"That's it. According to those businessmen's conversation, the Hidden Sand Village, which was supposed to have repaid its loan two years ago, has been delaying until now and has not repaid a single cent to the Land of Demons, continually finding excuses to postpone. Many merchants from the Land of Demons are pessimistic about this event, believing it's better to spend money to avoid disaster than to meddle with a military power like the Land of Wind."
"...Is that why they chose the northwest of the Land of Bear as the site for military exercises?"
Onoki was at a loss for words.
No matter how one looks at it, both the Hidden Sand Village and the Land of Wind are at fault here, yet they are resorting to military intimidation, which is really unreasonable.
"There seems to be a little episode in between; the debt collectors from the Land of Demons went to the Daimyo's Mansion of the Land of Wind and intimidated the Daimyo, which made the Daimyo of the Land of Wind angry at the Land of Demons... But this is just a rumor among the people, and it's unclear how true it is."
Kitsuchi sighed.
"So it seems, indeed, it doesn't have much to do with our Land of Earth. However, we cannot completely be unprepared, so afterward, dispatch two thousand ninjas to the southwestern border. If the Hidden Sand Village intends to invade the Land of Earth, intercept them there."
"What if they don't?"
"Then just wait it out and watch the situation change. The Land of Demons' affairs have nothing to do with us as long as they don't harm the Witch or cause large-scale battle conflicts. We don't need to pay any attention to them."
Although the actions of the Hidden Sand Village were entirely unjustifiable, Onoki had no plans to stand up for the Land of Demons. If either of these countries suffered damage, it would be a good thing for the Land of Earth.
"Yes, I'll now..."
Before Kitsuchi could finish speaking, a thunderous explosion sounded above the Hidden Rock Village.
The huge explosion's flash was clearly visible through the transparent glass.
Kitsuchi looked dumbfounded at the flash of explosion above the Hidden Rock Village, his mouth hanging open, unable to close for a long time.
"For heaven's sake, did that brat Deidara do a good deed again? Father, your apprentice is really too mischievous; this is no longer just a disturbance..."
"...Kitsuchi, why are you just standing here complaining? Hurry up and grab that brat Deidara! At this rate, the village will be blown away by him sooner or later!"
Onoki's face turned black, his whole body shaking with anger.
Even without looking, he knew that the one causing a massive explosive disturbance above the Hidden Rock Village was his last disciple, Deidara.
A child of the Hidden Rock Village brimming with genius talent.
At only ten years old, he already possessed explosive abilities that even Jonin found extremely troublesome.
Even among the Hidden Rock Demolition Squad, he was regarded as a main frontline member.
The only flaw was his penchant for messing with those extremely dangerous explosive works, which he glamorized as "instant art."
Bullshit instant art!
Those were clearly dangerous explosives.
Even a slight mistake could send villagers flying.
Most of the complaint letters placed to him by villagers and ninjas were caused by this disciple, Deidara.
Thinking of this, Onoki's normally red nose twisted with fury.
"Yes. Sigh, that boy is still so rebellious..."
Kitsuchi helplessly gave a wry smile, opened the window, and jumped out, quickly running toward the direction of the explosion.
◎
The Hidden Sand Village's military exercises at the northwest border of the Land of Bear did not escape the surveillance of the Land of Demons' border military reconnaissance personnel.
In fact, before the Hidden Sand Village took any action against the Land of Demons, the military upper echelons had already given orders to keep a close eye on the southeast border of the Land of Demons, starting reconnaissance from the air, and report any developments immediately.
In response to the Hidden Sand Village's actions, the Land of Demons did not immediately assemble a Ninja Squad, seemingly indifferent to Hidden Sand's actions, or perhaps regarding them as a regular military exercise, not intended to threaten the Land of Demons.
The Hidden Sand Village's Ninja Squad, consisting of one thousand ninjas, stationed themselves in front of Hell Valley in the northwest of the Land of Bear, with the opposite side of Hell Valley being the territory of the Land of Demons.
The Land of Demons did not act, so naturally, the Hidden Sand Village ninjas were not going to act either.
The one leading this Hidden Sand Squad was none other than the recently recovered Hidden Sand Jonin, Maki.
Originally, as per the decision of the high command of the Hidden Sand Village, they had planned to dispatch five hundred ninjas, just as a gesture, not needing to use a powerful force against the Land of Demons.
However, Kazekage Rasa believed that while the Land of Demons might lack in ninja combat capabilities, their peculiar ninja tools could potentially cause considerable trouble for the Hidden Sand Squad, thereby increasing the number of ninjas by five hundred, making a total of one thousand ninjas under Maki's command.
Maki peered through a military telescope, observing across Hell Valley, where one could see villages on the territory of the Land of Demons rising with billowing smoke.
Even from a distance, the buildings and environment of the village looked extremely beautiful, and the transportation facilities were much more advanced than those of the Land of Wind, indicating that the standard of living there was far better than that of most people in the Land of Wind.
"Their economic strength is truly formidable."
Even such a small village at the border had complete transportation routes. Maki's first thought about the Land of Demons was that they had deep pockets.
Although the Land of Demons' territory is small, the ability to connect all the transport lines of towns and villages requires a tremendous amount of investment... Maki found it hard to imagine.
"Let's just wait and see how things unfold and focus on waiting for orders from above. Let's return to the camp."