Land of Wind, northwest sand dune region.
Amidst the endless yellow sands, a massive circular base construction has emerged from the ground.
The outer layer is being stacked with durable special stone materials, capable of effectively resisting the blasts from Explosive Tags and Ninja Techniques, and the twenty-meter-high walls keep everything inside strictly confidential, preventing any outside observation of its interior.
On the tall and sturdy walls of the base, Ninja of the Land of Demons are stationed on guard, their eyes fixed unblinkingly on the surrounding desert scenes to prevent enemy surprise attacks.
Surrounding the enormous circular base is a faint spherical light film, reflecting a subtle blue glow under the sun's refraction.
This is a barrier for warning purposes and also serves to intercept Explosive Tags and Ninja Techniques.
The spherical barrier covers not only the sky but also the underground areas.
Whether it's an aerial or underground infiltration attack, the Ninja of the Land of Demons inside the base can respond immediately.
However, this base currently has only completed the outermost protective layer, as the interior structures are rapidly being constructed at an exaggerated speed.
The construction materials being used were prepared years in advance for this purpose. As soon as the Land of Wind territory is invaded, rooting down to completely seal off and govern this area becomes a priority.
Since defeating the support troop led by the Fourth Kazekage, small-scale harassment by Hidden Sand is frequent, but large-scale assaults have not occurred.
Hidden Sand intends to probe the subsequent action strategies of the Land of Demons through repeated small-scale harassment operations.
Having lost the initiative, Hidden Sand has to start cautiously responding.
Questions like how many Ninja of the Land of Demons have invaded the Land of Wind, whether there are airborne units, the number of Jonin, and whether Chiba Hakushi and Hyuga Ayane have also arrived, are all unknown and dangerous factors for Hidden Sand.
Unfortunately, no matter what kind of harassment operation their small squads implement, they cannot approach that tall military base.
Ninja Eagles sent for aerial reconnaissance are shot down by explosives launched from the base into the sky before they can get near the high walls, exploding into fragments in midair.
The more things are this way, the more fearful Hidden Sand becomes of the military base established by the Land of Demons in the northwest of the Land of Wind. They can't comprehend the Land of Demons' purpose, nor understand what secrets are hidden within that military base.
The troop led by Ruri into the Land of Wind consists of two thousand ninja.
Among them, one hundred specialize in construction, completed the base swiftly, turning it into an iron fortress.
The Uzumaki Clan ninja accompanying the troop, as well as those proficient in Sealing Techniques and Barrier Jutsu, are maintaining the operational barrier at the exterior of the base, responsible for detecting enemy movements.
Ninja from the Hyuga Clan are also on standby on the high walls, monitoring every movement of approaching Hidden Sand ninja and recording their activities one by one. If necessary, they can engage and repel these Hidden Sand invasion squads.
The base is being constructed in an orderly manner, temporarily rooting the troop of the Land of Demons on the Land of Wind's territory.
And this is only the first step.
Next, it's necessary to further expand the area of control until the entire northwest region of the Land of Wind is grasped in hand.
This will inevitably provoke a strong counterattack from Hidden Sand, making a large-scale battle unavoidable.
In the office, a detailed map of the Land of Wind is spread out before Ruri.
This map marks all towns and main roads of the Land of Wind.
Currently, the troops of the Land of Demons have occupied areas in the northwest part of the Land of Wind near the Land of Bear and the Land of Shadow, but determining how to advance and ensure that occupied areas aren't seized by Hidden Sand is a rather difficult problem.
Because relative to the vast land of the Land of Wind, the ninja troops of the Land of Demons aren't enough to annex too many places.
Otherwise, even if occupied, they wouldn't have the capability to defend them.
A lengthy route network would lead to issues with the supply lines at the rear.
It is believed that Hidden Sand is already considering how to cut off the Land of Demons' supply lines.
Fortunately, the Land of Wind doesn't yet know that the influence of the Land of Demons has already penetrated the lower regions of the Land of Bear, with a substantial penetration into high-level officials, ensuring there's not much concern about rear supply problems.
However, care must be taken not to extend the frontlines too far because the objective of the Land of Demons is merely to invade the northwest region of the Land of Wind, not the entire territory.
Once the frontlines are too elongated, it would inevitably prolong the conflict indefinitely, entrenching the Land of Demons completely in the Land of Wind's battleground.
A protracted stalemate and excessive stretching provide no benefit to the Land of Demons.
Thus, the upcoming strategy is clear: proceed with a "fast and fierce" approach while stabilizing steadily.
Seizing the bountiful resource area in the northwest of the Land of Wind is the priority, then dragging the Land of Wind to the negotiation table to conclude this war, which was initiated by the Land of Wind.
However, to hold the dominant position on the negotiation table and force the Land of Wind to cede territory, Hidden Sand must be given a head-on blow to make them truly understand pain.