"You want to annex my Land of Wind? Annex my Sand Hidden Village and its ninja? Absolutely impossible!" Chiyo's tone was resolute, each word firm and unyielding. "Even if your power is overwhelming, even if you wipe out every last ninja of the Sand, we will never agree!"
Faced with Aoki's proposal, Chiyo and the others refused without hesitation. To them, this meant losing the homeland they relied on for survival. Even knowing full well that Aoki could easily annihilate the Sand, this conviction remained unshaken.
Aoki looked at the determination in their eyes, then turned his gaze toward Sand Hidden Village. This city, weathered year-round by wind and sand, had unique architecture and clothing styles adapted to the harsh climate. But if there were a better environment to live in, who would willingly remain in this desolate place year after year?
"Elder Chiyo, don't be so quick to refuse," Aoki said calmly, his tone carrying a hint of persuasive ease. "Soon, you will change your tune."
Hearing this, Chiyo and the others scoffed. Their people had been rooted here for generations—how could they accept being annexed just because of temporary hardship? "Even if we wait, what then?" Chiyo retorted coldly. "Nothing can change our resolve."
"Hmph, Fourth Hokage! I advise you not to waste your effort!" she continued. "Even if my Sand Hidden Village is defeated, it is not destroyed. The condition of annexation is something my Sand absolutely cannot accept!"
Aoki was not angered by their refusal. He remained composed, calmly observing the unique scenery of the Sand.
Meanwhile, inside the Land of Wind's Daimyo's Mansion, chaos had already erupted. The Konoha ninja leading the team easily dealt with the guards, glanced around, and asked nonchalantly, "Well? Is everything taken care of?"
Seeing the disarray and confirming that no one remained except the Daimyo, who was putting up a desperate last stand, he immediately gave the order: "Good. As per the Hokage's instructions, take full control of the Land of Wind! Make him issue the command!"
"Yes!" the other ninja responded in unison.
The group immediately headed to where the Daimyo was. The Daimyo of the Land of Wind was already terrified out of his wits, kneeling and begging repeatedly: "Please, don't kill me! I am the Daimyo of the Land of Wind. I'll give you whatever you want! Gold and silver treasures? High positions and generous salaries? Beautiful women? Just spare my life, and everything is yours!"
The Konoha ninja looked at him with utter contempt. One of them spoke coldly: "Hmph, you can't give us what we want."
"Only the Hokage can bring true peace to the Ninja World!" another added. "As for you, announce it publicly! From today onward, the Land of Wind is officially merged into the Land of Fire!"
Hearing the commanding ninja's order, the Daimyo's face was filled with despair and resentment. He knew that once he declared this, his career as Daimyo would be completely over, and he might not even keep his life. But seeing the hand resting on the Kunai, he ultimately resigned himself to his fate.
Trembling, the Daimyo stood up and, accompanied by two Konoha ninja, walked onto the high platform of the Daimyo's Mansion. The citizens of the capital all looked up, their eyes fixed on the platform, eagerly awaiting the Daimyo's appearance. Over the past six months, under the Daimyo's oppressive rule, the Land of Wind had already fallen into dire straits, its people living in misery. The citizens were filled with anxiety, fearing he might issue another absurd decree.
As all eyes focused on him, the Daimyo slowly spoke, his voice trembling with unconcealed emotion: "Everyone, listen! This is the final decree I shall issue! From this day forth, the Land of Wind is officially annexed into the Land of Fire! There will no longer be an independent Land of Wind—only a stronger, greater Land of Fire!"
The words "Land of Wind annexed into the Land of Fire" fell like a hammer blow, freezing the capital's citizens in place. Their faces were filled with disbelief and confusion as they exchanged bewildered glances. The Land of Wind was one of the Five Great Shinobi Nations—how could it suddenly announce its annexation into the Land of Fire?
Before anyone could process the news, the Konoha ninja, who had long been prepared, immediately sprang into action, shouting: "Quick! Take full control of the Land of Wind's capital! Spread the Daimyo's Decree! From today, the Land of Wind belongs to the Land of Fire!"
The Konoha ninja swiftly began their takeover of the entire capital. The people of the Land of Wind remained in a daze, unsure whether to resist or comply in the face of this sudden occupation. Their overwhelming confusion left them paralyzed, and as a result, Konoha's takeover proceeded with remarkable smoothness, soon bringing the entire capital under their control.
With the capital secured, the Land of Wind existed in name only. The next step was to relay the news back to the Sand Hidden Village.
Meanwhile, Aoki continued to stroll leisurely through the Sand Hidden Village, admiring its unique character. Chiyo and the others, growing increasingly anxious as they awaited progress in the negotiations, were abruptly confronted with the news of the Land of Wind's annexation into the Land of Fire, which swiftly reached the Sand Hidden Village.
"By order of the Daimyo! The Land of Wind is officially annexed into the Land of Fire! The Sand Hidden Village is to cease all resistance immediately and accept merger with Konoha as soon as possible!"
This bewildering command quickly spread throughout the Sand Hidden Village. Chiyo and the others' first reaction was disbelief, exclaiming in shock: "Impossible! This cannot be the Daimyo's command! How could he make such an absurd decision? Has he gone mad?"
The messenger ninja, anticipating this reaction, promptly handed Chiyo the intelligence gathered from multiple sources. As they examined the detailed records, they were stunned to realize that this decree had indeed been issued personally by the Daimyo of the Land of Wind.
For a moment, Chiyo and the others stared blankly at the intelligence in their hands, at a loss for how to respond. Their stunned silence was broken by Pakura, who had returned with her defeated troops. Her forces had encountered the Konoha army on their way back but, surprisingly, no conflict had ensued, allowing them to return safely to the Sand Hidden Village.
Upon her return, Pakura immediately headed to the Kazekage Building. Chiyo hesitated, then sighed softly and handed her the Daimyo's Decree. Even Pakura, the legendary hero of the Sand Hidden Village, now wore an expression of helplessness. Despite her formidable strength and renowned reputation, she was powerless to reverse the village's current predicament. With the Daimyo having surrendered, further resistance would be futile.
Warfare fundamentally relies on financial and logistical support. With the nation's foundation lost, the Sand Hidden Village no longer possessed the means to resist.
Aoki slowly approached Chiyo and the others. Chiyo looked at him and smiled self-deprecatingly. Her gaze was deep and probing as she studied Aoki, trying to discern his true intentions. She couldn't help but wonder—his goals likely extended far beyond merely annexing the Land of Wind. What he desired was undoubtedly much more.
Aoki did not conceal his ambition, speaking frankly, "The Ninja World may seem vast, but its structure is narrow. The great nations are constantly embroiled in conflicts over interests, while smaller nations struggle to survive in the cracks. Everyone longs for peace, because peace means prosperity and stability."
"And I will bring true peace to the Ninja World, unifying all its lands."
This astonishing ambition left Chiyo, Rasa, Pakura, and the others utterly stunned. Unifying the entire Ninja World—this was something they had never even dared to imagine. Yet Aoki's words carried a compelling force, making that seemingly distant peaceful future feel within reach.
The room fell into dead silence. Chiyo and the others exchanged glances, each seeing shock in the other's eyes as they pondered the weight of Aoki's ambition. After a long while, Chiyo steadied herself and looked at Aoki with a solemn expression, asking, "Then, Hokage-sama, how will you treat the Sand Hidden Village?"