The Sand Guardian

The news of Suna's victory over Iwa, particularly the confrontation between Enma and Onoki, spread quickly across the five great nations. What seemed to be a local clash between two regional powers rapidly turned into an alarm signal for the other Kage, each fearing that this might be the beginning of a new power's rise in the ninja world.

Konoha's Reaction: The Hokage's Worry

In Konoha, reports from Suna were received with palpable concern. Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi stood in his office, silently reading the letter. His eyes scanned every line, reading and rereading the details of the battle between Enma and Onoki. Suna's victory, and especially the way Enma had countered Iwa's movements, was impressive. The young Kazekage seemed to have not only anticipated the attacks but also turned them to his advantage, crushing Iwa under constant pressure.

"This boy... he's more strategic than we thought," Hiruzen murmured, his eyes filled with concern.

His fingers tightened around the report. Suna now had a position of strength, and every passing minute could see the Village Hidden in the Sand grow even more powerful in this impending war. Konoha could not afford to stay out of it. War was inevitable.

"We must act," Hiruzen said, lifting his head, a determined look in his eyes. He then turned to one of his assistants. "Prepare the teams. We're heading into war."

The shinobi of Konoha, whose reputation needed no introduction, would soon enter the conflict. But there was no more time to waste. If Suna gained too much ground, it would be too late to act. Suna's strategy, with Enma at its helm, allowed for no hesitation.

Kirigakure's Reaction: Mizukage Concern

In Kirigakure, the news also reached impatient ears. Mizukage, who was not yet the Mizukage, stood in her office, looking over information about the events unfolding in Suna. Reports mentioned Onoki's defeat and Enma's bold maneuver. The young woman clenched the letter in her hands, her eyes burning with a new determination.

"If Suna gets too far ahead, we risk losing our place," he said to herself, her face serious. "I won't let a young Kazekage dominate the field."

A counselor entered the room, looking concerned. "Mizukage, the situation is becoming urgent. Konoha is already preparing to enter the conflict, and Iwa is slowly recovering. We need to act now."

Mizukage nodded gravely. "Prepare the troops. Kirigakure must ally with those fighting against Suna. We cannot let this young Kazekage grow too strong. He must be stopped before he becomes a threat to all."

Kumo's Reaction: The Raikage's Fury

The situation in Kumo was equally tense. Raikage A had exploded in anger in his office, his fists pounding the wood of the desk with such force that the impact echoed through the room. "Suna, that village, that Kazekage..." he growled, "They've gained the upper hand, and there's no way we'll let that happen."

A counselor entered quickly, aware of the Raikage's enraged state. "Raikage-sama, we must act. We cannot stay on the sidelines. We need to intervene."

A rose abruptly, his eyes burning with rage. "Let them prepare. Kumo is entering the war. This young man doesn't know who he's dealing with. We'll show him what Kumo is capable of."

He gave the order to prepare the weapons and assemble the troops. War had begun, and Kumo refused to be left behind. The Raikage was determined to shift the balance before it was too late.

Iwa's Reaction: Onoki's Anger

Back in Iwa, Onoki's bitter defeat to Enma had only fueled his rage. In his office, the Tsuchikage struck the desk with his fist with such force that it made a loud boom, the noise resonating throughout the room. Documents flew into the air from the impact. "This... kid," Onoki muttered through gritted teeth. "He humiliated me, and now everything is thrown into chaos."

His advisors quickly gathered around him, fearing an even more violent outburst. "Tsuchikage-sama," one of them began, "Suna is about to take the lead. We need to respond."

Onoki stood up, his eyes gleaming with fury. "We will not let this slide. This boy, this Kazekage, played with us. Now, we will show him that the old generations still have power."

He turned to his assistant. "Prepare the forces. Iwa is not finished. We'll retaliate, and we'll push them back. Suna will regret challenging Iwa."

