The relationships between various daimyos and the leaders of ninja villages are extremely complex.
Before the end of the Warring States period, ninjas were a group of mercenaries struggling for a living.
They were hired by those countries and wealthy merchants to capture cities, seize land, among which the Senju and Uchiha clans were outstanding.
Later, Hashirama Senju, the First Hokage, and Madara Uchiha founded Konoha Ninja Village. After receiving the approval of the Fire Daimyo, they officially became the official combat power of the Fire Country. Other countries soon followed suit and established their own ninja villages.
Ninja villages only need to pay a certain amount of military expenses each year. At other times, they can earn employment funds by taking on missions. And the samurai raised in their clans, during peacetime, were idle people who did nothing. The security work could also be handed over to ninjas, which could save a large amount of funds.
Even a fool could figure out which option was better after doing the math.
The Fire Daimyos of all generations were smart people who knew how to make the right choice.
They let Konoha do as it pleased. After all, they knew that their power was not enough to command the First, Second, and Third Hokages, all of whom were fierce warriors who had emerged from the war.
As long as it didn't endanger the country and their own safety, they could do whatever they wanted. This was the situation in the Fire Country.
However, the situation of the Wind Daimyo was different.
Most of the land in the Wind Country was desert. In a word, it was poor!
Sunagakure was also poor. The money earned from taking on missions couldn't cover the village's expenses. So, at this time, they still needed funding from the Wind Country. This gave the Wind Daimyo an opportunity to control them.
There was nothing else to it, just cutting the funds. And this was the key point that could keep Sunagakure firmly in check.
In fact, the position of Sunagakure was very awkward. The strength of the Wind Country was just so - so. If it weren't for its location in the desert, it would have been occupied long ago. It was impossible to grow crops in the sand, and there were very few natural resources that could be utilized. Even if the land was occupied, people would leave soon enough because there was nothing to gain from guarding a stretch of sand.
This was the reason why the Wind Daimyo often cut the funds. Sunagakure seemed dispensable and was just a waste of his money. He might as well hire a group of people to protect himself. As long as he was safe, that was all that mattered.
Fortunately, although he was dissatisfied with Sunagakure, he wasn't completely stupid. He didn't disband Sunagakure because it could still be useful during the war.
When Kumogakure attacked the Wind Country, Sunagakure, while defending, launched an attack on the wealthier Fire Country.
This move... was really not a smart one!
After occupying a large area of the Fire Country, the Wind Daimyo was happy. The Fire Country was much richer than his own. Exchanging a stretch of sand for fertile forests and land seemed like a profitable deal.
But then Sunagakure lost the newly - occupied territory, and he was very unhappy.
He immediately ordered that if they lost the war, the funds would be cut because they had to pay reparations for losing.
Where would the money come from?
Of course, it would be deducted from the funds given to Sunagakure.
After withdrawing from the territory of the Fire Country, the Sunagakure ninjas' state changed. They were extremely fierce on the large - scale battlefield. Sometimes, even Orochimaru had to avoid their edge.
"Now our front line has been stretched, and the troops are scattered on most of the battlefields, unable to concentrate."
Orochimaru said, looking at the battle situation on the sand table.
The sand table of the River Country's territory was placed in front of everyone. There were battlefields between Konoha and Sunagakure in many places, forming a front line that almost ran through the entire River Country.
"Lord Orochimaru, but concentrating our forces now is not a good idea."
Shikaku Nara from the Nara clan suggested, "If we concentrate our troops now, the Sunagakure ninjas may notice due to our large - scale actions. If they go around behind us, we'll be caught in a pincer attack, which will be very detrimental to our battle situation."
The Nara clan were all intelligent people and could serve as military advisors in Konoha. Orochimaru would accept their suggestions.
He glanced at the sand table and nodded. "As Shikaku - kun said, this is indeed not a good thing. But if we continue to stretch the front line, Konoha's supply line will also be extended. Dragging on like this with those guys is not a long - term solution."
With Konoha's logistical reserves, it could outlast two and a half Sunagakure villages. However, the Fire Country had more than just this battlefield. Recently, Kirigakure seemed to be itching for a fight, showing signs of planning an attack. There had already been small - scale skirmishes between Konoha ninjas and them. It was estimated that a full - scale war would break out soon.
The battle on the border between the Fire Country and Kumogakure was also ongoing. Kumogakure was not an easy opponent to deal with.
They also had to be on guard against the Rain Country and the Earth Country. Currently, the Fire Country was surrounded by enemies. The war here was on the largest scale, and nothing could go wrong.
Stretching the front line was definitely not a long - term solution.
After thinking for a while, Orochimaru said, "Shinnosuke, you and Seisuke - kun will form a surprise - attack team and carry out assassination activities. Set out immediately."
Shikaku asked in confusion, "Lord Orochimaru, Shinnosuke is indeed powerful, but Seisuke...?"
"Shikaku - kun, Seisuke - kun is my disciple, and I have full confidence in him."
The destructive power Seisuke could cause was terrifying enough. Moreover, as long as he didn't encounter Water Release and had enough chakra, he was almost invincible. In this state, it was entirely possible for him to form a surprise - attack team with the powerful Shinnosuke.
"I understand."
"Of course, they're not the only assassination team. There are others. What you need to do is assassinate and disrupt the rhythm of the Sunagakure ninjas." Orochimaru decided to send out a special force to break the deadlock.
"Yes."
Shinnosuke nodded, preparing to call Seisuke.
"Go to the medical unit to get the antidote. I spent time preparing it. Also, give this list to Seisuke. When the antidote runs out, let him prepare it according to this."
Orochimaru took out a piece of paper and handed it to Shinnosuke, saying, "Go to the logistics department to get enough supplies. If possible, cutting off their front line would be the best."
"I understand." Shinnosuke put away the list and walked out of the tent.
Orochimaru then began to select suitable members for the assassination teams. They would use these special forces to break through Sunagakure's front line and thus open up the battle situation.
This was a last - resort measure. Assassination teams, as special forces, were used only when necessary because most of the people sent would never return.
If one - tenth of those sent could come back, it would be a cause for celebration.
But for Orochimaru, sacrificing these people's lives in exchange for victory in the war was acceptable.
This was a necessary sacrifice!
Even if it included the son of his teacher, the Third Hokage, and his own disciple, they could all be sacrificed. If they died, it meant their strength was not enough to survive on this cruel battlefield, and then their lives were meaningless.
Meaningless lives could definitely be used to exchange for victory.
To achieve victory for Konoha, pay the price that can be paid!