As the situation in the Ninja World continued to shift, A, the Third Raikage of Kumogakure in the Land of Lightning, began to realize that the strength of Kumogakure and Iwagakure alone might not be enough to stand against Konoha.
Especially after Konoha displayed such formidable military power—particularly Uchiha Ying Yue's overwhelming performance—the Third Raikage A decided to expand the scope of his allies.
Upon learning that Ōnoki, the Third Tsuchikage of Iwagakure, was trying to draw Sunagakure into the war, A refused to fall behind. He decided to dispatch Kumogakure's diplomatic ninja to Sunagakure in an attempt to persuade the Third Kazekage to join the war against Konoha.
After Kumogakure's diplomatic ninja arrived in Sunagakure, they began lobbying the Third Kazekage.
The Raikage A's envoys emphasized the potential benefits Sunagakure could gain by joining the war.
They specifically brought up the lands of the Land of Rivers, stressing that the Land of Rivers had, since ancient times, rightfully belonged to Sunagakure.
The envoys further added, "Kumogakure fully recognizes your claim to the Land of Rivers. Konoha should not have taken the Land of Rivers for itself through a peace treaty, then demanded the establishment of a buffer zone. This is nothing less than a challenge to Sunagakure's sovereignty!"
At the same time, Kumogakure's envoys implied that Konoha had now become the "common enemy" of every nation, and that its expansionist policies threatened all ninja villages.
Furthermore, Konoha was rich in resources. If Sunagakure did not participate in the war against Konoha, it would miss an enormous opportunity.
Through war, Sunagakure could reclaim the entire territory of the Land of Rivers and rebuild its former glory, while Kumogakure and Iwagakure would support Sunagakure throughout the process.
Faced with pressure from both Kumogakure and Iwagakure, the Third Kazekage began to waver.