At that same moment, on the border between the Land of Earth and the Land of Fire.
The Stone Ninja were facing off against the Konoha ninja led by Tsunade.
"I thought I'd play along and see where Iwagakure stood. So that's how it is. Lord Tsuchikage, do you not even realize that Iwagakure is being used by an organization like Akatsuki?"
Tsunade snorted. She had never been one to hold her temper. "Pull back right now, or the Konoha of today won't mind fighting another Fourth Shinobi World War with Iwagakure!"
Her hard-line stance caught everyone off guard. Even the elite Konoha ninja behind her felt a flicker of panic.
Lady Tsunade was being far too forceful!
That was the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki of Both Scales, across from her!
He was a veteran Kage-level powerhouse from the same generation as her teacher, the Third Hokage!
And she opened by threatening war?
The shinobi world had, after all, enjoyed surface peace for so long. Tsunade's declaration startled not only the Konoha ninja, but the Stone Ninja facing them as well.
This woman had quite a presence... She wasn't losing to Lord Tsuchikage at all.
"Being used by Akatsuki? You dare bring up the Fourth Shinobi World War in front of me?" The diminutive Two Scales floated in midair, apparently so angered by Tsunade's words that he laughed. "Little girl, you don't really think we're stupid enough to be frightened off by a few words from you, do you?"
"Aren't you exactly that stupid? I've already explained that Akatsuki is behind this! Their goal is to collect the tailed beasts and destroy the Five Great Nations. Konoha was merely drawing them out!"
"And what did you do? You refused to believe anything I told you and threatened me instead?"
Tsunade snorted.