Enma in Suna: The Calm Before the Storm

In his office in Suna, Enma stood alone, as emotionless as ever. He knew the other Kage would soon intervene in the war. Each had been caught off guard by the speed of events, but Enma felt no pressure. It was like a game, a game he already controlled. He had already predicted every reaction of his enemies, and he wasn't going to let them escape.

Slowly, he rose from his desk and walked toward the door. He had a task to accomplish. "Sasori," he murmured into the silence, "prepare yourself. It's time to act."

A few minutes later, Sasori entered Enma's office, his footsteps quiet, his figure impassive. "Kazekage-sama, you called for me?"

"Yes," Enma replied, his tone as calm and flat as always. "The time has come to launch the final plan."

Sasori nodded, his piercing gaze steady. "What do you want from me?"

"We will attack." Enma paused, taking a moment to observe the sand in his office. "Konoha, Kiri, Kumo… Everyone needs to understand that Suna will not back down. We will make them pay for their hesitation. Prepare the puppet squad. We're going to destroy the exterior of Konoha, Kiri, and Kumo. A surgical strike, where no one will have time to prepare."

Sasori smiled, a spark of excitement in his eyes. "I'll handle the setup. They won't know what hit them."

Enma simply nodded. "They'll have to react. And once they do, it will be too late. They'll walk straight into our trap."

Thus, as the other villages rushed into war, Enma and Sasori already knew what would follow. The time for the other Kage's reaction had passed. Suna was about to impose its domination, and no one would be able to stop it.

Under a sky of almost surreal blue, the wind blew across the barren land outside the villages. Members of the Suna army, each positioned strategically, stood ready to launch their surprise offensive against the other great nations, triggering a new chapter in the war. This was not just a military assault; it was a trap, carefully orchestrated, and every ninja was an actor in a scenario that Enma had designed.

Sasori Before Iwa: The Silence Before the Storm

Before the village of Iwa, Sasori and his group of puppeteers were concealed in the shadows of the massive rocks surrounding the region. The wind blew through the mountains, carrying with it a fine dust that covered the horizon in a ghostly mist. With every movement, the wooden and metal puppets, suspended by invisible threads, stirred slowly, ready to spring into action at the slightest alarm. Sasori watched calmly, his impassive eyes fixed on the horizon.

"It will be quick," he murmured to one of his lieutenants, a thin and agile ninja holding a smaller puppet in his arms.

The puppets were poised to swoop down on Iwa's forces, while Sasori awaited the first wave of enemy reinforcements. These troops, thinking they were in control, had no idea that they were already walking into a deadly trap.

In the distance, a group of Iwa shinobi advanced in formation. They were confident, believing that their numerical advantage and cautious approach allowed them to maintain the initiative. They had no idea what awaited them. Sasori waited, his face as expressionless as ever, but his mind was in full alert. A sudden movement, a signal... and the massacre would begin.

When the first shinobi entered the trap, Sasori gave a discreet sign. The largest puppet, a giant armed with sharp claws, emerged from the shadows, cutting through Iwa's lines with deadly precision. The cries of the ninjas echoed in the air as Sasori's puppets took Iwa's forces by surprise, destroying their formations and thinning their ranks in an instant. There was no room for defense, no room for hesitation. Sasori smiled slightly. The war had just begun, but Suna's first victory was already in the bag.

Rasa Before Kumo: Waiting for Reinforcements

A few hundred kilometers away, before the village of Kumo, Rasa and his elite jonin group were hidden under the cover of the falling night. The moon illuminated the surroundings, and the heat of the desert air seemed to permeate everything. Rasa was silent, but he could feel the tension in the air. His eyes scanned the horizon, searching for any sign of enemy troops.

Kumo was accustomed to moving fast, hitting hard. But there was something about the way they were organizing themselves that betrayed their underestimation of the situation. They didn't know that Suna was waiting for them.

Rasa focused on the jonin team before him, all experts in the art of war. His orders were clear: strike first, strike hard, and leave the enemy little room to react. One of his lieutenants, an agile ninja, raised his arm, signaling that a Kumo troop was approaching.

