Chapter 0085: The Nation’s Strategy

...
The Sound Ninja Village mobilized, and nations around the world successively received summons from the ninja world. Everyone was to gather at Sound Ninja Village within a month.
At present, there were more than two hundred countries in the world, among which the Land of Fire, Land of Wind, Land of Lightning, Land of Water, and Land of Earth were the largest, boasting a population of over one hundred million combined.
The other countries, though ruled independently, depended on these five great nations.
After the order from Sound Ninja Village was issued, the rulers of various countries began to act.
The ruler of the Land of Wind, known as the "Daimyo," secretly contacted the Land of Fire, Land of Lightning, Land of Water, and Land of Earth via radio.
This was a technology they had urgently developed—it could transmit voices, but not images.
"Orochimaru wants to make his move against us again. Heh, ninjas are just a bunch of foolish brutes, devoid of wisdom. This is another opportunity for us," the Daimyo of the Land of Wind said, his voice brimming with ambition.
The Daimyo of the Land of Lightning replied, "What should we do? Go or not go?"
The Daimyo of the Land of Water spoke solemnly, "Something like this happened before—the ninja world backed down. Now they're summoning us again; I'm afraid they've made thorough preparations."
The Daimyo of the Land of Wind retorted, "You all worry too much. Isn't the ninja world's strength your own doing?"
In the previous era of ninja villages, Sand Ninja Village in the Land of Wind was also counted among the Five Great Ninja Villages, but in recent years, the Daimyo had secretly slashed funding, driving Sand Ninja to the bottom of the five.
If this continued, the village would perish on its own.
He had even tried to convince other nations to do the same, to destroy the power of the ninjas completely, but the others suspected this was a ploy by the Land of Wind and ignored him.
Now, regret was rampant.
The Daimyo of the Land of Wind said, "I told you long ago—the ninjas are too powerful. At first, we managed to control them, but they're like a sword hanging over our heads, making me uneasy. And now, reality proves me right.
Now Orochimaru plans to strike at us again. Heh, it seems it's time to teach them a profound lesson!"
The Daimyo of the Land of Fire spoke bitterly, "How are we supposed to teach the ninja world a lesson?"
Among all the countries, the Land of Fire had the closest relationship with the ninja village, to the point where they were friends. Now, they had turned into enemies.
Moreover, forces once led by Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Shikamaru from the former Leaf Village had become an exceptionally strong part of the ninja world.
For the Land of Fire, this counted as betrayal, leaving the Daimyo deeply conflicted.
The Daimyo of the Land of Wind paused, then said, "Since Orochimaru has summoned us, we must go. However, while we go, we’ll instruct the small countries under our control not to go. Not only that—they should strongly oppose it, to test the ninja world’s attitude and methods."

This was a simple yet effective strategy: outwardly, they agreed to go with good cheer, but delayed their departure, and secretly ordered the small countries not to attend, urging them to voice strong opposition—to see how the ninja villages would respond.
If the ninja villages handled it poorly, the great nations would refuse to go as well; if handled well, the great nations could observe their tactics and gain insight.
The Daimyo of the Land of Lightning said, "Let’s do it, then. Each of us will send a small country to oppose; let’s first test the ninja world’s methods."
...
Several days later, a few small countries openly rebelled against the Sound Ninja Village's summons, and the news quickly spread among the populace, causing an uproar.
Many civilians were dissatisfied, even taking to the streets in protest, demanding the ninjas relinquish their powers and return peace to the world.
In the war fortress, Shikamaru received a message from Jiraiya and smiled wryly. "Jiraiya, has the Daimyo of the Land of Fire really set his mind on this?"
He rubbed his temples, feeling helpless.
Jiraiya said, "He no longer trusts us."
"Ah, this time rivers of blood will flow," Shikamaru sighed.
Although he did not know why Orochimaru had suddenly become so forceful, he could see the future Orochimaru envisioned.
Orochimaru wanted to build a civilization powered by the entire world, and his resolve was unbreakable.
Jiraiya foresaw what would happen, but still clung to a sliver of hope. "Will Orochimaru really keep killing?"
He knew the answer, but couldn't help asking, hoping for a miracle.
Shikamaru gave a helpless smile, shrugged his shoulders, the meaning clear without words.
Soon, Orochimaru's order arrived, just as expected: those countries that disobeyed and stirred trouble would be killed.
As for the chaos among the populace when their leaders died, Orochimaru's solution was violent: directly supporting obedient replacements, and killing until obedience was achieved.
With such iron-fisted measures, within two days, the five rebellious countries had turned into docile lambs, looking to the ninja world for guidance.
...
The five great nation Daimyos secretly contacted each other again. This time, when the connection began, a heavy silence hung in the air; no one spoke.
After a long while, the Daimyo of the Land of Wind said, "Too ruthless."
Disobedience was met with execution, regardless of the reason, regardless of threats—killed until submission.

It was effective, immediately intimidating many. Already, numerous small countries had reported their refusal to cause trouble, stating, "Let whoever wants to stir things up do so; we will not, because those who do will die."
The small countries were not fools; they would not let themselves be used as pawns by the great nations. The great nations would have to take the lead.
The Daimyo of the Land of Lightning said, "Should we go to Sound Ninja Village first, then discuss?"
The Daimyo of the Land of Water said, "Once we arrive at Sound Ninja Village, what’s left to discuss? We’ll surely be monitored."
That was certain—even in their own capitals, they were watched, though they had hired many rogue ninjas and, since it was their own territory, could still make secret moves.
"Heh heh heh," the Daimyo of the Land of Wind laughed, "Let’s stop testing each other. We must form an alliance; none of us can escape. All of you are in contact with the surviving ninjas from the four nations, right?"
The Daimyo of the Land of Lightning asked, "What are you planning?"
The Daimyo of the Land of Wind replied, "I want to make a big move!
None of us five great nations will go; not only that, but the allied small nations are forbidden to go as well. Let’s see what Orochimaru can do!
He threatens with death—does he dare wipe out the leadership of all five great nations? Is he not afraid of global chaos?
Besides, we still have surviving ninjas from the four nations protecting us in secret; we won’t die. At worst, we’ll surrender at the last moment and seek another path."
...
A week after Sound Ninja Village issued its order, the five great nations that had promised to attend suddenly and almost simultaneously announced their refusal, along with nearly a hundred other small countries.
Their reason: "Orochimaru is a dictator; the ninjas have gone too far." They said they would attend only if Orochimaru apologized and compensated them with ninja scrolls.
The five countries that had been violently subdued were cited as examples; they used the threat of worldwide chaos to pressure Orochimaru.
...
Orochimaru was conducting experiments in the war fortress. The white mouse in the cage lay quietly.
When he received the news, Orochimaru calmly injected the mouse with a serum. Its body instantly doubled in size, becoming fierce and powerful, tearing at the cage.
But soon after, it collapsed and died.
Orochimaru gazed at the mouse, expressionless, and said, "Kill."