Day by day, the war grew in scale, though it remained manageable. Ordinary merchants were already feeling its effects. Even hiring ninja as bodyguards did no good, because ninja from the great nations would raid them for supplies.
Somehow, Iwagakure and Kirigakure had started fighting each other. Despite the distance between the two shinobi villages, their conflict grew heated, giving Konoha a chance to catch its breath.
The leadership of Kumogakure looked grim as they read the reports from the front. Their analysts concluded that Konoha intended to drag the war out. Unlike them, Konoha had begun cooperating with Uchiha Mu early on and had plenty of money on hand.
Kumogakure, meanwhile, had little money left after the Daimyo's budget cuts and Uchiha Mu's fleecing. If this became a war of attrition, they would certainly be the ones to lose.
"Send diplomatic directives to Iwagakure and Kirigakure. Tell them to stop fighting each other, or Konoha and Uchiha Mu will have the final say in the shinobi world!" the Raikage ordered, slamming his hand on the table.
"Yes, Lord Raikage!" someone promptly replied before making contact.
"We can't drag this out for too long. Deploy the tailed beasts," the Raikage said, propping up his chin.
"But the jinchūriki still aren't very stable."
"We have no choice. Get them as close to Konoha's side as possible before they go berserk. Then we'll withdraw on command, and I'll take the field myself. Kinkaku, Ginkaku, you two will intercept Konoha's top fighters," the Raikage instructed, issuing his orders one by one.
Everyone naturally followed the Raikage's arrangements. It was not yet time to negotiate peace, so the Gold and Silver Brothers did not object either. Their turn would come later, when the pressure became too much for the Raikage and he sought peace.