As the Third Kazekage's declaration of war, like a rousing war drum, echoed, the Sand Ninjas, who had long been unable to contain their excitement, instantly cheered like a disturbed swarm of bees.
Under Uchiha Tenxiu's meticulous planning and reforms, having deeply felt their own strength increase, they were like wild horses breaking free, eager to declare their status to the Ninja World, attempting to seize corresponding benefits through their own military might and seek a better life.
“Oh, oh, oh!”
“Great, let’s start the war!”
“We, the Hidden Sand Village, will use force to seize our own status and benefits!”
With these deafening shouts, the already passionate Sand Ninja Ninjas were now like ignited powder kegs, instantly erupting into a frenzy of cheers. Their voices were like surging waves, stirring up torrents in the desert, as if to drown this desolate land in the sound.
“The morale is usable, the morale is usable!” Chiyo looked at the scene before her, and the heavy stone in her heart finally settled a little. Her originally furrowed brows, like flowers brushed by a spring breeze, instantly smoothed out, blooming into a relieved smile. Her gaze, like a spring breeze, slowly swept over the excited Sand Ninja Ninjas, finally settling like a magnet on Sasori beside the Third Kazekage.
Sasori, Chiyo's grandson, had always been the pride of her heart. Chiyo placed great hopes on him, expecting him to show his true strength in this battle, achieve great military exploits, and avenge his deceased parents.
And at this moment, looking at Sasori's calm and confident expression, Chiyo seemed to have already seen him, one day in the future, successfully ascending to the throne of the Fifth Generation Kazekage, becoming the leader of Sunagakure.
“Under that person's arrangement, although the Hidden Sand Village secretly changed its ruler, it may not be a bad thing!” Thinking of this, Chiyo's smile grew even brighter, a kind of trust in her grandson and anticipation for the future, like a brilliant ray of sunshine illuminating her face.
Compared to others who were still in the dark about all the secret changes in the entire Village, Chiyo, as the wife of the First Shadow of Wind (Shodai Kazekage), a veteran of several generations of Sand Ninja, and also the princess of the Land of Wind, had a clear understanding of everything concerning the Sand Ninja.
She naturally knew how humble and submissive the Third Kazekage was in private when facing Uchiha Tenxiu. Of course, she also understood that something must have gone wrong during the Kazekage's mission to Rouran, leading to him being controlled.
It was even possible that her grandson was among those controlled, so, at first, she had even wanted to find an opportunity to help the Third Kazekage and her grandson break free from this control, racking her brains to find a way to take down this audacious person.
But just the opponent's unfathomable aura made her feel as if she had fallen into an ice cellar, completely lacking the courage to act rashly.
Not to mention, the terrifying strength that the opponent displayed, like Mount Tai crushing an egg, made Chiyo not even dare to have the thought of making a move. Just as Chiyo herself was still internally conflicted.
Uchiha Tenxiu, on his part, did not give her more time or opportunity and immediately began the reforms of the Sand Ninja.
However, surprisingly, in such a short period, she actually perceived that her grandson had completely taken control of the Hidden Sand Village's power, and his authority was even comparable to that of the Kazekage! This discovery made her suspicious, and she couldn't help but wonder if the Third Kazekage's control was related to Sasori. Could it be that all of this was a meticulously planned conspiracy by the two of them?
With a heart full of doubts, she began to probe both openly and covertly, trying to extract some useful information from her grandson Sasori.
However, Uchiha Tenxiu was well aware of her actions but chose to turn a blind eye and let her be.
Because in his opinion, as long as Chiyo and these high-ranking Sand Ninja officials consumed the Chakra Seed he himself had condensed, then it no longer mattered whether they knew all the truth, as he could control everything about them anyway.
Moreover, compared to deceiving them from the start and causing them to develop rebellious thoughts, it was better to tell them the truth from the beginning.
