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Chapter 314: The Sand Ninjas' Imminent Bankruptcy!
Chapter 314: The Sand Ninjas' Imminent Bankruptcy!
The Sand Ninjas had no choice but to strategize.
If they didn't change their tactics, they would be worn down.
Over the past two months, their losses were manageable, with around a hundred ninjas.
For a localized conflict, this was no small number, especially since all the casualties were ninjas, not ordinary people.
The Hidden Sand Village could withstand this loss alone.
However, the simultaneous depletion of massive resources was an absolute disaster.
The Sand Ninjas were already impoverished, slowly converting their previous plunder into resources, and naturally, they couldn't withstand this new crisis.
In the temporary meeting room—
Bang! Ye Cang slammed her fist on the table.
"This can't go on! Tomorrow, I'll lead the troops into battle myself!"
She had endured enough during this time.
"No, the firepower of those steel battleships is too formidable!"
Lo Sha immediately objected.
It wasn't that Lo Sha, the newly appointed leader, intentionally wanted to suppress Ye Cang, but because he knew how terrifying that firepower could be when they launched an offensive.
Previously, they had organized an attack but were bombarded by the steel battleships' cannons.
Speaking of which, Lo Sha had successfully overthrown his opponent a few months ago, becoming the Fourth Kazekage. He was also the mastermind behind targeting the Skyguard Tower.
However, his ascension to the Kazekage position wasn't due to superior strength or higher popularity.
It was simply because he could 'dig for gold' to support the village... no, the entire village.
Additionally, the elders chose him because his magnetic jutsu was more effective than scorching jutsu for controlling the one-tailed Shukaku.
Even after becoming Kazekage, Ye Cang still frequently gave Lo Sha a hard time, making his leadership less than enjoyable.
"Haven't you dealt with that fleet yet?"
Chiyada, seated at the top, spoke up, silencing both Ye Cang and Lo Sha.
Although the Fourth Kazekage had recently assumed the position, Chiyada's strength and authority far surpassed his. Her words instantly commanded the situation.
"It's impossible. We have no chance of getting close, and even if we did, we couldn't break through their water defenses!"
Lo Sha shook his head.
He couldn't ignore the threat posed by that fleet.
As long as that fleet existed, the Skyguard Tower had no concerns about supply disruptions and enjoyed powerful fire support.
Naturally, it became a priority to eliminate them.
The enemy was well aware of this, keeping the fleet docked in the port and setting up defenses at sea, preventing any attempts to destroy it.
The 'Phantom Lantern' clan, experts in water combat, formed the defensive line for the Skyguard Fleet.
The Sand Ninjas' plan to break through the Phantom Lanterns' water defense was overly ambitious.
In water battles, the Phantom Lanterns' strength was significantly enhanced, giving them a direct advantage.
It was due to the Phantom Lanterns' protection that the Blazing Sun Fleet remained unscathed.
"If we can't deal with them, then forget about it. Tomorrow, we launch an all-out assault!"
Chiyada made the decision, preparing for a direct assault.
"But..."
Lo Sha was concerned.
A direct attack would likely result in significant casualties on their side.
"Only by enduring the harsh trials of the desert can this new generation of Sand Ninjas become the village's pillars. Moreover, I've brought the puppetry division with me!"
Chiyada's tone was resolute, a stark contrast to her usual kindness.
This was the true face of the Hidden Sand Village's core elder, and without such determination, the village would have struggled to survive before the appointment of the Kazekage.
Her intention was clear.
She wanted to use this localized war to blood the new generation of Sand Ninjas, even if it meant significant losses.
In the Shinobi World, strength was forged through battle, and safety could hinder even the growth of geniuses.
Additionally, Chiyada brought along one of the Sand Ninjas' ace divisions—the puppetry division.
Similar to the Stone Village's blasting division, the puppetry division was the Sand Ninjas' signature force.
Composed of numerous puppet masters, their power was evident, and if they weren't formidable, they wouldn't be feared.
"Yes!"
