The Konoha High Command understood the problem with the Land of Whirlpools perfectly well. It was not that Konoha Ninja Village lacked the military strength to protect it, but that it was too far away for Konoha to reach in time. If the Land of Whirlpools would allow Konoha Ninja Village to station troops there, the problem would be easily solved. Yet it refused to accept that condition, allowing no more than small squads to enter its borders.
But how could an ordinary squad hold off an enemy advancing in force? Not only would it fail to protect the Land of Whirlpools, it might also be lost for nothing. Konoha Ninja Village could not accept that outcome either, and so the problem remained unresolved between the two sides.
Now, the Land of Wind and the Land of Water had begun making unusual moves. Although the other two countries had shown no clear signs of action, they would presumably respond as the situation developed.
Kazemori Masaki was certain that the Land of Water would attack the Land of Whirlpools. Their grudge dated back to the previous shinobi world war, and it was bound to be settled in this one. The greatest concern was whether the Land of Lightning would join in. Thanks to the Second Raikage's peaceful policies, Kumogakure Ninja Village now appeared to be following a path similar to Konoha Ninja Village's, but matters were not that simple.
For a warlike nation and people, how could an instinct ingrained in their blood be erased so easily? The Second Raikage alone clearly could not influence the entire country. The one fortunate thing was that Kinkaku and Ginkaku's rebellion had left a deep impression on everyone. That was also why the Second Raikage had been able to bring the others into line