Regarding the disappearance of the Third Kazekage, public opinion was rife with rumors that Konoha was the mastermind behind it.
The atmosphere of the entire Ninja World also began to turn uneasy.
But under this atmosphere, the Ninja World seemed to welcome a very quiet period.
It gave people a feeling of the calm before the storm.
Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh.
One night half a month later, Sunagakure suddenly locked down the Village.
A large number of Sunagakure troops assembled and set out under the cover of night, heading for the borders of the Land of Wind.
The captains and squad leaders of each unit had clear divisions of labor and led their members along pre-planned routes toward the battlefield.
This sudden state of combat and war scenes immediately alarmed the villagers of Sunagakure, including merchants from outside—they had no idea what was happening, only seeing a large number of Sunagakure lining up in the Village, then like a tide, after exiting the Village gate, they vanished into the dark night.
It should be noted that before this, Sunagakure showed no signs of war—the Village's higher-ups had not issued any announcements.
Everything came too suddenly.
In an open area within the Village, the trio led by Arai was watching the assembled large force before them.
Among them were many young faces.
All the Sunagakure had resolute eyes—emanating a sense of mission as if facing death with equanimity.
These Sunagakure had all received pre-war notices just a day in advance—and prepared in a hurry; they also had no understanding of the decisions made by the Village's higher-ups.
The reason for this was to avoid leaking the news of the move against Konoha, including the current lockdown of the Village.
But Sunagakure still had trade to conduct, so—the lockdown wouldn't last long, only for a week. Once the great war with Konoha began, it would be partially lifted.
After all, this was a new round of the Ninja World War. Sunagakure couldn't completely relax the Village's security. The lifting of the lockdown was only for trade cooperation, and the vetting of outsiders would become even stricter, just to ensure that the channels for making money would not be hindered.
"Scout Squad, Analysis Squad, First Defense Unit, Medical Team, Logistics and Resources Battalion—you people..."
In the field, Arai was expertly conveying orders and arrangements to the leaders of each squad.
Looking around, compared to the last Ninja World War, the most obvious change in the entire large force was the increased number of Medical Ninjas and logistics personnel—this undoubtedly provided a certain level of security for Sunagakure's army.
After finishing, Arai looked at Yubi, "Yubi—do you have anything to say?"
"No—let's set out."
Yubi shook his head and changed back into his combat Ninja attire.
He felt the atmosphere brought by the war, and his expression was slightly solemn.
It had to be said that although Sunagakure didn't have the kind of Legacy of Will or its manifestation like Konoha, the loyalty of most Ninjas to the Village could still be clearly felt. Even after the Village had experienced a series of internal strife and changes, when needed, these Sunagakure, regardless of age, would still bravely stand up and resolutely face death to protect the Village—this spirit was still very moving.
As low-level Sunagakure, they didn't know the arrangements of the Village's higher-ups or the preparations made for the war.
They only knew that the Village needed them—and it was time for them to sacrifice.
However, many Sunagakure could truly feel that the economy of Sunagakure had taken a leap in the short term.
The Village was getting better, and to protect all this that was hard-won—they chose to trust the higher-ups.
They took pride in the collective.
This point touched Yubi deeply.
During the Second Great Ninja War, he and Sasori had participated in the final stages, and what they experienced were small-scale scenes, not absolutely important large-scale battlefields, let alone the leadership of the army. But now, the situation was different—he and Sasori were the absolute managers in this army. Although not the primary commanders, they were still part of the leadership.
And he and Sasori—in the eyes of others, were still just teenagers.
But the Sunagakure in the Village didn't question them; the looks they gave the two were filled with trust.
"Set out!"
Arai gave the command.
The massive Sunagakure force immediately left the Village.
The team headed straight for the Land of Rivers, which bordered the Land of Fire.
No matter which border they were heading to, Yubi's arrangement was to march at night—and during the day, find a hidden spot to slow down or rest, doing their best not to contact outsiders to avoid exposure or leaking any word. These were all details of the plan that had to be executed perfectly, with no room for carelessness.
