After Kana left, Fumori masaki immediately summoned the Hokage Cabinet members. Hyuga Kai reported the details of the attack on the way, ensuring no single detail was missed.
Hyuga Kai relayed all the information he knew, then stood silently before everyone, not saying a word, waiting for them to finish their thoughts before asking.
"So, Tobi has exhausted all his methods. Aside from his influence in the Daimyo's residence, the power he can wield independently can only go this far," Shimura Danzo said thoughtfully.
Shimura Danzo was the primary person in charge of the Konoha Hidden Leaf Village Intelligence Division. He knew more detailed information than others. In the intelligence gathered on Tobi, this attack included all the methods Tobi had used. In other words, Tobi had no new tricks left to pull.
"That's truly good news. No matter how many schemes he tries, there's always a limit to what he can do," Fumori masaki said calmly. "When it comes to a confrontation at the level of a nation and a village, schemes can only fuel the fire. To decide victory or defeat, it still depends on the direct strength of both sides."
The other members of the Hokage Cabinet nodded in agreement. Ninjas, who were always adept at using strategies, naturally understood this point very well. In the Warring States period, when ninjas could only rely on individual assassinations, a single ninja's schemes could not determine the outcome between two factions. At most, it could cause a certain degree of change in the strength of both sides. The true decider of victory or defeat still lay in the overall strength of both parties.
"Ultimately, Tobi is just someone who appeared out of nowhere. Although he has secretly supported Jashinists and cultivated chakra samurai within the Daimyo's residence, the methods he can use are limited," Shimura Danzo said.
"Indeed, some of our arrangements have left him with almost no options," Sarutobi Hiruzen said with a smile from the side.
Everyone present could guess what kind of insidious methods Tobi would employ. After all, ninjas were originally masters of schemes. Of course, this primarily referred to traditional ninjas; most current ninjas no longer possessed that skill—in Fumori masaki's definition, the vast majority of people in the village could no longer be called ninjas—only the Anbu and Intelligence Division still had such experts, as their professional characteristics required them to retain such abilities.
From Tobi's perspective, the targets he could think of would also be thought of by the Hokage Cabinet members. Even if the Hokage Cabinet members couldn't think of them, the Intelligence Division could deduce them. Then, they would make targeted arrangements, such as assigning protectors to certain nobles, paying attention to certain matters in their daily lives, and avoiding making the same mistakes as the lord, and so on. This essentially foiled Tobi's schemes.
The only thing Konoha Hidden Leaf Village couldn't deal with was the official orders issued by the Daimyo's residence. After all, Konoha Hidden Leaf Village was not a part of the Land of Fire's political system. They could only influence indirectly, not directly decide. When the Daimyo completely refused to listen, they could only watch.
Therefore, Konoha Hidden Leaf Village could only silently endure some of the policies issued by the Daimyo's residence targeting Konoha Hidden Leaf Village's commerce. It wasn't that they were swallowing their anger, but because this was what they needed. Konoha Hidden Leaf Village would indeed suffer losses, but they weren't the only ones suffering.
In the policies Fumori masaki introduced, Konoha Hidden Leaf Village gained huge benefits, but he wasn't playing alone. He understood that if such a large cake were eaten by one person, it would definitely arouse the jealousy of others, including the ninja clans and commoners within the village, as well as the nobles and common people outside. Over the years, he had already established an interest group, with only differences in the size of the interests each party held within the group.
While Konoha Hidden Leaf Village suffered losses, these people would also suffer. They had tasted the sweetness for so many years, and they certainly wouldn't be willing to retreat all at once.
Of course, their resolve was not as firm as Konoha Hidden Leaf Village's. The Konoha higher-ups had basically decided to oppose the Daimyo, but it wasn't so easy to make these people, who had lived under monarchy for many years, decide to oppose the Daimyo. At least, the situation had to become even more tense, making them realize that if the Daimyo wasn't overthrown, they themselves would definitely not fare well.
Originally, this would have been a prolonged game of chess, but now it seems that this time will be greatly shortened, as the Daimyo has continuously issued policies that cause frowns, almost as if he is deliberately trying to provoke conflict. To others, the Daimyo's head must have gone bad.
Fumori masaki didn't care if the Daimyo's head had gone bad. He only needed to be sure of one thing: the Daimyo's actions would accelerate the outbreak of conflict. That was enough. What he needed was a righteous banner that could be openly raised to oppose the Daimyo.
"I originally thought Tobi was a very dangerous enemy, but now it seems he's just short-sighted. Doesn't he understand that a conflict with the village won't do them any good?" Mitokado Homura said.
The other members of the Hokage Cabinet also didn't know what Tobi was thinking. Perhaps only Uchiha Kagami understood some things. He knew Tobi's true identity, and he had discussed with Fumori masaki that from Tobi's personal perspective, his goals and the Daimyo's goals were actually inconsistent. The Daimyo might plan slowly, but Tobi might not think that way.
Understanding this point, guessing Tobi's actions becomes logical. However, the other members of the Hokage Cabinet didn't know about this. So, in their eyes, this Tobi was just an opportunist who only knew how to play schemes, and he had overplayed his hand at this time, which led to the current situation.
"Then he will reap what he sows," Fumori masaki said quietly. The current situation was within his expectations. "Let's wait and see. The time for a direct confrontation is not far off."
"Lord Hokage, if that's the case, shouldn't we consider having the Guardian Ninjas in the capital prepare to leave?" Hyuga Kai said at this point.
"Indeed, it would be troublesome if Asuna and the others were put in danger, but we can't arrange it ourselves," Sarutobi Hiruzen said with a slight frown, troubled.
"First, have them prepare, gather as much detailed intelligence from within the country as possible, especially on Tobi. Let the Intelligence Division determine when they will act. At the same time, inform Sakumo and the others to keep a close watch on every move within the capital," Fumori masaki said.
"It seems that's all we can do," Uchiha Kagami shook his head helplessly. He knew that Fumori masaki must also be worried about his daughter's safety, but if Asuna and the others were to actively leave the capital, it would disrupt Konoha Hidden Leaf Village's plans. Even if he was worried, he could only wait quietly.
Perhaps, this was also the helplessness of a leader. Sometimes, one couldn't just consider their own feelings; they had to consider more things.