Just like Minato, who was leisurely training with Jiraiya at the moment.
Konoha had few worries or concerns about the coming war.
Even though it would be fighting a joint campaign against Sunagakure and Iwagakure!
Meanwhile.
At the center of Konoha, inside the Hokage Building.
"How did it go? What did Kumogakure say?"
The Third Hokage asked in a deep voice, his expression calm.
At his question, Utatane Koharu, who had been waiting nearby, handed him a letter and said softly,
"The Third Raikage agreed to the village's proposal, but they've made some demands. You should take a look."
The Third Hokage glanced at the letter, opened it, and read it in silence.
When he finished, he slowly set the letter on the desk. His brow furrowed slightly as he rubbed the paper between his fingers, carefully weighing the pros and cons.
After a long while, he raised his head and said in a low voice,
"So Kumogakure wants to form an Allied Forces unit with Konoha. What do you think?"
At the Third Hokage's question, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura exchanged a glance. Homura spoke in a deep voice.
"Third Hokage, I'm sure you can see the ambition hidden in Kumogakure's proposal."
The Third Hokage nodded slightly and said gravely,
"Kumogakure has always been confined to a corner of the continent. Their goal is obvious: to establish their own influence on the mainland."
Homura and Utatane Koharu both nodded.
"Exactly. This so-called Allied Forces unit is probably Kumogakure's first step onto the mainland. If the war against Sunagakure and Iwagakure drags on long enough... they'll have plenty of time and justification to establish their own intelligence network on the mainland, perhaps even set up shinobi outposts."
"If that happens... even after the war between Konoha, Iwagakure, and Sunagakure ends,