The Land of Fire and the Land of Water were wary of each other, but there was little friendship between the Land of Wind and the Land of Earth either.
"Lord Hattori... I need an explanation. Didn't we agree to commit only half our troops?"
"You're asking me? I'd like to ask you when half the Land of Earth's troops became so many."
The representatives of the Land of Wind and the Land of Earth stared each other down, both well aware of what the other was planning.
But soon, they exchanged smiles and turned their gazes toward the Land of Water and the Land of Fire.
Clearly, they had reached an understanding—
Since they both intended to double-cross the other, they would first bundle up the weaker prey before fighting among themselves.
Byōdōin of the Land of Water looked utterly grim. He had thought the Land of Fire was easy prey, but clearly, Wind and Earth behind him had the same idea.
Still, every crisis held an opportunity. Those two could never truly let down their guard against each other, so he still had a chance to play both sides!
Byōdōin silently encouraged himself, while Linduo, the representative of the weakest party, the Land of Fire, watched them all with a calm expression.
As the armies faced off in a tense atmosphere, each wary of the others, Linduo turned to the two people beside his troops. "I've done what you from Konoha asked of me. We won't be taking part in the fighting that follows!"
"Of course. Leave the rest to us."
A calm voice rang out, carrying a hint of defiance.
It was not loud, but at that moment, it grated on everyone's ears.
"Who dares spout such nonsense here?"
The moment those words fell, a white figure