In Sunagakure, the Third Kazekage had temporarily stepped down after the Staircase Mountain Treaty and taken a position as a village elder.
But there was no suitable ninja in the village to serve as Wind Shadow. Most of its outstanding ninja had already died in the war.
After a period of recovery, the Third Kazekage had resumed the role of Sunagakure's Wind Shadow and was handling village affairs once more.
When the Raikage's letter arrived, the Third Kazekage was tempted for a moment, but he soon regained his composure.
The defeat in the previous war had been due in no small part to his own underestimation of the enemy and reckless advance.
Discord among the Allied Forces had also played a part. Now Kumogakure wanted to form a Multinational Allied Forces. They might start fighting among themselves before they ever attacked Konoha.
Besides, the Third Raikage had always been fond of schemes. Who knew whether this proposal concealed a trap?
Sunagakure could not afford another upheaval. It might exhaust the little strength the village had only just regained.
Still, the Third Kazekage did not refuse outright. He wrote back saying he would consider it, then passed the contents of the Third Raikage's letter to Konoha.
Sunagakure had suffered the heaviest losses in the previous war. Kumogakure and Iwagakure had taken losses too, but Iwagakure had later gained some benefits by helping Konoha keep Kumogakure in check.
Kumogakure itself had not lost much and still had plenty of ninja. The Third Kazekage had enough troubles of his own, but he did not want the other Great Ninja Villages to suffer as well.
In Iwagakure, Ōnoki sneered to himself when he received the letter and immediately called a meeting of the village's senior officials.
Half an hour later, in a meeting room