Konoha, Hokage Office.
Sarutobi Hiruzen puffed on his pipe with a deeply troubled expression. The smoke filling the office was enough to show how worried he was.
He was waiting for his three old companions.
Ever since they had lost contact two days ago with the two outposts located on the Land of Fire's border with the Land of Grass, he had sensed that something was wrong.
Intelligence about unusual movements by Iwagakure's shinobi forces had arrived three days earlier, but even now, there was no updated information.
Most importantly, those border outposts lay in the direction of Iwagakure's main force.
If Iwagakure reenacted what had happened in the Land of Lightning, then his time as Hokage would truly be over.
He knew that because of that incident in the Land of Lightning, Raikage A had been forced to give up considerable authority to Kumogakure's Advisory Council. What about him?
If something like that happened, he would be removed from office without question.
That was why he was becoming increasingly anxious.
This was now a contest of raw strength, and he had no other options.
Only after Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu entered the Hokage Office did Shimura Danzō arrive belatedly.
"Hiruzen, it has been confirmed. A thousand Iwagakure shinobi entered the Land of Fire. After suffering heavy losses at the border, they withdrew.
We found traces of a Tailed Beast Ball and Earth Release outside the original outpost location."
"What? Iwagakure withdrew?" Sarutobi Hiruzen was overjoyed. The situation had actually taken a turn.
"They withdrew, but not completely. Their main force is still inside the Land of Grass." Shimura Danzō nodded as well. "Hiruzen, should I go contact Ōnoki?"
"Yes. Iwagakure may have been attacked by unknown forces this time. If we contact them now, perhaps we can win