Tell the other party that only by following me, Uchiha Tenxiu, will the Sand Ninja have a better future and sufficient benefits, so even if it is exposed one day, they will not have the slightest rebellion.
Conversely, if these high-ranking officials knew nothing.
They would only think that their Third Kazekage was too wise and mighty, and now that he was controlled, they would definitely want to avenge the Third Kazekage and regain control.
Thus, a series of annoying things would occur.
Although they themselves couldn't do it, just having such thoughts was actually quite disgusting!
Therefore, facing his grandmother Chiyo's probing, Sasori merely responded indifferently: “Grandma, I am still me; I haven't changed. That person saw my talent and meticulously nurtured me. Now, everything I do is merely to repay that person's kindness in cultivating me.”
“So, Grandma, just follow the arrangements as usual. At least, the current development direction of the Hidden Sand Village hasn't encountered any problems, don't you agree?”
Sasori's words reassured her somewhat; she believed that her grandson would definitely live up to her expectations. She hoped that he would shine brightly in this battle, bringing glory and splendor to Sunagakure, and even successfully seeking revenge on Konoha.
Not long after, the Sand Ninjas, like a surging tide, poured out en masse.
Eight thousand Sand Ninjas, like a black whirlwind, swiftly rushed towards the border of the Land of Wind. Their footsteps were like thunder, shaking the earth, as if to tear this land apart.
Uchiha Tenxiu did not choose to march at night; quite the opposite, for attacking Konoha, a daytime assault was more advantageous.
Compared to Konoha having Byakugan, Sharingan, and other ocular Ninjutsu abilities, as well as extremely powerful reconnaissance Ninjas like Aburame and Inuzuka, once the battle was placed at night, even with an intelligence advantage, the Hidden Sand Village would suffer adverse effects.
Furthermore, for the annihilation battle Uchiha Tenxiu planned for the first round, if it couldn't achieve perfect intensity, a large number of personnel would certainly escape, thereby sending back important intelligence.
Conversely, during the day, the opponent's reconnaissance activities were of little use when escaping.
At the same time, three thousand Ninjas were left behind to guard the Hidden Sand Village headquarters. These remaining Ninjas were not idle; they continuously converted the commoners with Ninja talent sent by the Land of Wind's Daimyo into reserve Ninjas, conducting intense and orderly training, helping them gain more strength.
The Ninja World War would not end in a short time; it would last for several years. Even if the Hidden Sand Village gained an advantage first, it would have to consider reserve forces later, and these individuals with Ninja talent obtained from the Daimyo were the best choice.
Moreover, Uchiha Tenxiu intended to develop this war into a super war affecting the entire Ninja World, in order to reap more benefits, so how could there be too few people!
Therefore, with the secret support of the Chakra Seed created by Uchiha Tenxiu, these batches of originally ordinary Land of Wind commoners were more rapidly converted into apprentice Ninjas.
In various strict trainings, they eagerly learned Ninjutsu and combat techniques, constantly breaking through themselves, and quickly advancing to become true Genin.
Although the strength of these newly trained Ninjas was still very limited, they had the advantage of being numerous. Especially under the clever command of the Ninja instructors, they were like a pack of hungry wolves, slowly bleeding the enemy and gradually depleting their strength.
Seeing their growth rate.
Uchiha Tenxiu, who remained in the Hidden Sand Village, revealed a satisfied smile, thinking, “In such a short time, the output after investment has reached more than double the accumulation. It seems these seeds are growing well with their efforts!”
...
Meanwhile, on the other side.
The eight thousand Sand Ninjas, like an unstoppable arrow, directly plunged into the Konoha Ninja garrison base in the River Country.
Before their departure, they had already obtained a large amount of detailed intelligence resources, and they were well aware of Konoha's garrison, personnel deployment, and hidden weaknesses.
Therefore, when they encountered Konoha Ninja reconnaissance personnel on the way, they mercilessly used their numerical superiority and strength to eliminate these enemies one by one.