Land of Rain...
Hanzo was constantly mobilizing and deploying troops.
The Hidden Rain Village's finance minister kept crying out in distress.
"Hanzo, this won't do! The Hidden Rain Village is truly out of money—we can't even muster an army of ten thousand shinobi."
"No. The Hidden Stone Village is already this weakened. Out of twenty thousand rock shinobi, barely a fraction remain alive, and most of their top-tier fighters are dead. Such a perfect opportunity—if we miss it, when will we ever get another one like this?"
As for the exact casualty information of the Hidden Stone Village, Hanzo naturally obtained it from their best partner—the Hidden Leaf Village.
When Hanzo received that casualty list, he was stunned.
Hidden Stone Village commander Kitsuchi was killed in battle.
Assault unit captain Hanzan Yūga was killed.
Defense unit captain Gengan was killed.
Explosion Release unit captain Gari was killed.
Assassination unit elite Tōno Kōjirō was killed.
The Four-Tails jinchūriki was killed.
The Five-Tails jinchūriki was killed.
The Seven-Tails jinchūriki, borrowed from Takigakure, was also killed.
Moreover, according to the Hidden Leaf Village's statistics, more than sixteen thousand rock shinobi were confirmed dead.
On top of that, the Hidden Leaf Village had already razed the Hidden Stone Village once.
Even if the surviving rock shinobi who barely escaped all returned, and the Hidden Stone Village drafted another batch of child soldiers, at most they could only gather five thousand shinobi.
If I, Hanzo, personally lead ten thousand shinobi to attack the Land of Earth, victory would be effortless.
With a two-to-one advantage in numbers, how could I possibly lose?
Ōnoki: Back when I commanded twenty thousand rock shinobi and three jinchūriki, facing just over five thousand Hidden Leaf shinobi, I thought the exact same thing.
"Look at how weak the Hidden Stone Village has become. If we still don't act now, then when will we ever act?"
Hanzo handed the casualty report to the finance minister.
The positions of the Five Great Nations and the Five Great Shinobi Villages were within reach—how could Hanzo possibly give that up so easily?
After reading it, the finance minister also found it hard to let go of this opportunity and gritted his teeth.
"Hanzo-sama, I'll find a way to secure the funds. The daimyō should also want a seat among the Five Great Nations."
"Good. That's the spirit of a Hidden Rain shinobi."
Hanzo burst into laughter, as if he could already see the position of Amekage beckoning to him—one recognized across the shinobi world as being on the level of the Five Kage.
"Oh, right, Hanzo-sama. Should we join forces with Takigakure? After all, their tailed beast also died because of the Hidden Stone Village. They have every reason to act."
"No need. There's only one position for the Hidden Stone Village. If we ally with Takigakure, who would it belong to afterward? And if two villages gang up on a declining one, even if we take that position, the shinobi world won't acknowledge it. Our Hidden Rain Village will rise to that position with dignity."
When Hanzo said this, his tone was extremely firm.
He would not allow any stain on the rise of the Hidden Rain Village and the Land of Rain.
"I understand, Hanzo-sama. It seems a group called the Akatsuki Organization has appeared in the Land of Rain. Their three leaders are quite strong. Should we recruit them for this war? It would add to our strength."
"Good. I'll send someone to speak with their leaders."
"Then I'll take my leave, Hanzo-sama."
"Mm."
The Hidden Rain Village's mobilization couldn't be hidden at all—especially not from the Hidden Stone Village, which was watching them closely.
Near the Hidden Stone Village, there were only three other shinobi villages.
The Grass Village of the Land of Grass—nothing to worry about.
The Takigakure Village of the Land of Waterfalls—worth noting.
And the Hidden Rain Village of the Land of Rain—the most immediate threat.
...
New Hidden Stone Village...
Ōnoki sat in the new Tsuchikage's office, looking at the reports of Hidden Rain's constant troop movements.
"These fickle, treacherous rats."
But Ōnoki could only curse a few times.
Because if he were in Hanzo's position, looking at such a heavily weakened Hidden Stone Village, he wouldn't let the opportunity slip either.
However, precisely because he knew Hanzo would definitely make a move, it actually made things easier to handle.
"Hanzo, let this old man teach you that even the current Hidden Stone Village is not something your mere Hidden Rain can provoke."
Ōnoki opened the window and flew toward the daimyō's residence in the Land of Earth.
...
Half a day later...
Ōnoki arrived at the daimyō's residence and immediately submitted a request for an audience.
The official who came to receive him wore a look of disdain—a Tsuchikage who had led the Hidden Stone Village to such a crushing defeat was nothing but a useless waste.
Ōnoki clenched his fists.
At this moment, he could only endure. He had come to request the daimyō's help.
If this had been before, that official's head would already have turned to dust.
One hour...
Two hours...
Three hours later...
The daimyō finally agreed to see Ōnoki.
Ōnoki followed the official into the daimyō's office.
Looking at the daimyō's sleepy eyes, the red marks on his face and clothes, and the lingering smell of alcohol—it was obvious he had just finished indulging himself.
"Ōnoki, do you know your crime?"
"I do. That's why I've come to request your assistance. The Hidden Stone Village is in extreme danger and urgently needs your support."
Ōnoki's attitude was extremely humble.
Right now, the entire Hidden Stone Village rested on his shoulders—there was no room for pride.
"No. I won't give you anything. Why should I give money to a bunch of useless fools who only know how to lose battles?"
In the eyes of the Land of Earth's daimyō, giving money to the Hidden Stone Village was far less worthwhile than acquiring a few more beauties—at least beauties could bring him joy, unlike the Hidden Stone Village, which only angered him.
"Daimyō-sama, is there truly no room for negotiation?"
"No. Don't even think about taking a single coin from me."
"Then, Daimyō-sama, don't blame this old man."
Ōnoki stood up.
The Land of Earth's daimyō frowned.
"How insolent! Ōnoki, do you intend to commit regicide?"
As soon as he spoke, ten shinobi suddenly appeared, staring intently at Ōnoki—they were the daimyō's personal guards.
There were also many footsteps outside; the guard forces had clearly been mobilized.
Ōnoki smiled.
"Daimyō-sama, you jest. How could I dare commit such a heinous act? However, the Hidden Rain Village's army is about to set out. I've heard that the Land of Rain's daimyō is fully supporting them. The Hidden Rain Village seeks the Hidden Stone Village's position among the Five Great Shinobi Villages—so what exactly is the Land of Rain's daimyō seeking?"
"Is this true?"
"All the intelligence is here."
Ōnoki handed over a scroll.
One of the guards examined it, then knelt before the daimyō.
"Reporting to Daimyō-sama, it is all true."
"Hahaha! You insolent fools, withdraw at once! Don't interfere with my discussion of important matters with Lord Tsuchikage."
The Land of Earth's daimyō stepped down and warmly grasped Ōnoki's hands, as if nothing had happened before.
He gazed at Ōnoki with exaggerated affection.
"Ōnoki, you've worked hard."
"Daimyō-sama, you honor me."
What a picture of a loyal minister and a wise ruler.
"Prepare a banquet! I will drink with Lord Tsuchikage until we are thoroughly drunk."
After a night of revelry...
Ōnoki left in high spirits, carrying five hundred million ryo in war subsidies.