The Land of Earth's overall terrain was almost entirely mountains and plains, filled everywhere with solid rock.
Iwagakure was built within these surrounding mountains, possessing sturdy defenses that made it difficult for enemies to breach its interior. But at the same time, this also meant their communication with the outside world was relatively difficult.
From a topographical map, the Land of Earth was covered with mountains in the interior, while the plains stretched outward.
Many villages were also constructed in the valleys between mountains. In this respect, it was somewhat similar to the Land of Lightning, though unlike the latter, the Land of Earth lacked many lakes.
Gekko Chizan pondered for a while, then picked up a pen and began sketching. Before long, he had marked more than a dozen points on the map.
These points were all the vital roads connecting the Land of Earth to the outside world, the inevitable routes one must take. Some were in the mountains, some in the gorges.
"Chizan, what exactly are you planning?"
"Why are you marking so many red dots?"
"Don't tell me you're planning to set traps?"
Chōmei was still racking his brains to guess, but all his guesses were wrong.
Because Gekko Chizan shook his head, then wagged his finger, looking very much like a strategist plotting from behind the scenes.
"You're too childish. Traps at most harm a few people, but they can't harm the entire Land of Earth."
"Right now, the Land of Earth's battles at the frontlines are going very smoothly. If we want to influence their frontlines, we must stir up something major within the Land of Earth itself."
"For example—throwing their entire transportation system into paralysis!"
Paralysis? Chōmei's CPU nearly fried from Gekko Chizan's words.
He simply couldn't understand what Chizan was up to.
"Chōmei, let me ask you this: as the boss of the insects, do you have any way to get a swarm of insects to move and survive somewhere else?"
"Move to a different place? What do you mean?"
Gekko Chizan laughed, and it was a sly, cunning laugh.
The next day, he left the village and headed straight into the mountains.
After another full day's journey, he finally arrived at one of the mountains he had marked on the map. Looking at the towering mountain ahead, Gekko Chizan first scanned the surroundings, then nodded.
He walked down to the foot of the mountain. At its base was a fairly dense forest.
Seeing this, he pulled out a scroll and bit his finger.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
With a boom, a puff of white smoke erupted.
"Hm? Chizan, you've summoned me?"
"I didn't expect you'd be able to summon me with the jutsu now. Have your Sage abilities improved?"
A green figure slowly emerged, with a sweet smile upon her face.
"Tagorihime, it's been a while. I have to thank Tagitsuhime—she modified my summoning technique to make it easier for me to send snakeberries to Ryūchi Cave."
"And she adjusted it so I can summon based on my intent."
"But today, I do have something I need your help with, Tagorihime."
Facing one of the three great Snake Princesses, Gekko Chizan revealed a smile filled with calculation and cunning.
It looked extremely sinister.
"Little brat, I don't even need to guess your schemes—I can already see them. That smile of yours is far too wicked."
"Go on, tell me. What do you need me to do?"
Those words made Gekko Chizan a little embarrassed. He touched his own face—was his smile really that evil?
Chōmei, however, chose the perfect moment to speak, hammering in the verdict on Chizan's wickedness.
"Don't bother touching it. Even the Nine-Tails would say you look cunning and sinister. Tsk, tsk."
"If you smiled at a child like that, the poor kid would probably burst into tears."
Gekko Chizan: Seriously? Chōmei, since when did you become like this…
He took a deep breath, suppressing his helplessness, then began explaining his plan.
"Tagorihime, here's how I see it: the snakes living outside Ryūchi Cave are having a miserable time."
"I've specifically found a number of mountains with good conditions, and I'd like to relocate Ryūchi Cave's descendants to new habitats."
"After all, not every snake can absorb natural energy. For them, wouldn't a better environment for survival be ideal?"
His words sounded perfectly reasonable, enough that even Tagorihime listened attentively.
But she had lived for countless years, and a single thought was enough for her to grasp Chizan's true meaning. The corners of her mouth curled slightly.
"Chizan boy, don't dress it up so nicely."
"Is that really what you're thinking?"
"Because it sure doesn't seem like that to me."
Tagorihime looked at him with a half-smile. Gekko Chizan only grinned wider.
"Of course it's my real intent."
"But you see, this is the Land of Earth. And these are vital routes."
"If I settle the snake nests here, isn't that also looking out for the people of the Land of Earth?"
At that, both Tagorihime and Chōmei understood this brat's true plan.
This wasn't doing good deeds at all. This was pure malice.
By placing groups of snakes along the main roads, their territorial instincts would ensure they attacked all who passed through.
Once the citizens of the Land of Earth were attacked, Iwagakure—as the military power of the nation—would have to intervene immediately.
That would force Iwagakure into a passive two-front situation.
Troops at the front would be recalled to handle domestic issues, and with fewer soldiers left at the front, their advantage would diminish.
"Hehehe… truly wicked."
"You, brat, you were born a bad seed."
"You can even come up with something like this?"
Tagorihime burst out laughing, but there was no dissatisfaction in her voice. After all, snakes were cold-blooded creatures, and even the ancient Snake Princesses who had lived for millennia were no exception.
When it came to harming others for one's own gain—such things were to be done without hesitation.
"Heh, wicked or not, I'd never bully my own people. Isn't Iwagakure the one so obsessed with war?"
"Then I'll set fires all around their home base."
"With both snake swarms and insect plagues, they'll be running in circles for sure."
The snake colonies were only one part of it. Gekko Chizan also planned to use Chōmei's insects to drive toxic bugs into the area as well.
A two-pronged assault guaranteed that Iwagakure's rear lines would be thrown into chaos.
And the best part—neither plan required him to take direct action. There was no risk of Iwagakure tracing it back to him. After all, just dealing with the snake infestations and insect outbreaks would be enough to drive them insane.
How would they ever have the time to come searching for the mastermind?
No wonder Tagorihime had called him a bad seed.
To think of such a malicious plan—harming others without even acting personally—what kind of normal person could come up with that?
And it wasn't just targeting the ninja. This plan dragged the entire Land of Earth into it.
So, tell me—was he wicked or not?
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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