"Konoha's wild ambitions!"
"Konoha is the culprit behind the harm to the Third Kazekage!"
"The Third Hokage intends to incite a new war!"
Soon, following Sunagakure's trade network, a wave of rumors spread throughout the outside world along with numerous merchant caravans.
Of course, these tidbits were not official statements or accusations from Sunagakure, but rather rumors that grew more bizarre as they were passed along.
Everyone who heard them spread the word as if it were fact, as if they had seen it with their own eyes: Konoha had painstakingly prepared for years and finally found the right moment to frame the Third Kazekage.
In the story, the Third Kazekage personally led a small group of people to work outside for Sunagakure's industries, only to fall into a Konoha ambush. He fought the Konoha army alone and ultimately—met an unfortunate end.
The two great nations had been at peace for a long time. Although some old grudges were formed during the Second Great Ninja War, Sunagakure's economy was now booming. The Third Kazekage cared deeply for the Village and its people, and knowing the shadow war brought to the nation, he was unwilling to let suffering repeat.
With peaceful ideals in his heart—he never expected that Konoha's wicked heart would never die, always wanting to invade Sunagakure and the Land of Wind to gain war profits.
In a situation where the two Villages had clearly been at 'truce' for years, they resorted to a sudden sneak attack.
Such an ugly face was truly hateful.
It was Konoha who first broke this hard-won sign of peace.
The story was told with such vivid detail that it seemed real.
Although it was somewhat embarrassing for their own Kage to be 'taken out' by the enemy,
it also created a despicable image of Konoha's sinister intentions and an aggressor's mindset—wanting to lay hands on the territory of the Land of Wind, disregarding the safety of civilians from both countries, and repeatedly trying to spark the flames of war.
Regardless of whether the news was true or false, how many people believed it, or how much face Sunagakure lost—it seemed Sunagakure was ready to strip off its dignity to drag Konoha down with them.
The common people of the Ninja World were the easiest to fool. As long as this matter spread—regardless of the final direction of public opinion—Konoha would certainly be unable to clear its name even if they jumped into the Yellow River.
Even more fatal was that this news was not Sunagakure's official stance—it was just a rumor.
This made it difficult for Konoha to even counter-attack Sunagakure.
Moreover, if Konoha stood up at this time and demanded Sunagakure provide evidence or clear their suspicions—Sunagakure would surely take advantage of the situation to muddy the waters even further. By then, Konoha would definitely be unable to explain itself—Sunagakure was likely waiting for Konoha to jump out in a rush to 'prove' their innocence.
The Hokage Building.
All the higher-ups sat together in a circle.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had called Danzo, Utatane Koharu, and the others over.
The current situation was extremely unfavorable for Konoha.
This move by Sunagakure was too dirty!
Hiruzen took several deep drags from his pipe, the wrinkles on his face bunching together as he remained silent.
The Third Kazekage advocated for peace?
Does Sunagakure even know what they're saying?
Anyone with even a little understanding of Sunagakure and the Third Kazekage knew this was a complete fabrication—
But some small countries or small Villages were unaware and didn't know Sunagakure's true nature.
Now that Sunagakure's medicine resources were sold to various regions of the Ninja World, many countries and Villages had benefited and established trade cooperation with Sunagakure, forming a certain emotional foundation.
As a result, regardless of the truth—these countries and Villages would naturally support Sunagakure's side. As for Konoha, they were completely portrayed as the villains.
"What do you all think?"
Hiruzen sighed—he didn't know who in Sunagakure had come up with this move, but it was absolutely malicious!
He hadn't noticed before—that those people from Sunagakure were so insidious—
"Sunagakure is spreading the news regardless of their own face. It seems—they really are acting out of desperation, which also proves that something has indeed happened to the Third Kazekage."
The old man Homura Mitokado added, "The question is—which Village did it? There aren't many—who would have such strength."
"Iwagakure?"
Utatane Koharu instinctively thought of that old ghost, Ōnoki.
Could it be—that Ōnoki personally took action?
If he had such capability, why didn't he use it during the last Ninja World War—honestly—
"It shouldn't be. If it were really Iwagakure, they would have certainly made some wartime arrangements against Sunagakure's revenge after the incident. From the current view, the Kazekage's death is very strange; even Sunagakure itself doesn't know who the killer is—"
Hiruzen shook his head, "But now, we have no way to explain—those people from Sunagakure are clearly frantic and want to find a target to vent their anger on. Because of the hatred formed from the last Ninja World War, we've been targeted."
"Should we send troops to the border immediately? Could Sunagakure be planning to move against us?"
One of the higher-ups felt a tightening in his heart.
"It's possible, but not very likely. For one, Sunagakure's medicine industry has just started operating, and the Village is in a critical period of transformation. They should be very clear about the consequences of triggering a major war at this time. From the current situation, it's more like Sunagakure realized the rumors about the Kazekage couldn't be stopped, so they intentionally want to shift the Ninja World's public opinion and divert focus."
