After the death of the former Daimyo of the Land of Wind, the newly appointed Daimyo fully supported the Hidden Sand Village, immediately sending all the previously owed funds.
The Hidden Sand Village immediately began preparing for war, and on the day war was declared, the Land of Wind's army, composed of Hidden Sand ninja troops and samurai legions, set out majestically towards the Land of Fire.
The Hidden Leaf Village had anticipated the Land of Wind's objective.
As soon as they departed, Uchiha Kagami led his troops to the border, entered the Land of Rivers, and established a base there to begin their resistance against the Land of Wind.
During the First Great Ninja War, Uchiha Kagami was responsible for defending against the Land of Wind's attacks, so he was very experienced.
However, he did not expect the enemy's offensive to be so fierce; the Hidden Sand ninjas were like moths to a flame, determined to take an opponent with them even if it meant their own death.
Fortunately, after seeing the losses from the initial engagement, Uchiha Kagami immediately changed his strategy, opting for defensive battles in towns to minimize casualties.
However, this move made the high-ranking officials of the Land of Fire feel that it was too cowardly.
They conveyed their opinion through Mitokado Homura, hoping that Uchiha Kagami would no longer cower in defense but would instead take the initiative to attack and severely punish the invading Land of Wind.
However, when Fumori Masaki learned of this, he immediately refused.
He said to Koharu Utatane and Mitokado Homura, "Cowardly? What a joke. I think this is precisely the best plan.
Don't listen to those officials who only know how to manage civilian affairs; what do they know about war?"
"But there is some truth to what they say.
If Kagami continues with such a strategic approach, who knows when a victor can be decided.
Only by striking the enemy with full force can this war be brought to an end, right?" Mitokado Homura said.
"Haha, that's where your understanding is wrong, Homura," Fumori Masaki laughed and said, "Didn't you see the report Kagami sent?
The enemy is absolutely fearless, like moths to a flame.
What do you think is the reason for such strong fighting spirit?"
"That's naturally because of the harsh desert environment.
In terms of individual combat ability, Hidden Sand ninjas rank among the top in the five great nations.
Even in our village, only our elites can compare to them," Mitokado Homura replied.
"Ah, that's one reason, but there are other factors.
The reason Hidden Sand ninjas can be like this is, first and foremost, because they have no retreat," Fumori Masaki said.
Mitokado Homura and Koharu Utatane adopted an attentive posture, and Fumori Masaki explained, "Our economic suppression of the Land of Wind has been very effective.
The previous Daimyo of the Land of Wind never provided the Hidden Sand Village with sufficient funds.
For the Hidden Sand Village, not receiving national attention means a decrease in their status, which they cannot accept.
Therefore, choosing war is their way out.
Only by re-demonstrating their value can they gain national attention and thus maintain a crucial position in the country."
"I see.
If the war fails, then the Hidden Sand Village will be doomed forever.
Even if they barely manage to survive, it will be difficult for them to start another war," Mitokado Homura immediately understood the meaning.
"Exactly.
Precisely because the Hidden Sand Village must win, there is no option of retreat in their choices—if they choose to retreat, it's equivalent to a slow death, so they might as well die honorably on the battlefield.
I think the Hidden Sand Village must be thinking this way, which is why they display such a strong fighting spirit," Fumori Masaki nodded.
"Then why do you think a defensive battle is the best option?" Koharu Utatane asked at this point.
"To be precise, under the current circumstances, a defensive battle is the best option, but our strategic approach is not entirely like that."
Fumori Masaki posed a question to his two comrades: "I ask you, what do you think is needed to support a war?"
The two were a bit confused, not knowing why Fumori Masaki would ask such things, but since he asked, they had to answer.
Based on their combat experience, Koharu Utatane and Mitokado Homura both gave the same answer—resources and population.
"Correct! That's it.
Given that, you should understand where the Land of Wind's weakness lies," Fumori Masaki smiled slightly, took out some documents from the report, and presented them, saying, "Look, this is the loss report from the initial engagement, and the other is the loss report after Kagami adopted defensive tactics."
Koharu Utatane and Mitokado Homura immediately flipped through them, then exchanged glances; they both understood what was going on.