"Get ready. As soon as they're within range, we strike," Rasa said in a firm but calm voice. His men took their positions, eager to act. The sound of feet on the sand was the only noise breaking the silence. The Kumo troops had no idea what awaited them.

Suddenly, Rasa gave a signal, and his jonin launched into the attack. They sprang from the dunes, ruthlessly striking the Kumo shinobi who were attempting to regroup. Their attacks were a perfect sequence of strategies, with the explosive puppets deployed by Rasa creating diversions that allowed his team to overwhelm the enemy ranks. The fast and efficient assault quickly rattled Kumo's forces, leaving them bewildered and defenseless.

Chiyo Before Kiri: Calm in the Chaos

Chiyo, the former head of Suna's medical ninjas, stood before the gates of Kiri. The rain beat against her face, but she remained unshaken. Her gaze pierced the darkness, like a serpent ready to strike. She knew that Kiri's forces, despite their reputation, wouldn't understand what was coming for them. It was a battle in which they would find themselves trapped in a web, an invisible snare. Her team, made up of seasoned jonin, was ready.

Kiri was a great nation, but their underestimation of Suna would cost them dearly. Chiyo awaited the enemy troops, feeling the cool wind on her face. She knew they would come, and she also knew they would fall into the trap. A noise on the horizon caught her attention. Figures were approaching.

She raised her hand. "Take your positions, everyone. Leave nothing to chance."

The instant Kiri's troops entered the trap, Chiyo gave the signal. Her men, like shadows in the night, sprang from their hiding spots, striking with devastating speed. Their combined techniques, supported by attack puppets, caused strategic areas around Kiri to explode, making it practically impossible for them to reorganize. Kiri was destabilized, and the shinobi who thought they had the upper hand found themselves trapped and isolated. It was a swift and crushing defeat for Kiri, and Chiyo, as an experienced leader, knew this would mark the end of their attempt at a rapid intervention.

The forest around Konoha was dense and dark, an ocean of moving foliage swaying in the light breeze, but beneath this apparent tranquility, a multitude of shinobi waited, invisible as shadows. Among them, Enma stood perfectly still, his icy gaze fixed on the village in the distance. No sound, no movement. Only the breath of the wind in the trees disturbed the intensity of the wait. He was in his element, perfectly calm. There was no room for recklessness here, everything was calculated, and the battle that was about to unfold would only confirm Enma's mastery in the art of war.

"It's not brute strength that leads to victory, but the ability to exploit the weaknesses of your opponent."

He had said these words to his lieutenants before setting out, and they had all internalized them with the same precision as he. Enma, as emotionless as ever, observed Konoha from his position in the woods. Every move he had made up to this point had been meticulously planned. Nothing was left to chance. The Suna forces were ready, and the moment was approaching.

At his side, thirty elite shinobi stood in a posture as still as his. Every man, every woman knew exactly what they had to do once the signal was given. The first wave of attack wouldn't come in a frontal assault — there was no need to risk an early direct confrontation. No. The goal was more subtle. Enma waited, and in his eyes, there was a cold determination. All around him, the tension was palpable. Their adversaries, the village of Konoha, believed they were safe, protected behind their imposing walls. But Enma knew they were not immune to his plans. This wasn't about inflicting a major defeat immediately, but about sowing confusion, forcing them into making erroneous decisions, trapping them in a war they had never wanted.

There, in the shadows of the trees, he sensed the presence of his ninjas preparing to execute his orders with relentless precision. He had ordered some of them to approach Konoha's observation points discreetly, ready to cut off all communication lines before the village could even react. Others had been sent to disable the detection systems and traps around the village gates.

Everything was ready. It was only a matter of waiting for the signal.

The Signal: The Storm Unleashed

The moment finally came. The signal Enma had been waiting for was heard as a slight tinkling in the air. It was a sound inaudible to anyone unprepared to hear it, a simple drumbeat in the wind. But for those who had been trained, it was an order, a call to battle.

