Just as Konoha's ninja forces faced off against the Iwagakure Ninja Village in the Land of Grass, the Land of Lightning's army, which had gathered at the border, suddenly began a large-scale redeployment. Rather than advancing toward the Land of Rice Fields, it marched toward the Land of Grass. Had that been all, the Iwagakure Ninja Village might have assumed it was coming to help. Instead, the Land of Lightning suddenly issued a statement announcing that, after friendly discussions with the Hokage, it had resolved to uphold the shinobi world order. The three nations of Wind, Water, and Earth, which had disregarded the peace treaty and started a war for their own selfish ends, had to face severe punishment.
This sudden move by the Land of Lightning stunned the entire leadership of the Land of Earth. They had never imagined that, after agreeing to invade the Land of Fire together, their partner would abruptly change course, ally with the Land of Fire instead, and openly declare war on the other three great nations.
The leaders suspected that, if the Land of Lightning had not wanted to retain the moral high ground, it might not even have declared war. It could have pretended to remain their ally, joined up with their army, and then launched a surprise attack on its rear while the Land of Earth's forces fought the Konoha Ninja Village.
Even though the Land of Lightning had issued its declaration openly, the pressure on the Iwagakure Ninja Village had not diminished in the slightest. Everyone was baffled. Why would the Land of Lightning, the most warlike nation of all, support the Konoha Ninja Village? Surely it understood the threat Konoha posed. With a rare opportunity to curb Konoha's power within reach, how could it let that opportunity slip away?