"Sigh… I wonder when our Cloud Village will finally become like Konoha."
The Third Raikage spoke with genuine emotion.
"Konoha? Raikage-sama, our current situation is already quite good. With Konoha standing at the very front, we can focus on developing ourselves. Sure, our methods have been a bit aggressive, but no one is targeting us. Isn't that a good thing?"
Dodai couldn't understand at all.
In his view, the current state of the ninja world was the best possible scenario for the Cloud Village.
"Dodai, I understand everything you're saying. But to put it bluntly, isn't it just that everyone thinks our Cloud Village can't compare to Konoha? Even though we've worked so hard—sometimes even resorting to extreme measures—in the eyes of the other villages, the biggest thorn in their side is still Konoha. Don't you find that a bit disappointing?"
The Third Raikage said.
"Uh…"
Dodai thought it over carefully.
It did seem a bit true. While being underestimated was advantageous for the Cloud Village, looking at it this way, the other villages really didn't take them seriously at all—especially the Stone Village. Even after bullying them so much, their number one enemy was still Konoha. It was like they didn't regard the Cloud Village as a threat at all.
"Forget it. We'll talk about this later. Dodai, calculate this for me—if our Cloud Village goes all out this time, what are the chances we can truly crush Konoha?"
The Third Raikage was getting irritated. Every time they attacked Konoha, there were always constraints holding them back.
This time, he wanted to go all out.
After all, if Konoha didn't fall, how could the Cloud Village ever rise to become the number one ninja village?
"That depends on how much force the Stone Village commits. If they go all out, then we can do the same. But if they hold even a single unit back, we'll have to stay on guard against them at all times."
Dodai replied.
The closest threat to them was still the Stone Village. Ōnoki was extremely cunning—he absolutely couldn't be trusted.
As for the Mist Village… whatever they could gain in the Land of Lightning, they could obtain more easily in the Land of Fire. There was no reason for them to take the longer route.
Still… better to stay cautious.
The Sand Village? If they wanted to attack the Land of Lightning, they'd have to pass through the Land of Fire first. If they could break through Konoha and reach them, then from now on, the Cloud Village might as well follow their lead.
"Dodai, send a reply to Ōnoki. As long as the Stone Village deploys fifteen thousand shinobi to attack the Land of Fire, I, the Third Raikage A, guarantee in my name that we will launch a full-scale assault on Konoha."
The Third Raikage spoke boldly.
In the ninja world, the promises of the Third Tsuchikage were worth nothing—but the word of the Third Raikage was worth a fortune.
"Understood. But Raikage-sama, asking for fifteen thousand shinobi might be a bit much for the Stone Village."
"You ask high and negotiate down. I've learned a thing or two over the years."
"Yes, Raikage-sama."
Dodai quickly took his leave to prepare negotiations with the Stone Village.
As he departed, his eyes grew slightly moist.
At last… under my influence, the Third Raikage has finally started using his brain.
...
A few days later.
Land of Earth.
Tsuchikage's Office.
After receiving the Raikage's reply, the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, scoffed.
"The Raikage's promise? What use is that? The only reason he hasn't broken it is because he hasn't encountered a temptation big enough."
"So what should we do? That's their condition. If we don't agree, they won't attack."
Kitsuchi asked nervously.
The Stone Village was in grave danger—not because of war, but because of its finances.
With over twenty thousand shinobi, they simply couldn't sustain the costs anymore.
The only solution now was to shift the conflict outward.
Launch a massive war.
If they won, they'd gain a huge influx of funds.
If they lost, they'd reduce their numbers, cutting expenses. As for compensation for the fallen… if the village itself was on the brink, then they'd have to rely on the Will of Stone—tighten their belts and endure together. It would at least buy them some time.
Kitsuchi had seen this firsthand after the last great war. He knew exactly how it worked.
A massive war had already become the Stone Village's only lifeline.
Though he cared deeply for his subordinates, in the face of the village's survival, everything else became insignificant.
"Kitsuchi, don't panic. The more dangerous the situation, the more we must stay calm. Fifteen thousand shinobi—we can accept that. We can still retain five thousand as a reserve force to guard against other villages. We can agree to the Cloud Village's terms, but we shouldn't accept too easily. Kitsuchi, drag out the negotiations and push the number down as much as possible. They don't have the patience—we can outlast them."
"Yes, Tsuchikage-sama."
Kitsuchi withdrew to gather personnel for the negotiations.
With how little he spoke, bargaining and arguing would put him at a disadvantage.
After Kitsuchi left, Ōnoki looked at the empty office.
"If the Cloud Village goes all out… should I gamble everything this time too? This might be my last—and best—chance to crush Konoha."
He looked at his aging body, already beginning to decline.
Then his thoughts drifted back to long, long ago—
To the man who had once crushed both him and his master beneath his feet.
"I will destroy the Konoha you built!!!"
Smack! Smack!
Two crisp slaps echoed.
"No… no. I can't gamble the entire Stone Village over personal grudges. The village comes first. The village is what matters most."
Ōnoki snapped back to his senses and quickly began writing letters.
"This time, we still need to bring in the Mist Village and the Sand Village. I refuse to believe they won't be tempted if the Stone and Cloud Villages take the lead."
Especially the Sand Village.
In the ninja world, the Stone Village harbored the greatest hostility toward Konoha—but the one that wanted to defeat Konoha the most was undoubtedly the Sand Village.
It all came down to that cursed geography.
If the Sand Village wanted to escape its endless desert, it had no choice but to expand into the Land of Fire.
And to expand, it had to defeat Konoha.
As for the Land of Rain…
One place never stopped raining, the other never saw rain at all. Neither was exactly ideal.
Damn it—why was all the best land in the ninja world part of the Land of Fire?
Konoha… how fortunate you are.
The only variable was the Mist Village.
Just thinking about how the Mist Village would fight them to the death—even across Konoha—gave Ōnoki a headache.
A bunch of lunatics with no sense at all.
How were you even supposed to communicate with them?
Just how had the Second Hokage managed to make the Mist Village fight the Stone Village at all costs back then?
Still, Ōnoki sent a letter to the Mist Village as well.
Just in case.
Just in case.
Just in case…
Maybe the current Mizukage had a bit of sense.
Maybe he wasn't insane.
Uchiha Madara: Don't worry, kid. No matter who attacks Konoha in this war, my Mist Village will definitely lend a hand.