After Hakushi's explanation, Ayane was somewhat speechless.
"This isn't the worst part. What I'm most worried about is that during the battle with Hidden Sand, other major nations will intervene on the battlefield, triggering the Fourth Great Ninja War. The attitudes of Hidden Cloud and Hidden Rock are unclear, but as for Konoha, I assume they will join forces with Hidden Sand to eliminate us."
Hakushi's words made Ayane's expression slightly more serious.
Indeed, setting aside the other major nations' ninja villages, Konoha is the village most eager for them to have an accident.
Once they find an opportunity, those high-ranking members of Konoha certainly wouldn't mind kicking them while they're down.
This war requires attention not only on Hidden Sand but also vigilance against Konoha.
"If Konoha wants to intervene in the battlefield, due to distance and supply issues, it's probably unrealistic to mobilize large-scale troops against us. But deploying small elite units and joining forces with Hidden Sand to execute a decapitation strike against us is certainly not difficult."
"Listening to you like this, the pressure has indeed increased, Hakushi-kun."
Ayane had a smile on her face, but there was no sign of relaxation.
"Because we can no longer use the renegade ninja mindset to handle the disputes between nations for their interests. This is a change in identity; without breaking the rules, we must achieve what we want. We should abandon the previous methods as soon as possible. Moving from darkness to light, we must act according to visible rules."
This is both a limitation and an opportunity.
"If the Fourth Kazekage knew he escaped a disaster for this reason, I guess he'd be quite frustrated."
"No, I sincerely thank Fourth Kazekage because with him alive, seriously fulfilling his duties as Kazekage, he can control the direction of this war to the extent we need, rather than fighting to the death with over ten thousand Hidden Sand Ninjas, which would cause heavy losses for us."
A conflict-scale war is inadvisable.
The worst part is, without Rasa as Kazekage and no candidate for the next Kazekage, what kind of action Hidden Sand might take in their rage is unpredictable.
Hakushi also worries about Chiyo and her brother coming out of retirement at that time; they are two old antiques who survived since the village's early days, far more troublesome than Kazekage Rasa.
Among Hidden Sand, who he fears the most is undoubtedly that sibling pair.
Even Kazekage Rasa has to stand second to them.
"Under this situation, leaving the Fourth Kazekage alive holds more value. Therefore, my instruction to Ruri is to inflict as much damage as possible to the forces, excluding Kazekage himself. Reducing a village's military force doesn't rely only on killing the Kage. Eliminating their Jonin and Chunin can achieve the desired effect."
The Five Kage, in regular battles, can certainly be a force to be reckoned with.
However, facing dozens of Jonin united, even the Five Kage will have a bitter fight.
For a ninja village like Hidden Sand, the number of Jonin isn't just a simple few dozen.
Kazekage is only the top ninja of Hidden Sand.
Below the Kazekage, there are also numerous Jonin.
We can't overlook the role of other Jonin just because the Kazekage stands at the top.
These Jonin are scattered across the battlefield, and their influence is immeasurable.
"I see, maximizing the benefit at the minimal cost, right?"
Ayane quickly understood.
"That's roughly it. Next, adopt a strategy of distant alliances and close attacks. Send delegations to Hidden Cloud and Hidden Mist, offering them benefits to maintain neutrality internationally."
Regarding Hidden Mist, there's no need to say much; the delegation is merely a formality, a display for others to prevent suspicion.
Hakushi hopes to see Hidden Cloud's neutral stance the most.
As long as Hidden Cloud is appeased to maintain neutrality, the Land of Demons would have won half the battle.
"Then my next mission is..."
Ayane seemed to have guessed something.
Hakushi nodded and said, "You will stay here to prevent Hidden Rock or Konoha from supporting Hidden Sand covertly, potentially using them as a tool. Once a neutral agreement is reached with Hidden Cloud, I'll immediately head to the Land of Wind to join Ruri, further expanding the advantages on the Wind Country battlefield and ensuring no unexpected situations occur. Finally is the negotiation at the table."
Although he also wanted to take Ayane to the Wind Country battlefield together, doing so would leave the domestic defense forces very weak.
The Tsuchikage Onoki of Hidden Rock is a shrewd and cunning old man who requires vigilant defense.
Moreover, even with a neutral agreement with Hidden Cloud, too much trust cannot be placed in them, which highlights Ayane's importance in staying to guard the homeland.
This is like competing on a sports field; first, ensure no loss of points, then consider scoring. This is Hakushi's usual way of thinking.
Fortunately, Ayane isn't a particularly warlike ninja. If she and Ruri were switched, with Ruri defending and Ayane attacking, the situation would be quite different.
◎
The meeting room was suppressed by a heavy atmosphere.
Kazekage Rasa led a two-thousand-strong unit that suffered heavy casualties after being ambushed, and the large quantity of supplies they carried was abandoned and fell into enemy hands.
You could say they had an unfavorable start.
Because no one had anticipated beforehand that they would experience a sneak attack within the Land of Wind.
Moreover, the culprit behind the ambush was a ninja who had been a renegade from Konoha more than ten years ago.
Such a ludicrous and laughable scenario played out in the Ninja Realm.
The ones playing the role of clowns on the stage were their Land of Wind.