Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled without surprise. High temperatures blazed in his hand, burning the intelligence scroll to ashes.
"Obito Uchiha's crude manipulation of the Fourth Mizukage will eventually show its flaws,"
"And the war is also an opportunity for the restless forces within Kirigakure to stir."
"However..."
"Terumi Mei."
Sarutobi Hiruzen remembered that she would later become the Fifth Mizukage—a talented kunoichi with two kekkei genkai, no less impressive than his student Tsunade.
"She has no shortage of courage or resolve."
"It's just..."
"She's a little too naive..."
"She thinks Konoha doesn't want war either, and hopes for peace?"
"Or does she want to use Konoha's power to deal with Karatachi Yagura, who's being controlled?"
The corner of Sarutobi Hiruzen's mouth curled into a meaningful smile.
Konoha hadn't wanted war before, but now the war had already begun.
On the battlefield, only victors and losers got to sit at the negotiating table—not so-called pacifists.
"Tell Uchiha Fugaku to ignore her..."
"Leave her hanging."
Sarutobi Hiruzen rubbed his hands together, scattering the scroll's ashes across the floor.
"The war with the Mist Ninja can drag on a little longer."
"After all, Konoha's Ninja aren't the main force..."
"Once both sides have fought each other to exhaustion, Konoha can step in and end the war."
Sarutobi Hiruzen had no intention of letting the Mist Ninja off easily—not before he'd secured enough benefits, at least.
As for whether the Mist Ninja were innocent under Uchiha Kenji's control—
Who cared?
Amegakure.
The massive mountain ranges trapped all the moisture brought in from the ocean and the highlands, creating the damp, rainy climate of the region.
Too much drought made crops difficult to grow, but so did too much rain.
Because it was a small country with a small population and scarce resources, the Rain Ninja