Because of the Third Kazekage's resignation declaration, the next few issues were passed very smoothly.
The elders chatted and laughed with the Third Kazekage as if they had never had any bad feelings.
It is very ironic to say that this harmonious atmosphere was actually maintained by the Third Kazekage's abdication.
"The war situation is not good now, so I decided to bring all 70% of the ninjas in the village to the front line."
In the final stage of the meeting, the Third Kazekage finally brought up the most crucial thing,
"What, 70%? What about the village's defense?"
"That's right, how can a 30% ninja maintain the safety of the village?"
The elders raised questions one after another.
The Third Kazekage chuckled and said confidently: "To be honest, I think leaving 30% of the ninjas is too much!
If Konoha wants to sneak attack on the village, they must lead the ninjas to cross the defense line. If the number is large, they will be noticed by the sensing ninjas. If the number is small, the village's defense is enough to resist them! "
Like other villages, the First Kazekage also considered many factors when choosing its location.
Sand Hidden Village is located in a towering rock mountain, like a besieged city, and in the surrounding rock mountain, there is only a narrow passage cut out, which is usually provided for the people in the village, so the people stationed in the passage Sand ninjas don't need much to fend off several times more enemies.
In addition, the surrounding rocky mountains also provide good conditions for defense against enemy attacks. If the enemy chooses to attack the Sand Ninja Village through a passage, the Sand Ninja on the rocky mountains can directly attack the enemies in the narrow passage.
This kind of defense cannot be broken without a large number of ninjas, and a large number of ninjas will definitely be noticed by the Sunagakure reconnaissance ninjas.
"What about Iwagakure Village? What if they attack us?" asked a middle-aged ninja.
The five major countries are full of lies, betrayal and killing. Today you attack me, and I will criticize you tomorrow. This is not uncommon even among allies.
But the Third Kazekage shook his head and said: "Don't worry about this. With the common enemy of Konoha, Onoki can distinguish the priorities. Iwagakure needs our ally, and we also need them.
Moreover, Sunagakure has to be wary of Kumogakure, they don't have the energy to sneak attack on us. "
In fact, despite what the Third Kazekage said, he actually considered a sneak attack on the Earth Country before the Five Shadows meeting.
However, he felt that the benefits were not high. After all, how could Iwagakure's wealth compare with Konoha, so he gave up.
Of course, these words must not be spoken out, otherwise what if they reach Onomu's ears through spies.
"I have already communicated with Ohnoki. Their frontline troops will also attack the Country of Fire during this period to ensure that the Konoha military line is involved. As long as we delay it, victory will definitely be ours!"
The Third Kazekage said in a bewitching tone.
"In that case... seconded."
"Seconded."
…
After all the elders agreed, the Third Kazekage smiled.
"Very good, now there is one last thing left. I want to take Xingya to the front line!"
As soon as these words came out, the room fell into a brief silence.
If this matter had been brought up initially, most elders would have objected.
After all, the tailed beast is a taboo weapon in the village. Naturally, it cannot be used easily because it is such a low-profile thing.
In the Second Ninja War, it was because of the easy use of tailed beasts that several jinchūriki died in succession. In the end, it took several years to recapture Shukaku.
Therefore, it has become the consensus among the elders not to use tailed beasts unless absolutely necessary.
But the problem is coming. Now 70% of the ninjas in the village have been transferred... If a rampage accidentally occurs, then who will protect the safety of their group of elders
"I think it's feasible. Tailed beasts are meant to be used at times like this!" An elder soon agreed.
"I have no objection either."
"Seconded!!"
…
…
While the meeting was being held, an eleven or twelve-year-old boy crossed the puppet collection room and slowly walked towards a small room.
After opening the door, what came into view was a dim oil lamp. Next to the oil lamp, a red-haired boy was sitting, leaning on the table and busy.
"Scorpion, are you okay yet?" the young man walked into the house and asked.
Before Xie Xie could answer, he continued excitedly:
"I have some good news for you. The puppet you made last time was also well received by customers."
The boy sighed in an envious tone: "I also want to become a praised ninja, just like you when you make puppets."
Seeing that Xie was still busy, the young man said displeasedly: "Hey, did you hear me?"
