Change of Target

"I never said we were going to stop the plan. We're just making a change to it. The main force of the Three Kingdoms Alliance remains the same, but our enemy will change from Amegakure to Konoha."

"Wait, what do you mean? You're ignoring the easy target and going after the tough nut of Konoha? If you keep playing like this, I'm leaving." Old age really does make people confused. But it's good, with such a senile old man in charge, the Iwakage won't pose a threat to Kumogakure for the next twenty years. Um, speaking of which, will that old Ōnoki even live another twenty years?

"Don't get excited, let me finish. It's not just us; the benefits haven't materialized yet, and Konoha doesn't have the chance to win over the other hidden villages. On the contrary, if we attack Konoha, the other hidden villages will likely remain neutral, waiting for us to gain the upper hand. Then, they might just become our allies, right? At that time, Konoha's support will become our support."

As a veteran who has experienced World War I, Second Great Ninja War, and Third Great Ninja War, no one knows better than me how to deal with Konoha, this behemoth.

"Hiss, what you're saying makes some sense. We've done it this way before. Who knows, later in the war those guys from Kirigakure might even want to join us in attacking Konoha. After all, that's what they did during the Third Great Ninja War." If he's a cunning old fox, it's better if he dies sooner rather than later.

"What the Third Tsuchikage said makes sense, but time is short right now. We are not prepared to launch the Fourth Shinobi World War at all. Isn't it a bit risky to act in this crisis?"

Holy crap, that Ōnoki! Wasn't it supposed to be an attack on Amegakure? Why did it suddenly change to an attack on Konoha? Our Sunagakure's Jinchuriki is still in Konoha! If we help them attack Konoha, I probably won't see Gaara again.

"Kazekage, you are overthinking it. Are we really as prepared as Konoha? Besides, compared to Konoha, we are already quite well prepared. After all, our army has already assembled, and our supplies are sufficient. On the other hand, Konoha is completely unprepared and is foolishly waiting for us to attack Amegakure. With the three countries joining forces to attack the unprepared Konoha, this advantage is on our side."

"What you've said does seem promising, but based on past experience, it'll probably end up being a lose-lose situation again. After all, Konoha managed to hold on against the four great hidden villages during the Third Great Ninja War, let alone now that we only have three of us, and we've lost our powerful weapon, the Tailed Beast. We have to admit that those bastards from Konoha do have some strength."

No way, I'd rather lose some travel expenses than go with these two to fight Konoha. I got information from Elder Chiyo that Konoha is incredibly strong right now, probably even stronger than the Konoha Senju Hashirama was alive.

"Kazekage said does make some sense, but we are not the three of us, nor are we without Tailed Beast. Given the current situation, as long as we extend an olive branch with reason and emotion, unless the leader of Amegakure has lost his mind, he will not risk mutual destruction to fight us to the death. With Amegakure's participation, we will have an anti- Konoha alliance consisting of the four major hidden villages and the seven Tailed Beasts. In this situation, any force with a bit of foresight will know what to choose."

If this plan succeeds, I will not only be able to earn back my travel expenses, but also take this opportunity to greatly expand the influence of the Land of Earth the Ninja World. When Konoha falls from power, the new Ninja World overlord will undoubtedly be my Iwagakure.

"Alright, let's do it this way. However, although the Rain-Slaying Plan wasn't implemented, besides the Eight-Tails and Two-Tails, the Land of Rain must hand over one more Tailed Beast as compensation to the Land of Lightning."

Please forgive me, everything was for the sake of Kumogakure.

"Fine, it's just a Tailed Beast. Compared to the fertile land of the Land of Fire, it's nothing." Hah, short-sighted brat. No matter how strong Tailed Beast is, it's only at the Kage Level. Konoha occupies this treasure land of the Land of Fire. How many Kage Level shinobi have they produced over the years? Can't you even tell the difference between a full meal and a full meal every day? The Third Raikage really has a good son.

"Well, Sunagakure doesn't care, but are you really not going to reconsider? The Third Tsuchikage of Amegakure killed two of your Jinchuriki. How can you explain joining forces with them to the villagers?"

Damn it, how did things get to this point? It's all that old Tsuchikage's fault.

"Alas, I am also deeply saddened by the deaths of Han and the others, but for the sake of all the people of Iwagakure, I can only bear the blame alone. I believe the people will understand afterward."

Hmph, foolish Kazekage, doesn't he even understand that there are no eternal enemies, only eternal interests? How could Chiyo support this guy's rise to power? Could it be that they...

"Um... what about Raikage? As far as I know, Killer B is your brother. The Eight-Tails Jinchuriki is still alive, and you're already joining up with his mortal enemy? Is that really alright?"

That old Ōnoki has absolutely no shame. It seems the only way out is to turn to that brute Raikage.

"Uh, this~"

Damn it, Kazekage always brings up the most sensitive topics. Couldn't this be discussed privately or ignored? How can I, the Raikage, lead the team if I, the Raikage, were to publicly abandon my brother's hatred and shake hands with the enemy?

Those who are close to home know their own situation. The bunch of brutes in the village don't care about being forced by circumstances or the idea that taking a step back for the sake of everyone's interests will lead to a brighter future.

"Ahem, I do have a mature idea about this. We can unite as we please, and hate as we hate. At worst, we can temporarily unite while targeting Konoha. If the Raikage wants to avenge the Eight-Tails later, it doesn't matter. It won't make a difference if we divide up Konoha. Even if the Raikage doesn't want revenge, those guys from Amegakure might just stir up trouble for him."

Rasa has been acting strangely lately. Why is he picking on everything whenever the topic of war with Konoha comes up? Is he traumatized by Konoha's defeat? Well, Sunagakure is ultimately too weak.

"Hmm... Ōnoki is right, that's exactly what I was thinking. It's not too late to take revenge a few years later. Let Amegakure be arrogant for a while longer."

Rasa, you dare to humiliate me? I'll remember this grudge!

"Then it's settled. The Rain-Cutting Plan will be changed to the Anti- Konoha Alliance Plan. The sooner the better. Let's go and hand over the reins with the person in charge of Amegakure first. After all, it's still in its early stages, and we can't do without Amegakure as a key piece in how things are carried out."

With the Fourth Raikage's affirmation, Ōnoki ignored the Fourth Kazekage's hesitation and began his next plan.