Through the analysis of Genyan Mitokado and Hiruzen Sarutobi, they had more or less speculated about the conspiracy of Sunagakure.
Koharu Utatane snapped angrily, "Those guys in Sunagakure are really good at scheming! In this way, they not only solve their internal hidden troubles, but also cooperate with Iwagakure to attack Konoha and Ubau benefits from it!"
Tanzō frowned and said, "But if Sunagakure had planned to cooperate with Iwagakure to attack Konoha from the beginning, ōnoki shouldn't have refused. Why did they go through the extra trouble of starting a war with Iwagakure?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi guessed, "Sunagakure is short of resources, and the Fang Daimyō of the Land of Wind seems to have been cutting the funds of Sunagakure. As a result, the number of ninja in Sunagakure has been decreasing. Compared with the Second Shinobi World War, the number of ninja has almost been reduced by half.
War is war. Even if they cooperate with Iwagakure, there will surely be casualties among them. For Sunagakure, whose number of ninja is much smaller than the other four big ninja villages, they probably don't really want to cooperate with Iwagakure to start a war with us, Konoha.
I think Sunagakure plans to incite Iwagakure to start a war with us, Konoha. Then, they'll stay behind the scenes, watch the fire from the other side, and look for opportunities to Ubau the resources of Konoha or Iwagakure."
Genyan Mitokado sighed, "Rasa, the newly - appointed Kazekage of Sunagakure, although he took office in a hurry, is not a simple character. Hiruzen, our Konoha should get ready for battle next."
Hiruzen Sarutobi fell into silent thought.
After a moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi made a decision, "Next, Konoha will assemble ninja forces and send them to the Country of Grass, which borders the Land of Earth. There, they'll first occupy the favorable terrain and fight against Iwagakure.
Then Konoha will abandon the positions in the Land of Hot Water and transfer all the ninja from Konoha in the Land of Hot Water to the Country of Grass. After that, our main enemy will be Iwagakure.
At the same time, send more ninja to the Land of Rivers, which borders the Land of Wind. Although we think Sunagakure will choose to stay behind the scenes later, in the early stage, Sunagakure will definitely put on a show with Iwagakure."
Hiruzen Sarutobi picked up his pipe and took a big puff. Then he sighed rather dejectedly, "I have to say, Sunagakure's plan is really a bit brilliant. They've calculated that ōnoki has no choice but to cooperate with them, and we have to accept the battle."
Genyan Mitokado also sighed, "How can it not be brilliant? After all, they're starting the war on the pretext of their missing Third Kazekage. With the Kazekage of a village missing, they can forge any evidence they want. We really have no way to deal with it."
Koharu Utatane squinted at Genyan Mitokado and said, "Genyan, when you were analyzing just now, I felt like you turned into a big - headed kid."
Genyan Mitokado was puzzled and said, "A kid? I analyzed so well. My image should at least be a bit imposing, right? How could I be a big - headed kid?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi said solemnly, "Alright, let's end the small talk here. We've got a lot to do next. Let's get started. Each of us should do our part and quickly convey the orders!"
...
Inside the Tsuchikage Building in Iwagakure.
Ōnoki had, of course, already heard those rumors.
Looking at the alliance cooperation letter from Sunagakure in his hand, the veins on Ōnoki's forehead bulged. Gritting his teeth, he said, "Do they really think I'll agree? I really underestimated that brat named Rasa!"
A counselor frowned and asked, "Lord Tsuchikage, are we really going to agree to the alliance with Sunagakure? Everyone in that village is a villain. They're totally untrustworthy!"
When Ōnoki got angry, his nose would turn red, and now he was red - nosed.
However, this time Ōnoki wasn't as angry and irritable as last time. Suppressing his anger, he said, "Of course I know those villains come from that backwater place. But now we have no other choice.
The Cloud ninjas from Cloud Hidden Village are no longer fighting the ninja from Konoha in the Land of Hot Water. They're specifically coming to harass us. And with these rumors out, those guys in Konoha aren't stupid. They must have noticed something. Maybe they've already gathered their ninja and are getting ready to fight us.
If we don't agree to the alliance, we'll be left to deal with this mess alone in Iwagakure. Sunagakure can just retreat into their village. Tell me, who's going to go to that lousy place to fight them?
Will Konoha go? Will Cloud Hidden Village go? Will we go?"
Ōnoki's questions left the high - level officials of Iwagakure sitting here speechless.
Sunagakure really did seem fearless, relying on their harsh environment and extreme poverty.
Most importantly, it seemed they really had no way to deal with Sunagakure.
To attack Sunagakure, they'd have to cross the desert area of the Land of Wind first. Just crossing the desert would be a real pain in the neck for them.
And the desert was the home - ground of the Sunagakure ninjas. Even if they managed to reach the gates of Sunagakure, with Sunagakure having the home - ground advantage, they wouldn't have the upper hand in a fight.
Even if they won, it wouldn't make any sense. Sunagakure had no ryo and no resources. It'd be stupid to carry sand back.
After taking a long breath, Ōnoki rationally analyzed, "Now we have to cooperate with Sunagakure. Without a doubt, Konoha must be preparing now, or maybe they've even started to act.
If we don't agree, we'll face the pressure from both Sunagakure and Konoha, and Cloud Hidden Village will surely get involved as well. Then we'll be in big trouble.
By cooperating with Sunagakure, we can solve the problem of those Cloud ninjas who are harassing us. Then we can attack Konoha together with Sunagakure. Konoha isn't like that poor place, Sunagakure. It's extremely rich. There are plenty of benefits to be had. So there's no reason for us to reject the cooperation with Sunagakure.
However, those guys from Sunagakure definitely want to use us. They want us to charge into the fray while they sit back and reap the spoils. Well, there's no such a good thing.
After reaching an alliance with Sunagakure, you pass on the orders to the captains of each ninja forces and even the captains of ninja squads. When cooperating with Sunagakure in battle, let them take the lead. If they don't, neither will we.
If they want to drag things out, that's fine with us. Anyway, our Iwagakure can afford to wait. Whether Sunagakure can afford it or not, only they know."
The high - level officials of Iwagakure in the meeting room said in unison: "Yes!"
...
The orders from Hiruzen Sarutobi quickly reached the Konoha camp in the Land of Hot Water.
When Jiraiya and Minato Namikaze heard about it, they were completely stunned.
The situation has changed far too quickly. In the blink of an eye, Konoha is going to become the target of public condemnation.
Moreover, Kamishiro used his identity as a member of the Third Kazekage's clan to lure the Third Kazekage out of the village, and then the ninja from Konoha attacked the Third Kazekage?
If they didn't know that Kamishiro was right here in the Konoha camp in the Land of Hot Water and didn't go to Sunagakure, they might have really believed it... As if!
This rumor is really outrageously fabricated.