"What do you mean by that... has another country been provoking the Land of Fire?" Asuma asked, somewhat puzzled.
Who was it?
Who had the nerve to stir up trouble right under Shihōin Naraku's nose?
To be honest, Konohagakure's most recent Hokage were the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, his father, followed by Tsunade and Shihōin Naraku.
Judging by their outward personalities, Tsunade had the most explosive temper.
Especially since the Land of Fire had gone to war with other countries just a few years ago, during Tsunade's term.
Viewed that way, Tsunade seemed harder to cross.
But deep down, Asuma believed Shihōin Naraku was the one among those Hokage who must never be provoked.
Naraku's extraordinary strength was one factor, but his hidden personality was the most unfathomable part.
If outsiders really thought he was a pushover, they were asking to die.
In any case, Asuma felt someone was in for trouble.
"I wouldn't exactly call it provocation." Kakashi frowned, looking up to inspect the house. "But intelligence suggests that the other shinobi villages might join forces to pressure Konoha."
"After all, you have to remember that Konoha is the only one with a tailed beast now!"
"The balance between the various powers has been broken!"
"Except for Sunagakure, all the other shinobi villages are cautiously testing the waters."
"But..." Asuma still could not quite understand. "The Akatsuki hasn't been completely wiped out yet. Stirring up trouble now wouldn't benefit them either, would it?"
"Besides, haven't they thought about taking their tailed beasts back from the Akatsuki?"
"They have!"
Kakashi spread his hands helplessly. "That's why Iwagakure is testing the waters. By now, the information that the Land of Rain used to be the Akatsuki's base is hardly a secret."
"Oh, now that you put it that way, I understand."