Way of Warfare.
*BOOM*
Countless explosions were heard coming from the North of Iwagakure. Flames raged as the earth burned and screams were heard. People and shinobi were seen rushing in, buckets of water in their hands as they desperately tried to put the fire out, but to no avail.
"FALL BACK! Water users try to put out the fire, earth users try and limit the spread." - a shinobi commander screamed as the civilians and some shinobi retreated.
The only thing they could do was stop it from spreading. The commander turned to a shinobi by his side.
"It's lost, notify the Tsuchikage, we lost the North Granary. This year is especially bad… he is not going to be happy."
The messenger disappeared as more and more civilian workers ran to bring water for the shinobi to use water Jutsu, but the flames grew too fast and spread all over the granary. The North Grannary of the Land of Earth was consumed by flames.
-------------------------------
(Onoki POV)
Two major Granaries were gone in an instant. Considering the early harvest that I prepared in case of a chance to attack Konoha… unless I came up with some solution we were going to lose about 25% of our population due to starvation. The smaller villages barely have enough for themselves during winter. Kumo and Sand are the same, the land there being too rough to raise so they import from Konoha. Kumo is not as bad, but Sand has to. We are self-sufficient, that's why we don't need to worry about trade with Konoha… but now.
It was definitely that brat. The Godaime Hokage, after trying to kidnap my granddaughter to make me back off, managed to stop any attempt for mobilization for at least 2 years.
"Tsuchikage-sama, we can make do by dealing with some of the smaller villages. If we can make some concessions and get Kumo as well, we can get by until our reserves build-up."
"And what are our options for retaliation." – I asked as the faces of my counselors twisted a little.
"It…" – But before he could answer a shinobi came barging in.
"Tsuchikage-sama, the north granary… it's gone." – It was the news that sealed our options.
Out of the four major granaries, only the one located in the capital remained. Let alone mobilizing, for Iwa to survive the coming winter, countless concessions would have to be made to Konoha. The brat would bleed me dry.
"Send a message to Konoha."
The brat had won this round, but the war was far from over. I would find a way to get back at him for this. For now, I will pay the price and keep my head down.
-----------------------------------
(MC POV)
"We will not trade." – I said calmly to Shikaku and the two Sannin standing in front of my table.
"What?" – Shikaku, Jiraya, and Tsunade asked.
Looking confused, the three of them looked at me. Tsunade asked me doubtfully.
"How are we going to profit if we just hand our food over to them?" – She asked as she frowned while looking at me.
Shikaku paled a little as he answered in my stead.
"The Hokage is not planning on handing over any supplies… there will be no deal." – He said gravely.
"…no… you can't be serious…" – Jiraya said as his eyes narrowed at me.
A smirk rose on my face as I replied.
"But I am."
Jiraya jumped at that, his arm swiping to the left as he almost screamed.
"MILLIONS WILL STARVE TO DEATH!" – He but screamed at me.
"No. Not just starve. Diseases will follow due to malnourishment, their physiques will get weaker due to rationing, in order to preserve as many lives as possible."
"You…" –Tsunade started but Shikaku grabbed her arm, shaking his head.
"Only 1 in a thousand becomes a genin, these are civilians we are talking about, we are condemning innocent people to death."
"We are doing nothing. Konoha is doing nothing. No details nor documents exist to trace anything back to Konoha."
"But the other Kages will know." – Jiraya retorted.
"Indeed they will, and if they want to eat, if they don't want their people to starve, they will stay put. They will learn that war, is not something that is fought only on a battlefield. People are the foundation, and when you break it… everything on top of these foundations starts crumbling down slowly. Weaken the people, weaken the shinobi, weaken the village… win the war." – I said as I tapped the table, cracks spreading over it and the folders on top coming down together with the table.
I simply stood smiling slightly on my chair.
---------------------------------
Jiraya and Tsunade had left my office, only me and Shikaku remained. As he stood silently on the corner, I suddenly spoke up.
"What is the question you want to ask so desperately. It seems to be gnawing on your from the inside, I can feel your anxiety from here."
Shikaku turned his head towards me, his expression stoic as he opened his mouth.
"Iwa won't fall just because of this. The foundation you spoke about. It will crack, it will weaken, but it will not break… but since I know this, you also do. Since we both know this, what are you planning to do that will break this foundation?"
I smiled as I closed the folder in my hands and smiled lightly looking at him.
"What is it I wonder? Iwa won't be able to attack us for at least 2 years, why do you think I will do something?" – I asked him amused.
"Because you won't simply wait for Iwa to grow back the fangs you will tear out." - Shikaku said with a serious face.
"… Onoki will keep his fighting force at its peak, but even that will reach the limit once the gravity of the situation sets in. He will have to ration the shinobi as well. I'm predicting that it will take around 3-4 months for malnourishment symptoms to set in on the shinobi forces of Iwa."
"YOU…." – Shikaku said as his eyes opened wide.
My Mangekyou rotated as I smirked.
"After 4 months, in the middle of the winter, we will launch an invasion on Iwagakure. The main target will be the elimination of Onoki the Fence-Sitter, The third Tsuchikage of Iwagakure."