The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, frowned.
"You're suggesting the destruction of Kusagakure and the massacre of Iwa's ANBU may not be part of the same scheme?"
Tsunade crossed her arms.
"Have you ruled out Kumogakure? Forging Lightning Release traces like Raikiri would be trivial for them."
Kakashi nodded.
"The victims were killed instantly. No resistance. Whoever did it moved at extreme speed. After luring me to Iwa's border, they reached Hōzuki and wiped everyone out in a short window."
Tsunade spoke coldly.
"If it was Kumo… only the Raikage fits."
Hiruzen exhaled smoke.
"Whether it was him no longer matters. Iwagakure has mobilized three thousand shinobi into the Land of Grass. The Land of Fire may be next."
Konoha was weakened.
Minato Namikaze was dead.
Kushina Uzumaki was gone.
The new jinchūriki was an infant.
Tsunade could not lead troops.
Forces were stretched thin monitoring Kirigakure along the coast under Orochimaru's supervision.
War would be disastrous.
Iwagakure
Inside the Tsuchikage's office, Onoki studied the map.
His son, Kitsuchi, entered.
"The jōnin who accused Kakashi had ties to Kumogakure."
Ōnoki scoffed.
"So Kumo has learned subtlety."
"There's more. The dying ANBU left coded traces—Kumogakure… and the Land of Rain."
Ōnoki narrowed his eyes.
Rain had always been contested ground.
"Investigate quietly," he ordered.
"And the troops in the Land of Grass?" Kitsuchi asked.
"Advance them toward the Land of Fire border."
Kitsuchi stiffened.
"Are we going to war?"
Ōnoki smiled faintly.
"If Kumogakure wishes to manipulate us, we will see how they react. If they reinforce against us, they fear conflict. If they shift troops toward the Land of Hot Water… they seek confrontation with Konoha."
He leaned back.
"The Land of Fire is fertile."
After a pause, he added:
"Contact underworld brokers. If mercenaries strike near the Land of Hot Water, tensions between Konoha and Kumo may ignite on their own."
A war born of suspicion.
Far more efficient than one declared openly.
/------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------/
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