"Could Konoha be dissatisfied with our war?" Ebizo asked, his expression grim.
"Not likely. Otherwise, they could have intervened openly. I think Ōnoki must have paid some price to hire some of Konoha's Anbu ninja," Kinnara said seriously.
"Is that so?" Ebizo still looked somewhat worried, but his expression had improved considerably.
"But even so, with Konoha's help, dealing with Iwagakure will become even more difficult."
"Konoha can't possibly send their distinctive top-tier experts to help Iwagakure," Kinnara continued his analysis. "So the ones who came should only be some of Konoha's Anbu ninja. You can tell from their style of operation as well."
"That means Konoha's help to Iwagakure will remain limited. And I believe Ōnoki must have paid a considerable price to secure these outside reinforcements. Konoha wouldn't help Iwagakure without demanding benefits."
Only then did Ebizo nod. "In that case, Konoha's reinforcements can't be too numerous. What we see now is probably all they have."
Even so, Ebizo was still troubled. "Iwagakure has asked Konoha Village for help. That is not a good sign."
It was like the major powers on Earth interfering in the internal affairs of smaller countries. Once such a breach had been opened, it would be difficult to maintain independence afterward.
Even if Ōnoki had only asked for help once, and had only brought in Konoha's Anbu because he did not want this to become a precedent, it still shattered the psychological bottom line of the other ninja villages.
"It seems we can't push Ōnoki too hard. Otherwise, if he truly throws himself entirely into Konoha Village's arms, we'll be the ones who suffer."
With that thought, Ebizo slowly said, "Even so, Chiyo is currently injured and unconscious. Konoha Village also has hidden experts watching us like tigers, and with the help of