Lo Sha nodded in agreement.
However, his reason for doing so wasn't solely due to what Chiyoda had said, but also because of financial concerns.
Recently, he hadn't been mining at the frontlines, which meant a loss of income, and with the continuous consumption of supplies, even the substantial spoils they had just acquired couldn't sustain this expenditure.
When the cannons fire, gold flows like sand!
Both the prices of supplies and ninja tools were skyrocketing.
The Hidden Sand Village's meager production capacity meant they couldn't produce everything themselves and had to purchase from elsewhere, resulting in significantly higher prices than usual.
Moreover, these items suffered significant losses during transportation, and the consumption was immense. If this continued, the Hidden Sand Village would go bankrupt.
Therefore, Lo Sha felt that it was best to have a swift resolution, regardless of the outcome.
And so, the Sand Ninjas began to assemble.
On the other side, Uchiha Meika was the first to receive news of their movements.
"Full military alert, prepare for battle!"
After the recent period of training, her abilities had improved tremendously, and her aura grew stronger.
Following Uchiha Meika's orders, traps were set, and various ninja tools and supplies were distributed, including healing potions and explosive tags.
The explosive tags of the Uchiha Clan were priced at several thousand gold pieces each in the market.
The Fire Style's strength wasn't just talk; the explosive tags they produced had far greater power and quality than ordinary ones, and their price reflected this.
These explosive tags were manufactured by the Uchiha in the Skyguard Tower (for a price).
In any case, the lower-ranked ninjas of the Skyguard Tower were each given one explosive tag per month, and they could obtain more based on their identity and strength.
A Jounin would have at least ten or more.
On the battlefield, a single explosive tag was as effective as a high-level Fire Style jutsu, and its impact was significant.
For this campaign, the Skyguard Tower had invested five thousand explosive tags.
These explosive tags alone had a value of over a hundred million gold pieces.
If you added the other supplies, the cost of the Skyguard Tower's investment was at least a billion gold pieces, and this didn't even account for losses like compassion.
However, with high expenditure came high returns.
The Sand Ninjas lost over a hundred warriors, while the Skyguard Tower's losses were only a few dozen, a vast difference.
A victory achieved through sheer financial might.
Especially the healing potions! Only Jounin-level Sand Ninjas could obtain them, while even lower-ranked ninjas in the Skyguard Tower had access.
However, the supplies were bound to their tactical belts, and upon death, the items would be destroyed to prevent them from falling into enemy hands.
It was the explosive tags and healing potions that allowed the Skyguard Tower to achieve such a lopsided casualty ratio during this guerrilla warfare.
The impoverished Sand Ninjas, upon learning of the Skyguard Tower's expenditure, couldn't help but feel envious to the point of jealousy.
What extravagance!
With such a sum, they could even help them deal with the Wind Country noble occupying the mining area.
The next day!
Over a thousand assembled Sand Ninjas, led by Chiyoda, Ye Cang, and Lo Sha, swept towards the port where the Blazing Sun Fleet was stationed like a sandstorm.
Note that 'sandstorm' is not a metaphor but a description.
A massive sandstorm was heading towards the port.
While the Sand Ninjas couldn't create a natural disaster, manipulating one was not a problem. With the influence of some secret Wind Style jutsu, the sandstorm changed course and swept through.
It can be said that each of the Five Great Hidden Villages had their unique strengths.
In the desert, the Sand Ninjas' advantage was immense, perhaps not as dominant as the Mist Ninjas in the sea but still astonishing.
Upon receiving this news, Uchiha Meika wasn't surprised. It would have been stranger if the Sand Ninjas didn't have such an ace up their sleeve.
In the U-shaped natural harbor.
Three ten-thousand-ton aircraft carriers and five thousand-ton battleships had their cannons adjusted to face the same direction.
Yes, these were not 'Chakra Cannons'.
Those were exclusive to the Hidden Cloud Village. These cannons were conventional ones used by regular people.
However, the ammunition was somewhat special.
(End of Chapter)
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