Where They Came From

"Elder, you're too kind. Setting Konoha aside, our goal is simple: make life difficult for Kumogakure. They ruined Iwagakure's plans before.

"If Kumogakure truly wants to focus on invading the Land of Fire, they'll have to repair their relationship with Iwagakure. At the very least, they'll need to ensure we stay neutral.

"We can use that to demand concessions from Kumogakure and recoup our losses in the Land of Rain."

Ōnoki considered this. "Indeed. Whether Kumogakure's target is the Land of Earth or the Land of Fire, we can't go wrong by massing troops along the border to deter them.

"I've decided to send another two thousand troops to key passes along the border. If Kumogakure makes no move, we might cross the coast and seize an enclave in the Land of Lightning as a base for expansion. That would settle Iwagakure's score over the Land of Rain."

"The Tsuchikage is right. Reinforcing the border first will secure the Land of Earth itself. We can plan everything else at our leisure.

"But I doubt we'll gain much from the Land of Lightning. The Third Raikage often resorts to underhanded schemes. For all his strength, he has none of the bearing a village leader should possess."

Most of Iwagakure's senior officials nodded in agreement.

Ōnoki said, "Since no one objects, draw two thousand Stone shinobi from the village and send them to the northern front at once. They'll face off against Kumogakure and guard against any sudden reinforcements.

"Meanwhile, continue the village's recuperation plan. Quickly register every child of suitable age in the Land of Earth whose background is clear. The Intelligence Department will form twenty teams.

"Each team will be responsible for one area of the Land of Earth. Whenever they find a child of suitable age, they're to investigate