Enma turned to his lieutenants and said coldly,

"It's time."

With a single fluid and unyielding motion, he sprang into action. The Suna forces moved with perfect synchronization, weaving through the forest, heading toward their attack points like serpents emerging from the shadows. The units dispersed, separating to strike in several key locations, where Konoha's defenses were weakest. Every ninja knew they had to be as stealthy as possible, leaving no chance for the enemy to seize the initiative.

Meanwhile, Enma made his way toward one of the least protected sides of the village, where the defense forces had not yet fully aligned. It was a small gap in the wall, a natural passage in Konoha's structure, but enough for Suna to enter discreetly, destabilizing the forces from within.

As Enma slinked among the shadows, he could hear the first sounds of battle erupt behind him. Explosions echoed as sections of Konoha's wall collapsed, allowing other units to penetrate. It was like a wave of chaos, a whirlpool swallowing everything in its path. The Suna ninjas fought with icy determination, striking their enemies with strategic violence, leaving Konoha's defenders unable to react with the same efficiency. Enma, always at the head of his troops, advanced without hesitation, his steps guided by a clear objective: to create chaos without compromising his position.

Konoha's Reaction

Suna's surprise attack immediately plunged Konoha into chaos. The village, though prepared for an imminent war, had not anticipated such a rapid and organized strike. The Konoha shinobi, many of whom were on patrol around the village walls, were caught off guard. The agitation intensified quickly, and the Konoha shinobi began organizing to defend, but every move they made was already anticipated by Enma. He had studied their operations meticulously, knowing their weaknesses as well as his own men's strengths.

The first waves of defense were repelled by Suna's elite teams, and Enma knew that it was still necessary to continue exploiting the confusion. This was only the first step in the plan. The objective was to never offer an easy target, to never allow Konoha to regroup. They had to continue striking where they least expected it, always with the same precision.

The Fight Between Enma and Minato

The dense, silent forest surrounding Konoha seemed unyielding. Enma stood motionless among the trees, watching the village from a distance. His posture was as unwavering as his mind. He knew the moment was imminent. The other villages had been attacked, plans were in motion, and Konoha, as expected, would react. He didn't need to seek out the fight; it would come to him.

A few minutes later, a flash of light shot out from the trees in front of him. A swift figure, a gust of hot air marking its passage: it was Minato Namikaze, who had appeared at lightning speed, like a bolt slicing through the night. He was young, fast, and undoubtedly one of Konoha's greatest talents, but he wasn't yet Hokage, and Enma knew that this encounter would be an important step in the war's progression.

Minato didn't say a word. The excitement of the moment, his combat instinct, spoke for him. He immediately launched into a series of rapid attacks, eager to surprise Enma with his famous teleportation technique, the Hiraishin no Jutsu. In the blink of an eye, Minato was already behind Enma, attacking with a Rasengan ready to strike.

But Enma, without even turning, raised his right hand. With a simple motion, a massive wave of golden sand shot up from the ground, wrapping around Minato, preventing him from moving at the speed he desired. The sand, formed into a compact wall, constricted around him, forcing him to change direction instantly.

Minato: "Impressive, you use sand! But that won't be enough to stop me!"

Enma didn't respond, remaining perfectly calm. His body seemed like an extension of the sand around him. He could control it with extreme precision, manipulating the particles like a puppeteer with his strings. The sand wasn't just an addition to his abilities; it was one of his primary weapons, an invisible force that helped him control the battlefield.

Minato attempted another attack, teleporting at high speed around Enma, but with every attempt, the sand moved with him, anticipating his movements and constraining him. Minato found himself trapped each time in an invisible snare.

Minato: "You're preventing me from moving!"

At that moment, Enma raised a hand toward him, and with a simple gesture, a wave of sand formed around Minato, pressing him lightly to the ground. However, Minato didn't let himself be overwhelmed. He exploded a Rasengan against the sand surrounding him, creating an impact powerful enough to destroy part of it. He quickly escaped, but Enma had already anticipated his movements.

