There was no way to suppress news of a village's Kage going missing.
"The Third Kazekage has vanished." The news spread rapidly throughout the Shinobi World as though it had sprouted wings.
For a time, the ninja villages of every nation reacted with different shifts in sentiment.
The Land of Earth, Iwagakure.
"The Third Kazekage is missing? Did that one-eyed bastard in Konoha enter his dream and assassinate him? Hmm, unlikely. That old schemer's Dream Release is decent enough.
"But entering the dream of a Kage-level powerhouse is difficult in itself, let alone assassinating one. Besides, that fellow Sarutobi wouldn't let him do something like that to disrupt the peace.
"Missing... who could have done it? Still... it's good that he's missing. Iwagakure... needs a war now, too. So this time... what will the other ninja villages do?"
Inside the Tsuchikage's office.
Ōnoki hovered before the office's floor-to-ceiling window, looking toward Sunagakure as he murmured under his breath.
The Land of Lightning, Kumogakure.
Kumogakure's council hall was spacious and open, with an enormous terrain model at its center. Every nation's territory, mountains, rivers, and borders were clearly laid out.
Third Raikage A stood before the model and brought his rough palm down heavily on the Land of Wind's territory. His hearty, domineering laughter echoed through the entire hall.
"Hahahaha! This time, that bastard who only knows how to hide inside an iron sand giant has gone missing. It was most likely that sneaky old dog in Konoha.
"A Kage suddenly disappearing. Good, good, good! There's bound to be fighting again this time. Tell me... can Kumogakure take a bite out of this platter of meat called the Land of Wind?"
Third Raikage A fixed his sharp gaze on the Land of Wind's territory on the model, then turned toward his external brain standing beside him, Dodai.
"Dodai, what do you think?"
Third Raikage A asked with a broad smile, looking at the part of the model belonging to the Land of Wind.
"The Land of Wind's defenses are weak now, and it has no leader. On top of that, Sunagakure's defeat by Konoha in the last war left it badly weakened. Tearing off a piece of meat from the Land of Wind wouldn't be difficult for us.
"However, actually taking Sunagakure would be somewhat troublesome. Its environment alone makes it difficult for us to conquer, not to mention that, while Sunagakure has lost its Kazekage, Chiyo is still alive.
"Even you would find her poison very troublesome if you took it head-on, Lord Raikage. Kumogakure has no medical ninja with skills like Tsunade's."
Dodai, who served as the Raikage's external brain, spoke in a low voice.
Hearing this, Third Raikage A laughed even more boisterously, his chest shaking, brimming with wild confidence that victory was his.
"Hahahaha, good! I'm not greedy. A piece of meat will do! After all, I wouldn't even bother taking the Land of Wind's land if someone gave it to me. For truly fertile land, it has to be Konoha..."
A hint of greed showed in the Third Raikage's eyes. Who wouldn't want the Land of Fire's land?
The Land of Water.
Kirigakure.
The Mizukage Building.
The Third Mizukage sat at his desk with vacant eyes. Behind him, a White Zetsu leisurely picked his ears.
"So picking your ears feels really nice, too. But why do I have three ears? Well, well, someone's coming~"
As his words fell, White Zetsu's figure instantly merged into the Third Mizukage's body. With White Zetsu's entry, life returned to the Third Mizukage's vacant eyes.
"Reporting, Lord Mizukage!"
"Important news! Sunagakure's ninja are spreading out toward the borders of every nation. They seem to be searching for something. According to information from the Intelligence Agency, they're most likely searching for their Kazekage. Something has very likely happened to the Third Kazekage!"
An Anbu ninja instantly appeared before the Third Mizukage, dropped to one knee, and reported loudly.
"The Third Kazekage is missing? Interesting... gather the troops and await further news. Unless something unexpected happens, war is about to begin."
Possessed by White Zetsu, the Third Mizukage spoke coldly in the Third Mizukage's voice.
"Understood!"
The Anbu ninja answered loudly with his head bowed extremely low.
"You... are afraid of me?"
The Third Mizukage glanced at the Anbu ninja kneeling on the floor and spoke coldly.
"N-no, I wouldn't dare. You are our most revered Lord Mizukage."
At those words, the Anbu ninja lowered his head a little farther and spoke with a slight tremor in his voice.
"Really? Fear... what does it feel like?"
The Third Mizukage flashed in front of the Anbu ninja, bent down to look at him, and murmured softly.
The next moment.
Splat!
With a soft sound, all the moisture inside the Anbu ninja's body instantly turned into countless senbon, flew out, and began revolving around the Third Mizukage.
The Anbu ninja, meanwhile, instantly ceased breathing.
"Why won't you answer me? Oh dear, it looks like I'll have to arrange for someone else to assemble the ninja troops."
Having casually killed the Anbu ninja, the Third Mizukage reverted to White Zetsu's strange manner of speaking and spoke softly.
"Fear... just what does it feel like? I'm so curious. Unfortunately, Lord Madara won't tell me. Finding the answer myself is such a hassle."
The Land of Wind, Sunagakure.
Inside the Kazekage's Office.
A woman whose face already bore wrinkles sat in the Kazekage's seat.
The flower of Sunagakure-Chiyo.
"Still haven't found him?"
Chiyo's voice sounded weary as she spoke softly to Ebizo, who had just entered the Kazekage's Office.
"No..."
Looking at his haggard older sister, Ebizo's eyes filled with heartache.
His sister had first lost her son and daughter-in-law, and now...
Sasori, could it have been you? But... if it really was you, how did you kill the Kazekage? A Kage's power... shouldn't be something you can handle.
Ebizo thought to himself, harboring some suspicions.
Two people disappearing together... under such circumstances, it was hard not to speculate.
If Sasori hadn't been Chiyo's grandson...
Ah, Sister.
"Ebizo, keep looking. Search for three more days, one last time. Consider it... my selfish request. I'll personally suppress the rumors in the village. If we still can't find him... then make preparations."
After a moment of silence, Chiyo raised her head and spoke in a low voice.
A Kage's disappearance would inevitably trigger internal conflicts within the village, and the best way to divert internal conflicts was to turn them into external ones.