"I will prove it." He said, "I will not let Lord Shaoyu down."
Shaoyu was about to say something when there was a knock on the door from outside.
"Sir Shaoyu," a ninja voice said, "Lord Raikage has sent someone to ask you to come over."
Shaoyu stood up.
"You go back first." He said to Hiruko.
"If you have any questions, just go to the person who helped you build the laboratory, and he will arrange it."
Hiruko stood up, bowed, turned around and went out.
Shaoyu tidied up his clothes and walked towards Raikage's Office.
When Shaoyu arrived at Raikage's Office, he heard Third Raikage's loud voice before he even entered the door.
"Shaoyu! Come in quickly!"
Shaoyu pushed the door and went in. Third Raikage was not the only one in the office, Dodai was also there. There was a big map hanging on the wall, and the location of Land of Fire was circled in red pen.
Third Raikage's face was full of excitement and he slapped the table. "Ōnoki agrees!"
Shaoyu walked over and took a look at the letter on the table.
"How to say?"
Third Raikage said.
"Ōnoki, that old fox, was going around in circles with me at first, saying, 'This is a serious matter and requires careful consideration.' But as soon as my people explained Konoha's current frail condition, he changed his mind."
He pointed to Land of Fire on the map.
"Iwagakure will send out ten thousand ninjas, including Five-Tails Jinchuriki. On our side, I plan to let you lead eight thousand people."
Shaoyu said nothing, waiting for him to continue.
Third Raikage said, "This is what I have discussed with Dodai. You lead the main force to attack from the front and attract Konoha's attention. Ai Hebi leads three thousand people to attack Sunagakure."
Shaoyu glanced at the map. "Fight Sunagakure? Three thousand people, is that enough?"
"Yes."
Third Raikage said.
"On the surface, it is to fight Sunagakure, but in fact it is to contain him. Sunagakure is now leaderless, and Chiyo, that old woman, no matter how powerful she is, can't stop Ai Hebi. Once they start fighting, Konoha will have to think about it."
"Is Kumogakure going to war with Sunagakure? Will it affect the Land of Fire border? They are distracted."
He paused.
"And there is another benefit to conquering Sunagakure. Sunagakure is poor, but its location is important. If we really capture a piece of land, we will have a passage to the west in the future."
Shaoyu nodded and had no objection.
Third Raikage continued.
"Ōnoki said that they attacked from the direction of Land of Grass and cut directly into the abdomen of Land of Fire. Let's go in from the direction of Land of Hot Water and attack from both sides. Even if Konoha has three heads and six arms, it can't be taken care of."
He walked to the map and drew two arrows on Land of Fire.
"I've done the math. The combat power that Konoha can bring out now is no more than 20,000 in full battle. Hatake Sakumo is dead, Tsunade can't go to the battlefield, and Jiraiya is missing."
"How many people can come from Uchiha? How many people can come from Hyuga? They are still having conflicts internally, so it would be good if they could gather 15,000 people."
He turned around and looked at Shaoyu.
"We have eight thousand here, Iwagakure ten thousand over there, the total is eighteen thousand. Plus Five-Tails Jinchuriki, plus you. This battle can be won."
Shaoyu looked at the map and said nothing.
Third Raikage waited for a while and asked, "Why, do you have a different opinion?"
Shaoyu shook his head. "No. I just feel that the time must be correct."
"How to say?"
Shaoyu walked to the map and pointed at the location of Sunagakure.
"Ai He will take action first. When the news of Sunagakure's request for help reaches Konoha and Konoha starts to get distracted, we will make another move here. Iwagakure's side also needs to be synchronized. We cannot attack one first and then the other, giving Konoha a chance to defeat each one."
Third Raikage nodded.
"It makes sense. Dodai, write it down."
Dodai nodded beside him, picked up the pen and started to write down.
Third Raikage walked up to Shaoyu and patted him on the shoulder.
"I'll leave the eight thousand men to you. If this battle is fought successfully, Kumogakure will be the first in Shinobi World from now on."
Shaoyu looked at him. "When will you move?"
Third Raikage said, "The sooner the better. I have sent someone to deliver a letter to Ōnoki and agreed on a time to do it. You go and prepare first, and we will set off when everyone is here."
Shaoyu nodded and turned to leave.
"Wait." Third Raikage called him.
Shaoyu Look back.
Third Raikage looked at him, was silent for a while, and said.
"Be careful. Konoha is not a soft persimmon. Sarutobi Hiruzen, that old guy, looks old. He is still a bit tough in a real fight."
Shaoyu said, "I know."
He opened the door and went out.
Third Raikage and Dodai are left in the office.
Third Raikage stood in front of the map and looked at the two red arrows for a while.
"Dodai," he said, "Do you think we can win this battle?"
Dodai thought for a while, "If the information is correct and Konoha is indeed as weak as we thought, then the chances of winning are great. But if..."
"What if?"
Dodai said, "If Konoha is stronger than we think, or there is a problem with Iwagakure, it will be hard to say."
Third Raikage was silent for a while.
"Send someone to keep an eye on Iwagakure." He said, "Ōnoki, that old fox, talks nice, but he may have some ideas behind his back."
Dodai nodded.
Third Raikage walked to the window and looked at Kumogakure outside.
The village was very quiet. People were walking on the streets, children were playing, and vendors were selling. No one knew that war was coming.
He looked at it for a while and turned around.
"Send a message to Aihebi," he said, "And ask them to prepare. Three thousand people will be assembled within three days."
"This time is also a chance for the two of them to practice. In Sunagakure's current situation, even if he can defeat Ai Hebi, he would not dare to kill them. After all, if they dare to take action, they must be prepared to bear the anger of our Kumogakure. Chiyo is not a fool, she knows what she should do."
Dodai said, "Yes."
"Also," Third Raikage said, "Tell Shaoyu that all the command of the eight thousand people will be given to him. He can fight as he wants without asking for instructions on everything."
Dodai was stunned for a moment, then nodded.
Third Raikage walked back to his seat and sat down.
After this war, he has decided that Shaoyu will inherit Fourth Raikage's position.
Over the years, he has indeed aged, and he has seen Shaoyu's series of performances in recent years.
Whether it is strength, intelligence, coordination, or even influence in the village, Shaoyu can now fully accept Kumogakure.
Although his son is also very outstanding and is his proud heir, he also admits that in front of Shaoyu, no matter which ninja he is, he will be much inferior.
He looked out the window.
"Shaoyu, you will definitely win this battle... and you must win..."