In the early stages of the war, Uchiha Kagami led his forces in direct combat with the Hidden Sand ninjas, and especially due to the enemy's strong fighting spirit, the Hidden Leaf ninjas and Hidden Sand ninjas generally had a casualty ratio of one to one, and often even two to one, with the determination to take someone with them even in death.
However, after switching to defensive warfare, in the worst-case scenario, the casualty ratio was only one to one.
"For the attacking side, the defending side, able to rely on towns, has a significant advantage, and our ninjas are not inferior to them in combat proficiency.
Such a casualty ratio is to be expected," Fumori Masaki lightly tapped the report and said, "In this situation, instead of choosing to trade blows with the enemy, it's better to slowly wear them down."
"But wouldn't that lead to a prolonged war, which would make those in the capital very dissatisfied?" Mitokado Homura pondered.
"The war against the Land of Wind is precisely meant to be a prolonged conflict.
Those 'big shots' in the capital don't understand anything.
Don't let amateurs guide professionals; this is something I've always emphasized, isn't it?" Fumori Masaki let out a soft snort, his words showing no politeness towards the high-ranking officials in the capital.
Mitokado Homura and Koharu Utatane were accustomed to Fumori Masaki's attitude.
As people born in this world, no matter what their thoughts on nobles were, they would still maintain reverence in their words and actions.
But Fumori Masaki had absolutely none of that; it was as if he regarded nobles as ordinary people, scolding when necessary and praising when deserved.
Read novels together.
"If we fought according to their wishes, the outcome would certainly make them happy, not only repelling the Land of Wind but also weakening the village's strength.
Homura, as the liaison with the capital, you should understand how much the high-ranking officials, led by the Daimyo, fear the village's power, right?" Fumori Masaki asked.
Mitokado Homura nodded slightly; he was responsible for communicating with the high-ranking officials in the capital, so he naturally understood very clearly that behind the smiling faces of those officials lay a hidden apprehension towards the Hidden Leaf Village.
If it weren't for the Hidden Leaf Village's considerable strength, its good relations with local lords, and its lack of any rebellious actions, the village might not be as peaceful as it is now.
Upon hearing Fumori Masaki's words, Mitokado Homura couldn't help but be startled.
Could it be that those high-ranking officials wanted the village to actively attack the Land of Wind not only because their business in the Land of Wind was suffering but also with the intention of weakening the Hidden Leaf Village?
After reviewing the casualty ratios of both sides in the report, Mitokado Homura became even more convinced of this point.
If it were a direct confrontation, the Hidden Leaf Village would likely win, but how many people would be taken down by those suicide-squad-like Hidden Sand ninjas was an unknown.
Although the exact numbers couldn't be determined, Mitokado Homura could vaguely guess that it would not be a small figure, and it would have a certain impact on the village's strength.
If this were the case, the high-ranking officials in the capital might then try every means to further curb the village's development.
"Regardless of whether they have such thoughts, I will never allow meaningless sacrifices.
Although a prolonged war consumes considerable resources, compared to the people of the village, it's merely a drop in the bucket," Fumori Masaki said.
"Then how should I persuade those officials?" Mitokado Homura asked cautiously.
"Just tell them that I will ensure the Land of Wind can never threaten us again, and their business in the Land of Wind will no longer face obstacles.
Saying that should satisfy them," Fumori Masaki waved his hand, "Even if not everyone can be persuaded, as long as we can win over a group of people, it will cause endless debate among them, and in the end, the matter of taking offensive action will simply fade away."
Mitokado Homura, whose face was usually stern, couldn't help but curl his lips.
The tactic of winning over one faction to deal with another had been used countless times, and from the results, it had always been very effective.
Fumori Masaki had only said so much, and he had already planned out what to do next.
"If we are talking about a prolonged war, what kind of strategic objectives should we achieve?
As you said, making the Land of Wind unable to pose a threat again is not an easy task," Koharu Utatane asked.
"If we want to make the Land of Wind incapable of launching a war of this scale again, then there is only one answer: exhaust its war potential," Fumori Masaki said, enunciating each word carefully.
"Therefore, this time's strategic objective is to—persist in a prolonged war, maximize the consumption of the Land of Wind's population and resources.
When they can no longer fight, we will intervene in their domestic politics, eliminate all the opportunists who advocate war, replace them with leaders who truly love peace, and control the lifelines of the Land of Wind's war resources.
