"Here it came, just as expected!"
Shihōin Naraku was still reading the victory report in his hand as he sat in Konoha's office when the letter from Iwagakure arrived.
"They really wouldn't give in until they were staring defeat in the face. Only now that they know they've lost are they willing to reply." Naraku raised an eyebrow slightly, the disdain plain in his eyes.
After reading the letter Naraku handed him, Shikaku Nara smiled and spoke.
"It looks like everyone thinks Konoha has no manpower to spare right now. That's why they keep testing us."
No sooner had he finished speaking than Shikaku put away his smile and looked at Shihōin Naraku with some concern.
"The Akatsuki hasn't truly been dealt with yet, and the Shinobi World is about to fall into chaos again."
"That's why we need to convene another Five Kage Summit." Naraku set the letter he had finished reading aside. "Otherwise, we can just wait for war to break out."
"They're still hoping they'll get lucky." Shikaku shook his head.
"Iwagakure is the biggest problem. Once we deal with them, the rest won't be much trouble."
Kumogakure and Kirigakure had also suffered considerable losses in the Akatsuki's attacks. Although they had tested Konoha just as Iwagakure had, their moves had been on a much smaller scale.
After some clashes, both sides discovered that Konoha was still not to be trifled with and withdrew outright.
Kumogakure and Kirigakure had no capacity to start a war right now. They barely had time to lick their own wounds.
"Shikaku, Konoha's reconstruction must continue, but we can't neglect preparations for war either."
"The village being flattened temporarily stalled our war preparations. Now that reconstruction has entered its final stage, those preparations need to resume."
"Yes, I understand." Shikaku nodded.
Konoha