"He will believe you." Ōnoki sighed. "Because beneath Kumogakure, they have that thing too."
Minato froze. "What?"
"About three months ago, there was a minor earthquake on Kumogakure's Raikage Mountain."
Ōnoki continued slowly, "After the earthquake, Kumogakure's survey team discovered ruins beneath Raikage Mountain. Inside were dark red crystals, very similar to the 'Karma' crystals you described.
"Kumogakure has kept the news under wraps, but I have my own intelligence channels."
Minato's heart sank.
If Kumogakure also had ruins containing Karma, that meant the Ōtsutsuki's tendrils had long since spread throughout the shinobi world.
This was not merely a threat. The invasion had already begun.
"A knows what this means. He simply refuses to admit it," Ōnoki said.
"Because admitting it would mean cooperating with the enemy who killed his father, accepting the very people he despises as allies.
"For that proud Raikage, that would be worse than death."
"But for Kumogakure, for the shinobi world, he must accept it," Minato said.
"Then that will depend on your abilities, Fourth Hokage." Ōnoki turned back toward the window. "Go. Head to Kumogakure. I will immediately convene Iwagakure's senior leadership and begin full mobilization for war.
"Within a month, Iwagakure's first troops will reach the border of the Land of Iron."
"Thank you, Lord Tsuchikage."
"Don't thank me." Ōnoki did not turn around.
"If we lose this war, we will all bear the blame. If we win... you can thank me then."
Minato left the office and followed Akatsuchi out of the Tsuchikage Building.
Before leaving, he took one last look at the building standing atop the mountain, and at the small yet imposing figure at its window.
This old man was shouldering a mountain for the shinobi world.
And he, Namikaze Minato, was going to face another mountain.
A mountain of