Konoha.
Inside the Hokage Office.
"Lord Hokage."
"Kumogakure's army is at our borders."
"Raikage A is leading them personally, accompanied by the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki."
"A rough estimate puts their forces at over five thousand!"
Shikaku Nara held a coded scroll, his hands trembling uncontrollably.
The leader of a village had taken the field personally.
A Tailed Beast accompanied them, along with an army of five thousand shinobi.
This was no minor skirmish.
One careless move, and it could become another Ninja World War!
Behind the desk.
Chiba had his legs propped up on its edge.
After hearing the report, not only did he show no panic, but he burst into laughter.
"HAHAHAHA!"
"What a hotheaded Raikage. I like that temper!"
His laughter echoed through the empty room.
Cold sweat poured down Shikaku Nara's forehead.
He simply could not understand what the Fifth Hokage was so pleased about.
That was five thousand elite troops!
Chiba lowered his legs and abruptly rose to his feet.
He walked to the enormous floor-to-ceiling window and looked down over all of Konoha.
Ever since taking the position of Hokage, Chiba's ambitions had begun to swell.
The Land of Fire?
What did such a tiny territory amount to?
The entire Ninja World—even the Five Great Nations—would sooner or later fly Konoha's banner!
It was just that...
You had to eat one bite at a time.
With Konoha's current strength, it could not directly take on the other four great shinobi villages alone.
Even if it truly won.
Konoha did not have enough capable people to manage five shinobi villages at once.
But.
Using that foolish donkey Kumogakure to make an example of was perfect!
"Shikaku."
"Notify the heads of every major clan!"
"Gather in the conference room within ten minutes!"
Chiba's voice was icy, yet filled