Various Reactions

Iwagakure, Tsuchikage's office.

Ōnoki sat behind his desk, striking it with his fist as he spoke to Kitsuchi below. "Sarutobi Hiruzen is getting more shameless by the day. Do you even understand what he's saying?"

"A child with escorts managed to wear down Tachibana Muneshige to the point of death? Is that even human speech?"

"Could this child be the Sage of Six Paths' illegitimate son, with four peak Kage as his bodyguards?"

"It's utter nonsense."

Kitsuchi said with a simple, honest expression, "Father, the Land of Wind and the Land of Fire are definitely going to war. We just don't know to what extent. Father, what should we do?"

Ōnoki was still scolding Sarutobi Hiruzen. Hearing Kitsuchi, he threw down the intelligence report. "Kitsuchi, take a thousand men to the Land of Hot Water."

Kitsuchi asked, somewhat confused, "Father, what are we doing in the Land of Hot Water? That place seems to be Konoha and Kumogakure territory. Who are we attacking?"

Ōnoki glanced at Kitsuchi, sighing inwardly. His son, in terms of character and strength, was top-notch. It was just that his personality was too straightforward. He had no political insight whatsoever. If he handed over Iwagakure to him, he'd be ruined by those old schemers.

Ōnoki said earnestly, "Kitsuchi, I'm sending you to the Land of Hot Water mainly to put on a show for others. Once you get there, say you're going to avenge my teacher, the Second Hokage, and prepare to cross the Land of Waves to attack Kirigakure. In reality, I just want you to station troops there. If Konoha wins, then we'll ally with Konoha to attack Kumogakure. If Konoha loses, we'll ally with Sunagakure to attack Konoha. If it's a stalemate, then we'll wait. Also, I've already notified the Daimyo of the Land of Earth. He'll give you blank declarations of war. Once you receive the order, you'll advance immediately. You don't need to worry about declaring war, understand?"

Meanwhile, Kumogakure, Raikage's office.

"Hahaha, this is the funniest joke I've heard all year. Tachibana Muneshige was actually besieged and killed by a child's escorts? That old man and I could fight to a draw, how could he possibly be worn down to death? People at our level would be afraid of being besieged? That's hilarious." The Third Raikage Ai roared with laughter. (Flag here)

Buruubi shook his head and continued to pick beans on the tabletop with a short knife.

"Buruubi, why aren't you laughing?" Ai, seeing that Buruubi wasn't responding, specifically asked him.

Buruubi replied, "Everyone dies. That old man is almost seventy, so dying of exhaustion is normal. It's just a bit absurd to be besieged and killed by a child's escorts."

Ai stroked his stubbled chin. "But speaking of which, shouldn't we send some people over to take a look? How can Kumogakure not be involved in such a lively event? Hmm, I've decided. We'll advance into the Land of Rivers. Konoha and Sunagakure are fighting fiercely, so they won't have time to deal with us. Besides, I heard the Land of Rivers has so much grain it's starting to mold. We can help them eat it."

Buruubi rolled his eyes. "You're the Raikage, can you please not openly talk about robbery? It lowers your status."

Ai said carelessly, "What's the use of face? Can you eat it? Since you can't eat it, let's go grab something edible. Last year, the Land of Lightning had a drought. The Daimyo has been complaining about insufficient food for a long time. Do you expect me to buy it instead of robbing it? You pay then."

Buruubi's lips twitched. He waved his hand, sweeping all the beans on the table to the floor. "Fine, fine, I give up. I'll go myself. But we're agreed, we only rob the Land of Rivers and then retreat. Don't start a war with Konoha. If Konoha and Iwagakure join forces, we'll be fighting on two fronts, which would be bad."

Ai said, "Do I look like an idiot? Of course, we'll rob them while the owner is away and then run."

That night, in front of the Mizukage's building in Kirigakure.

A Water Country Anbu said to the Third Mizukage, "Mizukage-sama, according to intelligence, Tachibana Muneshige of the Land of Wind died in Konoha. Based on the timing, the two countries should have already begun their war."

The Third Mizukage nodded. "I understand. You may leave."

The Anbu bowed. "Yes, Mizukage-sama." He instantly disappeared.

At this moment, a dark shadow slowly rose from behind the Third Mizukage, and a sinister voice said, "They've started fighting without me even provoking them. These younger generations are so restless. It's time to advance the plan there. But who should I find to teach that child? It's a bit troublesome. Should I try to trick that old toad again? That old toad is getting slower and slower, often forgetting things. Troublesome."

The Daimyo's Mansion in the Land of Wind.

The Daimyo of the Land of Wind said to the samurai leader kneeling below, "Tokugawa, go tell the Chiyo Siblings to behave. If they cause more trouble, I'll continue to cut their funding. Also, have Ryunosuke come see me. Does he really think becoming the Kazekage will let him escape my grasp? How naive."

The samurai below bowed his head. "Yes, Lord. However, Ryunosuke doesn't seem to be avoiding you, Lord. He's genuinely missing. According to our informants, including the Chiyo Siblings, the higher-ups in Sunagakure are also looking for Ryunosuke."

The Daimyo waved his hand. "You may go. Also, write a letter to the Daimyo of the Land of Fire and have that old man's corpse brought back for burial."

The samurai bowed and slowly retreated. The Daimyo of the Land of Wind turned and smashed a vase on his desk, then kicked over a low table. He roared, "I am the Daimyo of the Land of Wind, the helmsman of this country! Since when could a mere Chiyo declare war on others on my behalf? Does he still have any regard for me, the Daimyo, huh?" After roaring, he kicked over a nearby screen, still not satisfied. The servants around him trembled in fear, listening to the Daimyo of the Land of Wind's rage.

The Land of Fire, Daimyo's Mansion.

The Daimyo of the Land of Fire and his Madam were enjoying the spring scenery under a tree. At this moment, a samurai entered and bowed. "My Lord, according to the frontline reports, Konoha and Sunagakure have been fighting at the border for three days. There have been victories and defeats on both sides. The high-level combatants are holding back, but it probably won't last long."

The Daimyo of the Land of Wind apparently did not approve of Sunagakure's actions. According to intelligence from informants, while the soldiers on the front lines were still fighting valiantly, the Daimyo of the Land of Wind had cut funding from the rear.

The Daimyo of the Land of Fire fanned himself and said, "Ah! I understand. Madam, you need not worry. I am a reasonable person and will not act rashly."

The Daimyo of the Land of Fire thought for a moment and said with emotion, "Hmm, this is an era of 'who's the least rotten.' As long as I'm not as rotten as those four, the Land of Fire will definitely win this war. I've always believed this."

After expressing his sentiments, the Daimyo of the Land of Fire thought of something else and turned to Madam, saying, "Where has little Tsunade gone? Why hasn't she been willing to come home for so long?"

Madam gently fanned herself and replied, "Tsun-chan has been in a bad mood lately."

The Daimyo said, "This child is getting wilder and wilder. I really regret sending her to Konoha to become a ninja back then."

After speaking, the Daimyo waved his hand, signaling the samurai to retreat. The samurai bowed and left, leaving only the Daimyo and Madam to continue enjoying the spring scenery under the tree.