"Hey, it's me, the bug is here!" The boy raised his voice again.
"You guys, you're doing this to your best friend!" Xiaochong pushed Xie's shoulder, but the force was a little too strong. Xie didn't react for a while, and the parts in his hand fell to the ground.
"... Uh." Xiaochong scratched his hair and said awkwardly: "Sorry, sorry, I didn't mean it."
"But, in your eyes, am I worse than a puppet?"
Seeing that Xie was still busy, Xiaochong was a little frustrated, but he quickly regained his energy and said with a smile:
"Forget it, there's no point in worrying about your attitude. I came to you today because the customer asked me to bring you a message to deliver the puppet he commissioned you to make as soon as possible."
Xiaochong said apologetically: "Maybe the rush is a little tight, but don't worry about it. It's war time now, and we don't know when the battlefield will be. Customers also want to get it as soon as possible..."
Before he finished speaking, Xie pointed to the puppet on the left and interrupted: "The crow, black ant, and sanjiu fish have all been made according to the commission letter."
Xiao Chong was stunned, turned to look at the completed puppets piled in the corner, and said in surprise: "You move so fast!"
"I don't like to keep people waiting."
"Really?" Xiaochong chuckled: "That's right, this is indeed your style."
Scorpion ignored it. After putting the parts into a puppet arm, his fingers stretched out chakra lines and started playing with them.
Xiaochong looked at the arm and exclaimed: "It's so delicate, it's just like a real person's fingers."
As he spoke, he stretched out his right hand and gestured with the puppet's arm.
"That... Scorpion." Xiao Chong didn't know what he thought of, and hesitated.
"What's wrong?"
"I have something to ask." Xiaochong considered his words and asked, "Can you help the ninja install the puppet arm?"
Scorpion's eyes flickered: "You should know that this is a taboo, right?"
"I know, but..." Xiaochong sighed: "My teammate, his right hand was injured while performing a mission. If he doesn't install a puppet arm, he can't be a ninja."
"So, you want me to install one for him?"
"Yes." Xiaochong nodded, "I heard that Rasa, the disciple of the Third Kazekage-sama, had his right arm cut off by Konoha's lightning during the Second Ninja War.
Later, Granny Chiyo helped him install a puppet arm. I think, as Granny Chiyo's grandson and a talented ninja from Sunagakure, you should be able to do such a thing, right? "
Xie nodded, "I'll take this order."
"Haha, thank you so much." Xiaochong was a little excited, "I know you are interesting enough, and you are worthy of being my best friend!"
"Well, these puppets have been completed, I will send them to the guests first."
Scorpion nodded, "Ask your companion to come quickly."
"I know," Xiaochong smiled: "You don't like waiting, so I'll leave first... Bye."
Just when he was about to walk out of the room, he hesitated, turned around and asked, "Although it's a bit talkative, I still want to ask you, you know tomorrow is the teacher's funeral, right?"
"Um?"
Seeing Xie's confused expression, Xiaochong couldn't help but cover his forehead and sighed: "He is the teacher of our ninja school.
He died suddenly for some unknown reason a few days ago. The ANBU only said that he was poisoned, and they couldn't find out the murderer. There will be a funeral tomorrow. As a former student, you should attend it anyway, right? "
Xie said coldly: "Why should I participate?"
"Xiao, I know the teacher shouldn't have treated you like that, but it was only after his son died that he lost control. He later apologized to you..."
"I have never blamed him, and I am very grateful to him for telling me about the death of my parents." Xie picked up his puppet again, lowered his head and said: "You don't need to say it, I will go see him when I have time, I don't think so I want to meet my former classmates.”
"But those are our classmates. You can't throw away all these bonds, right?"
"I...have abandoned them all."
If there is no bond, there will be no harm!
"You're too withdrawn."
Xie did not answer, but continued to lower his head and continue playing with the puppet. Xiao Chong sighed, then gently closed the door and walked out.
When the footsteps became smaller and smaller until they disappeared, Xie murmured in a voice that only he could hear: "So what if you are lonely? Only the weak can push..."
As for the funeral of the dead ninja...
"Which murderer would go to the funeral of the person he killed?"
… …