Konoha cat breeder

Chapter 187: The Beginning of the Third Ninja War

The entirety of Konoha, and even the whole ninja world, entered an unexpected period of calm—or perhaps a foreboding silence.

The first to confirm the Third Kazekage's disappearance was Rasa, one of the only two individuals aware of Sasori's actions. It took him three days after the Kazekage's last sighting to reach this conclusion.

Though it was hard to believe Sasori could defeat the Third Kazekage—especially in the desert where his powers were unmatched—Rasa had no other explanation. As a user of sand-based techniques himself, Rasa understood the overwhelming advantage the Third Kazekage held in such an environment.

But the facts were undeniable. The Kazekage had declared his intent to deal with Sasori personally and never returned.

Rasa brought the news to the Sand Village's council and revealed his findings about Sasori's creation of human puppets.

Upon hearing this, the elder Chiyo rushed to Sasori's private workshop. There, she found conclusive evidence of human puppet-making and confirmed her grandson's disappearance.

The Sand Council was thrown into chaos.

Shock swept through the village as the truth unraveled: Sasori of the Red Sand—the prodigy and future hope of the Sand—had defected, killing the Third Kazekage in the process.

That a teenager could overcome the "Strongest Kazekage in History" was a testament to Sasori's genius. Given time, he could have elevated the Sand to unprecedented heights.

However, the council didn't naïvely believe Sasori had bested the Kazekage in a direct confrontation. It was clear that Sasori had employed underhanded tactics, exploiting the Kazekage's hesitation and sentimental attachment to his late parents.

The fallout was immediate and devastating.

The Third Kazekage's death, coupled with Sasori's betrayal, deepened the divisions within the Sand. The village was on the brink of civil war, with the Puppet faction, led by Chiyo, pitted against the Sand Manipulation faction, now headed by Rasa.

Fearing the worst, the Sand Council chose to suppress the news, but rumors spread like wildfire.

When it became public that the Third Kazekage had died, the Sand erupted into chaos. Swords were drawn, and clashes seemed inevitable.

Rasa, the rising leader of the Sand Manipulation faction, was thrust into a precarious position. Meanwhile, Chiyo's Puppet faction was unwavering in its stance, with tensions mounting to a breaking point.

To prevent total collapse, the Sand Council devised a desperate strategy: redirect their internal strife outward.

The scapegoat? Konoha.

The Sand Council, with Chiyo and Rasa at the forefront, accused Konoha of orchestrating the Kazekage's death.

This claim unified the Sand against a common enemy. Internal conflicts subsided, and their blades, once aimed at one another, turned toward the Leaf.

The sudden declaration of war sent shockwaves across the ninja world.

The death of a Kazekage was no small matter, especially within the Five Great Nations. Rival villages initially watched from the sidelines, expecting the Sand's internal conflict to spiral out of control.

But with their ire redirected toward Konoha, the Sand's focus sharpened.

Even as Konoha vehemently denied the allegations and called for peace, the Sand's demands for justice drowned out all protests. The annual two-percent task share Konoha received from the Sand fueled widespread resentment, giving the narrative legitimacy in the eyes of ordinary Sand villagers.

Chiyo, emboldened by her control over the village's narrative, reached out to the other Great Nations. Her goal was to form a coalition against Konoha.

The Rock, still nursing grievances from their defeat in the Second Ninja War, readily agreed. Onoki, the crafty Tsuchikage, had long awaited an opportunity to challenge the Leaf.

The Cloud, under the leadership of the Third Raikage A, sought a chance to redeem themselves. With Konoha in possession of the Two-Tails, the Cloud had long harbored grievances.

Even the Mist, shrouded in secrecy and isolationism, was contacted as a potential ally.

News of the Sand's declaration of war and the potential coalition of hostile villages reached Konoha swiftly.

Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately convened a high-level council meeting, including all key decision-makers in the village.

Attendees included Hiruzen's old teammates Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane, Danzo Shimura, the legendary Sannin Orochimaru and Jiraiya, and clan heads from the Uchiha, Hyuga, and Nara clans. Even Tonari, as the deputy head of the Medical Corps, was summoned.

The room was tense as Hiruzen addressed the council.

"Yesterday, the Sand officially declared war. Their forces are already mobilizing, and our intelligence suggests they've contacted the Rock, Cloud, and Mist. The Third Ninja War is upon us."

His words were met with a heavy silence.

Danzo, ever the opportunist, was the first to break it.

"I warned you, Hiruzen. You were too soft. If we had crushed the Sand when we had the chance, we wouldn't be in this position."

Hiruzen's face darkened at the veiled accusation. He glanced briefly at Tonari, whose calm demeanor hid a growing unease.

Seeking counsel from someone more pragmatic, Hiruzen turned to Orochimaru.

"What are your thoughts?"

Orochimaru's serpentine eyes glinted with amusement. "If they want war, give it to them. But we must strike strategically. This is not the time for sentimentality."

Hiruzen nodded and then addressed Tonari.

"Tonari, what do you propose?"

Tonari straightened in his seat, briefly caught off guard by being called on so suddenly. After a moment's thought, he responded, "If war is inevitable, we must prepare our forces now, not react after the fact. Strategic deployment is key. We should anticipate movements from all hostile nations and position our forces accordingly."

Hiruzen's expression softened. "Agreed. We will mobilize immediately. Orochimaru, Tonari, you will lead a contingent of three thousand shinobi to intercept the Sand at the Rain Village border. Inform Hanzo to prepare his forces.

"And contact Tsunade. Her medical expertise will be crucial."

After the meeting, Tonari and Orochimaru convened in the latter's underground laboratory. The space was filled with grotesque experiments, many involving human bodies suspended in tanks of green liquid.

Neither man flinched at the macabre sight.

Orochimaru, examining a vial of blood, glanced at Tonari. "The old man suspects something, doesn't he?"

Tonari shrugged. "Perhaps. But as long as we don't involve Leaf citizens, he has no grounds to act."

Orochimaru smirked. "War provides an excellent cover for experimentation. The battlefield is rich with opportunities—bodies, souls, and chaos."

Tonari's gaze turned icy. "Then let's make the most of it."

The Third Ninja War had begun, and with it, a new chapter in the bloody history of the ninja world.

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