Despite the fierce resistance from Hidden Rock without the leadership of the Tsuchikage, they were still powerless against the strongest shield and spear ninja, and faced defeat repeatedly.
The Tsuchikage was heavily injured and unconscious, the Blast Team was nearly wiped out, and they lost hundreds of fighters. In addition, a large amount of ore was plundered from the Land of Earth, meaning Hidden Cloud returned fully loaded this time.
Hidden Rock is now in chaos, making it the perfect opportunity for Hidden Cloud to act.
This is the thought in the minds of all the Hidden Cloud Jonins.
"After occupying the next iron ore point, we need to immediately retreat from the Land of Earth."
Despite the joy of victory, the Third Raikage was not complacent, but instead conducted a calm analysis.
The forces he led had penetrated too deep into the Land of Earth, reaching its interior. Successfully defeating Tsuchikage Onoki would only cause a brief confusion within Hidden Rock Village. Given the responsiveness of Hidden Rock Village's leadership, it's about time they dispatched large troops to surround him now that the Tsuchikage is temporarily unable to govern.
According to his estimation, after attacking the next iron ore point, it would coincide perfectly with the time when Hidden Rock's main forces would begin to mobilize for a siege.
"Shouldn't we directly attack Hidden Rock Village, Raikage-sama?"
Some Jonins were puzzled.
With the Tsuchikage severely injured, bringing more Hidden Cloud ninjas over, declaring war on Hidden Rock Village directly, and completely crushing Hidden Rock should be the optimal strategy, right?
"Our goal is merely to develop armaments and then guard our borders, preventing Hidden Rock's retaliation. Moreover, I need Hidden Rock and Hidden Sand to adequately weaken Konoha for us. What we lose here will be crazily plundered back from Konoha."
After all, the Land of Earth is very far from the Land of Lightning, be it by land or sea, it requires a considerable journey.
As long as the leadership of Hidden Rock isn't collectively out of their minds, they definitely won't choose to launch a long-distance attack on Hidden Cloud.
"Moreover, I've already ordered the dispatch of three thousand Hidden Cloud ninjas over there. By my calculations, they should have reached the border of the Land of Hot Water by now. To guard against the three thousand ninjas I sent, Konoha will certainly scatter their forces again. I want to force Konoha to have no reinforcements available to support the Hidden Sand and Hidden Rock battlefields, creating opportunities for Hidden Rock and Hidden Sand."
When the Third Raikage·A said this, there was a faint flash of lightning in his eyes.
"As expected of Raikage-sama."
The Hidden Cloud Jonins realized this, and excitement shone in their eyes as well.
The plan was feasible.
As long as they followed this strategic action, Hidden Cloud's replacement of Konoha's position was just around the corner.
"At that time, I can retire in peace and pass the position of Raikage to the next generation."
Hearing the Third Raikage's statement, the Hidden Cloud Jonins were astonished, but soon understood the reasoning and regained their composure.
Their Third Raikage was already an elder over fifty, having been in the Raikage position for at least twenty to thirty years.
Though his strength was still at its peak, many Jonins understood that their Raikage's strength had somewhat declined.
With age, the decline in strength would become more apparent.
Indeed, it was time for him to step down and hand over power.
In other words, after returning this time, he would probably hand over the position, and the war with Konoha would serve as a 'gift' to stabilize the position of the Fourth Raikage.
Having accomplished all this and retiring in such a fashion, it could be considered a fulfilling end for a ninja who spent his life in battle.
The Hidden Cloud Jonins had mixed thoughts, though some were reluctant for the Third Raikage to step down so early, they also understood that this was the best development strategy for Hidden Cloud Village.
"No problem, let's start our journey now. Only one last iron ore point remains. Once that's done, we will immediately return to the village."
The Third Raikage·A looked up at the distant dawn, another day's cycle had begun.
Hidden Cloud now resembled the rising sun, shining brightly everywhere, full of vitality, and would emit even stronger light and heat in the future.
◎
Inside the mine.
The Hidden Cloud Jonin lowered his hands that had been forming seals, wiped some imaginary sweat, and said, "I'm exhausted, but at least it's done. With this, the expected goal is perfectly achieved."
He carefully packed up the open scroll and held it cautiously in his hand, revealing a satisfied smile:
"Truly worthy of the Treasure Tools left by the Six Paths Sage, it stored so many ores without reaching capacity."
"Of course, it's a mythical treasure tool capable of holding an entire tailed beast."
Another Hidden Cloud Jonin replied with a smile.
Within Hidden Cloud, there are several ancestral Treasure Tools of the Six Paths Sage.
Among them, one called the 'Amber Purifying Pot' contains an astonishingly vast and stable space. Unlike a Storage Scroll, the Amber Purifying Pot can hold all things, even living beings can be sealed within.
In times when no suitable Jinchuriki could be found, the Two-tailed and Eight-tailed beasts of their village had both been housed in the Amber Purifying Pot for a period.
Considering its ability to easily hold tailed beasts, one could imagine the incredible volume and solidity of this treasure tool's internal space.
"But I didn't expect the Amber Purifying Pot to have this kind of capability. I thought it required someone to respond to be sealed."
The accompanying Hidden Cloud Jonin thought of something and said.
The Hidden Cloud Jonin using the Amber Purifying Pot knew that his accompanying colleague was a newly promoted Jonin, and likely didn't understand the specific functions of the Six Paths Sage's Treasure Tools, so he began to explain: