"You all should discuss your thoughts as well." After Todai finished speaking, the Third Raikage looked over the other high-ranking members of the Hidden Cloud, opening with these words.
"I think Todai's argument makes sense. We should attack Konoha. Attacking Hidden Rock is troublesome and doesn't yield as much benefit as attacking Konoha." A dark-skinned strong man crossed his arms and agreed with a serious expression.
"I think there might be issues, perhaps we should wait and observe the situation further, specifically watching to see what moves Hidden Mist makes." A white-bearded elder from the Hidden Cloud shook his head dissentingly.
After all the high-ranking Hidden Cloud members finished speaking, the Third Raikage noticed they were evenly divided.
Two high-ranking members supported attacking Konoha, while two opposed it.
Of course, the other two just thought now was not a good time to attack Konoha, not that they were against war altogether.
"I think Todai makes a good point. Explain your plan in more detail." The Third Raikage contemplated and spoke at last.
Evidently, he chose to go to war against Konoha.
This plan indeed carries risk, but the Third Raikage felt it was worth attempting.
...
On the other side, the Hidden Mist Village being concerned by the high ranks of the Hidden Cloud was also holding a high-level meeting.
Ever since being driven out of the Land of Fire by Konoha last time, while Hidden Mist retracted its power, it maintained close attention on the situation in the Ninja World.
They were waiting for a chance, waiting for a chance to make a name for themselves.
Each high-ranking member of Hidden Mist was displeased; it's rare for Hidden Mist to participate in the Great Ninja War, yet they were soundly defeated by Konoha.
"That Habu Mokgetsu is indeed extraordinary, no wonder Yagura lost back then. Besides Orochimaru, Konoha also has a hidden trump card prepared for us." The Third Mizukage said with narrowed eyes.
"It truly was unexpected."
Yuan nodded, understanding that the Third Mizukage was insistent on Yagura taking the throne.
It had been over a year since Yagura's defeat, and the Third Mizukage still slipped in support for Yagura, demonstrating his significant regard for him.
The other high-ranking Hidden Mist members echoed in agreement.
"Even though Hidden Rock was defeated, they made Konoha suffer too. I think we can dispatch assassination squads to exacerbate the conflict between Hidden Rock and Konoha. If Hidden Rock can go to full-scale war with Konoha, it would be a prime opportunity for us to strike." The Jonin Squad Leader of Hidden Mist stated his idea.
The Hidden Mist knows its situation well; they certainly cannot win against Konoha on their own.
They don't intend to engage in direct warfare with Konoha but are highly inclined to stir other Ninja Villages into war with Konoha.
"Hidden Rock lost so many people and surely holds deep animosity against Konoha now."
"But the Hidden Rock Squad has retreated now. Whether disguising ourselves as Hidden Rock ninjas to kill Konoha ninjas or vice versa, it's easy to be suspected at this period." A Hidden Mist advisor raised difficulties.
"Then we wait; unless Hidden Rock and Konoha sign a peace treaty, war is bound to arise again sooner or later." The Hidden Mist Jonin Squad Leader responded.
"Actually, we can start with other Ninja Villages aside from Hidden Rock; there are other Great Ninja Villages in conflict with Konoha."
"Taketo's thinking is good. We really need to take action now." The Third Mizukage praised Toda Taketo.
Although he might not directly adopt Toda Taketo's plan, the Hidden Mist certainly can no longer stay passive.
Any longer, and if Konoha wins over Hidden Rock and then Hidden Cloud, becoming the ultimate victor, revenge for Hidden Mist would become hopeless.
Only through battle does the Third Mizukage realize the power of Hidden Mist within the Five Great Ninja Villages was relatively lower.
With this revelation of their shortcomings, the next step must be to catch up with determined effort.
If themselves do not advance, they must pull Konoha down, preventing them from growing stronger.
After the meeting, Yuan returned home.
While guiding Terumi Mei and Zabuza, Yuan reminded:
"You must make haste in your cultivation. Hidden Mist's re-entry into war is only a matter of time; the next war might be even more intense than the last."
Terumi Mei was briefly taken back, understanding Yuan's words implied that the higher-ups were already determined to wage war with some Ninja Village, albeit with an uncertain date.
"Won't it still be Konoha?" Terumi Mei thought to ask but ultimately did not voice it.
This was classified information she, an ordinary Hidden Mist Jonin, was not privy to.
However, Terumi Mei was worried because she felt if Konoha were the opponent, Hidden Mist truly would not win.
It's not that Terumi Mei disregards herself to promote others, but rather through the Chunin Examination and Martial Arts Tournament, she gained a very clear self-awareness.
Their top talent in the Hidden Mist Village would merely be considered outstanding talent in Konoha and could not compare to the likes of Might Guy and Hatake Kakashi.
...
Land of Wind, The Hidden Sand Village.
"Onoki, you old scoundrel, it's finally your turn."
Laughing out loud, Rasa couldn't help himself while reading the intelligence on the Hidden Rock Village's severe defeat.
The Hidden Rock Village and The Hidden Sand Village were old adversaries; the small nations sharing borders between the Land of Earth and the Land of Wind formed a continuous line.
If not for both areas' particular geographical conditions, it would truly be a headache for both sides.
Rasa hadn't forgotten when the Hidden Rock Ninja Squad near the Land of Rain was ready to pounce during the Hidden Cloud's grand offensive on The Hidden Sand Village.
If The Hidden Sand Village hadn't held off the Hidden Cloud's assault, the Three Great Ninja Villages chaos would not have occurred in the Land of Rain but instead in the Land of Wind, at The Hidden Sand Village.
"Should we seize the opportunity to mobilize troops?" Rasa showed signs of contemplation.
If he could give Hidden Rock a crushing defeat, The Hidden Sand Village could not only exact revenge but also restore its prestige among the Five Great Ninja Villages.
Rasa took a moment to recall the current state of The Hidden Sand Village, ultimately shaking his head.
Even if he wanted to fight, other high-ranking members of The Hidden Sand Village would not agree.
For now, The Hidden Sand Village was in an extremely weakened state, the weakest since its founding.
The disappearance of the Third Kazekage left The Hidden Sand Village with more than just the loss of a top power.
After the Third Kazekage vanished, The Hidden Sand Village fell into significant internal turmoil.
With capable Ninja Clans and high-ranking members of The Hidden Sand engaging in every tactic to vie for the Kazekage seat.
At its peak, assassination was deemed trivial; leaders of various factions openly engaged in battles with large groups of ninjas.
In a way, Rasa somewhat owed gratitude to the Hidden Cloud.
If it weren't for the life-and-death external pressure the Hidden Cloud exerted, Rasa couldn't become the Fourth Kazekage as swiftly.
Compared to those high-ranking officials who had managed The Hidden Sand for years or the formidable Ninja Clans, Rasa's sole advantage was his disciple status to the Third Kazekage.
He inherited the Third Kazekage's Magnet Release, making him the most legitimate Kazekage successor.
Whether it be high-ranking members of The Hidden Sand or the Ninja Clans, all their resources are in The Hidden Sand, and if The Hidden Sand were lost, they would lose everything.
Under the life-and-death pressure from the Hidden Cloud, the Ninja Clans and high-ranking members were forced to compromise, allowing the most legitimate Rasa to assume the Kazekage position and unify The Hidden Sand Village's power to face the crisis.
Thus, Rasa was greatly irritated by figures like Pakura with potential to become Kazekage.
He worried that one day, when war subsided, the previously compromising high ranks and Ninja Clans would all exert efforts to depose him and support another ninja for the Kazekage seat.
After all, his ascension was uniquely peculiar in the entire Ninja World.
"If Hidden Rock and Konoha were to fight to mutual ruin, that would be ideal." Rasa couldn't help but fantasize.
The Hidden Sand was indeed weakened, but if other Great Ninja Villages were also weakened, then The Hidden Sand Village wouldn't be considered weak anymore.
Rasa yearned for a victorious battle, a battle of victory among equal ninja villages.
Such a victory would make it impossibly difficult for other high ranks to force him down from the Kazekage seat.
PS:
Yesterday, college friends came to see Little Orange, so I went out for late-night snacks, only getting to sleep past four o'clock.
Not sure if it's because it's been a while since I've stayed up late, but I felt strangely tired while writing today. If you spot any issues, feel free to comment at the end of the chapter.
Initially, I wanted to take a leave but felt the urge to continue steadfastly until the end of the month.