"Who could say for sure?"
Kumoi walked to the enormous map of the Ninja World, his finger tracing across the location of the Land of Iron.
"Perhaps they found some way to quickly make up for their disadvantages, or perhaps they believed that by joining forces, they could divide the gains and offset the losses.
"Or perhaps... their objective is not to attack Konoha itself directly, but something else.
"Either way, we cannot afford to let down our guard.
"If they have been plotting in secret and catch us unprepared, the results of our five years of development could be destroyed overnight."
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep breath, his gaze sharpening.
"Haku understood.
"We truly must prepare.
"I will immediately begin adjusting the war readiness level and activate the emergency deployment plan.
"Should anything happen, we will be able to respond effectively in the shortest possible time, from material allocation to ninja mobilization."
"Good!"
Kumoi handed Hiruzen a Hokage directive he had prepared long ago.
"This is a directive with the highest level of authority. It will make it easier for you to mobilize resources.
"As for the Anbu and Root, I will have them continue their full-scale infiltration. We must obtain more detailed intelligence as soon as possible.
"I hope... we are merely worrying too much."
Hiruzen accepted the directive and nodded heavily. Without another word, he turned and left with decisive efficiency.
Only Kumoi remained in the conference room.
He looked once more toward the map of the Ninja World on the wall, his fingers unconsciously tapping against the table as his mind raced.
"The Four Kage Summit... targeting Konoha... but the timing is not ripe for a direct war... then what is the most likely possibility?
"Containment? Striking at our allies? Or seizing key resources and technologies?"