The debate within the Akatsuki of Rain Country was not an isolated incident in the Shinobi World. At the same time, fierce discussions had erupted in many great nations, including the Land of Water, Land of Wind, Land of Lightning, and Land of Earth. Every country was watching Konoha's next move while secretly planning its own actions.
The three nations of Lightning, Earth, and Water had begun making covert contact. Even though the Fourth Raikage held a grudge against the Land of Earth for killing his father, and even the seemingly peaceful Land of Wind appeared to have voices of its own.
Yet what secretly relieved them was that the one from Konoha showed no intention of taking action. Few reports about him had even emerged. He basically stayed by the side of Fifth Hokage Tsunade at all times. They were a legitimate married couple, after all, so this seemed perfectly normal.
Even so, none of the nations dared lower their guard. While remaining secretly vigilant, they withdrew their previous measures targeting the Land of Fire to avoid friction and misunderstandings. This strange scene of peace continued until the winter of Konoha's sixtieth year.
In Konoha's sixtieth year, a series of upheavals occurred throughout the Shinobi World.
In the Land of Wind, Fourth Kazekage Rasa joined forces with Orochimaru to launch the Konoha Crush Plan, ultimately resulting in the death of Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi. Konoha's legendary figure, Uchiha Sheng, reappeared. In the midst of it all, Fourth Kazekage Rasa had actually already been killed by Orochimaru. With the Kazekage's sudden death, the Sunagakure of the Land of Wind descended into near-total chaos.
At that time, the Land of Wind's hero, who had not appeared for a long while—the former Pakura of the Scorch Style—returned to Sunagakure in a powerful