Naruto: Extreme Bloodline Limit/Naruto: Uchiha Ronglin

Sunagakure was weak at the moment. Iwagakure could target them, whether through intimidation or outright war. Either way, it would be easy to tear open a gap and force Sunagakure to surrender some benefits.

Konoha stood in front of Sunagakure, with Iwagakure above it. If Kumogakure wanted to target Sunagakure, it would have to go around both Konoha and Iwagakure. Without their consent, Kumogakure could only stare helplessly. Kirigakure was too far away, and Kumogakure's ninja were no better at fighting on water, so there was little hope of targeting Kirigakure.

In the end, there was an eighty percent chance that Iwagakure would pressure Sunagakure into giving up benefits, while Kumogakure could only turn its guns on Konoha.

"So in the end, we might go to war with Kumogakure?"

After a long silence, the Third Hokage spoke.

"More or less. Relations between Iwagakure and us are tense, but they withdrew their troops voluntarily before, and given their village's condition, they are unlikely to clash head-on with Konoha. Kumogakure is different. Their strength has not been depleted."

Ronglin nodded. Seeing the grim looks on their faces, he smiled and reassured them.

"But you do not need to worry so much. Konoha has never feared Kumogakure. Besides, they have no chance of attacking us in the short term. The Third Raikage's death has caused some internal chaos for them."

"Even if the Fourth Raikage took power in a hurry, he would still need to stabilize the village and establish enough authority before taking action. Otherwise, orders might come from above while those below refused to obey."

"So the purpose of this war of words is to divert everyone else's attention?"

Nara Shikaku struck right at the heart of the matter.

As expected of the smartest clan. Ronglin could not help praising Nara