Inside Konoha's Hokage Office Building, the village's four highest-ranking leaders were seated around a map of the current war situation.
On the map, red arrows representing Iwagakure and green arrows representing Konoha crisscrossed in the west, while several battlefields were marked with prominent symbols of clashing blades.
The Third Hokage took a puff from his pipe and slowly exhaled. He had only withdrawn from the battlefield a month ago, carrying injuries inflicted during his fight with the Third Tsuchikage. Of course, his opponent had likewise returned to Iwagakure to recuperate and was temporarily unable to return to the battlefield.
"Judging from the current situation, we hold the initiative overall. But ending this war will not be easy. Especially since Iwagakure's main force remains intact, it is entirely possible for the war to drag on for another three years or more. We cannot be overly optimistic."
The Third Hokage spoke slowly, his gaze fixed on the map and his tone heavy.
Utatane Koharu, seated to his right, nodded. "That's right. We received news yesterday that the battle in the Land of Wind has concluded. Sunagakure was defeated, and Kumogakure claimed the final victory."
Mitokado Homura, on the other side, continued, "That is very unfavorable for us. Previously, we could wear Iwagakure down and compete with them in terms of our villages' overall strength. But now that the Land of Wind battlefield is over, Kumogakure has freed up its hands. While we are fighting Iwagakure to the death, a third party is watching us like a tiger from the sidelines. Just thinking about it sends chills down my spine."
The three of them analyzed the situation one after another, while Danzō, seated opposite Hiruzen Sarutobi, remained silent and merely studied the map in thought.
Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at him and asked softly,