As long as these requirements can be met, I don't mind supporting the Land of Wind in terms of civil affairs.
Although they will lose their status as a great nation, if it can lead to a peaceful and happy life, I believe the people of the Land of Wind will agree."
In Fumori Masaki's mind, the demands of ordinary people were not that high; they only needed a peaceful environment.
The truly ambitious ones were only certain individuals at the top.
As long as the war's objectives could be achieved, the Land of Wind would likely be unable to become a challenger to the ninja world's order again.
"Will they allow us to intervene?"
"It's not a question of whether they are willing, but whether we are willing.
Given the environment of the Land of Wind, unless we suffer a major defeat, they will definitely be the first to give up.
And if it truly reaches that point, it will only be us who can say'stop,' not them saying, 'We're not fighting anymore, we're not fighting anymore,' and then we actually stop.
How could there be such a good thing?
Since they dared to challenge the order established during the last Great Ninja War, they must be prepared to pay the price!" Fumori Masaki snorted.
Mitokado Homura and Koharu Utatane clicked their tongues in admiration.
The world believed Fumori Masaki to be a pacifist, keen on aiding smaller nations, and many likely thought him foolish.
However, the two who knew him well understood perfectly that Fumori Masaki was by no means a simple pacifist.
While he loved peace, he did not fear war, and he was absolutely merciless towards those who instigated conflicts.
This time's strategic objective against the Land of Wind showed that Fumori Masaki would not let go of those ambitious individuals who provoked war.
He wouldn't just eliminate them and stop there; instead, he would thoroughly resolve the threat posed by the Land of Wind.
Due to the influence of the righteous war, the Hidden Leaf Village was destined not to be the one to stick its neck out.
Now that the Land of Wind had, with great difficulty, presented its head to the Hidden Leaf Village's blade, how could Fumori Masaki possibly miss this opportunity?
During the last Great Ninja War, due to the Hidden Leaf Village's limited strength, it was unable to completely deal with the Land of Wind.
But now it was different.
The Hidden Leaf Village was in its prime, while the Land of Wind remained much the same as before—due to insufficient funds in the past, the Hidden Sand Village was unable to expand its military.
While in other ninja villages, the balance of power between ninjas and samurai was almost evenly split, or even beginning to shift, the Hidden Sand Village still maintained the same power balance as during the First Great Ninja War, which was also its disadvantage.
With such a good opportunity, Fumori Masaki would never allow the Land of Wind to challenge them again.
In his view, the Land of Wind's potential was limited from the start; even if it could become a hegemon, it wouldn't last long and likely wouldn't benefit its people.
Given that, why pursue an unattainable dream of hegemony when it's better to focus on the realistic needs of the populace?
Of course, Fumori Masaki knew that those ambitious individuals in the Land of Wind couldn't see this clearly.
Although it was largely due to their shallow understanding and inability to see far ahead, he wouldn't forgive them for that.
Those who needed to be overthrown would be overthrown; if they were willing to change their ways, he would still be willing to give them a chance.
After Hiruzen Sarutobi sent over the report on the Land of Whirlpools war, Fumori Masaki and others could finally focus their energy on the Land of Wind, beginning to discuss specific operational guidelines.
Fumori Masaki stated that the war against the Land of Wind was not about the gains and losses of a single territory, but about exhausting the Hidden Sand Village's effective forces and imposing an economic blockade on the Land of Wind.
"Once the situation in the Land of Wind becomes unfavorable, the Land of Earth, even if not openly participating, might provide support from behind.
After all, Onoki is a very insidious opportunist.
The ANBU must investigate thoroughly and force them to declare war.
Only then can we legitimately take action against the Land of Earth, and in doing so, our alliance with the Hidden Cloud Village can also be brought to the forefront."
Fumori Masaki wrote down the specific orders, saying to the two, "I'll have to rely on both of you for diplomatic and medical matters."
"No problem," Mitokado Homura and Koharu Utatane readily agreed.
Koharu Utatane also stated that she had been idle for too long and that the entire medical department needed to operate at full capacity now.
Mitokado Homura also planned to discuss with Akimichi Torifu in the capital and the Hidden Cloud Village to ensure the smooth progress of the village's diplomacy.