UCHIHA KING OF THE SOULS

Do Extraordinary Things in Extraordinary Times

Sunagakure was once a formidable force. When it was first established under the leadership of the First Kazekage, Reto, its strength was second only to Konohagakure, ranking as the second most powerful among the Five Great Shinobi Villages.

Otherwise, Sunagakure wouldn't have ended up purchasing only one tailed beast—the One-Tailed Shukaku. It's worth noting that, except for Konoha, the other three great villages—Kumogakure, Iwagakure, and Kirigakure—each secured two tailed beasts.

Although acquiring a tailed beast required substantial financial resources, a village with inadequate strength would likely have purchased an additional one, even if it meant sacrificing everything. If Sunagakure had been weaker at that time, the Seven-Tails, Chōmei, would have never remained with Takigakure.

However, after enduring the First Shinobi World War, the Second Shinobi World War, internal chaos caused by the mysterious disappearance of the Third Kazekage, and prolonged attrition in the Third Shinobi World War, Sunagakure's military strength continuously declined.

Against the elite Konoha forces led by Tsunade, Sunagakure found itself completely outmatched. Even more devastating was the pincer attack from two Konoha divisions—a sudden, tactically brilliant maneuver that disregarded conventional battlefield ethics.

The result was a catastrophic defeat. Sunagakure's high command, led by Chiyo and Ebizō, had no choice but to seek peace, begrudgingly signing a humiliating treaty with Konoha.

The most painful clause stipulated that Sunagakure would surrender 30% of its mission contracts to Konoha, dealing a crippling blow to its economy.

Following this, the Daimyō of the Land of Wind, disillusioned by Sunagakure's repeated failures in the Shinobi World Wars, drastically cut the village's funding.

To make matters worse, Sunagakure adopted an "elite shinobi" policy to compensate for its declining numbers, inadvertently reducing its overall military might to the weakest among the Five Great Shinobi Villages.

Though Sunagakure resented Konoha, its hatred toward Iwagakure burned even deeper.

Chiyo, Ebizō, and other senior officials were not fools. They quickly discerned the schemes of the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki.

But by the time they fully understood his machinations, it was too late. The damage was done. What could Sunagakure do to retaliate against Iwagakure? Nothing, except endure the humiliation.

Someone had to take responsibility for the village's crushing defeat. After the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, ascended to power, Chiyo and Ebizō stepped down as elders.

Although they didn't retreat into complete seclusion as depicted in the original story, they remained in a semi-reclusive state.

Within half a month, both Iwagakure and Sunagakure withdrew from the Third Shinobi World War. The balance of power in the ninja world shifted rapidly, leaving many blindsided.

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Mizukage's Strategy in Kirigakure

Kirigakure, Land of Water – Mizukage's Office

Yagura Karatachi, the Fourth Mizukage, with his short green hair, violet eyes, and a stitch-like scar beneath his left eye, sat in his office chair, scanning the latest intelligence reports.

"Iwagakure and Sunagakure are nothing but incompetent fools."

Bang! Yagura tossed the report onto his desk, his expression dark with frustration.

With Iwagakure and Sunagakure pulling out, only Kumogakure and Kirigakure remained to pressure Konoha from the north and south. Fresh reinforcements would soon bolster Konoha's defenses, drastically reducing their chances of victory.

If Kirigakure lost this war, all the territory it had seized—including its hard-won control over the Land of Whirlpools—would inevitably slip away.

The Land of Whirlpools was strategically vital; Konoha could use it as a launching point to strike Kirigakure, and vice versa. Neither side could afford to let the other claim sole control over it, and even the other great villages preferred a balance of power there.

Failure was not an option.

"Lord Mizukage, I have urgent intelligence to report."

A masked Kirigakure Anbu knelt before Yagura's desk, presenting a scroll with both hands.

Yagura took it, unrolled it, and his eyes gleamed with interest.

"The Three-Tails has been located? This is excellent news. Well done."

"Mizukage-sama, with the war's tide shifting, we must act decisively. Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures."

"The Seven Ninja Swordsmen have suffered heavy casualties, and our bloodline clans have been locked in a stalemate with Konoha's Kekkei Genkai users. We have failed to gain a significant advantage on the battlefield."

"If we wait for Konoha's reinforcements, our chances of victory will vanish."

Yagura rested his chin on his hands. "You have a plan?"

"Yes, Mizukage-sama. We should first seal the Three-Tails, then find an opportunity to implant it into a Konoha ninja."

"Once the host returns to Konoha, we can shatter the seal, unleashing the Three-Tails to wreak havoc within the village."

"If Konoha suffers severe damage, not only will Kirigakure benefit, but Kumogakure, and even Iwagakure and Sunagakure, may rejoin the fight."

"There is a real chance Konoha could be destroyed."

"The Four Great Shinobi Villages would then divide the Land of Fire, with Kirigakure claiming the largest share. Even if Konoha survives, we will at least solidify our current territorial gains."

Yagura was impressed. This strategy could shift the entire war in their favor.

"Hirotada, why haven't you proposed such a brilliant plan before? If this succeeds, I will make you head of Anbu."

"How could I not improve under Mizukage-sama's leadership?"

"I am willing to sacrifice everything for Kirigakure!"

"Excellent. Begin preparations immediately. If necessary, I will oversee the mission myself."

"Understood!"

Beneath his mask, hidden from Yagura's view, a pair of scarlet Sharingan flickered ominously.

---

Raikage's Counterattack in Kumogakure

Near the Fire Country's border, in a massive command tent at Kumogakure's war camp, the sound of a table shattering echoed.

"Iwagakure and Sunagakure are utterly worthless!"

"Oh yeah, stupid bro, you smashed another table. Can't you chill like me?"

With a thud, a dark-skinned shinobi with light-blond hair, sunglasses, and twin swords strapped to his back was sent flying from the tent. He skidded across the ground for ten meters before stopping.

This was Killer B, the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki.

Dusting himself off, B re-entered the tent, where his older brother, Fourth Raikage A, stood fuming.

"Brother, what's our next move?" B asked, his usual carefree tone replaced with seriousness.

"I'm launching another raid."

"Again?" B frowned. "Last time, we barely reached Konoha's gates before being stopped. They won't let us get that close again."

"I know. But this time, the plan is different."

"I'll deploy two units—one as a diversion to attract Konoha's attention. Meanwhile, you, me, and a squad of elite sensors will execute the real strike."

"If we breach Konoha, you'll unleash the Eight-Tails and hit the Hokage with a Bijūdama."

"If infiltration fails, we'll target Konoha's frontline supply bases instead."

"Brother, isn't that a bit extreme?" B hesitated. "What if Konoha retaliates with the Nine-Tails?"

"Then we fight. One Nine-Tails won't bring down Kumogakure."

"Extraordinary times demand extraordinary actions. If we don't act now, victory will slip away."

"…Alright, I'm in."