Third Kazekage clenched his fists, biting his teeth in frustration. Invading the Fire Country—that was something any leader would want to do.

But the problem was that Sunagakure couldn't afford to. They had to compromise with the Wind Daimyo, or they wouldn't receive his support.

The Second Great Ninja War had chilled the Wind Daimyo's heart and shattered his pride.

The heavy war reparations, along with the Daimyo's lack of support, left Sunagakure struggling.

If they wanted to continue fighting, they needed the Daimyo's backing, and the Wind Daimyo's condition was simple.

"I will support you, but don't cause any more trouble. Otherwise, it will be my reputation on the line."

Sunagakure could fight Konoha however they liked. If their shinobi infiltrated the Fire Country to cut off Konoha's supply routes, he wouldn't care. But they couldn't repeat the blunders from a few years ago.

Rasa wasn't dumb—otherwise, he wouldn't become the Fourth Kazekage.

After the Third Kazekage's explanation, he understood the village's awkward position and their forced compromise with the Daimyo's court.

"But this compromise is hindering our operations."

"I know, but we have no choice. We must win this battle; failure is not an option."

The Third Kazekage waved his hand dismissively, changing the subject.

"Any word from Onoki?"

The Five Great Shinobi Villages all had their own conflicts and grudges, and Sunagakure and Iwagakure were no exception.

Iwagakure shinobi had often infiltrated the Wind Country, and Sunagakure shinobi had made their own incursions into the Land of Earth.

The relationship between the two villages wasn't as smooth as it appeared on the surface.

Despite that, with the war breaking out, the Third Kazekage still decided to try and bring Onoki on board.

He wanted to invite Onoki to join the fight.

Rasa shook his head.

"There's been no response from Iwagakure. Onoki seems to be waiting, and I doubt they'll join so easily."

"No, he will."

The Third Kazekage looked toward Iwagakure.

He and Onoki had been rivals for many years. He knew Onoki well enough and understood what Onoki was waiting for.

"A few years ago, Onoki wouldn't have made a move. But now, Konoha is far too weak."

Only three years had passed since the end of the Second Great Ninja War. Sunagakure hadn't recovered yet, and neither had Konoha.

Konoha's situation was a bit better than Sunagakure's, but even so, how much better could it really be?

Now, with them fighting Mist Village, and suffering a major defeat just days ago, Sunagakure had declared war. Konoha was scrambling on two fronts, exposing their vulnerabilities.

And that had to be irresistible to Iwagakure.

Not every village had the wealth and resources of the Cloud Village. Sunagakure was poor, and Iwagakure wasn't much better off.

One was a barren desert; the other, a rocky wasteland. Neither country had much fertile land.

If there was an opportunity to carve off a piece of the Fire Country, Onoki wouldn't hesitate.

"Should we keep reaching out to Iwagakure?" Rasa asked.

The Third Kazekage gave a faint smile.

"No need. Everything has its limits. If Onoki wants in, he'll join. If he doesn't, no amount of persuading will work."

"Besides, don't forget about Mist Village's invitation."

Why hadn't Mist Village attacked Konoha while they were in disarray?

It was because they wanted to draw other villages into the fight against Konoha.

Sunagakure's compromise with the Wind Daimyo didn't bother the Third Kazekage, because he believed Konoha was destined to lose!

If Onoki couldn't resist joining in, Konoha would undoubtedly fall.

During the Second Great Ninja War, Iwagakure had held back, only meddling briefly in the Rain Country before stepping aside to focus on Cloud Village.

But this time, Iwagakure would make a move.

The Third Kazekage's confidence stemmed from Onoki's age.

Onoki was old, likely nearing the time to step down and make way for the next generation.

And at his age, he would want to accumulate as much wealth as possible for the younger generation. Declaring war on Konoha and seizing the fertile lands of the Fire Country was the best way to do that.

Why is it that every word Sensei says makes sense, but when you put it all together, it just leaves me confused?

Is this what it means to have a leader's perspective?

Rasa pondered in silence.

Late at night, the Tsuchikage's office was still brightly lit. Onoki, already well into his years, was still pushing on.

"Father, you should rest."

Kitsuchi sighed. Onoki had been working overtime for days now for the sake of the village. It made him, as Onoki's son, feel a bit uneasy.

"Hmm."

Absentmindedly nodding, Onoki suddenly asked.

"What do you think of the invitations from Mist and Sunagakure?"

The invitation from Mist had arrived some time ago, and Onoki had ignored it.

But now, with Sunagakure also extending an invitation, Onoki was starting to take it seriously.

Compared to Mist Village, Sunagakure's declaration of war against Konoha had caught Onoki's full attention.

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