Main World.
Konoha Year 29, winter.
Land of Lightning, Kumogakure.
Kinkaku stood before the map in the Raikage's Office, his silver-white hair gleaming coldly under the lights. Before him lay a vast map of the Shinobi World. Red markings charted the movements of the various powers-Konoha had held at the Valley of the End, Iwagakure was supplying Konoha, Kirigakure was watching and waiting, Amegakure was watching and waiting too, and Rōran was making money. His finger moved slowly across the map, from the Land of Lightning to the Land of Fire, from the Land of Fire to the Land of Earth, from the Land of Earth to the Land of Water, and from the Land of Water to the Land of Rain.
Ginkaku stood behind him, holding a freshly delivered intelligence report. His expression was grim, his brows drawn tightly together.
"Brother, Ōnoki's supplies have arrived. Konoha's wounded are recovering, and their positions are being reinforced. If this drags on, we won't have a chance."
Kinkaku did not turn around.
"I know."
"Then what do we do?"
Kinkaku's finger stopped on the map, pointing at the Land of Rain.
"Recruit allies."
Ginkaku frowned slightly.
"Allies? Who?"
"The Land of Rain. The Land of Water." Kinkaku turned around. "I'll attack Konoha, the Land of Water will attack the Land of Earth, and the Land of Rain... can attack whoever it likes."
Ginkaku's pupils contracted slightly.
"Brother, will the Land of Water listen to us?"
"No. But they'll listen to their own interests." Kinkaku walked to the window and looked out over Kumogakure. "The Land of Water and the Land of Earth are sworn enemies. In the First Shinobi World War, the Second Mizukage and the Second Tsuchikage killed each other. The people of Kirigakure hate Iwagakure to their bones. If I