The Hokage Office was packed with people, all members of Konoha's High Command. Even Ye Feng had been dragged over.
Minato Namikaze spoke:
"Kumogakure, Kirigakure, and Iwagakure are coming together this time. I'm afraid their intentions aren't friendly, and this most likely has something to do with the Hyuga Clan as well. If you have any thoughts or countermeasures, speak up so we can discuss them."
Utatane Koharu was the first to speak up:
"Since they're so clearly harboring malicious ambitions, why not simply refuse to let them participate?"
The Third Hokage shook his head and said:
"I don't think that's appropriate. Konoha signed an alliance agreement with the Three Great Shinobi Villages, and Konoha is open to outsiders to begin with. If we rashly refuse them, we'll only give the Three Great Shinobi Villages an excuse to turn on us together."
Utatane Koharu said unhappily:
"But if we don't stop them, they'll attack us anyway. Won't the result be the same?"
The Third Hokage spoke again:
"No, it won't. Whatever happens, Konoha cannot be the first to break the agreement."
Hearing this, Minato Namikaze added:
"That's right. Konoha has always aspired to peace, and we certainly won't take the initiative to provoke trouble."
Tsunade spoke then:
"Since the Joint Chunin Ninja Exams are already settled, all we can do is limit the number of ninja from the other villages. We also need to deploy more personnel to prevent them from slipping into Konoha and reduce the pressure on the village as much as possible. And the competition grounds can't be inside Konoha. I suggest building new ones outside the village. If a major battle does break out, we can keep the damage to a minimum."
Everyone nodded at Tsunade's words, agreeing with her suggestions.
Minato Namikaze spoke again:
"In