Declining

At the table, Mei Terumi glanced at the Four Kage and said, "The matter of the tailed beasts has been temporarily resolved."

"Next, let's discuss the specific preparations for war!"

"Although the hundred thousand White Zetsu are an extremely precious Wood Release resource, they are also terrifying opponents."

"If we're even slightly careless, they could completely destroy our Five Great Villages!"

A thought occurred to A, and he said seriously, "I suggest that Konoha, Iwagakure, and Sunagakure focus on defense first and keep the Akatsuki contained in Amegakure."

"Then, once our Kumogakure and Kirigakure reinforcements arrive, we can concentrate our forces and completely wipe out the Akatsuki in Amegakure!"

Ōnoki was somewhat displeased when he heard this. He immediately sneered, "Have our three villages strike first while Kumogakure and Kirigakure hide behind us and reap the benefits? What a fine proposal!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi blew out a ring of smoke and sighed. "Tsuchikage, you're overthinking it!"

"Kirigakure and Kumogakure are too far from Amegakure, so their reinforcements will inevitably arrive much later."

"If those of us closest to Amegakure don't strike first to stop them, and instead allow their forces to spread everywhere, we'll only lengthen the battlefront and suffer many unnecessary losses!"

Because of the geographical positions of Kumogakure and Kirigakure, their reinforcements were bound to arrive considerably later.

After learning of the Akatsuki's threat, they also couldn't simply do nothing and wait until Kumogakure and Kirigakure had both arrived before taking action.

Striking first and stopping the Akatsuki's forces from spreading was the top priority.

"Hmph!"

Ōnoki snorted coldly.

Although he knew the Hokage was telling the truth, having them strike first meant their casualties would be greater than those of Kumogakure and Kirigakure. No matter how he looked at it, he couldn't be happy.

"Let's do that, then.