Because in Yubi's view, the disparity in combat power between Sunagakure and Konoha was an indisputable fact—therefore, to win on the battlefield, they had to do everything possible to seize the initiative and gain an advantage to narrow the gap between the two Villages.
Even as a transmigrator with a lot of Innate intelligence—Yubi didn't think he could do whatever he wanted in this great war.
One still had to be careful.
Do everything well.
"We used medicinal resources to strike a deal with the Daimyo of the Land of Rivers. Nominally, it's just to borrow their terrain and environment, which are different from the Land of Wind, for a military exercise to train new recruits. But the real intention—the Land of Rivers is unaware of it. Konoha's defense on the front lines of the Land of Fire, especially in the areas bordering the Land of Rivers, definitely hasn't deployed too many troops and isn't overly fortified—they probably would never imagine that our troops would launch an attack on them through this route in the Land of Rivers."
On the way, a large number of Sunagakure were advancing in formation. Yubi, running at the very front, said to Arai.
"So—as long as we cut into the territory of the Land of Fire, this first punch we throw must make Konoha feel the pain."
Yubi said.
"It's still this feeling—"
Looking at the teenage face right in front of him, Arai felt a sense of nostalgia.
Although he was the commander, in reality, the true brain of this army was Yubi.
Yubi's sharp mind and active thinking were revealed once again.
Just like when he had led Yubi and Sasori as a small squad, Yubi would occasionally give him a sense of being cunning or having a very forward-looking vision.
It was so familiar.
Indeed—Konoha would never have thought that Sunagakure could actually use the Land of Rivers to raid the Land of Fire. Normally, no country would allow another country's forces to enter, even if it was just to borrow the grounds for a military exercise; that would be like inviting a wolf into the house.
But there is nothing—that interests cannot pry open. If it doesn't work, it just means the interests aren't big enough.
If a war were to be launched, the Land of Rivers would never agree to it and might even notify Konoha in advance—but the Land of Rivers was unaware of this.
This move by Sunagakure was like hiding behind the back of the Land of Rivers.
Sunagakure used its medicinal resources to complete a strategic arrangement.
This also showed the value of Sunagakure's pharmaceutical industry in the current era.
At least in the current Ninja World, Sunagakure's medicine was no longer being actively sold—instead, many countries and Villages, from nobles to commoners, needed the medicine.
They were the ones begging Sunagakure for cooperation.
"Once we enter the Land of Rivers, let everyone rest in the designated area first to recharge, and then set out—our sudden shift in location should cause the Land of Rivers to react and notice. We can't let them notify Konoha in advance. The subsequent marching speed and attack must be fast!"
"After entering the Land of Fire, the attack route should be divided into three, not just one. Our tactics must be varied so we can adapt at any time and not be easily figured out by the enemy—one part will stay behind and seize Konoha's Strongholds on the border, and immediately set up a large number of traps after occupying them. One part will be a Vanguard Squad, pushing the front line forward and deep into the heart of the Land of Fire—to create the illusion of a main force for the enemy. Then one squad will carry out ambushes from the side on the routes where Konoha might send reinforcements—this part will fight a guerrilla war, in the form of decentralized small squads."
"Finally—while the battle has just begun and before Konoha can figure out the situation, send some people to circle around to the rear of Konoha's base and find an opportunity to raid their Village.
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"Also—don't forget to send intelligence to Kumogakure—let them get involved as well."
"If I'm not mistaken, once the battle begins, Kumogakure's first target might not be Konoha but us. However, if Konoha is caught off guard, Kumogakure won't miss this opportunity to kick Konoha while they're down. They will likely turn their spears and temporarily drop their attack on us."
Yubi spoke eloquently, repeatedly instructing Arai.
Arai took a deep breath.
It should be noted that a few years ago—Yubi was just a newbie and student he was leading.
Now, time flies—and it's Yubi's turn to arrange things for him.
However, he wasn't uncomfortable with this at all.
He was only amazed that Yubi had such tactical reserves and literacy, nodding his head with a serious expression.