After reaching an agreement with Konoha Ninja Village, Kumogakure Ninja Village finally made its stance known for the first time, massing a large army at the border. Of course, the Third Raikage did not intend to attack the Land of Earth immediately. This was a mobilization ahead of formally entering the Shinobi World War. Since the outcome remained uncertain, the leadership had not told the rank-and-file ninja their objective.
The Third Raikage agreed with the village leadership that if he won or drew in his fight against Konoha Ninja Village's Hokage, he would consider joining forces with the aggressor nations. If he lost, however, he hoped they would consider an alliance with Konoha Ninja Village.
In truth, after Torifu Akimichi laid out the stakes and gave them an initial demonstration of Konoha Ninja Village's strength, Kumogakure Ninja Village's leaders had already begun to waver. Only a few hardliners still refused to agree readily. Although the Third Raikage already had the authority to decide whom Kumogakure Ninja Village would fight, a village that was not united in purpose would likely fail to reap the greatest benefits in the coming war.
The Third Raikage had summoned those hardliners' representatives for talks several times. Though they had failed to reach an agreement, he felt that all they lacked was a way to back down gracefully—a convincing reason to accept an alliance with Konoha Ninja Village while preserving their pride and dignity. That was precisely why Kazemori Masaki's invitation to a fight had arrived at such an opportune moment. It almost felt as though they understood each other without a word. He might not be able to guarantee his own victory, but making himself the loser would be all too easy.
Thus, to some extent, Kumogakure Ninja Village's true objective had already been settled.