Hiruzen narrowed his eyes, blowing out a puff of smoke. "The trouble now is that our Village has already been 'defined' by public opinion—Sunagakure can sit back and watch the tigers fight. After the last Ninja World War, our Village still has significant latent issues with the other Villages besides Sunagakure. Now, we've become the culprits, which gives the other Villages a legitimate reason to send troops against us, even if they know the news from Sunagakure is fake—it won't stop those few people from triggering a new round of Ninja World War."
"If you put it that way, Sunagakure, who seems to be fuming right now, is actually the least likely to move against us—their Village has lost its Kage, and their combat power is greatly reduced. If a fight breaks out now—they would be asking for trouble."
Utatane Koharu considered Sunagakure's current situation and felt that Hiruzen was right.
The one Konoha needed to be wary of wasn't Sunagakure, but the movements of the other Villages.
"Isn't the matter quite simple—"
Danzo let out a cold laugh.
"Sunagakure wants to protect itself. Their medicine industry profits are staggering—who wouldn't want such resources? The death of the Third Kazekage exactly proves that someone has already targeted the cake in their hands, so—Sunagakure is clearly panicked."
"They want to shift the trouble elsewhere, and there's no place more worthy of diverting the flames of war than Konoha—once the war starts, relying on the special value of their medicine, they can also make a fortune from the war. This is their true intention."
"6"
""
Danzo's thinking and perspective on the matter made the Konoha higher-ups realize the truth, but their expressions became even more solemn.
What a clever move by Sunagakure to kill two birds with one stone!
"Are they so sure—that public opinion alone can trigger the Third Ninja World War?" Homura Mitokado frowned.
"I can't speak for others—but Kumogakure lost to us last time, and the Raikage has always been dissatisfied. As long as public opinion is hyped to a certain level, with the Raikage's personality—he will definitely enter the fray! He has always considered Kumogakure the number one ninja Village, with military strength superior to our Konoha, and has always tried to prove it—now that there's such a good opportunity to act under the banner of justice, he won't miss it."
Danzo said calmly: "Don't forget, among our Village's mainstays from the Second Great Ninja War—some are no longer here."
Of Konoha's Three Legendary Sannin, Jiraiya and Tsunade were not in the Village.
And the one who dealt a heavy blow to Kumogakure and whom the Raikage feared most, Konoha's White Fang, had also passed away.
Now, on the surface, only Orochimaru remained.
Even if Jiraiya could be brought back, the Village's combat power could not compare to its peak during the Second Great Ninja War."
Hiruzen pondered in silence.
There was no choice; Konoha naturally had a Physique that attracted hatred.
Kumogakure dared to enter the fray because they were certain that as long as they acted and fired the first shot—the other Villages would surely kick Konoha while it was down.
By then, no one would have a good time.
"War—is already inevitable. What are you still hesitating for?"
Suddenly, Danzo looked directly at his old friend Hiruzen, "You are the Hokage—stop being so cautious. Instead of letting people attack our home, it's better to strike first."
"Additionally—what you should care about now is not this upcoming war, but—finding a way to get Sunagakure's industries. Their medicine—is the most valuable thing right now!"
"Since they've thrown dirty water on us, we might as well beat them at their own game—"
Danzo's gaze was somewhat dark.
"You know full well how much loss the last Ninja World War brought to the Village."
"Do you know what it means to actively provoke a war that covers the entire Ninja World?"
Hiruzen closed his eyes and shook his head.
Once war broke out, the Village's newly recovered Origin Qi and the rising new generation would likely have to go to their deaths again.
Moreover, Konoha would surely be besieged again, with pressure far exceeding that of other Villages.
As the Hokage, Hiruzen had to consider carefully—he still had lingering fears from the last Ninja World War.
Besides, the idea of seizing another Village's resources seemed a bit too extreme to Hiruzen.
"You and I have lived for so long—those overly cautious thoughts in your head are not the responsibility of a Hokage, but a stupidity that will eventually become a joke—"
"Survival is won through strength—don't you understand yet? In the Ninja World—there is no peace to speak of—"
Seeing Hiruzen's reaction, Danzo, who knew his old friend all too well, immediately understood what the former was thinking and couldn't help but speak in sarcasm.
These words made Hiruzen Sarutobi's face look a bit unsightly.
Only Danzo would dare to speak to him like that.
The relationship between the two was a bit complicated.
After speaking, Danzo slowly stood up.
The Hokage was Hiruzen after all; as long as Hiruzen didn't agree to his proposal, it was a no-go.
"If that lord were here—"
Before leaving, Danzo intentionally left one last sentence.
It left everyone at the table in silent response.
Clearly, the lord he was referring to—was the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama.
The few of them were all old friends who had once fought side by side on the battlefield, and they knew even better—what Danzo's words were implying.
Back then, the person the Second chose to succeed him was Hiruzen Sarutobi, not Danzo—this was something Danzo could never let go of.