Enma: "Your speed is an asset, but you can't run forever."

Enma then moved with unexpected speed, summoning a massive column of sand that charged directly at Minato. Minato's Rasengan shattered against the column, but Enma had already closed the distance. In an instant, he sent a rain of sharp, blade-like sand directly at Minato, forcing him to defend with his kunai.

Minato realized that the gap between him and Enma was far greater than he had imagined. His speed, though phenomenal, wasn't enough against this sand technique. Every movement Minato made was anticipated, and every attack was repelled. His speed allowed him to avoid some strikes, but Enma knew how to force him into a disadvantageous position, making escape more and more difficult.

After several violent exchanges, Minato began to feel the effects of fatigue. Enma's sand, inexhaustible and adaptable, kept him from acting as he wished, restricting his movements while forcing him to defend against increasingly pressing attacks.

Minato: "I can't beat you like this..."

Enma, still impassive, had yet to use the full power of his sand. He began to concentrate his chakra to form a massive mass of sand in the air, creating a massive and threatening shape. Before Minato could react, the mass of sand crashed down on him, burying him under tons of sand. Minato found himself immobilized, trapped.

The Hiraishin couldn't work in these conditions. The Rasengan wouldn't be enough against such a massive amount of sand. Minato, though incredibly fast, simply didn't have the upper hand here. After one last effort to free himself, he collapsed exhausted onto the ground.

Minato: "You've won... But the war is just beginning..."

Without responding, Enma watched Minato's figure fade as exhaustion took over him. He knew that this fight was only a small prelude to something much bigger. With Minato out of the way, it was time to retreat.

Enma's Withdrawal

After securing victory against Minato, Enma raised his hand one last time to release the sand and free Minato. But he knew his time was limited. The surprise had, for now, played in his favor, but more powerful ninjas were on their way. He had to leave before reinforcements arrived.

In a swift and calculated motion, Enma turned and began to withdraw. His men had already left the area, and he no longer needed to stay. Everything was already in place. The retreat was as important as the attack itself. He knew Konoha would react, but for now, the war was about to take a turn none of the villages had anticipated.

Enma: "The plan is proceeding as planned."

He melted into the shadows of the forest, disappearing as quickly as he had come, before anyone could discern any trace of his presence.

Reactions in Konoha

By the time reinforcements arrived, it was too late. Minato, unconscious, was found in an uncomfortable position, surrounded by sand. The most powerful ninjas of Konoha had finally arrived, but the danger had passed. Their first thought was to save Minato, but they already knew that something much bigger was at play.

The attack wasn't a mere skirmish. It was a declaration of war.

Back in Suna, Enma calmly observed the results. He knew that everything that had happened was just a prelude to a larger war. Konoha, Kiri, Kumo, Iwa — all the villages were now involved.

The Battle of Iwa (Iwagakure)

The Battle of Iwa was marked by the tactical agility of Sasori and the brutality of a surprise attack. At dawn, Sasori's puppets deployed in the steep mountains and surrounding forests, penetrating the land of Iwa with clinical precision. Each puppet, controlled with flawless accuracy, weaved between rocks and trees, infiltrating enemy positions before the Iwa soldiers could react. The initial attack was swift and brutal, with the puppets delivering targeted, poisoned strikes that quickly demoralized Iwa's defenders.

The first units from Iwa, mainly composed of basic ninjas and jonin, were swiftly overwhelmed by Sasori's harassing tactics. Dozens of puppets moved relentlessly, attacking in increasingly powerful groups. The first casualties fell quickly, victims of hidden knives and explosives concealed within the arms of massive puppets. The poison embedded in the weapons inflicted mortal wounds, and in addition to physical pain, confusion and fear spread among Iwa's soldiers.

When Onoki arrived to take command of the defense, the situation was already dire. Using his powerful Doton techniques, he attempted to counter Sasori's attacks by manipulating the earth around him to create giant barriers and hurl massive projectiles at the infiltrating forces. The mountains turned into a high-intensity battlefield, with stone walls collapsing and rocks flying in all directions.

