The Target Is... the Jinchuriki
"Perhaps the village has this in mind!"
Kakashi carefully analyzed Hinata's speculation and concluded that this possibility still existed.
Konoha has always regarded the Akatsuki as a major enemy. Since Hinata's battle with the Rinnegan, the Akatsuki seemed to have disappeared from the Shinobi World, leaving no trace.
With the Shinobi World in chaos, Konoha doesn't yet know whether this was instigated by the Akatsuki.
But the chaos in the Shinobi World is definitely a good thing for the Akatsuki.
Konoha is determined to maintain peace, and if the situation in the Shinobi World tilts in Konoha's favor, the Akatsuki will inevitably take action.
As soon as the Akatsuki takes action and is caught red-handed, the Five Great Shinobi Villages will immediately quell the conflict and refocus their attention on the Akatsuki.
"However, these are not things we need to consider..."
Kakashi said calmly, "We just need to do our own thing!"
Hinata shrugged, indicating that she didn't care.
"Ah--"
Kakashi looked somewhat embarrassed and said stiffly, "In that case... there are still many things to take care of in the camp, I'll head back first."
Since Hinata harbored no resentment, Kakashi had no intention of offering any further advice.
Konoha didn't actually do anything wrong by concealing information. However, those who were kept in the dark would find it somewhat difficult to accept.
Especially for a pampered young lady like Hinata who has never suffered any hardship since childhood, Kakashi couldn't guarantee that Hinata wouldn't overthink things if she suddenly encountered something like this.
Hinata's attitude made Kakashi feel somewhat relieved; in just one year, Hinata's mindset had indeed grown a lot.
After Kakashi left, Hinata continued her training alone.
The situation in the Shinobi World is constantly changing, with both Konoha and Hidden Cloud Village actively courting allies, and the atmosphere of war gradually enveloping the entire Shinobi World.
Kumogakure is the most proactive village.
Iwagakure, on the other hand, only expressed its stance but remained inactive.
Although Sunagakure is nominally an ally of Konoha, it is the weakest of the Five Great Shinobi Villages and cannot afford any losses. Therefore, Sunagakure can only act as a fence-sitter, waiting for the situation in the Shinobi World to become clearer before siding Sunagakure the stronger side.
Seven days passed in the blink of an eye.
After Konoha expressed its willingness to make concessions for the sake of peace in the Shinobi World, Kirigakure clearly stated its position for the first time, publicly declaring that it would stand with Konoha.
With Konoha and Kirigakure reaching an agreement, Sunagakure had no choice but to side with Konoha.
The situation in the Shinobi World has become three against two, and the plot of the Kumogakure and the Iwagakure to start a war has been completely thwarted.
Once the situation in the Shinobi World became clear, the ninja forces of Kumogakure on the border immediately went into defensive mode, and even the Cloud Ninja were hiding in the Land of Hot Water withdrew.
The tension at the border instantly vanished.
Hinata and Kakashi did misunderstand Konoha before. After Konoha, Kirigakure, and Sand Village formed an alliance, Kumogakure and Iwagakure no longer had any advantages.
Although neither the Raikage nor the Tsuchikage made a clear statement, they ultimately had no choice but to compromise.
The problem of the Impure World Reincarnation can only be resolved if the Five Great Shinobi Villages reach an agreement. Konoha can afford to delay, but Hidden Cloud Village and Iwagakure cannot.
Hinata rarely participates in frontline discussions, but she occasionally hears people talking about them.
Hinata could see it very clearly.
Konoha and Kirigakure are the most steadfast in their stance on dealing with the Akatsuki.
As long as Konoha is willing to deal with Akatsuki, Kirigakure will support Konoha without reservation.
With the situation in the Shinobi World easing, the Akatsuki may take action.
The only thing the Akatsuki can currently utilize are the two ninja forces that are currently confronting each other at the border between Konoha and Hidden Cloud Village.
To reiterate, sending Hinata to the front lines along with the ninja forces was a completely unreasonable tactical arrangement.
If Konoha's goal wasn't to lure Hidden Cloud Village into probing Hinata's intelligence, then the only reasonable explanation is that they wanted Hinata to deal with the Akatsuki.
Hinata was once again caught in a dilemma.
Hinata didn't want to betray her duty as Konoha Ninja, but she also didn't want the Akatsuki to be targeted by the entire Shinobi World.
Hinata left a secret signal for Black Zetsu to meet, but a week passed and Black Zetsu still hadn't shown up.
The Land of Lightning, on its southwestern border.
Black Zetsu, whom Hinata longed for, was currently standing on a cliff with Obito, looking down at the Kumogakure camp in the distance.
"The Two-Tails and the Eight-Tails have arrived at the front lines..."
Black Zetsu turned his gaze to Obito and said in a deep voice, "If you want to start a Shinobi World war, Kumogakure is the best choice."
Obito remained noncommittal upon hearing this, and after a long pause, he said, "Yugito and Killer B are both perfect Jinchuriki. The Kumogakure isn't stupid; they'll suspect us."
Obito once controlled the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura, so making the Tailed Beasts go berserk was not difficult for Obito.
However, this approach carries significant risks.
Once the Kumogakure calms down and thinks things through, they will never turn their spearhead against the Hidden Konoha.
Black Zetsu said calmly, "Lure the Tailed Beasts towards Konoha. Faced with the rampaging Tailed Beasts, Konoha will have no choice but to go all out..."
"Even if Konoha eventually appeases the rampaging Tailed Beasts, both Konoha and Hidden Cloud Village will suffer heavy losses."
"The Fourth Raikage is not one to suffer losses. He will definitely target Konoha. Even if both sides are willing to reconcile, the Raikage will make Konoha cede some of its interests."
Obito's left eye, the only part of his eye visible, flickered slightly as he analyzed the pros and cons of doing so.
Black Zetsu must already have a new plan.
Obito firmly believed this.
The exposure of the Rinnegan was orchestrated by Black Zetsu.
Orochimaru's joining the Akatsuki to be quite beneficial to them, allowing them to obtain half of the Nine-Tails from Akatsuki Minato Namikaze's body without much effort. However, the Akatsuki also came into the sights of the entire Shinobi World.
Considering the power of the Impure World Reincarnation, Obito actually knew what Black Zetsu was planning.
In Obito's view, there was no need to instigate a Shinobi World war this time.
The members of Akatsuki are all strong individuals, and if they are willing to remain hidden, it will be extremely difficult for the Five Great Shinobi Villages to find them.
Seeing that Obito remained silent, Black Zetsu added, "Even if we do nothing, Akatsuki will still become the target of everyone's criticism."
"That's absolutely right!"
After Obito responded, he turned to look at Black Zetsu and tentatively said, "The only person in Konoha who can stop the Tailed Beasts from going berserk is Hinata Hyuga. She won't kill the Jinchuriki. As long as there are no casualties among the ninjas on both sides, Konoha and Hidden Cloud Village will restrain each other."
Have you made any arrangements in Konoha?
White Zetsu said calmly, "I will lure Hinata Hyuga the camp!"
"I see!"
The space rippled slightly, and Obito's figure was sucked into it.
"It seems he has already realized something."
White Zetsu said jokingly, "Speaking of which... before Madara died, didn't he tell us to obey Obito's orders?"
Black Zetsu said in a deep voice, "It doesn't matter if he's been discovered; he can't resist that technique..."
White Zetsu asked curiously, "Aren't you worried that he will betray us?"
"Obito is not a person who is afraid of death; that technique cannot restrict him."