From the beginning of the war, not only Konoha, but Kumogakure also actively contacted other Shinobi villages, seeking to form alliances and win the war.
However, the situation in the ninja world was very delicate at the time. Kirigakure was entangled in a civil war. Like Konoha, Sunagakure had just sealed a Tailed Beast into Gaara, making him their new jinchūriki. They were likely busy strengthening the seal and had no capacity to participate in a large-scale ninja world war. As for Iwagakure, the death of the Third Tsuchikage would have been blamed on them, and with Ōnoki's shrewd temperament, he likely hoped that Konoha and Kumogakure would weaken each other. He would not participate in a war from which he saw no benefit.
As for the smaller ninja villages, they did not dare to get involved in a conflict between the major powers. It would be fortunate if the larger villages didn't destroy them outright.
The Third Hokage sat in his office, frowning, while the Fourth Raikage was furious. If not for the strong persuasion of Kumogakure's higher-ups, the Fourth Raikage would have already stormed Konoha's camp.
Kumogakure Camp
"Raikage-sama, this is a letter from Konoha's Third Hokage!" a Kumogakure chūnin said, handing the letter to the Fourth Raikage.
"Bring it here!" the Fourth Raikage shouted. Perhaps this was his normal speaking volume, but to others, it sounded like a low growl filled with anger.
The chūnin trembled as he handed over the letter, clearly intimidated.
"Hmph!" the Fourth Raikage snorted in dissatisfaction. Cowards like this were the type he looked down on the most.
He unfolded the letter but barely got halfway through before he tore it to pieces and casually tossed it aside. Slamming his fist down on the desk, he reduced it to rubble with a bang, then roared, "That old Hiruzen killed over 3,000 of our men and still wants to negotiate peace? What a joke!"
Mabui, clearly accustomed to the Raikage's temper, calmly directed the ninja nearby to bring a replacement desk. She then said, "It seems the Third Hokage does not wish to continue the conflict. This could be a chance to demand reparations from Konoha. Their forces are at their weakest since the Second Shinobi World War. Continuing the war benefits no one, Raikage-sama."
"Impossible!" the Fourth Raikage shouted. "Precisely because Konoha is at its weakest, we must strike now. I've already notified killer Bee. Once he arrives, we'll attack the Konoha front lines immediately!"
The personalities of the Fourth Raikage and the Third Hokage couldn't have been more different. One always sought to resolve problems through strength; the other preferred negotiation.
Yet, the Third Hokage had his own advantages — notably, the support of Shimura Danzō, operating in the shadows.
"Raikage-sama, you summoned Killer Bee privately?" Mabui asked, displeased.
"What do you mean 'privately'? I'm the Raikage!" he barked at her, furious.
"But as your secretary, it's my duty to correct your reckless decisions and give you proper counsel," Mabui replied coolly, ignoring his outburst.
"Hmph!" The Raikage glared but eventually sank back into his seat in frustration. He had no way of dealing with his sharp-tongued yet capable secretary.
"Raikage-sama, we have a report from the scouts!" Another Kumogakure ninja entered with a scroll.
"Bring it here!" the Raikage ordered.
"Yes!" The ninja respectfully handed over the information.
The Raikage accepted the report and studied the ninja, who at least didn't appear to be frightened of him a rare trait he appreciated.
"Damn it!" he growled after reading.
"What happened, Raikage-sama?" Mabui asked.
"That bastard Chao Yanqian is wandering right in front of our scouts. He clearly doesn't take Kumogakure seriously!" the Raikage barked.
"He didn't spot our scouts, did he?" Mabui asked cautiously.
"Then how do you explain all our spies seeing him, no matter where they're stationed? He's making a point of being seen. It's provocation, plain and simple!" Raikage growled.
"This..." Mabui blinked. How could this happen? Didn't the Third Hokage just send a letter asking for peace? Why was Chao Yanqian provoking Kumogakure?
"Send my orders. Gather all our ninjas immediately. I'll personally eliminate that bastard Chao Yanqian!" Raikage roared, his eyes scanning the room for something else to smash anything but his female secretary.
"Raikage-sama, even if you insist on war, we should wait until Killer Bee arrives!" Mabui urged.
"Enough! Go get Darui!" the Raikage shouted.
"Yes, sir."
Kumogakure was preparing for battle, and Konoha wasn't idle either.
The only reason Kumogakure's scouts could move around Konoha's camp was that the Third Hokage, hoping for peace, had allowed it. It was meant to show goodwill. If he wanted to, the Hyūga clan alone could sweep the area and round up every last scout.
However, after Chao Yanqian's apparent provocation, Nara Shikaku immediately moved into a state of alert. He ordered the Hyūga clan to begin purging Kumogakure scouts from around the camp.
If war was inevitable, Konoha couldn't allow Kumogakure to monitor its every move.
At the same time, Shikaku ordered ninjas to monitor Kumogakure's reaction.
If the Fourth Raikage truly intended to avenge the death of over 3,000 of his men, Konoha would need to prepare for immediate retaliation. But if Kumogakure was still open to negotiation, then Shikaku would detain Chao Yiqian and prevent further provocation.
The grudge over the deaths of 3,000 soldiers was no less severe than the loss Kirigakure suffered when the Three-Tails was released. Both villages had strong reasons to hate Chao Yanqian.
Sunagakure likely held a grudge as well. Their previous war with Konoha ended with Chao Yanqian and Be Feng Shuimen teaming up to gravely injure the Third Tsuchikage.
As for Sunagakure, though Chao Yanqian had exposed the truth behind the assassination of the Third Kazekage by Sasori of the Red Sand, that wasn't a source of pride. Elder Chiyo probably wished to cut Chao Yanqian into pieces.
Upon reflection, Chao Yanqian had managed to offend all five major villages in the shinobi world.
Thinking of this, Nara Shikaku sighed deeply. Why was his student always stirring up so much trouble?
But on further reflection, he realized something surprising: Konoha had only managed to defeat the four other great villages thanks to Chao Yanqian's critical contributions. His efforts could only be described with one word indispensable.
"Maybe... this time too, Chao Yanqian will surprise us again," Shikaku thought.
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