But despite his exceptional powers, Onoki was struggling against the intensity of the puppet attacks and the surprise infiltration. Every movement of Sasori seemed to have an immediate response, and the giant puppets advanced relentlessly. Iwa's forces were well-trained, but their inability to adapt quickly to a war being fought on multiple fronts and in the shadows began to cost them dearly.

As the situation became disastrous for Iwa, Onoki realized that he had no choice but to retreat. The defense lines collapsed, and despite his efforts to maintain stability, the Tsuchikage ordered a retreat.

The Battle of Kiri (Kirigakure)

Kiri, known for its thick marshes and mist, was not spared from Suna's stealthy attack. Chiyo, the commander of Suna's medical ninjas and an experienced strategist, led the attack against Kirigakure, using the surrounding forests and marshes to blend into the mist and sow confusion among Kiri's defenders.

Suna's forces, well-prepared and effective in difficult conditions, began their offensive on the shores of Kirigakure. Units of ninjas infiltrated the village, quickly destroying communications and spreading terror among Kiri's soldiers. Suna's ninjas used their stealth expertise to eliminate patrols before they had time to raise the alarm.

Mei Terumi, though competent, was not yet fully in charge of Kirigakure and found herself overwhelmed by the speed and brutality of the attack. Chiyo, with her expert tactics and composure, maneuvered her forces to deal decisive blows. The mist, which had always been an advantage for Kiri, became a hindrance. Suna's ninjas, accustomed to fighting in similar conditions, turned it to their advantage.

As Kiri's forces tried to respond, Chiyo intensified her assault, focusing her efforts on Kiri's weak points, notably attacking command centers and supply lines. The attack turned into a war of harassment, with targeted strikes on key points of the village.

Despite Mei Terumi's efforts to maintain order and defend Kiri, Suna's tactics forced the village into a defensive posture. The lack of coordination, combined with the surprise of the attack, brought Kiri down under the weight of the assault. Mei, realizing that the battle was lost, ordered a retreat, allowing Suna to take control of the outskirts of the village.

The Battle of Kumo (Kumogakure)

The attack on Kumo was led by Rasa, one of Suna's most experienced commanders. He and his elite team moved quickly toward the stormy mountains surrounding Kumo, using the mountain terrain for cover. Their stealthy approach allowed them to bypass the first lines of defense before striking decisively at the outer fortifications.

Suna's forces engaged in battle using a combination of Sand and Katon techniques to disrupt Kumo's defense lines. The sand techniques were particularly effective in creating traps and shifting barricades, disturbing Kumo's units and forcing them to focus on defense rather than offense.

The Raikage, known for his combat prowess, rushed to the front lines to defend the village. He used his Raiton (lightning techniques) to generate deadly bolts of electricity that struck Suna's ninjas. However, Rasa, aware of his opponent's abilities, used defensive sand techniques to protect his troops. The sand became a barrier that absorbed most of the Raikage's attacks.

Rasa and his elite jonin then began to harass Kumo's lines, striking quickly and retreating before Kumo had time to counterattack. Suna's harassment strategy caused Kumo to lose ground, and the rapid attacks left little time for organizing a solid defense.

Kumo's soldiers, though powerful, were disorganized in the face of Suna's agility and precision. The rapid attack-and-retreat techniques destabilized the defenders, and the Raikage, though powerful, was forced to give the order to retreat before the village suffered even greater losses.

These battles were marked by surprise attacks, harassment maneuvers, and flawless coordination by Suna's forces. Despite the powerful kages and formidable techniques of the other villages, they were caught off guard by the ruthless forces of Suna, which acted like a well-oiled machine. The defenses of Iwa, Kiri, and Kumo crumbled under the pressure and strategic skill of Suna, and retreats became inevitable. Thus, the war began, marking the start of Suna's domination, with the other nations on the defensive.